Election season is almost here.
Currently we are entangled in Afghanistan and have a quagmire in Iraq. We have a little war going on in the Middle East, Iran and North Korea nuclear crises, genocide in Africa. On the domestic front, we’ve had 6 years and still Bush has done nothing to address our healthcare crisis, the growing number of Americans living in poverty, our rising dependency on oil. Not to mention our broken election process, education, and social security. The problems are endless and daunting.
The Republicans have had their chance to make our country better. They’ve dropped the ball. With them drunk on power, we’ve been rewarded Katrina, Iraq, more terrorism in the world, secret wiretapping with no oversight, signing statements curtailing the relevance of Congress while increasing the power of the executive branch, government in bed with religion, and indifference to the mounting evidence supporting global warming
More alarming than anything is the lack of foresight by our elected leaders. We are indebting our children so we can have a couple hundred dollars in tax cuts. We have cut terrorism funding for New York, while increasing spending for Bumfuk, USA. We insult our allies and the UN, treating them with contempt, then expect them to support us in other endeavors. We’ve taken our eyes off of Afghanistan, who is fast deteriorating. And, South America? Asia? Our attention in these areas has been non-existent and thus American prestige and influence has gone down the drain.
With actions, come consequences that we are starting to experience and will continue to endure long after Bush is gone from office and this nightmare of an administration is in the history books. Right now we need competence. We need leaders. We need people with good ideas and the balls to tell us about them. This is where you come in.
Going into this year’s elections, I expect you, the candidate for local, state, or national office, to be a source for change and action. We can win on the issues. Your constituency, the American people, need you more than ever. Fight smart. And you will win.
1. Do not dismiss the netroots
You are here so you must know this. Not only can we help you get your message out, we are a good source for constructive criticism, volunteer pool, and monetary support. You will not find more passionate and energized group of people ready to crash the gate with you. We are knowledgeable about most local races, different policy initiatives and we work to get Dems elected. We–the netroots– are the future of Democracy. You want to mobilize the base? Start here.2. Speak to me in plain English
Tell me how your ideas are better than that of your opponent. What makes you a better leader? Why will you get shit done and your opponent will not? Leave the Senate talk for the Senate.3. Say sweet words to me, but do not bullshit me.
I have a long memory. I am the base. I know your strengths and limitations. Moreover, what I do not know, I find out. Do not try to pull the wool over my eyes. You can insult my interpretation of your views, my new shoes, but do not insult my intelligence.4. Stand up for your beliefs
But, be open to changing your views. For example, if you think universal healthcare is a good idea but hard to implement, keep your eyes open to what is happening in different areas around the country. Massachusetts is working on insuring 95% of the uninsured population. San Fransisco is doing something similar. If these initiatives work after a couple of years in practice, it would be bull-headed and idiotic to say we cannot look at its implementation on a national scale.5. Know your friends. And your enemies
The DLC will try to use you. The Netroots want to get you elected. The Grassroots will grind it out with you. Republicans hate you. The media will exploit you. Do not forget it.6. If Liberal, do not be afraid to say it
Be proud. Knowing who you are and being confident to express it goes a long way in forming your public image. People are more likely to run to you if you stand still and not run from yourself.7. Do not slander other Dems
In football, it is called the bye week, where the team that wins the Conference gets to rest for a week, while its next opponent is the winner of this week’s match, gets no rest, and is likely to play a grueling match where both teams get beat to a pulp. Sure, primaries are tough where your opponent is someone in your party. But, for Christ sake, do not give the right-wing ammunition to destroy the one that comes on top in the end.8. Know our electoral history so you do not repeat same mistakes
Know why Hackett and Busby lost. Know how Corzine and Kaine won. Stick to what works. Discard what doesn’t work.9. Country before party
You are an American before you are a Democrat. Do not be afraid to have a different view from most in your party. Do not be hesitate to give praise and criticism when deserved. That is what it is to be an American in the big tent party.10. Finally, stand up to the rightwing
Be a fighting Dem. Do not let right-wing swift-boating attempts go unchallenged. I cannot stress this enough. Be succinct and clear in pointing out the lies of the right. The electorate wants to see the candidate they are considering electing into office has fight in him to counter right-wing smears. Do it. This might be the most important challenge you face. You know the tricks of those on the other side. You know what they are capable of. Don’t dismiss it and think it will go away. Speak truth to lies and deception. Show the people why they should vote for change and not the status quo that is the Republican culture of corruption.
Make me proud.
