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December 1, 2004
Israel Politics, A Response to Trippi, Orange DEC Tonight
There are interviews with both Abu Mazen and Ariel Sharon in last week's Newsweek. The interviews show a reason for optimism in the Middle East. I also find it interesting that terror attacks dropped off after Arafat's death. Perhaps the guy really was ordering them? Ultimately, I hope we can find a solution that both sides are happy with. If the solution is seen as anything but a victory for both sides - neither side will be happy. If the Palestinians give into every Israeli demand, there will be a backlash from their people and we'll be right back where we started. But if the Israelis give into every Palestinian demand - then the Israelis will elect new leadership who will react differently to the treaties. It's a tough situation - that's why you never want to get into a land war in Asia.
In the Wall Street Journal, Trippi discusses what's needed to save the Democratic Party. While there are many points I agree with Joe on - a clear definition of where we stand, work with the base, and strengthing labor - there are places that I very much disagree. Grassroots only goes so far - Bush would not have won election without convincing swing voters he was better at handling terrorism. This didn't come out of voter contact - this came out of television buys and their message machine. The lesson of Rove isn't all grassroots all the time - it's you must effectively combine all the mechanisms of campaigning.
Here are my proposals -
1. Coherent Policy Positions with Plain Talking Points - We need message discipline from the candidate all the way down to the Canvasser. Everyone needs to know what to say - and we all need to be saying the same thing.
2. Don't Abandon the Swing - There will always be a swing voting bloc in this country. We can't abandon it. I'm not saying that we need to move to the Center, but that we need to appeal to both areas. During the Kerry Campaign - we switched to all base. We stopped canvassing in swing precincts and I suspect that this may have been what cost us Florida. One on One Voter contact is incrediably effective with convincing swing voters - and swing voters can be relied upon to vote. This also ties into the Message.
3. Go on the Offense - The perception during 2004 was that we were on defense - at least it seemed that way to me. Bush ran as if he was running against an incumbent - and that's how he won. We should've been on the attack from day one - but also have been better about defining ourselves. We should've been 10 points ahead going into the debate.
I'll have more thoughts on that later.
The Orange Democrats are having a meeting tonight - Hopefully I'll have some insight on where things are going. Then again, I also am looking forward to getting out of Orlando.
Posted by MikeSager at December 1, 2004 10:58 AM
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