At George Washington University, Howard Dean on December 8th used a major address to make his claim for the chairmanship of the Democratic National Committee. Seeing a very ill, deeply depressed Democratic patient with a weak pulse and failing heart, Doctor Dean offered his usual combustible mix of rage and righteous indignation as a balm.

Just as in 2003, the Good Doctor showed he is passionately committed to saving the life of his patient, with words that make the patient feel better in the short term:

Here in Washington, it seems that after every losing election, there's a consensus reached among decision-makers in the Democratic Party is that the way to win is to be more like Republicans.

I suppose you could call that philosophy: if you didn't beat 'em, join them.

I'm not one for making predictions -- but if we accept that philosophy this time around, another Democrat will be standing here in four years giving this same speech. we cannot win by being "Republican-lite." We've tried it; it doesn't work.

We have to learn to punch our way off the ropes...We need to be able to say strongly, firmly, and proudly what we believe...Because we are what we believe.

But just as in 2003, Dr. Dean has once again made the wrong diagnosis.

Of course, Democrats should fight for what they believe and "punch their way" off the ropes. In 2003, Dean did a good "rope a dope" himself, but it was Kerry that got off the matt.

Of course, Democrats should compete in every state and leverage their new found grassroots fundraising capability.

Of course, Democrats should stay true to their values and not become "Republican lite."

But towards what end?

Dean is focused on the symptoms, and not the disease itself. Democrats must be more than the Party of No. Democrats must say what they stand for and articulate a positive policy program for change, all in a way that is easily communicated.

Democrats need to take a deep breath, look in the mirror, and who we're speaking to and what are our priorities. For all of the energy, outrage and intellectual horsepower being expended, what is the "meta-story", the unifying theme for groups like MoveOn and America Coming Together (ACT) on the left and the Democratic Leadership Council (DLC) and the New Democrat Network (NDN) in the center? When John Kerry lost every income group over $50,000 a year, was mauled both among white men (62-37%) and white women (55%-44%), and saw George Bush gets 42% of the Hispanic vote, who are we speaking to? Suburban voters (like "Office Park Dads", "Soccer Moms", or "Security Moms") or the mythical "ideopolis" of "creative class" professionals and urban minority voters? Have we created accidentally a de facto left-wing cacophony that obscures issues and confuses Americans as much as the right-wing noise machine we loathe?

Perrspectives has already written at length on these issues, including:

No, Doctor Howard Dean is not the prescription for Democrats. The cure for what ails us is a new voice of reform combining strategic vision and a track record of success for Democrats nationwide, Simon Rosenberg of the New Democrat Network. More on that to come...

—Perrspective 11:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (5) |