Wandering Aimlessly
Dana Milbank, writing in the Washington Post, explains the latest new, new, really super new, yup it's new direction the Democrats have wandered off in this time. I've long since lost count of the newest of new directions, but Milbank provides a handy-dandy guide.
"I hope you all received 'A New Direction for America,' " she said, standing at a lectern that bore the same slogan. She called the manifesto "a compilation of many of the initiatives taken by our House Democratic Caucus that encompasses our new direction for all Americans."
It was a handsome booklet, full of homey photographs and popular proposals, but there was a problem. Democrats have had more "New Directions" recently than MapQuest.
Among the party's campaign slogans this year: "Culture of Corruption," "Culture of Cronyism," "Do-Nothing Congress," "Rubber-Stamp Congress," "Together, We Can Do Better," "Together, America Can Do Better" and, most recently, "Six for '06."
For those keeping score at home, Democrats arrived at "New Direction" yesterday by downgrading one of the "Six for '06" issues (health care) and upgrading three others (honesty, civility and fiscal discipline), for a total of eight items on the contents page.
By contrast, Republicans have settled on a single, unofficial slogan, which essentially says: Vote Democrat and Die. And in politics, scary and scurrilous usually trumps elaborate and earnest — something Pelosi has experienced firsthand in recent days.
I think that's a bit hyperbolic on the Republican slogan, but let that pass. The fact is that Pelosi cannot seem to settle on one thing. It has been almost painful watching the complete lack of focus. They settle on issues that have a really good chance on coming back to bite them (culture of corruption for example), then are surprised when it happens. They issue their six points then suddenly drop one, add three and meander off in that direction.
As I have been noting in the past few days, there are signs of nervousness coming from some Democrats. Now you can understand why that is.
UPDATE: KT Cat's comment deserves to be up here on the main page:
“Our polling says that Americans want change. Therefore, we are changing our slogans and plans on a regular basis. We Democrats are giving this country what it wants.” - Nancy Pelosi.
Er, or maybe just me writing something Nancy Pelosi might say if she said something like that.
I'm sorry to have to tell Tom Maguire this, but she tops his comment. (Although he gets high marks in both cheap and sophmoric, which is what he was going for!) Brothers Judd says the Dems are just out of gas.
Other Links to this Post
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Alabama Liberation Front — Friday, 15 September , 2006 @ 9:42 pm
By K T Cat, Friday, 15 September , 2006 @ 1:03 pm
“Our polling says that Americans want change. Therefore, we are changing our slogans and plans on a regular basis. We Democrats are giving this country what it wants.” - Nancy Pelosi.
Er, or maybe just me writing something Nancy Pelosi might say if she said something like that.
By Gaius, Friday, 15 September , 2006 @ 1:11 pm
Bwahahahaha. Perfect!
By Lemming Herder, Friday, 15 September , 2006 @ 3:31 pm
As much as I hate to say it you’re right. Teh Democrats consistently lose because all they are do is react to whatever messages the Republicans are sending.
The Republicans are always able to frame the issues of the campaigns.
http://dontbealemming.com/2006/08/15/the-dems-arent-blameless.aspx
Posted by the Lemming Herder at Don’t Be A Lemming!
By Neo, Friday, 15 September , 2006 @ 8:00 pm
Is that “NewD irection” ?
I suppose it will be spearheaded by Pelosi and Murtha.
By Gaius, Friday, 15 September , 2006 @ 8:02 pm
AAAAGHHHH. My mind’s eye just exploded!