Gingrich made his bread by capitalizing on the anti-politician/dissatisfaction with the government tendencies of many people especially in rural American and in the West. I really don’t think that people care too much about what differentiates the two parties as far as doctrine is concerned. I believe that the dissatisfaction with government is a perennial gripe and should be exploited by us now that they control the government. It’s hard to bitch about the government when you control it and it’s politics as usual.
This is the point we should keep driving home. I think that platform is secondary in the minds of people. The only thing we need to do is be there with a plan, with no plan, with anything, as long as it is an alternative. Most Americans, beside we ideologues, do not care about the distinction between the parties. They just care when things do no go right. Lets build our base, build are funds, and be there when the shit hits the fan and it will very soon.
Unless Daniel or anyone else comes up with a better idea, it’s going to come down to money and grassroots support.
So cough up the dough, or be willing to take the time mobilizing in your area, or beyond. That is what the Republicans did back in the day. Sorry but that is what it will take to even stand a chance in the next decade. Don’t think that the upcoming scandals (and there are many coming), or the shift in the national polls against George Bush, are enough to turn the tide. Bet against it, and take your winnings on that bet and use it to support fighting back (assuming that is your goal, of course).
Having followed his road to victory very closely, including having read the entire text of the book-length Contract With America, I disagree. He started with the anti-government sentiment, but he followed up with specific, visionary proposals for how to reshape our country.
They were terrible proposals in the main; I despise what he did to our country. But he had specific, positively-framed proposals. And these specifics are exactly what the Democrats lack now.
Yeah, anti-government sentiment is a major aspect of American politics. But so is griping about the gap between the haves and the have-nots. Plenty of Democrats in the past have won elections by emphasizing that gap and promising to reduce it; lately Democrats have been shy about making such an emphasis. We need specific, visionary proposals that describe how a rising tide (e.g., universal health care) lifts all boats.
