http://www.commondreams.org/views04/`1130-23`.htm
by Joe Trippi

The staggering defeat of the Democratic Party and its ever-
accelerating death spiral weren't obvious from the election results.
Two factors masked the extent of the party's trouble. Without the
innovation of `Internet-driven` `small-donor` `fund-raising` and a
corresponding surge in support from the youngest voters, John Kerry
would have suffered a dramatically larger defeat. And the true
magnitude of the Democrats' abject failure at the polls in 2004 would
have been more clearly revealed.

Mr. Kerry raised nearly half of his war chest over the Internet. He
was so successful at this that he actually outspent the Bush
campaign. But it was the outsider campaign of Howard Dean, reviled by
most of the Democratic establishment, that pioneered the use of the
Internet to raise millions in small contributions; Mr. Kerry was just
the beneficiary as the party nominee. And it was the `risk-taking` Dean
campaign that forced the `risk-averse` Kerry campaign to opt out of the
public financing system. Had that decision not been forced on Mr.
Kerry, he would have been badly outspent by George Bush; he would not
have been competitive at all throughout the long summer of 2004.

Mr. Kerry's lead among young voters hid just how bad Election Day
really was for Democrats. In 2000, voters between 18 and 29 split
their votes evenly: nine million each for Mr. Bush and Al Gore. But
in 2004, two million more voters in this age group turned out to
vote. And while Mr. Bush won the same nine million, 11 million voted
for Mr. Kerry. But when we set aside his two million new younger
voters, the true disaster is revealed. In 2000, Mr. Gore and Ralph
Nader won a combined total of 54 million votes. This year Mr. Kerry
and Mr. Nader got 53 million (ignoring the two million new young
voters).

Mr. Kerry was a weaker candidate than Mr. Gore. He lost so much
ground among women, Hispanics, and other key groups, that the
millions in Internet money, the most Herculean `get-out`-`the-vote`
effort in party history, and the largest turnout of young voters in
over a decade, couldn't save him. Had the young stayed home, the sea
of red on the map would have grown to include at least Pennsylvania,
Wisconsin and New Hampshire -- perhaps one or two more.

Meanwhile, Mr. Bush, received 50 million votes in 2000, and 59
million in 2004. He added nine million votes. That's because Karl
Rove had a plan and the campaign executed it brilliantly. But the
problem for Democrats is not Mr. Rove; it's that they're doing the
same thing over and over again, expecting a different result. That's
the definition of insanity.

Since the Democratic Leadership Council, with its mantra
of "moderate, moderate, moderate," took hold in D.C., the party has
been in decline at just about every level of government. Forget the
Kerry loss. Today the number of Democrats in the House is the lowest
it's been since 1948. Democrats are on the brink of becoming a
permanent minority party. Can the oldest democratic institution on
earth wake from its stupor? Here are some steps to pull out of the
`nose-dive`:

Democrats can't keep ignoring their base. Running to the middle and
then asking our base to make sure to vote isn't a plan. And to those
who say talking to your base doesn't work -- Read the Rove 2004
playbook!

Democrats must reconnect with the energy of our grass roots. One of
the failures of the DLC was that its ideas never helped us build a
`grass-roots` donor base. As a result, Democrats held a lead over
Republicans in only one fundraising category before this election
cycle: contributions over one million dollars. That shows how far the
party had strayed from grassroots fundraising before the Dean
campaign. We must build a base of at least seven million small donors
by 2006. With the Internet it's possible. But it can't just be about
the money, it also has to be about ideas.

The one thing we learned in the Dean campaign was that the 30 people
in Burlington weren't as smart as the 650,000 Americans who were part
of our campaign. Instead of a DLC in D.C., Democrats should be
holding Democratic Grassroots Councils in every county. Democratic
National Committee members in each state, along with the state party,
should host and moderate these meetings to develop ideas that come
from the people, instead of the experts in D.C.

A party that ignores the needs of state and local parties is doomed.
We must begin to invest aggressively in states we continually write
off in national elections. If we don't, the decline of the party in
these states will continue until we're `non-existent`. Look at the
south.

In a world in which companies like `Wal-Mart` pay substandard wages
with no real benefits, our party has got to find innovative ways to
support organized labor's growth. A declining union membership is not
good for the country, it's not good for working people, and it
certainly isn't good for the Democratic Party.

The Democratic Party has to be the vehicle that empowers the American
people to change our failed political system. We all know the damn
thing is broken. Democrats should lead the way by placing stricter
money restrictions on candidates than the toothless Federal Election
Commission does. A party funded by contributions from the people can
do this. A corrupted and corroded party cannot. The Democratic Party
shouldn't wait for `campaign-finance` reform -- it should be campaign-
finance reform.

Finally, what is the purpose the party strives for today? What are
our goals for the nation? You couldn't tell from the election. Very
few good ideas come from the middle, and they tend to be mediocre.
Consultants have become adept at keeping candidates in that safe
zone. But the time has come to develop bold ideas and challenge
people to sacrifice for the common good. Experts will tell you that
you can't ask the American people to sacrifice individually for the
common good. Those experts are wrong -- it's just been so long since
anyone has asked them.

Trippi for DNC chair!

His suggestions are excellent. I just hope somebody listens. And I hope it's obvious to everyone by now that ignoring the Democratic base and trying to act like Republicans DOESN'T WORK!

The Dem party should be listening to Joe Trippi instead of being afraid of the internet people. Grassroots are the only way to connect to what use to be their base.

Good article.

This is what we HAVE to do...there are so many parts to the puzzle that need to be looked at...but they all hinge on the party getting "local"...

I think what has happened over the years is that the Democrats thought they could pull in enough votes from the cities to carry elections. The smaller, rural areas always were more conservative...but, with the unions, there were enough votes that when added to the urban vote the Democrats could win. The unions are gone...we have to get a voice back into these areas to give the Democratic party a face that people can relate to. Until we do that, I don't even know if we can count on fairness in elections...and yeah, media is a part of it, but without a demonstratable audience what radio station is going to program liberal shows into these areas? Who's going to lobby for them to do so?

I hope the Party is listening to this and really, really hearing it.

Are you kidding?

He needs to go back in private life raking in his millions of dollars.

His total mismanagement of Howard Dean's presidential campaign doesn't give him much credibility.

None of his "advice" means squat if the voting machines are rigged.

Unless the vote rigging issue is dealt with and corrected, forget strategy.

can't believe people buy that b.s. about Democrats not having the "base."

For crying out loud, the McGovernites (the `self-described` "progressives")NEVER were the "base" of the Democratic Party, and Trippi is old enough to remember them.

It is a LIE to ignore the middle and pander only to 15 percent of the population. The ONLY reason the Democrats EVER won the White House after loss after loss after loss after loss was by going to the middle and `co-opting` the Republicans. Clinton did this, and that's why the Republicans went after him with a vengeance.

I get SO sick and tired of the garbage that is posted by `know-nothings` who don't understand basic politics.

Now we have fraud, which has cost Democrats to "lose" in 2000, in 2002, and this year. And idiots like Trippi want to bury his head in the sand and talk strategy.

Cripes.

Maybe it's just me, but I read Trippi's article as an endorsement of Dean for DNC Chair.

I don't believe that there is anything wrong with the Democrat party. Like in 2000, 2002 and 2004 the election was stolen thanks to Diebold and ES&S. We know the machines used all over the country were rigged. But with the Repugs in control of the government there will be NO true investigation. We've all seen the many postings here of voter fraud and disenfranchishment so give me a break. 2006 and 2008 will be more of the same if we don't do something about the little Black Box Bandits.

I would echo the opinions from above That The party need NOT be overhauled. further, I think Joe trippi's Comments arent exactly accurrate and fair about the Party's general direction and faulting how The Kerry campaing performed among grassrooters. I believe The Dean campaign should be a testament to future candidates, of what NOT to do instead of what they SHOULD do. I dont believe that Howard Dean should take credit for pioneering internet fundraising either. The online contributions were there for the asking, and Howard Dean was just the first to come out loudly against George Bush and his lame War.... no matter who did the asking. I myself was a Dean Supporter way before the primaries and before the debates were held...which was one reason I left him.....he just wasnt the right choice. that was clear after the debates. I get tired of hearing what Kerry shoudlve or didnt do, because I believe they did their job in many effective ways, and the grassroots efforts were by far much better organized than Bush ever dreamed of doing. So it goes without say that the election day results werent that expected and the fact remains that the base of the Republican party did hold strong, regardless of irregularities in voting. but it is my opinion as well as millions of others in America, that the voting system be overhauled, and vote system reform needs to occurr before any other elections are held. and dont ask the American people for contributions ....we've paid enough with blood over the years to have that right permanantly installed with fairness and secureness without further cost or burdens upon the people. Isnt Howard Dean the Founder of Democracy For America?...I would suggest Joe Trippi and Howard Dean both start getting busy implementing the importance of just that...and get busy doing it. instead of worrying and talking about what the hell John Kerry did or didnt do, and what else needs to be done with the Democratic Party .

I guess I don't see the building of a more "`grass-roots`" organization as going to the "left" or the "middle"....rather, I see it as a strategic means of getting our message out....and actually, it rather favors the forming of a more "centrist" approach by not expecting the special rights group to form a "base".

I suppose many will argue the point with me that the internet and its grasssroots efforts in this years election was a major tool in accessing get out the vote efforts among each party's base and getting messages across to independents and swing voters. This election couldnt have been more of an example of that just not being the case. simply because its not evident. It did however become...like usual an effective source for information .....and definately a source for contributions otherwise pinned down to physical contributions that definately would have rather lagged if not there. forming a more stronger base...will be for several more years, an effort made by forming the roots within our other media outlets....that itself is a battle being won on the other side, but something we have to overcome....and soon. The internet is and will get stronger as a voice and for sources to help along those structuring a media tool, and it is crucial in paving the way to have those sources funded. So in summary, I have to say the shifting doesnt need to sway more left or more right...it just needs to obtain a greater force in areas that are too often tapped by Republicans...and that is the web of local and suburban entities...that are now unfortunately in the hands of the republican base that is pursuassive in reaching them. The internet can and must be used to enact such a force...and I hope that it is prevailing.

The haves and the have more are the Republican party's base.....quoted from George Bush.....the only other alternative from that is where the Democratic party is...a place where ALL are entitled. left, right, and center . The theme for the next gfeneral election should focus more on just that....and directed at all of those. it can be done.

I certainly hope that you're referring to Trippi with that comment.

Otherwise it sure sounds like you're insulting other members, which
of course could easily be construed as a TOS violation. Just a thought.

Play nice people

In defense of fellow members, I must say that the above comments made by SusanNunes should'nt be taken as an insult, maybe just an opinion....and many of us have those, when we disagree with others. During the campaign many accustions on both sides and even among constituants were often made outloud...such as the infamous words from JRE asking the crowds if we were sick of this and sick of that....LOL so maybe just implying the words "`know-nothings`" can be just construde as having a definate opinion when discussing internal issues within the party. these are hotly contested debates about the formats and direction of a Democratic party in its `pre-search` for change. I dont think of the comments as a direct intentional insult and cause for any violation....maybe just a heated view on what someone else may or may not know or does know about certain topics. its more of a disagreement about what someone else thinks...LOL Im often in the middle of that argument more than I choose to be, but Im very much inspired by these arguments than I am turned away.

Peter Beinert has just written a very important article at The New Republic: http://www.washingtonpost.com/`wp-dyn`/artic.../elections/2004

To simplify it, liberals won't win until they start hating the terrorists more than they hate George W. Bush. We need to dump the McGovern/Carter/Kerry way of thinking and start acting like Truman/Kennedy/Jackson Democrats.

Liberals had to get their act together to deal with communism, and they haven't done the same with terrorism yet. They desperately need to. The 2002 and 2004(post 9/11) elections were not `stolen-they` showed that America didn't trust the Democratic party with national security.

I am tremendously heartened that John Edwards has started to talk about national security as the most important issue.

Well, I'm not in favor of hating anyone, but I am in favor of trying to understand why some people do the hateful things they do. Including the terrorists and George W. Bush, who seem to me to be cut from the same cloth.

yep we are starting to talk about National Security alright....our national security starts with protecting the right of all Americans to have a national voting system that isnt corrupt. it starts there. Im fully confident that after that problem is fixed.....you wont see another Republican president in your life time. of course, Im sure they(BuhsCo) realized and felt their sucurity was threatened......... that was good enough reason to steal votes

National Security is a huge issue....if the Bush administration were nearly as concerned about it as they claim to be we would have better measures here at home....we are not well protected. Much more could be done. We could inspect more cargo containers coming into our ports...we could better inspect cargo being loaded right onto the the planes underneath us. We could better secure our nuclear facilities. We would have decent railroad security....the list could go on and on.

We do hate "terrorists"....we hate them so much we hate it when Bush's policies create more. We hate it that he said that he didn't even think about Terrorist #1, Osama Bin Laden. The word "terrorist" is so odious to us that we hate it when its used frivously to describe anyone who disagrees.

The word "terrorist" is so odious to us that we hate it when its used frivously to describe anyone who disagrees.

This is true, also this little asshole George is really the Satan in drag. GaP

"Satan in Drag".....I LOVE IT.....can't say I've heard it before, but it carries a punch that "False Prophet" just doesn't have!

Ok...who's gonna shave his head to look for the "666" mark????

Oh Ga Peach! That was a great post! I can easily picture Bush in a red suit (tights and all) with a pitch fork in hand ..... and high heels!

Expert analysis by Mr. Trippi. Glad I endorsed him for DNC Chair, tho' he hasn't a shot. :-)

Well, clearly there is a lot of work to be done. :?

be glad your not the president Tago45...its HARD work at that....LOL

Chocolate Rum Balls

3 1/4 cups crushed vanilla wafers
3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
1 1/2 cups chopped nuts
3 tablespoons light corn syrup
1/2 cup rum

Combine crushed vanilla wafers, 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar, cocoa and nuts. Blend in corn syrup and rum. Shape into `1-inch` balls; roll in additional confectioners' sugar. Store in an airtight container several days to develop flavor. Roll again in confectioners' sugar before serving.

http://www.`christmas-cookies`.com/recipes/recipe190.php

I'm going to try to ignore the fact that you just insulted everyone here who would support Trippi and respond to the substance of what you said.

If the McGovernites were never part of the "base," how the heck did he get the presidential nomination in '72 then? Your comment doesn't make sense. As the party has moved to the right, all the progressives in the party have been disenfranchised. Many of them either don't vote now or vote for third party candidates. I've been told time and again by people who ought to be part of the Democratic base that there's no difference between the Democrats and the Republicans. The way to win is to distinguish ourselves from the Republicans, not try to act just like them.

Clinton didn't win because he acted centrist or even Republican. He won because he was the only candidate with any personal charisma we've run in many years. A lot of people vote only on whether they like the candidate, not on issues.

I agree with you that we need to get rid of the fraud and the electronic voting machines and clean up our electoral system. That is extremely important. However, if we had a strategy that would allow us to distinguish ourselves from the Republicans and get a strong majority behind us, it would be a lot harder for Republicans to cheat their way into office. We are never going to do that as long as we fail to distinguish ourselves from them, fail to organize our grassroots, and yes, fail to speak to our base.

Oh, and one other response to your comment, Susan. I don't know where you got the "15 percent of the population" figure for progressives, but let's assume it's accurate. If so, we certainly can't afford to ignore 15% of the population, either. Especially when, even if a third of them don't vote for Democrats for the reasons I've stated above, they would still be 20% of our base, since about half the voting population votes for Democrats.

We also need to help workers organize, because unions are a large part of our base. And we need to really reach out to `African-Americans`, Hispanics and Latinos, other ethnic and racial minorities, and women, and not just assume they will vote for us. That means supporting "progressive" causes like affirmative action, birth control and family planning, civil rights, and women's rights. The recent Democratic leadership has not done any of this terribly well.

Sounds yummy.

White Christmas Cookies

3 cups Rice Krispies (rice bubbles for you Aussies)
1 cup dessicated coconut
3/4 cup powdered milk
1/2 cup powdered sugar
60 g (2 oz) mixed candied fruit, chopped
60 g (2 oz) red and green candied cherries, chopped
1/4 cup raisins
125 g (4.5 oz) white vegetable shortening (Chopha or Crisco)
125 g (4.5 oz) white chocolate chips

Brush a 9 x 13" pan with oil. Line base and sides with paper. Combine Rice Krispies, coconut, powdered milk, powdered sugar, and all fruit in a large bowl. Chop up the shortening, place with the chocolate in the top of a double boiler over simmering water. Stir until mixture is melted and smooth. Combine chocolate and Rice Krispie mixture. Press into the prepared pan and refrigerate until set. Remove from the pan, allow to stand for 10 minutes. Cut into squares with a sharp knife.

Basic politics?



Without Trippi, Susan, at least a few of us `know-nothings` would never have thought about posting our political "garbage" to the Internets.

My sweet tooth is craving those cookies...yum....Thanks for posting