Do the Democrats have a plan other than "get Bush?"


Washington Post columnist David Ignatius thinks beyond the box
I've come down pretty hard on the Democrats. It's not that I am a fan of the Republicans, it's just that I believe competition tends to keep all sides honest.

David Ignatius has some good thoughts in his latest column.

"Because they lack coherent plans for how to govern the country, the Democrats have become captive of the most shrill voices in the party, who seem motivated these days mainly by visceral dislike of George W. Bush. Sorry, folks, but loathing is not a strategy -- especially when much of the country finds the object of your loathing a likable guy.

The Democrats' problem is partly a lack of strong leadership. Its main spokesman on foreign policy has become Sen. Joseph Biden, a man who -- how to put this politely? -- seems more impressed with the force of his own intellect than an objective evaluation would warrant. Listening to Biden, you sense how hungry he is to be president, but you have little idea what he would do, other than talk . . . and talk.

The same failing is evident among Democratic spokesmen on economic issues. Name a tough problem -- such as energy independence or reform of Medicare and Social Security -- and the Democrats are ducking the hard choices. That may be understandable as a short-term political strategy: Why screw up your chances in the 2006 congressional elections by telling people they must make sacrifices? But this approach keeps the Democrats part of politics-as-usual, a game the GOP plays better."

Definitely things to consider. Especially since people like me are still trying to figure out if Howard Dean has anything to say except how he hates the Republicans and you should too.

— NeoWayland

Posted: Fri - August 19, 2005 at 07:50 PM  Tag


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