Sometimes ya just gotta stop talking

A good post by MyDD about the problem the public has with the Democrats. It isn't their policies. On almost any given issue (gay marriage being one major exception), a majority of the American public will agree with the Democrats position. Universal Healthcare, getting out of Iraq, expanding alternative energy and on and on. So why do the Democrats keep losing?

Mostly, as the article articulates clearly, it is because the Democrats do an absolutely horrible job clearly stating what they stand for and why. Sometimes they are quite good at publicizing their position but seldomly as clear on the why. Sometimes they are even good at getting out the why, but then are strangely scant on the what. Usually, they are a bit mealy-mouthed about the whole thing.

As someone who seldomly knows when to stop talking and who will end up arguing all sides and speaking in archaic circles, I understand where the Democrats are coming from and why the public is turned off by them. The only thing the public may hate more than electioneering is nuance. The arguments that Kerry was a flip-flopper every time he hinted there may be another side to the story are a prime example. Heck, that is probably why Senators have such a hard time getting elected president. It is the chamber of nuance (Santorum, Coburn and others not-withstanding).

That is why Howard Dean, Paul Hacket and Ned Lamont appeal to so many people. They came out and said what they believed in and why and didn't falter when confronted. They didn't apologize if something they said was a little crass (like Durbin and a meriad of other Democrats). When was the last time you saw a Republican (who wasn't about to go to jail - see Duke Cunningham) apologize for anything?

If I ever run for office, as I hope to, I will run on pure principal. It may be hard to campaign on that as it is hard to come up with sound bites. Basically, I think we need politicians who are commited to listening to the issues and the debate and doing what they really think is right, party and re-election be-damned. Like we will see that anytime soon.