(USA Today) Dems in search of pithy agenda

[rodeodance]

This says it is 'updated"--I do not see this headline yet in LBN. Sorry if it has been there and I do not see it.



Posted 2/8/2006 10:37 PM Updated 2/9/2006 12:06 AM

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2006-02-08-democrats-agenda_x.htm

Dems in search of pithy agenda

By Jill Lawrence, USA TODAY

WASHINGTON — Bonnie Lauria had a modest request this week for a panel of Democrats at a United Auto Workers conference: Stop the torrent of words.


"Too much information is not good sometimes," said Lauria, 64, a retired General Motors plant worker from West Branch, Mich. "Just give me six or seven strong points that catch people's eye."

Lauria, who publishes a newsletter for UAW retirees, got no argument from John Lapp, executive director of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Democrats, he said, suffer from "diarrhea of the mouth" while Republicans distill their ideas into a few short sound bites.

"You know what they're for," Lapp said of the opposition, adding that he's hopeful Democrats will soon have an "understandable" agenda.

[tecelote]

1. The problem is that Democrats believe in free speech and healthy debate.

The Republicans believe in toeing the party line and glorifying sheep.

[rodeodance]

3. what is with the 'pithy' stuff?

....Democratic leaders say they'll soon release a pithy agenda akin to the "Contract with America" that helped Republicans take over Congress in 1994. But the past two weeks underscore the difficulties of setting clear priorities and speaking with one voice.

Seizing the moment offered by President Bush's budget and State of the Union message, Democrats came forward in droves to float dozens of their own ideas and themes. They proposed energy independence in 10 years; universal broadband access in five years; a cleaned up Congress in 100 days; 100,000 new soldiers; 100,000 new engineers, scientists and mathematicians; a 17% tax credit to companies that give health insurance.

Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine talked about the dire consequences of partisanship and mismanagement. Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa talked about social ills. Capitol Hill leaders hammered at the GOP "culture of corruption." Governors offered a "competitiveness agenda." The chairmen of the House and Senate campaign committees stressed change and freshness.

Presidential prospects such as Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh and Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack, lamented the party's poor image on national security. Americans won't trust Democrats on education or health care "if they don't first trust us with their lives," Bayh warned........

[yurbud]

6. where are they going to get the 100,000 soldiers?

[derby378]

2. She wants an "understandable" agenda, eh?

Here it is, according to Howard Dean:

One: American jobs that will stay in America, using energy independence to generate those jobs.
Two: A strong national defense based on telling the truth to our citizens, our soldiers and our allies.
Three: Honesty and integrity to be restored to government.
Four: A health care system that works for everybody just like they have in 36 other countries.
Five: A strong public education system so we can bring optimism and opportunity back to America.

What's so friggin' hard to understand about that?

[zbdent]

4. "Too much information is not good sometimes," - heh

Too little information is Fox News . . .

[ShockediSay]

5. Right! You don't get the soundbite mentality, you don't get elected

How about HONEST COMPETENT LEADERSHIP REPRESENTING ALL AMERICANS

But I like Dean's five points listed above by derby378
Short and hard-hitting