Wed Aug 14, 2013, 08:09 AM

Scuba (53,475 posts)

If Democrats want to win in 2014 ...

... they should advocate for...

... Living Wage

... Medicare for All

... Strengthen, expand Social Security

... Legalize weed

and

... Cut defense to pay for it all

Supporting such positions, Dems could gain tens of millions of votes from the 40% of the electorate who currently stay home because neither Party offers them squat.

Failure to adopt such stances just makes Democrats look like Repubican-lite, demotivates the base, does nothing to attract the currently disaffected and cedes the issues to the other side.

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147 replies	Author	Time	Post
If Democrats want to win in 2014 ... (Original post)	Scuba	Aug 2013	OP
K&R (love your graphic)	MotherPetrie	Aug 2013	#1
Another DU member gave me permission to use it.	Scuba	Aug 2013	#2
I am going to steal the graphic	tiredtoo	Aug 2013	#119
Be my guest.	Scuba	Aug 2013	#125
K&R I don't believe that is their desire. Maintaining power over the process is far more	Egalitarian Thug	Aug 2013	#3
so why will you be supporting them?	arely staircase	Aug 2013	#82
That is	Crow73	Aug 2013	#113
Cut defense and raise taxes on the wealthiest, closing biggest corporate tax loopholes	Triana	Aug 2013	#4
The last time the Democratic Party had 'full employment' as an official	HardTimes99	Aug 2013	#46
Well there's a surprise...	Triana	Aug 2013	#60
How much of the 60% that do vote would support these measures?	el_bryanto	Aug 2013	#5
Yep, we might lose one for every 10 we gain.	Scuba	Aug 2013	#6
Oh noes!! But Then we would not be a big tent if we lost that one person!!!	AllyCat	Aug 2013	#43
Most people will support every plank in this platform!!!!	LongTomH	Aug 2013	#118
Advocating for a living wage and strengthening Social Security would be paid for by the rich.	Dawgs	Aug 2013	#7
If you want to attract votes from the 40% who typically don't, you need to offer them something.	Scuba	Aug 2013	#8
Minimum wage, SS, and legalizing weed is "something", no?	Dawgs	Aug 2013	#11
For some, yes. For those with no, or expensive, health insurance, no.	Scuba	Aug 2013	#12
My philosophy has always been to keep the message simple.	Dawgs	Aug 2013	#33
"Medicare for All" is both simple and popular.	Scuba	Aug 2013	#37
I didn't say it wasn't simple and popular. I just don't think this is the time for this fight.	Dawgs	Aug 2013	#62
WHY can single payer "wait for another day?"	DissidentVoice	Aug 2013	#52
Please don't respond if you're going to ignore everything else in my post.	Dawgs	Aug 2013	#59
Legalising weed down the food chain	DissidentVoice	Aug 2013	#69
Sorry, but it doesn't appear that you did read my other points.	Dawgs	Aug 2013	#71
But if the voters "turn out"	DissidentVoice	Aug 2013	#73
And what's wrong with that? There are so many great reasons to do it.	Dawgs	Aug 2013	#76
I don't deny that	DissidentVoice	Aug 2013	#77
Three of the four states that have pending pot legislation are in the Midwest.	Dawgs	Aug 2013	#84
there are a LOT of people who are directly affected by marijuana criminalization	noiretextatique	Aug 2013	#95
+1	nxylas	Aug 2013	#131
And there is no reason it HAS to be a "zero-sum choice!" N/T	DissidentVoice	Aug 2013	#135
Tell that to the OP	nxylas	Aug 2013	#138
I tried doing that	DissidentVoice	Aug 2013	#140
Electoral and media reform are also important	nxylas	Aug 2013	#141
Junk the Electoral College!	DissidentVoice	Aug 2013	#146
It shouldn't be a zero-sum choice. That is one of the things wrong with the way things are done	liberal_at_heart	Aug 2013	#142
You might be surprised ...	Scuba	Aug 2013	#136
But why does it have to be either/or NT	DissidentVoice	Aug 2013	#137
Slash the military and propose medicare for all......nt	Enthusiast	Aug 2013	#88
Will motivate no one to vote..... n/t	Dawgs	Aug 2013	#92
You know what motivates me not to vote	nadinbrzezinski	Aug 2013	#102
+10	RC	Aug 2013	#108
How now	Crow73	Aug 2013	#114
and cut back all the NSA spying.	Garion_55	Aug 2013	#9
Win what?	Stuckinthebush	Aug 2013	#10
Not trying to win votes from the crazed right wing.	Scuba	Aug 2013	#14
For the most part the crazed right wing already votes	Fumesucker	Aug 2013	#16
All it takes is a little fact,	Tiredofthesame	Aug 2013	#13
Welcome to DU!	AllyCat	Aug 2013	#45
Thank you for the welcome.	Tiredofthesame	Aug 2013	#64
If Democrats want to win in 2014 ...	Coyotl	Aug 2013	#15
Good grief. My "unrealistic political perspective" is supported by a host of polling data.	Scuba	Aug 2013	#17
I'd love to hear the answer to that one as well.	Marr	Aug 2013	#61
Agreed,,,	Cryptoad	Aug 2013	#19
"Those that don't vote now will not vote no matter what."	Scuba	Aug 2013	#21
If you can look	Cryptoad	Aug 2013	#25
And those 40% don't see the Democrats as any different. Let's offer them a difference.	Scuba	Aug 2013	#27
All those things you listed	Cryptoad	Aug 2013	#56
No one is advocating holding their breath or stomping their feet.	Scuba	Aug 2013	#63
The reason people see the Democratic party as no different than the Republicans are the	RC	Aug 2013	#111
I agree with Scuba on this...people I know who don't vote see no difference	AllyCat	Aug 2013	#50
That sounds like	Cryptoad	Aug 2013	#57
Sounds like a step back to the Old Working Class Democratic party to me,	bvar22	Aug 2013	#65
"Not the Republican" is a losing strategy.	Scuba	Aug 2013	#86
great post bvar22.	liberal_at_heart	Aug 2013	#143
Personally, I think the graphic is the most realistic I've seen	mountain grammy	Aug 2013	#23
I dont think we are talking about Democrats winning in 2014,	Tiredofthesame	Aug 2013	#31
Democrats haven't been DEMOCRATS for a long time	DissidentVoice	Aug 2013	#55
Bill Clinton was and is a badass	arely staircase	Aug 2013	#85
Clinton worship is ridiculous and undeserved	TiberiusB	Aug 2013	#90
I don't want a "badass" for President.	Maedhros	Aug 2013	#97
that was clinton	arely staircase	Aug 2013	#99
Clinton signed DOMA, NAFTA, Welfare "Reform" into law.	Maedhros	Aug 2013	#105
Nope	Crow73	Aug 2013	#115
I'm concerned the the real Democrats win in 2014, not the redefined, would-be, imagined Democrats	Coyotl	Aug 2013	#91
Well that assumes progressives won't vote for a soft, weak, New Democrat	Tiredofthesame	Aug 2013	#107
That sounds like the Reince Priebus strategy	JBoy	Aug 2013	#48
Wow, you got him good. I guess when you got nothing you attack the poster.	rhett o rick	Aug 2013	#116
IF they want is the key words.	zeemike	Aug 2013	#18
I'd like to advocate for a functioning government	uponit7771	Aug 2013	#20
You'd think it should be low hanging fruit	corkhead	Aug 2013	#22
Yes, this strategy will fit every single district	JNelson6563	Aug 2013	#24
What percentage of eligible voters didn't bother in these districts?	Scuba	Aug 2013	#28
I am very surprised	JNelson6563	Aug 2013	#93
Maybe and yes...	Scuba	Aug 2013	#94
I concur with many of your points	JNelson6563	Aug 2013	#109
We're in agreement. I never meant to suggest one-size-fits-all.	Scuba	Aug 2013	#110
I think we need a new message. "If the left wants to win."	PowerToThePeople	Aug 2013	#26
Agree and add another item	JustAnotherGen	Aug 2013	#29
Agreed, thanks.	Scuba	Aug 2013	#30
At this point,	Tiredofthesame	Aug 2013	#32
Did you even look at the 2012 results?	malthaussen	Aug 2013	#34
No not at all,	Tiredofthesame	Aug 2013	#35
It's hard for me to understand, too.	malthaussen	Aug 2013	#36
That right there is a much better way of saying what I was trying to say.	Tiredofthesame	Aug 2013	#47
Women should utilize the power of the lock on "the bedroom door", so to speak	Divernan	Aug 2013	#38
The problem is	JustAnotherGen	Aug 2013	#66
I should have been clearer - I'm talking about women	Divernan	Aug 2013	#67
In that case	JustAnotherGen	Aug 2013	#68
More than 2/3rds of Americans are in favor of most of those	MannyGoldstein	Aug 2013	#39
When I saw your headline I immediately thought	cate94	Aug 2013	#40
Sorry. I don't care anymore what they SAY they want. Obama broke me of any hope in believing	loudsue	Aug 2013	#41
Nice graphic, but...	JEB	Aug 2013	#42
Plus, accuracy might be improved by moving the Donkey a bit farther right.	NorthCarolina	Aug 2013	#49
yup.	AllyCat	Aug 2013	#51
I was think about turning the donkey around, to face right.	RC	Aug 2013	#112
"If it's a choice between a genuine Republican, and a Republican in Democratic clothing,	limpyhobbler	Aug 2013	#44
Kind of destorys the "Obama is a Republican" meme.	JoePhilly	Aug 2013	#80
Same with Clinton.	Drunken Irishman	Aug 2013	#104
You just convinced me Harry Truman must have been wrong with that quote.	limpyhobbler	Aug 2013	#128
The Democratic Party has got to take a look at itself	DissidentVoice	Aug 2013	#53
Add in: no surveillance state, no TPP, and student debt relief.	Waiting For Everyman	Aug 2013	#54
That is one depressing graphic! Suggests there may exist a huge opening for Bernie	HardTimes99	Aug 2013	#58
I think you're making the mistake of thinking everyone else wants what you want.	Donald Ian Rankin	Aug 2013	#70
Not everyone, but a whole lot of those 40% do, and none of them want more tax cuts for billionaires.	Scuba	Aug 2013	#72
Depends how you phrase the question, I suspect.	Donald Ian Rankin	Aug 2013	#74
I agree on most of those, EXCEPT	Bake	Aug 2013	#75
Tell that to CO and WA. It worked for them. n/t	Dawgs	Aug 2013	#78
You might lose a few votes for supporting legalization....	Scuba	Aug 2013	#79
Show me data to support that assertion	Bake	Aug 2013	#81
...	Scuba	Aug 2013	#83
Ron Paul's support of liberalizing weed laws	Enthusiast	Aug 2013	#89
there are 20 states with legal medical marijuana status. More pending. Two states mine being	liberal_at_heart	Aug 2013	#144
K&R. That platform would be very popular with the people. nt	Enthusiast	Aug 2013	#87
K&R!	Phlem	Aug 2013	#96
What are you smoking? That would be against the real bosses	nadinbrzezinski	Aug 2013	#98
Do 100% vote in Vermont when Bernie runs,	Progressive dog	Aug 2013	#100
Yep - that's what Dems would do if they weren't...	polichick	Aug 2013	#101
Sure, that'll work for Democrats in left-leaning states.	Drunken Irishman	Aug 2013	#103
I like your graphic.	RC	Aug 2013	#106
I have a better idea Bernie.....	DeSwiss	Aug 2013	#117
campaign finance reform.	liberal_at_heart	Aug 2013	#120
and... they better stop attacking public education	Agony	Aug 2013	#121
The attack on public education is a sleeping giant. Many democrats think they can just	liberal_at_heart	Aug 2013	#124
Can't argue with a single word of your great post.	99Forever	Aug 2013	#122
Agree with these suggestions	tiredtoo	Aug 2013	#123
I cant see the DEmocratic Party doing good in 2014. First of all	rhett o rick	Aug 2013	#126
Well, I have been saying this since right after the 2010 debacle	Doctor_J	Aug 2013	#127
Should but won't. nt	awoke_in_2003	Aug 2013	#129
I think a legalizing weed position is a winning one for Dems	steve2470	Aug 2013	#130
Actually there are many die hard conservatives - and older folks - who will support ....	Scuba	Aug 2013	#134
hell I know republicans who smoke it.	liberal_at_heart	Aug 2013	#145
That sounds super! Wonder if Hillary will campaign that way?	silvershadow	Aug 2013	#132
"If they want..." Riiight. DC DEMS like their politics "right of center."	blkmusclmachine	Aug 2013	#133
But, their idea of strengthening social security worries me!	B Calm	Aug 2013	#139
Putting the cart before the horse.	gulliver	Aug 2013	#147

Response to Scuba (Original post)

Wed Aug 14, 2013, 08:10 AM

MotherPetrie (3,145 posts)

If Democrats want to win in 2014 ...

1. K&R (love your graphic)

2. Another DU member gave me permission to use it.

119. I am going to steal the graphic

125. Be my guest.

3. K&R I don't believe that is their desire. Maintaining power over the process is far more

82. so why will you be supporting them?

113. That is

4. Cut defense and raise taxes on the wealthiest, closing biggest corporate tax loopholes

46. The last time the Democratic Party had 'full employment' as an official

60. Well there's a surprise...

5. How much of the 60% that do vote would support these measures?

6. Yep, we might lose one for every 10 we gain.

43. Oh noes!! But Then we would not be a big tent if we lost that one person!!!

118. Most people will support every plank in this platform!!!!

7. Advocating for a living wage and strengthening Social Security would be paid for by the rich.

8. If you want to attract votes from the 40% who typically don't, you need to offer them something.

11. Minimum wage, SS, and legalizing weed is "something", no?

12. For some, yes. For those with no, or expensive, health insurance, no.

33. My philosophy has always been to keep the message simple.

37. "Medicare for All" is both simple and popular.

62. I didn't say it wasn't simple and popular. I just don't think this is the time for this fight.

52. WHY can single payer "wait for another day?"

59. Please don't respond if you're going to ignore everything else in my post.

69. Legalising weed down the food chain

71. Sorry, but it doesn't appear that you did read my other points.

73. But if the voters "turn out"

76. And what's wrong with that? There are so many great reasons to do it.

77. I don't deny that

84. Three of the four states that have pending pot legislation are in the Midwest.

95. there are a LOT of people who are directly affected by marijuana criminalization

131. +1

135. And there is no reason it HAS to be a "zero-sum choice!" N/T

138. Tell that to the OP

140. I tried doing that

141. Electoral and media reform are also important

146. Junk the Electoral College!

142. It shouldn't be a zero-sum choice. That is one of the things wrong with the way things are done

136. You might be surprised ...

137. But why does it have to be either/or NT

88. Slash the military and propose medicare for all......nt

92. Will motivate no one to vote..... n/t

102. You know what motivates me not to vote

108. +10

114. How now

9. and cut back all the NSA spying.

10. Win what?

14. Not trying to win votes from the crazed right wing.

16. For the most part the crazed right wing already votes

13. All it takes is a little fact,

45. Welcome to DU!

64. Thank you for the welcome.

15. If Democrats want to win in 2014 ...

17. Good grief. My "unrealistic political perspective" is supported by a host of polling data.

61. I'd love to hear the answer to that one as well.

19. Agreed,,,

21. "Those that don't vote now will not vote no matter what."

25. If you can look

27. And those 40% don't see the Democrats as any different. Let's offer them a difference.

56. All those things you listed

63. No one is advocating holding their breath or stomping their feet.

111. The reason people see the Democratic party as no different than the Republicans are the

50. I agree with Scuba on this...people I know who don't vote see no difference

57. That sounds like

65. Sounds like a step back to the Old Working Class Democratic party to me,

86. "Not the Republican" is a losing strategy.

143. great post bvar22.

23. Personally, I think the graphic is the most realistic I've seen

31. I dont think we are talking about Democrats winning in 2014,

55. Democrats haven't been DEMOCRATS for a long time

85. Bill Clinton was and is a badass

90. Clinton worship is ridiculous and undeserved

97. I don't want a "badass" for President.

99. that was clinton

105. Clinton signed DOMA, NAFTA, Welfare "Reform" into law.

115. Nope

91. I'm concerned the the real Democrats win in 2014, not the redefined, would-be, imagined Democrats

107. Well that assumes progressives won't vote for a soft, weak, New Democrat

48. That sounds like the Reince Priebus strategy

116. Wow, you got him good. I guess when you got nothing you attack the poster.