Reply #15: Reread the Last Paragraph

[Jeff in Cincinnati]

"The GOP put on a strong mobilization effort, but that's not what tipped the Ohio election. They did not turn Gore voters into Bush voters by offering a ride to the polls. Instead, it was skillful exploitation of public concern over terrorism by the Bush team -- coupled with Democrats' inability to draw clear, powerful contrasts on the economy and health care -- that pushed Bush over the finish line."

Read it over and over until your eyeballs explode. That's the key to winning -- all of the GOTV in the world won't matter unless we can clearly articulate a message. Right now we have the moderate and progressive wings of the Democratic Party saying two different things. Some of that is the problem of being a "big tent" party, but it also reflects a lack of discipline and our lack of access to the media. We need to get On Message right now on the subjects of national security, the economy, education, and health care -- and stay On Message until 2008.