Reply #136: that is a great point

[Two Americas]

You really nailed something here.

I remember when Dean was running and I was canvassing in rural neighborhoods, and so many people said to me "I don't agree with everything he says, but you know where he stands and he means business" and they were ready to vote for him. Many, many voters are more than willing to vote for traditional Democratic party positions, if anyone were strongly expressing them. The Republicans run circles around us on this - taking clear and forceful stands and expressing them in easy to understand terms. Of course they are usually lying, and they are still successful by standing and speaking strong. We could tell the truth and be strong, and sweep the field every time. Carter and Clinton were not effective at using the bully pulpit, either. "None of your damned business who I had sex with" would have been nice to hear from Clinton. Or "I am committing this nation to rebuilding our public transportation system" from Carter, rather than "turn your thermostat down and change your lifestyle" would have been powerful, as well.

That is the main reason I am supporting Edwards, because I think he has a strong sense of the power of the bully pulpit. Some dismiss him as "all talk." Well, we need some of that talk. Talk took Bush and Reagan a Hell of a long way.

I think part of this is a habit of caution on the part of candidates. Republican propaganda has so trashed out all of our positions, that the candidates are fearful and on the defensive all the time. But another part of it is more ominous - too many of our leaders are trying to please two masters - the big money insiders and the people. They are afraid to alienate the big money insiders, so everything comes out couched in vague and vacillating terms. Many voters are not so much rejecting what we have to say as they are rejecting the way we say it. If we don't talk as though we have confidence in our ideas, how can the voters have confidence?