Liberals take jab at right's upper hand

[papau]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/printedition/chi-0312010162dec01,1,5613041.story?coll=chi-printnews-hed

Liberals take jab at right's upper hand

By Naftali Bendavid Washington Bureau

December 1, 2003

WASHINGTON -- <snip>The new creations range from a think tank headed by President Bill Clinton's former chief of staff to a nascent liberal radio network to a legal society designed to offset the influential Federalist Society. There is talk of a progressive television network, and the Internet-based grass-roots group MoveOn.org has gained thousands of adherents and paid for ads such as those calling President Bush a "MisLeader."

In the world of money, liberal billionaire George Soros is beginning to take up the role on the left that has been filled on the right by the Scaife, Coors, Olin and Bradley foundations.<snip>

....Podesta, an intense man who delivers his sentences in a forceful barrage, is the force behind the Center for American Progress, a think tank designed to imitate and fight The Heritage Foundation. The center will draft policy proposals, hold conferences and schedule media briefings. It already sends out a daily e-mail, usually lambasting a Bush administration policy. "We respect the need for debate," Podesta said. "But our goal is to win, to turn the nation substantively away from a radical conservative policy agenda."

<snip>

...even some Democrats worry that it will be hard to develop a clear-cut message, one that has the clarity of the conservative mantra of tax cuts, small government and strong defense. Liberals' positions often seem more divergent, they say.<snip>

[KensPen]

1. we need a think tank

we need bumpersticker slogans.

In todays world the conservative mantra of Keeping it Simple is working.

No problem truly has an easy solution.

But people don't have the time or patience to listen too long...

So republicans have scored well with simple answers.

"Cut Taxes" answers every ill in the world today according to the right.

[papau]

2. I'h afraid you're correct about "simple slogan" via think tank

A election is no longer a discussion of values, philosophy, or workability - just focus group market branding scores for the slogan de jure.

[oscar111]

3. SIMPLE is best

People are busy.

We on the left seem to think the millions are in our classroom and we can force them to listen while we yap on and on, giving poorly organized dissertations on issues.

Spend instead, lots of time boiling your main points into short catchy phrases. You aren't finished till you've got it SHORT!!

Rhymes (of every rhyme pattern) help a lot. Shouldnt, it is so brainless, but it helps.

Being valid is fine, but you won't win unless you can convince the millions. They are short on time, thanks to downsizing. They are experts in fields OTHER than politics. Dont require them to spend time becoming expert in politics too.
THANKFULLY, just a drop of our truth, counteracts an ocean of Repub lies. So there's hope.

[papau]

4. Thanks for the hope :-)

I think you are correct

Folks say that the election does not break one way or another until folks pay attention - usually 14 days before voting.