A Strategy For Using Social Security To Go After GOP Incumbents In 2006

[MADem]

...These GOP incumbents present some of the best targets Democrats have of getting closer to parity in the House. I propose that using the Social Security issue now in each of those districts is critical for the DCCC (and even the DSCC on a statewide basis where GOP senators are up in 2006) in order to not only make those GOP House members hesitant about voting for the president’s privatization plan, but to also set Democrats in a good position to take some of those seats next year by laying the groundwork now. By using Social Security as a springboard, Democrats can begin making their case in each district for reform, fiscal sanity, and a smart and efficient foreign and national security policy.

How can Democrats and specifically the DCCC and DSCC get started now?

Well, in each of these districts, there are probably local Democratic Central Committees, clubs, and local up-and-coming Democratic officeholders. Again, using Social Security as a springboard, these folks can be contacted now to begin planning events and media opportunities that will call attention to the GOP incumbent’s past votes in support of the Bush agenda and possible future vote on privatization. (The GOP incumbents will notice this immediately.) In several of these states, there are also Democratic governors (hello Ed Rendell) who can be helpful as well in both resources and organization in each of these districts.

By working with the local and state parties and officeholders in each district, and governors where possible, the DSCC and DCCC can lay the groundwork now for media activities and perhaps Truth Squad activities should Bush visit the district to sell his agenda. All of these activities will not only recruit candidates against the GOP incumbents, but more importantly will signal to those GOP incumbents that the Democrats are ready to go after them on Social Security now. That will help peel House GOP votes away from Bush’s privatization plans, and for those who still vote with him, Democrats will get a head start for 2006 in making their case for change. And best yet, the blogosphere proved in 2004 that significant seed money for this effort and these 2006 races can be generated from the Internet.
http://www.theleftcoaster.com/archives/003678.html#003678

[Inland]

1. Any strategy is better than no strategy, IMO. nt