My open letter to Howard Dean--"Operation Real Deal"

[mistertrickster]

4 January 2006

Dear Howard Dean, Chairman of the Democratic National Committee:

In my capacity as a local DFA organizer and canvasser for the Democratic party, the main concern I hear voiced is, “what do the Democrats stand for?”

Here is a clip from my hometown newspaper’s webpage that illustrates the point:
“I am a stubborn independent. I used to be a Republican, but after Reagan, they turned into a mix-matched conglomeration of idiots. I would turn Democrat in a minute if they decided to reinvent themselves in the way they used to be.”

This is the question I keep encountering from people wherever I go—“what do Democrats stand for?” “Why should I vote Democratic?” “Democrats complain about the Republicans, but what is the Democratic plan?” “Aren’t Democrats and Republicans pretty much all alike?”

As a local activist, I believe we need national leadership to define Democratic goals and get those goals out to the public.

It will not be easy, I know. Some positions like the immediate pull-out of troops in Iraq would cause significant backlash. A position cracking down on illegal immigration would be welcomed by labor but probably opposed by many in the Hispanic community. Taking strong stances runs a risk, granted. But taking no stances as a party runs a greater risk.

Twelve years ago, the Republicans formulated a “Contract with America” which they brought forth with much ballyhoo and fanfare. Although they abandoned the good parts of the contract like balancing the budget and imposing term limits, the strategy was effective.

Millions of activists like me would like to see the Democratic party hold a mid-term convention, in a high profile location. The city of New Orleans comes to mind. We could contrast the disaster the Republicans created because of their belief that government causes more problems than it solves with the Democratic belief that well-run government is essential to create a good society.

Out of that convention can come a new contract with America. Give it a military sounding name perhaps—“Operation Real Deal” to contrast with the Bush administration’s lies and fantasies.

This convention would breathe life into the party, generate tremendous “buzz,” put our candidates on a national stage, and energize local activists working for change. But more importantly even than that, “Operation Real Deal” would communicate to every undecided voter exactly what it means to vote Democratic.

Thank you and sincere best wishes for 2006,

Brad XXXXXXX

Wichita, Kansas

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. Good idea

I think the MSM would feel they have to cover it. And having in NOLA would be good for the city, and highlight what is going on there.

[MindPilot]

2. Very well said!!

:yourock::applause:

I would add one thing that I think should be a very significant plank in the dem party platform, a Right to Privacy amendment.

[mistertrickster]

3. Ah, okay. I haven't sent it yet, so I'll add that. Thanks nt

[madfloridian]

4. Dear Howard Dean....guess they still want the "top down" control.

Odd, but that is what you were trying to get away from. DFA doesn't work top down, just gives ideas for the month's meeting...lets the local groups take control. In fact, you often say that giving away some control is how you get people involved.

BTW, Governor Dean, congratulations on the good fundraising. A record non-election year.

[mistertrickster]

9. I don't see this as "top down." I see it as just reaffirming what values

Democrats hold and how those values are expressed. The "bottom up" (i.e. grassroots) people are saying we need more leadership.

On edit--a clear majority want a plan and a timetable for getting out of Iraq. A lot of Democrats like Joe Lieberman insist on "staying the course," whatever that means. In other words, the top is not responsive to the will of its own grassroots.

That's what needs to change, IMHO. The "top" need to get on the same page with the will of the majority in their own party.

[kiteinthewind]

5. EXCELLENT Idea!!

I love it, and you're right, NO would provide just the contrast of Repug 'Values" and Democrat Values!!:applause:

[mistertrickster]

10. Right, the Repubs had theirs in NYC to rekindle the 9-11 fears.

Now let's have a convention in NOLA to rekindle the compassion.

[madfloridian]

6. They are having the DNC conference there this year.

It was announced already.

[madfloridian]

7. Here is the link to the New Orleans meeting this spring.

http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=57189

[mistertrickster]

8. Cool. I'm surprised I missed that one--I seem to get everything else in

my "in" box, heh.

Thanks for the update.

[mistertrickster]

11. Kicking once more to the top . . . see if it'll float nt

[Moderate Donkey]

12. "If decided to reinvent themselves in the way they used to be.”

I would turn Democrat in a minute if they decided to reinvent themselves in the way they used to be.

Perhaps the most telling line in your post.

The Democratic party did have a metamorphosis, so to speak, in the late 60s.

Before that, they were pro-free trade, pro-national defense (including Wilsonian Liberal Internationalism) and a touch more conservative on cultural issues, including religion.

The more progressive element on DU will surely protest this, but Democrats today who are more like Democrats used to be are the DLC and, even more so, the Blue Dog Coalition.

Though I won't be drawn into a lengthy, circular, factually-challenged "debate" on the topic, I will tell you this: Truman, Kennedy, and Johnson would not recognize the party today and these are probably the type of Democrats the "stubborn independent" from your letter yearns for.

I will recommend a couple of books worth a read if you're interested in party history:

1. Party of the People : A History of the Democrats

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0375507426/ref=pd_kar/104-0567659-1170318?n=283155

2. Reinventing Democrats: The Politics of Liberalism from Reagan to Clinton

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/ref=br_ss_hs/104-0567659-1170318?platform=gurupa&url=index%3Dstripbooks%3Arelevance-above%26dispatch%3Dsearch%26results-process%3Dbin&field-keywords=Reinventing+Democrats

I've also advocated the DNC reinstating the off year convention and, yes, we need a "Contract With America" type agenda. Bold.

[mistertrickster]

13. Hmmm . . . what about today's party would Kennedy not recognize?

I think what JFK and Truman wouldn't recognize is the way Dems (led by the DLC) have sold out labor and the poor.

Who in the Democratic party is talking about anything like Johnson's Great Society programs?

[gordontron]

14. don't worry about it

It is going to happen already. The dems are rolling out a big agenda sometime in early spring, or fairly shortly after the State of the Union. That is just what I have heard so don't kill me if it doesn't turn out to be completely true.

[mistertrickster]

15. WooHoo! I hope you're right. This is time to start swinging for the

fences, IMHO.