How do you tap into the Democratic base?

[Wetzelbill]

Of which I don't necessarily mean us, or the blue-state voters. I mean the people who do not vote. Who think that politicians do not do anything for them either way, so why bother?

Over half of our country does not even go to the polls.

These are people who would otherwise vote for Democrats, based on the issues that most people care for. Most people care about issues central to there lives. Food on the table. Health care. Living wage. Safety. Education for their children.

Here is the thing.

These people do not wake up early on Sunday and watch Meet The Press. They do not turn on Keith Olbermann every night. They do not read six newspapers a day. They could care less about Time or Newsweek. They do not have a computer much less the internet.

They work. They struggle. And, they see little hope in a system.

But if only they knew the things they should know. If only they fought for something. Had that hope.

Put good solid progressive Dems in office. (or true populist conservatives, for that matter)

We could be that hope for them. From inner cities to Indian reservations. For workers. For single mothers. Struggling young families. The indigent.

All of the above.

Untapped. All they need is something, some way to make them believe.

Those are the people Dems should go for. Not coddling to the status quo, or trying to out Republican the Republicans.

So how do we do it?

[serryjw]

1. You are not going to like the answer

but it's Richardson or Obama. Until we nominate someone that looks like them, they will not come to the polls. How does a wealthy guy with a wife that is a zillionaire represent them?

[Wetzelbill]

2. you know I don't mind that answer

I can see that. What I am thinking about is not a one time deal though, with a minority candidate. Somehow, Dems need to make those potential voters have passion that politics can work for them. But I think you're right. I'm a minority - Blackfeet Indian - and I feel certain pride when I see minorities like Obama and Richardson on a national stage, even if I do not always agree with them. You are on to something.

[serryjw]

4. Long Term is going to be

even more difficult. We will have less money available for the needs of the underclass with our national deficit, aging country,Peak Oil/Global Warming, huge dollars spent on DHS.IF someone has not voted by their 40's, they are not going to.....except MAyBE a unigue candidate. Getting the younger people to vote with the mess we are in now will be a challenge. Did you catch my post on another thread? I saw a friend today and she was on the way over to her 11 year old son's school. He decided that everything in history class is a lie, so why should he take it he said!

[Wetzelbill]

7. no I didn't catch it

post the link and I'll check it out. :)

[serryjw]

10. Well, here it is??

again

I saw a friend today and she was on the way over to her 11 year old son's school. He decided that everything in history class is a lie, so why should he take it he said!

[sandnsea]

3. Change the way we talk

The reason the Republicans win those voters is because they appeal to the vision people have about themselves. People don't want to see themselves as charity cases who can't get by without a "handout", they want to maintain their dignity and self reliance. Too often the Democratic message focuses too much on problems, is very discouraging, and just offers another long list of expensive programs instead of a way for people to solve their own problems. People hear a bunch of promises that never quite help them the way they had hoped, and never quite gets them a seat at the table just the way they are either. Republicans have done a darn good job convincing every day workers that there's a place for them and they don't have to change a bit to sit down. We want nonvoters to vote, we're going to have to stop promising the moon and value their ability to contribute to communities, right where they're at.

[serryjw]

5. I agree but

OUR party membership is 20 years older, and is the labor party. THEY NEED gov't and that can't change. It's not WHAT THEY SAY but WHO they are...Dems LOVE Clinton, certainly not a liberal and thugs LOVE Ronnie. They made they feel good.

[murielm99]

6. Obama and Richardson were mentioned

upthread.

I think the poster is on to something. I am from Illinois. It is amazing to me to see the way Obama lights a fire in minority voters. Even people who couldn't tell you who their congressman is or what district they live in know Obama.

Obama does speak to people about dignity, self reliance and contributing to their communities. He speaks with optimism.

I know that many Democrats are already disgusted with him and calling him a sellout. But I think that he, and others like him, such as Jesse Jackson, Jr., are the future of our party.

Haven't you noticed the the Congressional Black Caucus is often the only part of our party that stays on message, and does not sell out? Imagine Conyers as President, if we had been a sane enough country to elect him when he was younger. We have ignored the leadership of the African-Americans in our party for too long. It is time to change that.

[Skidmore]

8. Absolutely on target.

I like Obama. He has a good grasp of issues and an ability to get to the heart of it at a very human level.

I would vote for him in a heartbeat.

[sandnsea]

9. Yes he absolutely does

That goes along with what Gloria Steinem was saying on Bill Maher. In doing research for their radio network, it became clear that women were tired of hate and fighting and wanted optimism and solutions. I think Obama is headed in a slightly different direction than the CBC, although it's true that they don't get bamboozled the way the rest of the Dems do. But I could get excited about an Obama message, for the most part. I anticipate an Edwards-Obama ticket at some point in the future myself, or something along those lines.

[serryjw]

11. The party changed through

time but our message never did. IF you are an African American under 60, you have had education and opportunity. I am 56 and know plenty of AA business owners,professionals and upper middle class home owners living the ho-ha life.THEY arrived a generation after the march on Selma and we never noticed.
I remember the night that Obama was introduced to the Nation at the convention. His speech was inspiring. I sent the link to my entire email list. IF you did not hear this, please listen. WE just witnessed history. The first AA on a national ticket
I don't agree with all his votes but I would support him. The message going forward it NOT about entitlements but SAFETY nets. I would not support privatizing SS but would support kids under 40 to ADD to their SS in private investment accounts.

[SmokingJacket]

12. Obama would be a spectacular candidate.

Not a perfect one -- he's not terribly experienced and sometimes votes with the DLC -- BUT he's an awesome speaker, brilliant thinker, kind-hearted, and (have to say it) a good looking young man.

I think he's our best bet, at the moment -- most of the other prominent names have already gone through the process and have LOST.

[Skidmore]

13. You tap into the base of the party by talking to it respectfully

and listening to its concerns and DOING something about them. You don't play political games with them or use them for political games. You go to the people and live where they live, touch them, eat with them, and don't treat them as nameless interchangable pawns. It is very simple. Connect with the people and stand with them.

[BeFree]

14. 50% don't vote

50%. That's the problem.

Some think it will just be stolen.

Others that it doesn't make a difference.

Some are too lazy.

We know how most of them would vote, were they to vote, so what we need to do is get them to go vote.

I say make it mandatory; universal. A crime to not vote with a fine of twenty dollars that goes directly into public financing of elections.

For now each of us needs to be the best example we can be to get folks registered and going to the polls. It's a sure-fire recipe for democracy.

Edward Abbey once wrote: The cure for an ill democracy is more democracy.