Justin Martin wrote that "Democrats must now focus on how this defeat occurred and what we must do to prevent further defeats" ("Time for Healing Bitter Wounds," Nov. 11). I would say that if they haven't figured that out by now they better do it quick or lose the last bit of credibility they have left. Repeatedly failing to acknowledge their obvious weaknesses will not help them defeat or even compete with Republicans.
Seeing as they seem to be so terribly unable to see the obvious, I would like to offer their local representatives a few pointers.
What Democrats must realize is that in order to rise back up to the strength of their glory days in the 1960s, they must return to the values they advocated in that era. If people have a choice between President Bush and the equivalent of Barney (the President's dog), they will oftentimes chose the real deal and not someone who can't distinguish himself for fear of being embarrassed in public.
Republicans are not evil, they're not always wrong and they don't always cheat. They are in fact right on many issues where Democrats have lost themselves in a haze of half-heartedly defined attitudes. The GOP has not crafted the latest wonder of the world but largely achieved its major victory over the Democrats merely by building the best public relations army in the world. Nothing that Republicans own or have mastered is off limits to Democrats.
The solution is very simple, dear Republicrats: Grow a spine and fight for what you believe in and not what you think Republicans should believe in. Tell people what it means to be a Democrat today because we already know what a Republican looks like. Aim to put up good candidates and not advertisements for footwear.
Photo: Courtesy of SUNY
