It’s the war…..stupid!
I remember the past election well. I think Republicans knew it wasn’t going to be a good year. However, I think Republicans were all shocked by the dramatic political shift in one night. All the pundits and polling said it was overwhelmingly attributed to the war in Iraq.
If you had an (R) by your name the citizenry threw you out. In Minnesota it was no different with the exception of our affable Governor Tim Pawlenty. Most people I talked with said they went right down the ballot on a straight Democratic Party vote. Honestly they didn’t know much about the Republicans they voted against, however; they just wanted some checks and balances on the direction of the war.
So last night………………..
I was watching Almanac at the Capital. It felt as if I was watching clips of Walter Mondale give his “I’m going to raise your taxes” speech. Remember? It’s the only part of Mondale’s 1984 Campaign you remember twenty-something years later. To tell you how memorable it was for me I would point out I was nine years old. He looked right into the lens and after he said it you could hear the collective silence across America as people thought: “He said what!”
It’s obvious to me the Democrats need a lesson in public relations and quick. Luckily America’s Small City Mayor is here to help……no extra charge.
Honestly, I felt that if Democrats played their cards right they could easily hold onto power for a decade minimum. Maybe longer if they tried hard and were really, really good. I watched last night and literally felt bad for their supporters. The TV spots last night gave enough campaign commercial material to last Republicans for years.
There was one legislator who went on and on about how he was going to take your money for education, take your money for transportation. I kept waiting for the Speaker of the House to run down the isle and tackle him to shut him up. It wasn’t one spot either. It literally sounded as if Mary Lahammer couldn’t believe what she was hearing. It sounded like they could’ve played different sound-bites all night.
Democrats have a problem because what they say and what they mean are two different things. I remember them saying here in Clarissa: "we’re going to make investments in education, transportation, etc." That is okay to say because it sounds good. It makes you look as if you’re concerned and care about those specific issues. It also covers up what you actually mean which is: “I’m going to raise your taxes to fund education”
So two pointers I’ll give you tax & fee free Minnesota Democrats:
- First, the election was about the war. You are trying to spin the election into an agenda and areas of policy that never existed. Minnesota voters are smart and you won’t fool them. Keep it up and you risk the House of Representatives for sure.
- Second, please pay attention to when you’re talking. What went on last night was that Democrats went around saying what they mean, and not saying what they should say. That is a big difference! I understand when you have to differentiate so often it can get confusing so............keep your heads up and best of luck next time.
