Third Way Democrats face a very difficult messaging problem.

In order to meet the expectations of traditional voting Democrats, the Third Way must maintain the illusion of standing for the same values as traditional Democrats: things like fair taxation, military restraint, and defending safety nets for the elderly and the poor.

At the same time, they must *carry out* a corporate-backed policy agenda that consists of exactly the opposite: things like tax cuts for the wealthy, preservation and expansion of the military industrial complex, and cutting of the social welfare system.

This is why their messaging feels bizarre and crazy-making. There is always an abrupt, painful oscillation between claiming vehemently that they represent the same progressive values and goals as other Democrats (e.g., "The President wants the same things you do. He just can't get them PASSED right now!")...

...and then accusing other Democrats of being extreme and unreasonable for having those very values and goals.

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It's a tough tightrope to walk. It requires a politician to engage in bizarre public contortions like:

claiming repeatedly to be a defender of the poor and most vulnerable among us, while simultaneously putting 650 billion in Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security cuts on the bargaining table.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/07/22/remarks-president

Or instructing a public relations team to stress commitment to Democratic ideals, while simultaneously warning them to avoid talking about details of actual policies on the war and taxes. http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x1670271


And this disconnect, by the way, is why people are so confused about what this administration is really doing. It produces exactly the type of conflicting signals that lead people to think that an administration is "weak" or "waffling" rather than deliberately circumspect and crafty about rhetoric.

We need to reclaim our party.

nt

I'm a hardcore, party line Democrat for the past 25 years I've been able to vote. And even I can't make heads or tails of what this administration stands for, what it wants, and what it will and will not fight for. How do they expect me or anyone else to be able to convince someone who is less invested and less politically aware?

Oh, I forgot. We're just supposed to say "The Republicans are crazy!!!" and that's going to have to be enough.

is not a winning campaign slogan.

God forbid, a one termer. When you have Democrats saying
things like this out loud, the Third Way had better wake
up and smell the coffee.

They sound like FAKE REPUBLICANS and we saw what happened
to FAKE REPUBLICANS in 2010 elections.

They are beginning to look and sound as inhibited, and tentative
as Mitt Romney. I am only using Romney as an example. Watching
how he has become so afraid to speak for fear of offending
the Whackos, the Third Way is coming across the same way.

Watching Mitt, no one could ever imagine this person
was a Big Player in Bain Capital??? He has become totally
inauthentic.

The Third Way in their efforts to appease Republicans, we
cannot find our once bold charismatic President.

What would happen if Mitt walked out on the stage in the
same persona that made him successful at Bain. At least
he would be authenic.

What would happen if our President came out and from the
bottom of his heart offered a sensible plan for getting
Americans to work--yes building and repairing stuff in
this country. Saying the Republican Talking Point
Government does create jobs, the Private Sector does.(This
jkis a losing line for a Democrat in times like these.
The Independents say to this: We may as well support
the real Republican.

Authentic means being who you are: not pretending to be
some folksy down home candidate ()Romeny) or a fake Republican
(Obama).

It confuses them initially, and when they figure out what is going on, it pisses them off.

K & R.

The Democratic Party has split in a similar fashion as the British Labor Party which has its socialist wing led by Tony Benn - and its 'New Labor' wing brought to you by Tony Blair, et. al. Conservative Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher (1979-90) referred to her greatest success as the creation of Tony Blair (1997-2007) and who recorded unprecedented three terms in office.

Who portray traditional Democratic values as being "kooky" and "unrealistic"

when he repeatedly dismisses supposed extremists on both sides.

It is a stock part of his speeches to identify unreasonable children on the Right who want such-and-such, and unreasonable children on the Left who want such-and-such, while trying to portray himself as the reasonable, centrist "grown-up."

Those that want reasonable taxes on the wealthy or want to preserve the New Deal are labeled as "fringe".

The average Joe is voting for their Democratic representative thinking they are voting for traditional Democratic Party positions.

I'd love to share your post.....

K&R

If I wanted to fight for the rights of the rich to screw the rest of the country, I'd already be a Republican.

....details of actual policies on the war and taxes."

Here's a good example of how an MSM title obscures what the President says

has also caused it great harm. It has alienated die hard long standing democrats. The democratic party use to stand for unions, social security, medicare and more. Instead things like abortion, gay marriage, gun control etc. were added. Many in the party have bought into corporatism with 401k's and the like. I'm not against abortion or gay marriage. Abortion is a tricky issue. I don't feel a person should screw around with out birth control and have multiple abortions. On the other side, I feel a woman should have the right to make that choice on her own. She is the one that has to live with her abortion choice. Marriage is a religious issue and should have never been a government topic anyway. Not in a free society. The mantra of a lot of people is "what choice do we have? I won't vote for a republican “. Well that is your choice but many moderates who voted for Obama and other congressional members, expected them to fix this mess and they haven't. They had their chance and blew it. They didn't even make an attempt. So anyone who is surprised at the losing of the presidential election, thanks a lot. Flame on torches.