It's The Actually Winning Elections, Stupid!

This NY Times article has a lot of people talking...

Some Democrats Are Sensing Missed Opportunities

Democrats are heading into this year's elections in a position weaker than they had hoped for, party leaders say, stirring concern that they are letting pass an opportunity to exploit what they see as widespread Republican vulnerabilities...

...Democrats described a growing sense that they had failed to take full advantage of the troubles that have plagued Mr. Bush and his party since the middle of last year, driving down the president's approval ratings, opening divisions among Republicans in Congress over policy and potentially putting control of the House and Senate into play in November...

A few Democrats and liberal bloggers were upset by the article... but only because it's true. Some conservatives are likely grinning too (Karl Rove was so wrapped up in the article, he almost forgot to fax Roger Ailes the day's talking points), but if the best you can say is that the Democrats are too inept to capitalize on the increasing foul stench coming from ones party, well that's not much to brag about.

For an analysis of the Democratic pity-party, read this- Kick Me, I'm a Democrat

Back to the NY Times article, though... Despite having apparently spoken to no Democrats for the article itself, Mr. Nagourney is quick to create a narrative for their election year struggles, critics of his piece say. I say the article speaks for itself. If I were the Democratic Party chairman (sorry, Howard, you ain't cutting it), I would print this article out (with my own money, not the taxpayers' money!) and head down to Capitol Hill and hand it out to every Democratic Senator and Congressman. If any copies were left over, I might consider letting Joe Lieberman have one as well. Just to be nice. I would also distribute the article to all the challengers for Republican-held seats too. "Take notes!", I would say. "Why the hell can't you all find a way to defeat a party as shamelessly corrupt and incompetent as the Republicans (without resorting to heartland Christian pandering)?!!", I would demand angrily. I would then appoint an election year war-council, pick a Gingrich-esque leader (sans the hypocrisy), and launch a non-stop media effort and cross-country speaking tour to inform the American people of the positions, values, and promises my party will offer when they take control of Congress.

I mean... is that so crazy?

Money quote from the article-

Democrats said they had not yet figured out how to counter the White House's long assault on their national security credentials. And they said their opportunities to break through to voters with a coherent message on domestic and foreign policy — should they settle on one — were restricted by the lack of an established, nationally known leader to carry their message this fall.

As a result, some Democrats said, their party could lose its chance to do to Republicans this year what the Republicans did to them in 1994: make the midterm election, normally dominated by regional and local concerns, a national referendum on the party in power.

Arianna Huffington has read the article and notes in shared frustration that...

The Democratic arsenal is stocked with powerful weapons -- Iraq, Katrina, Abramoff, Libby, Osama, illegal spying, repeated lying, etc., etc -- and yet, according to the Times, "party leaders are divided about what Democrats should be talking about." What's more, if they ever manage to decide what to talk about, Dems are apparently clueless how they should talk about it -- "divided over whether to take on the Republicans in a more confrontational manner, ideologically and politically, or move more forcefully to stake out the center on social and national issues."

Helpful woman that she is, Arianna has some damn good advice for the Dems-

I've said it again and again and again -- and I guess I'll have to keep saying it: the Democrats will never become the majority party until they can convince the American people that they can keep the country safer than the Republicans. All together now: It's the national security, stupid! And if I sound like a broken record, so should the Democrats...

...The evidence is everywhere: neglected ports and railways. Underfunded first responders. A tripling of terror attacks worldwide. Poor and failing grades from the 9/11 Commission. Osama still on the loose. Iraq as a breeding ground for a new generation of terrorists. Al-Qaeda making a comeback in Afghanistan. Depleted troops. Shaky allies. Emboldened enemies.

How to counter the Bush-as-protector myth? Aggressively and unrelentingly. Go after his supposed strength (indeed, his only remaining strength) and show it's actually his greatest vulnerability. The Democratic strategy must follow the old sports truism: the best defense against attacks that they are soft on terror is a great offense against the architects of the bungled response to the war on terror.

Sen. Clinton also has advice for her party- Sen. Clinton Urges Democrats to Speak Up

The President is wrong. The Republican Party is wrong. Polls show the American people are ready to hear that.

It's time the Democrats really let them know it... and how they will do better.

USAToday has a great article on this too: Dems in search of pithy agenda

Democratic leaders say they'll soon release a pithy agenda akin to the "Contract with America" that helped Republicans take over Congress in 1994. But the past two weeks underscore the difficulties of setting clear priorities and speaking with one voice.

I quiver with anticipation.

For an example of someone getting it right, check out former Sen. Max Cleland's article on a band of veterans joining the congressional fight in races all over the nation. Cleland introduces these candidates and notes "There are Fighting Democrats running from New Hampshire to Florida to California". Fighting Democrats- now that's a crazy enough idea to work:
Ladies and Gentlemen, The Fighting Democrats

More of that, please.

[Related- Handful of Races May Tip Control of Congress]