While we each have our own particular preferences in political races large and small this autumn, there are a few recommendations we'd like to give to legitimate candidates in each of the two major political parties to help them win in November. While we're certain some of what we say will fall on deaf ears, we hope that at least a few of our recommendations will make it through the media haze.
For Democrats: Fear Is NOT Your Friend. Be Proud Of What You've Accomplished.
As the fall campaigns inevitably rev up these last few weeks, the mud, bile, and accusations are as certain to rise as the sun. We think it would be wise if the Democrats kept that sort of vitriol to a minimum this year. Democratic and left-leaning voters need more than anything to be positively motivated this year - and hate won't do it. This year, no one is going to out-hate the Tea Party and the far right - so don't even try.
Democratic candidates should also be proud of the many, many accomplishments their party has begun during the last two years. That isn't to say everything is fixed - and no candidate should say anything like that. Far from it. Many topics important to Americans have moved significantly forward, however, from stopping the hemorrhaging of the economy, to getting out of Iraq, to paying down the debt, to reforming the health care insurance system. Democrats have led on all of these topics, while Republicans have fought them all the way. For Democratic candidates, it's time to be proud of what they've done - because like it or not, there's no time left to change their voting records now.
For Republicans: Be Specific. Accept Reality.
Whether or not you've read the GOP's "Pledge To America" - or any of their many other semi-official plans and pledges this year - the key thing that seems to be missing from most of them is specifics. We're well aware that the Tea Party has many moderate, sensible, thoughtful Republicans a bit scared this year, as Tea Party organizations have garnered a lot more of the media's attention so far.
Governing, however, isn't about just yelling at people, complaining about what's wrong, or making a media scene. Governing - the hardest parts of it - are often about getting the littlest details correct. Some Republicans do have some of those little details correct. They may not be flashy, or get the most media coverage - but if elected, they'll likely accomplish more than any tea party media sensation will.
Part of the way they'll do that is through the wise understanding that the soul of government is compromise. No matter how the elections turn out, it's highly likely the Democratic Party will still have a majority in the Senate - and President Obama is here to stay till January 2013, at least (if not longer). This means that, in order to get anything done, Republicans will have to work with Democrats - like it or not.
Wise Republicans - those worth electing - know the reality that governing in America is never a strictly partisan affair.
