What's the plan?

I have compared the Kerry/Democratic campaign in 2004 to the Dole campaign in 1996. Neither presented an alternative plan just an alternative candidate. Both lost. Today E. J. Dionne says much the same thing.

Stand for something. Bush won this year because of those attacks on Kerry. But he also won because swing voters who didn't like him very much were nonetheless quite certain that he knew what he wanted to do and would try to get it done.

One line of attack against Bush is to say that his certainties are mistaken and that he never, ever questions them. That's true. It's also inadequate. Those who oppose the direction in which Bush is leading us need to propose an alternative.

They need to demonstrate that we could be much safer -- and fight a more effective war on terrorism -- if so much of the world did not mistrust us. They must create a realistic narrative about a more just and prosperous society. Policies on jobs, health insurance, child care, education and taxes should be more than a list. They ought to form a coherent picture of how things could be better, for everyone.

The long-term need for alternatives should not stop the loyal opposition from being tough. But the short-term need to be tough should not stop the opposition's search for alternatives.

"They must create a realistic narrative about a more just and prosperous society. Policies on jobs, health insurance, child care, education and taxes should be more than a list. They ought to form a coherent picture of how things could be better, for everyone." That's what didn't happen. George W. Bush was not popular, a majority did not agree with George W. Bush on most issues but George W. Bush won because the Democrats only offered a candidate, not a plan or a vision. Dionne points out that the Democrats were afraid to be Democrats, afraid of the editorial writers. This is true but the damage was done well before the campaign when the Democratic Lawmakers were unwilling to stand up for what Democrats are supposed to believe. If you think you are right you should say what you think. Democrats should have learned that not doing so will only result in defeat. Yes, Clinton won two elections but all the while the Democratic party continued to lose. George W. Bush does not have nearly as much "political capitol" as he thinks or says he does. Present some alternatives and he can be stopped. Bush and his cronies will not compromise and if the Democrats don't realize that they will continue to lose the battles and ultimately the people of this United States will lose the war.