Monday, October 09, 2006

More Unsolicited Advice For Democrats

Regarding the Foliasco (I also like Foleyaanisqatsi, but it's probably too obscure), I would like to make two common-sense suggestions. I'm probably not the first with either of them, but oh well.

1) Make it clear that this is not an isolated incident, but a pure and crystalline distillation of the way the Republicans do things: They abuse their power for personal gratification, then cover up, lie, spin, obfuscate, and blame/smear the victims and the Democrats when the story begins to leak out.

Use the phrase "moral rot" as often as possible.

2) Practice zero tolerance for wrongdoing on your own side. The Democrats must "brand" themselves as the party of responsibility and accountability. If you find out about a dirty Democrat (i.e., Jefferson, Mollohan, or God forbid, a Democratic Foley), kick them the hell out immediately before the media or the Republicans force your hand. Do not allow the Republicans to reclaim the moral high ground.

It may be painful, but remember that the next time the Republicans get caught waist-deep in the cookie jar and start sputtering that a Democrat did it too, you can smugly say, "Yeah, and we got rid of them the second we found out about it, because we take government seriously. We don't stand for dishonesty and corruption like Republicans do." Just think how satisfying that will be. Also, if everyone in your caucus knows you won't cover for them, they might be just a teensy bit more likely to keep their noses clean.


This has been your Bleeding Obvious 101 class for the day. Midterms will be on November 7th. Finals will be in November 2008.

4 comments:

karmic said...

That should be the answer every time they say bu..bu.. but the dems are corrupt too.

Eli said...

It should, but they need to put themselves in position where that *can* be the answer, rather than "Hamanahamanahamanahamana..."

Ripley said...

I don't know.. needs nuance, I think. heh!

I've been using the term 'moral cowards' when speaking about Republicans. I think it gives them shrinkage.

Eli said...

Eh, shrinkage, rottage - whatever works.