Joe Scarborough
The Democrats' solution
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Previously, I told you the Democrats' problem. Today, I provide the solution.
It's not a cure most Democratic activists and party leaders will want to hear. But then again that may explain why they've only elected one candidate to the White House in 25 years.
The Dean Democrats are veering wildly left, in part; because that is the way they are being pulled by grassroots forces.
The Washington Post's Dan Balz explained that groups like moveon.org, who almost nominated Howard Dean as their presidential candidate, remain convinced that John Kerry lost in 2004 not because he was too liberal, but because he was not liberal enough.
If you are a Democratic activist or leader who believes Kerry should have been more liberal, don't bother reading the rest of this blog. You are Karl Rove's best friend and delusional when it comes to the political realities facing your party.
For those with ears to hear, here it goes.
The Democrats' first target should be winning back the Senate in 2006. There are a number of "red states" Senate seats up for grabs next year and only a certain type of Democrat can win them.
Republicans have feasted for years on "moderate" Democrats running in these areas. Most Senate Democratic candidates who go up in flames in Middle America usually are almost pro-life, almost pro-gun, almost pro-public prayer, and almost pro-defense. But because of the radical nutbars running their party, these mid-American Democrats can't sync up with the sensibilities of the states they want to represent.
So national Democrats are faced with two options:
1) continue feeling good about themselves by supporting candidates whose views are closer to those shared by voters in Manhattan, New York than Manhattan, Kansas; or,
2) drop the litmus test and start playing to win.
Maybe a pro-life, pro-gun, pro-G-d will never win the Democratic nomination for President.
But there is no reason the party of Bill Clinton can't retake the Senate by winning in places like Tennessee, Kentucky, North Carolina, Arizona, and Wyoming.
To win the seats required to seize control of Capitol Hill committees, D.C. Dems are going to have to swallow hard.
Speaking of taking bitter medicine, I know it will hurt party activists, but Hillary Clinton must be avoided at all costs. She remains one of the most divisive figures in American politics. And while she may drive up voters in her base, that base is outnumbered by millions of Americans who consider her to be one of the most liberal forces in American politics.
She will be "borked" by her words, her actions, and her scandals while serving as our First Lady.
Instead, the Democrats must find a governor or senator from Middle America who can hold the base and bring a few states over to the Democratic camp.
The margin of error is so close on the national level that a Red State Democratic ticket— whose president and vice-president pick up their home states— is all that's required to put Democrats back in the oval office.
After winning the Senate in 2006 and the White House in 2008, the party can then turn its attention to redistricting in the House to make that process competitive.
You may be asking yourself why a former Republican Congressman would be telling Democrats that they can gain power through the power of moderation.
It's because I know their national leaders will be too stupid to take it.
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Former Congressman Joe Scarborough (R-Fla.) hosts “Scarborough Country,” 10 p.m. ET, weeknights on MSNBC. He is the author of the recently published "Rome Wasn't Burnt in a Day : The Real Deal on How Politicians, Bureaucrats, and Other Washington Barbarians are Bankrupting America". (Click HERE to purchase. Sales help fund JWR.)Comment by clicking here.