Throwing Down the Gauntlet

OK, big shot. So let's put this blogging thing to good use. If you think it is actually possible to message smart policy in easily digestible and attractive ways, let's get started. Over the next few days (or weeks, whatever), let's take on a series of issues and actually put language around some sound policies that might also have some life on the campaign trail. In other words, let's try to inch Democratic candidates closer to a real agenda, while, at the same time, making that agenda marketable to the broader public.

I still contend that when it actually comes down to engaging in this work of messaging, it is incredibly difficult and, frankly, is much easier when you actually don't care about policies that will really have a positive impact. That said, I am willing to give it a try, if you are. (There is no way I could do it alone, but I think a bit of back and forth has a better chance of producing something useful.)

Let me propose a couple of groundrules for this little exercise. First, you need to come up with a pithy slogan that accurately captures the essence of the policy AND that the general public can resonate to. (After all, if we are going to effectively counter the GOP, we need something that can counter something like "lower taxes and less government," etc.) Second, you need to lay out at least a few key principal policy points that (a) demonstrate a reasonable amount of depth and move beyond platitudes to real change proposals, (b) are feasible, both financially and politically, (c) are "simple" enough that they can be readily understood and (d) effectively point out where the opposition is wrong and why this policy approach is superior. Perhaps it is unfair to place such a high bar, but, IMO, unless you can satisfy all these criteria, we'll be in the same place we are now.

Since I proposed the groundrules -- which you can push back against, if you think they are too constraining or misguided -- you can pick the issue(s). Off we go...