Democrats and 2004

Washington Post writer David Von Drehle had an online live chat where he fielded questions about the Democrats heading into 2004. There were a lot of queries about Howard Dean, suggesting that he’s the favorite son right now. Here’s perhaps the key question of the session:

Los Angeles, Calif.: How can progressive Democrats build an appealing message of positive change from virulent criticisms of Bush?

David Von Drehle: The $64,000 question.

I have been interviewing Democrats from across the spectrum for a couple of months now about where the party is and where it should be heading. And everybody says: "We need a positive message beyond just being against Bush." And everybody also says: "We don't know yet what it is."

I hear again and again that this message-shaping project is the most urgently important function of the presidential primary. People are counting on one of these candidates to come up with a compelling positive vision/agenda to go with the increasingly sharp criticism of Bush.

“Message shaping?” I find it amazing that the Democrats simply do not know what they believe in. Anything cobbled together at this late date is going to look like the artificial product of a focus group.