Substance First. Strategy Second.

Dean’s a fighter. He’s bringing new energy to the party. He’s mobilizing the grassroots. And the DNC Chairman has already raised in $12 million from ordinary voters this year. Unfortunately, however, he’s all but assuring Republican victories.

Last Sunday I reflected on how astonishing it is that many leaders and activists don’t understand very simple concepts about selling their ideas and attracting new converts. They get emotional, exaggerate, and don’t craft their message to their audience. I was remiss not to spotlight Dean. As Chairman, Dean is charged with, one would think, revitalizing the Democratic party on all levels–national to local. He should inspire new Democrats and remind those who are considering other options why they should stay in the camp. In other words, beyond raising money, Dean should figure out how to get Democrats winning again.

So why, after clumsily appealing to Southern Evangelicals, would Dean dismissively say that the GOP is “a pretty monolithic party . . . they all behave the same and they all look the same and they all — you know, it’s pretty much a white, Christian party”? Dude. Most of this country is white. And Christian. Perhaps you should borrow from the evangelical playbook and evangelize–you know, seek converts, rather than foolishly turning people away.

A writer to the Austin-American Statesman asks, “He also apparently hates that same 40 percent of Hispanic Bush voters, because he recently said he ‘hates Republicans and everything they stand for.’” A stretch? Maybe. Was his “I hate Republicans” quote taken out of context? Sure, a little bit. But the point is that his role is to grow and strengthen the Democratic Party so that they can ultimately win again. The doctor needs to take the word “hate” out of his vocabulary.

Being aggressive and outspoken is a reasonable tactical approach. But it’s what you’re fighting for that matters. We still don’t know what that is. It’s worth repeating: It’s not what you’re against, it’s what you’re for! A comment to a blog post said it best, “They aren’t saying ‘Vote Democrat because’ … they are saying “Vote against Republicans because …”

“So far, I think he’s probably helped us more than he has them.”

- Dick Cheney

June 13th, 2005