Walter Shapiro, in his article for Salon, suggested Rove's talking point guidance to the Republicans, so I thought I'd do my duty and frame for the Democrats.
Shapiro says,
Rove, in particular, honed his message down to three big themes -- national security ("America is at war"), the economy ("We're heading into 2006 with a full head of steam") and the courts ("Two extraordinary judges: John Roberts and Samuel Alito").
So how should the Dems respond?
Any mention of the word "Iraq": Blink three times. Say, "The Republicans got us into that mess, so they damned well better get us out."
The courts: "Harriet Myers" and "55 Republicans vs. 45 Democrats - it's not that there was any real discussion or anything; the Republicans could -- and did -- put in whoever they wanted to."
The economy: Warren Buffet warns about the economy and is 40% in cash. I think I'll listen to him instead of Bush.
And then the Dems say:
(1) Health Insurance.
(There are so many horrifying stories, they can put up a blog and add new ones every day, tagging
- Dental Undone
- Vision Uncorrected
- Marginal Pregnancy Care
- Interventions too late
- Sick at Work (covering both going to work when sick because you must have the money and going to work when sick because your health care depends on you showing up. And a lot of these kinds of jobs are public-facing, with obvious public health implications)
- Sharing meds and antibiotics anyway (because you can't afford them)
(2) National Security.
In case of terrorist attack, do you have any idea what you're supposed to do? Anyone contacted you recently? What about in the event of a natural disaster?
(3) What it is to be an American.
Does it mean to give up another freedom every time the word "terrorism!" is used to remind us that we're supposed to be afraid?
Does it mean to opt out of important international discussions on issues like Climate Change?
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