MUST BE THE SEASON OF THE WIMP

One would certainly think that Party leaders would strive to be strong and support strength in their fellow Democrats. Sadly, too many Democrats are pussy-footing wimps who would rather be seen as "nice" or "cooperative" and stupidly undercut their own people.

DNC Chair, Howard Dean, recently gave a very strong speech. When the media asked Joe Biden, John Edwards and other Democrats what they thought of it, they daintily pulled up their skirts and slammed Dean as if they'd sniffed a bad smell.

The result was that everything else these people might have said was lost as the media headlined: "Biden and Edwards censor Dean for his remarks." Could they have hurt their party's image more? They sure came off like wimpy spinster aunts.

A Party must give firm impressions of strength to be trusted and elected. In addition, Party leaders especially should support, not undercut, each other. If there are disagreements they should be hashed out away from the media.

Ronald Reagan's 11th Commandment: "Thou shalt not speak ill of a fellow Republican." The Repugs have made this an art form and look where it has gotten them.

Democrats must take a cue from the Republicans if they are ever to win back the government. Look at how the Repugs responded to questions from the media about Tom Delay and the really nasty and incriminating charges against him.

Over and over they answered by praising Delay for all the great things he had done, never once alluding to or saying what they thought about the charges. So they avoided the questions? So what? They gave the media clear spin for the messages they really wanted to get out.

Many in this country are fearful and the Republicans, knowing they are seen as strong, keep that always in the media while pointing out the weakness of Democrats.

In contrast, when a Democrat leader uses strong words against the Republicans, his fellow leaders act as if he farted in church and disassociate themselves from him.

Let's be clear. For years the Republicans have shamelessly spread unsubstantiated lies and accusations against Democrats. It's time there were a few Democrats that would speak out strongly against the Republicans.

They should be praised, not accused of being "disrespectful" by their own leadership. Incidently, this Dem leadership seldom points out the massive lies told by Ken Mehlman, RNC Chair.

So what if the strong Dems might be called harsh or accused of being obstructionists or whatever. Strength just cannot be an illusion. Democrats must get on board together in a juggernaut war of words and use the same avoidance tactics Repubs use. Voters poll that they want cooperation but they vote for guts and strength.

How many wimps among the 7 Democratic Senators who banded with seven Republicans to avoid the use of their one weapon -- the filibuster? Guess what? Those ultra conservative judges, one after another are going through the process right now.

Delightful to see that Senator Clinton is giving speeches now that show her to be anything but a wimp. Now, will the other Democrats undercut her efforts to show Democratic strength?

We hope Howard Dean and any other strong Democrat remembers this: First they ignore you. Then they ridicule you. Then they attack you. Then you win -- Gandhi

gapperserve@peoplepc.com

2005-024

Copyright 2005 Renee T. Louise and Ruth M. Sprague, Ph.D. These articles may be republished for noncommercial use only, provided that they are copied intact, and that this copyright notice is attached. Address all queries to: gapperserve@peoplepc.com.

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