Unfortunately we're still hunting for that message. Democratic Chairwoman Karen Thurman showed up with a number of aides but said that given developments with the voucher proposal, Democratic legislative leaders decided they didn't want to talk about their 2006 campaign message just yet. "It's not about the message, it's about the politics right now."
Do not schedule a press conference and then not tell the media what the message is. My God, has Thurman been watching Katherine Harris and said "That lady knows how to work the media." That is asking for media snark.
How about making taxes less regressive for the middle class.
Protecting workers' rights.
Keeping offshore drilling from happening in Florida.
Affordable college edcation.
Keeping state government out of medical decisions.
Port security.
Decreasing illegal immigration by clamping down on businesses that illegally employ foreigners.
Growth management.
That's a good place for the Florida Democratic Party to start.
On your thoughts for a Democratic message...
ReplyDeleteRecognize that FEDERAL issues would not be part of their platform.
How about making taxes less regressive for the middle class.
Not sure how the state of Florida can do this without enacting an income tax. Advocating that would be the death of the Florida Democratic Party. Perhaps they could get behind McKay's FAIR Sales Tax plan to balance the sales taxes on goods and services.
Protecting workers' rights.
Zzzzzzzzzz... Huh? Oh, sorry, I must've dozed off - like the voters will do. Florida is and will be a right to work state, and in a tight labor market, the voters (who are not in a union) don't care that much about workers' rights. Certainly the middle class doesn't.
Keeping offshore drilling from happening "in" Florida.
Both parties in Florida have worked together on this. You can't stand apart from the GOP by working on the same issues.
Affordable college edcation.
Florida's college education costs less than almost every state. How cheap do you want it? Also consider that not everyone is destined to go to college. Nor should they, because it would actually devalue the relative worth of the bachelors degree. Also, how many voters in this state have kids in their teens or in college? Not an issue that will play well in Sun City Center.
Keeping state government out of medical decisions.
Read: Abortion. Well, the GOP isn't exactly going after abortion despite overwhelming majorities in the legislature and the last year of a Republican governor's term. Yes, they have said that abortion clinics should be like any other outpatient medical facility - how can you oppose that? Yes, they asked the voters to approve a parental notification law. Which they did. Based on that vote, I doubt the Dems can get a lot of traction with this issue.
Port security.
The state has provided funds for port security, but this is more of a federal issue anyway.
Decreasing illegal immigration by clamping down on businesses that illegally employ foreigners.
Florida has no jurisdiction to do this. Immigration is wholly a federal issue.
Growth management.
This makes some sense. Find a sensible solution to Florida's growth problem and the voters could support you. Bear in mind that whatever you do can't have an impact on already high housing prices. Oh, and with 1,000 people PER DAY moving to Florida, things like a moratorium won't help.
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So, you have listed 8 items that will have very little to any impact on the chances of electing Democrats at the state level.
You want issues that are salient with the voters and on which the parties differ: education, sustainable growth, etc.
Until the Democrats realize this, they will continue to lose ground in Florida.