A Primer for the Democrats in the 2010 Elections

Submitted by BuzzFlash on Tue, 04/20/2010 - 9:57am.

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HUGH CONRAD FOR BUZZFLASH

Lesson One:  Today's Words Are "Republican Recession"

The passage of the healthcare reform package became reality for a plethora of reasons, but one was essential: Barack Obama went back to his base and argued his case in a fiery and a passionate way. For the Democrats to prevent the opposition from taking over either body of Congress in November, they have to be as vocal and as passionate as Obama was down the stretch.

The Democrats must do this with issues that the Republicans have destroyed: National Security, corruption, Republican ties to Wall Street, eviscerating the Constitution under Bush, along with the major issue, the Economy.

First, here is what the Democrats should do to make their case about the economy: Demonstrate outrage at the Republicans for mishandling the economy and causing the loss of eight million jobs.

My first suggestion is a simple one: Repeat these words over and over: This was / is a "Republican Recession."

Everyone -- those on the campaign trail, those in the netroots, and those who talk to the media -- should repeat these because repetition strengthens and confirms ideas in the minds of the American people.

The second suggestion is also simple: Tie the Republicans to Wall Street. This is simple with the financial-reform bill currently being debated in Congress. Republicans will try to prevent any meaningful reform.

The last suggestion here is to use history, tying it into the Republican Recession. For instance, use this historical scenario.

The Republicans ruled for 12 years in the 1920s and early 30s. What happened? The Great Depression, the worst financial failure in history. This occurred because of the policies of Warren Harding, Calvin Coolidge, and Herbert Hoover. The Depression ended after the people elected Franklin Delano Roosevelt, a Democrat, who instituted meaningful change.

The Republicans again ruled for 12 years during the 1980s and early 90s. What happened? The Republicans rang up the largest budget deficits in history under Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush and forced the country into a serious recession. This ended after the voters elected Bill Clinton, who balanced the budget and built a surplus that the Republicans squandered under George W. Bush.

The Republicans ruled for eight years under George W. Bush. What happened? The worst recession in history, forcing the government into bailing out banks and spending stimulus money to try and rebuild the country. Eight million jobs have been lost because of the Republican Recession.

History is clear: Republicans have been horrible stewards of the economy.

Since 1980, Republicans have controlled the White House 20 of 29 years. We are experiencing this economic turmoil because of the reprehensible trickle-down economics of Ronald Reagan that have led to two major recessions, the last almost another Republican Depression.

When Americans go to the polls this fall, they must remember that this horrible economy is a Republican Recession.

Summary: Tie the Great Depression, constant recessions, and horrible budget deficits to the Republicans. This is historically accurate and can be very effective in doing over and over and over again.

HUGH CONRAD FOR BUZZFLASH

Let The Sun Shine In......