2000: The "Al Gore is a Liar" campaign
The rightwing compiled a whole list of comically ridiculous distortions about Gore, and "writers" (stenographers) at major, serious newspapers repeated the lies verbatim as fact (and then quoted each other -- "the echo chamber"). The Gore campaign reacted too late with too little, apparently thinking nobody could possibly believe such craziness and that if it's ignored, it will go away -- whereas if it's responded to, it could take over, drown out the campaign messages that had been carefully honed, and distract, pulling things off-track.

We just need to "get the truth out," past the media, right? But the horse had already left the barn before the campaign tried to lock the barn door. "Al Gore is a serial exaggerator" had taken hold, and it's hard to get the horse back into the barn.

(By the way, I am NOT saying that is all Al Gore's fault.)

2004: The "John Kerry is a Traitor" campaign
The rightwing managed to redefine a war hero as a traitor -- quite a feat indeed! The Kerry campaign responded as the Gore campaign had -- too little too late, and I think for the same reasons. (Who could possibly believe such lies? Don't feed them with attention - just stay on message.) Once again, the horse left the barn, and the campaign was REacting, trying to overcome something that was already out there.

(Again, I am NOT saying that is all John Kerry's fault.)

(2006 INTERIM: The "Vote for Democrats and Die" campaign" -- The answer to "What the HELL is it going to take before people freaking wake UP" question is answered at last: Near collapse of the economy, the military, foreign relations, and anything else you can think of. Democrats regain some real power.)

2008: The "Barack Obama is a Terrorist" campaign
The rightwing tried it, a lot of the media rejected it (especially compared with their compliance in 2000), Republicans had cooked themselves into burned toast, Obama was an awesome, compelling candidate, the campaign was on-target, the party was on message, and the lies were overcome in immense measure!!

Victory at last!! Forge ahead!!

2009: The "Health Care is BAD" campaign
Here we go again. Even with the White House and both houses of Congress -- and TEAMS of highly-paid career experts tackling every issue on every level -- Democrats are REactive, as thought this were a surprise.

Like, "What, are you kidding me? How could anybody possibly be convinced that something as obviously good as healthcare is actually bad?" Meanwhile, people are equating it with Hitler and murder. Nobody saw it coming, apparently --the horse is out of the barn running wild, Democrats are asking bewildered questions about how to close the door now, while a CORRUPT minority is successfully convincing a FEARFUL populace of outright lies, day after day after day.

(Once again, I am not saying this is all President Obama's fault.)

So...
WHY are Democrats still playing DEFENSE???

WHY are Democrats always REACTIVE, rather than PROACTIVE?? It doesn't take years of expertise or high salaries to anticipate that the opposition will mount an outrageous campaign and to set up the machinery to fight back, QUICKLY.

WHY are Democrats always VICTIMS?? "It's the media," "It's the idiots," "It's the money" -- No kidding! Here we are now, with all the power in the world (even literally, perhaps), with a historic number of people behind the president, against the rightwing, seeking change and hope... And WE are fighting "back:" -- against what??

What are the excuses, again? Rightwing radio? Willfully ignorant people? Are you kidding me???

(AGAIN, for the people with the hair-triggers, I am NOT blaming Barack Obama, the man, as solely responsible for all of this. It's a broad system, with many layers and calculations involving a lot of people. He is one person in this equation, who's tasked others with various jobs.)

HELLO!!! We aren't VICTIMS anymore! Our party holds THE Power nationally and internationally. Our Democratic president is THE Leader of the Free World. And we're whining about the power of Rush Limbaugh and Sarah Palin? We're surprised there are gullible people swayed by fear in this country, and can't overcome this? Our party leadership is clueless about how to "control the message?"

Our well-paid, experienced experts at the highest levels of power are caught playing defense, as though caught off-guard -- trying to put the horse back in the barn. Why was the door even left open? Are they really incapable of seeing the opposition's machinery and MO, from 2000, 2004, and 2008 (and years before those)? Is there any SURPRISE here??

I'm reaching a point of complete and total cynicism. I have to wonder whether the party is even trying to succeed at its stated goals. Either they are smart but not trying, or they're trying but not smart....

I believe they are smart.

(And I'd rather believe they aren't.)