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we did it without a catch phrase

by: kite

Mon Nov 17, 2008 at 18:30:08 PM EST


A few years ago, i read what seemed like a spate of article about how the Democrats did not have a concise message to counter the Republican "smaller government, lower taxes, strong defense, and family values."  I spent weeks constructing analagous catch phrases in my head, picking bits and pieces from things like:  
  • worker safety;
  • clean air and water;
  • consumer protection;
  • individual privacy;
  • standing up for the middle class;
  • family values (co-opting a nice phrase that is often used for a nasty purpose);

and so on.  I actually had 3 or 4 I kind of liked, that I thought summed up Democratic values pretty well.  I don't remember what they were.  

But turns out maybe we didn't (and don't) need a catch phrase, and I think that's kind of interesting.  Maybe there are so many causes we need to stand up for that a catch phrase won't work.  Maybe we're a big tent party in more ways than one.  

Or maybe complexity has been brought back into the discussion of complicated problems.  Everyone wants a "strong defense," after all, but that means more than invading other countries.  (It means a strong economy.  It means making friends.  It means working with allies.)

Anyway, it's kind of funny to watch the Republicans doing their "soul-searching."  I hope they come out of it a better party.  And I hope their little catch phrase doesn't hold them back.

kite :: we did it without a catch phrase
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I like this: (0.00 / 0)
Or maybe complexity has been brought back into the discussion of complicated problems.

I would add to that, that it'll be really nice to have adults in charge of the government again.

birch, finch, beech


Not sure I buy it - (0.00 / 0)
If I were a Republican I would be mocking Dems for running a campaign on the catch words "hope" and "change" - far less "complex" than "smaller government, lower taxes, strong defense, and family values."

For better or worse, parties and candidates prefer to be as unspecific as possible.


branding (4.00 / 1)
Those words were part of Obama's campaign, kind of like "maverick" and "straight talk" were part of McCain's.  But they are not part of the Democratic brand.  ("Brand" as applied to the two parties seemed to be in vogue this year, but unlike some trendy words, it had a point.)

[ Parent ]
Yes? (0.00 / 0)
We did?

I agree with the premise of the return to nuance, but it seems to me that I heard a catchphrase or two during this election.



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