A National Security Vision for Democrats

ILLUSTRATED: We must align strategy for hard power with soft power.

Over a year ago I posted A Democratic National Security Platform for 2008.  However it was a point-by-point plan for government institutions.  It was not an idea encapsulated in a slogan.  Two recent articles, one by Joseph Nye and an op-ed by General Zini and Admiral Smith stress that hard power strategy and soft power must be aligned.  In other words, the next White House must coordinate soldiers, diplomats, and spies one the one hand, with foreign aid, development, and exchanges in culture and education. Hard and soft power coordination.

The national security business will be brisk in the  21st Century.  With the possible exception of East Asia, most American military activity will be in the greater Middle East, and at a lower intensity in Sub-Saharan Africa.  The roots of these problems cannot be solved with hard power.  Hard power might only keep it in check, preventing it from threatening our interests.  

There must be an effort to project our arts and culture, survival aid, economic investment, and efforts to build an education system on these sub-continents. 

Wall Street Welfare and Wall Street Taxes

ILLUSTRATED: It is essential that Democrats explain how the coming bailout is an indictment on conservative ideology.

Unfettered markets, unfettered property rights, an unfettered right to contract, and limited legal and regulatory accountability are the keystone ideas in the Republican economic platform. However in our current crisis, each idea must be compromised in order to save capitalism from itself.

Some points that Democrats met get accross:
-These cuts in the Federal Funds rates are a backdoor bailout for banks. Interest rates for consumers, from mortgages to credit cards are not coming down as fast.
-Lax regulation and loosening of Depression Era laws are ending up costing the economy more in the long run. History does repeat itself, so we must learn its lessons.
-Strong ethical standards (ahem, "regulations") must be put in for anyone who advises people with money. Democrats ceratinly want as many homeowners as possible, but people must be advised on how to invest and what they can afford.
-Interest rates are Wall Street's tax. They are going up. The dollar will go down so imported oil prices will go up.
-Worst of all is the coming taxpayer bailout to help the executives who made these mistakes. Wall Street Welfare is not just a hypocritical oxymoron, it goes to show that Republicans truly value some people over others. Their policies benefit those in position to control capital for its own sake. Our policies are designed to have optimized resource allocation in the economy and give everyone a chance to succeed.

Bush's legacy on Iraq

ILLUSTRATED: Bush will run down the military in order to save his personal legacy on Iraq. We must call him on it.

The LA Times has a succinct article on how there is a chasm between the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the commanders in Iraq on troop levels. Essentially the JCS which advises the political leadership on long term military/defense policy sees the forces hollowing out. The commanders in Iraq want to stanch the violence. The key paragraphs are these:

In part, the disagreements between Petraeus and the Joint Chiefs -- and in particular their chairman, Navy Adm. Michael G. Mullen -- are a function of their differing responsibilities. Petraeus' main task is to win the war in Iraq. Mullen and the Joint Chiefs have the primary responsibility of ensuring the long-term strength of the military and preparing for contingencies.

But the differences are exacerbated by the circumstances under which the men were chosen for their jobs. Bush picked Petraeus because he had new strategies for Iraq. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates tapped Mullen because of his deep concern for the health of the military.

Basically, I predict that Bush will care about his personal legacy more than the military itself. The key for him and John McCain is to keep the level of violence down until the election and Inaguration. They do not care so much about an oil deal or a political constitution.

We must call them on it.

Compete on quality or cost?

ILLUSTRATED: Democrats can package our platform as making the American economy competitive on quality.

The simple fact of economic globalization is that America cannot compete on cost in the long run. We may start an industry, but other countries will undercut us with downscale models and improve quality over time. America must compete on quality. The Republican party is totally out of position.
Fundamentally, Republicans say "cut taxes and accountability on the 3% who control capital, and they will grow the economy and benefit all." An unreconstructed liberal says " increase the budget and authority of the 3% that run our public institutions and they will allay all societal ills." Both lines are now discredited with the voters. Democrats can now own the issue of being pro-economic growth.
When it comes to supporting public education, fiscal sanity, the environment, the rule of law, good foreign relations, and universal health care, it all leads to a high value society. That is a "pro-business" policy.
The evidence is clear: economic growth is not highest where taxes are lowest. Economic growth is where the most educated people are.

So you want to be a candidate?

ILLUSTRATED: Some timeless fundamentals on campaigning.

All of these points have been made before on this blog, but then again, campaign communication is about repetition. I wrote recently that there are timeless principles of campaigning, as well as continual innovation that must be kept up with. As for the former, this advise has always been, and will always be pertinent.

There are three general areas of focus: Mobilization, Money, and Message. If you prefer the letter "w" then work, worth, and words. Donnie Fowler says bodies, money, ideas. All the same three concepts.

Mobilization: First, your campaign will only be as good as the campaign manager's organizational skills, and intellectual bandwidth. The campaign management team should be above all, good managers. Pay the required salary for good talent. Second, the locus of power and influence should be with the organic management team, not with consultants. Thirdly, grow the campaign in ever enlarging circles, reaching out to different constituencies.

Money: Ask for it early and often. Come to grips early on that fundraising is the most important thing until about 90 days before voting. You must schedule call time every day, when calling, ask for a decent number. Let people know why it is important to them, to you, to the cause. Think of a psychological hook to get people to give. It is largely emotional.

Message: First, know that political communication is the translation of law and policy prose into campaign poetry that resonates with people's values. Richard Wirthlin, Reagan's aide, said that issues are picked because of the latent values behind them. The massage should be setting a narrative that stakes your candidacy on the side of the people's values.
Second, answer the following four questions- Why are you running? What is your agenda? Why you are qualified? Why you can win. Answering those gives you a stump speech.The second question is the meat and potatoes, but the first answer wins the election.
Third, keep it clear, concise, contrasting, and consistent. Dick Nixon said that when you are bored sick of your own speech, is when it sinks in with the public.
Lastly, remember that every speech,commercial, mailing, and script for volunteers should be focused on the message. Try and make every day's headlines focused on that message.

New Bargain

ILLUSTRATED: "The New Bargain" is a way to present our domestic program in a way that is pro-business

At this writing, both Senator Obama and Senator Clinton are still both slugging it out for our nomination. They are fundamentally the same on most domestic issues, as are most of our federal candidates, be they liberal or moderate. A way to encapsulate our program is to consider it a collective bargain with the American people. The Labor Movement has changed as the economy has changes. Companies will be slimmer, and people will not only move jobs, but move careers several times.
Without lifetime union protections, the government should be there to provide health care and assist with education and training.
Now, let's be careful and not fall into the trap of becoming the boring "human resources" party. In a post last summer, I commented on how we are the "HR Department" on domestic issues, and the "supply sergeant party" on defense issues.
The New Bargain must be presented in a dynamic way, that fosters business growth. Basically, by centralizing health insurance, we are freeing people to become free agents and not dependent on employers. With education/training we are promoting a talented workforce, and thus making America a pro-business environment.