If they hope to win the White House in November and retain control of Congress, the Democrats must emerge from their convention with a party platform that adheres to traditional values while addressing the concerns and worries of Wal-Mart shoppers who fret about the rising costs of flour, milk and sugar.
Sen. Barack Obama’s slippage in the polls and inability to break away from Sen. John McCain suggest that the Democratic Party faces gargantuan problems in the days and weeks ahead. Many of its problems will not be resolved by a well- orchestrated convention.
Democrats must emerge from their convention with a ticket that unites their party and answers unspoken questions about whether Obama is truly qualified to serve in the highest office in the land. By all accounts, Obama’s record is thin. On this issue, Obama’s choice of a running mate matters more for him, an African-American, than it would for a white candidate with similar credentials. Despite much progress in America, polls still show that race matters. To allay fears, if anything, a black candidate needs to be overqualified for the job.
Obama has wisely addressed his inexperience by choosing a running mate who inspires a measure of confidence. By choosing a middle-aged white male with more creditable credentials, he has purchased the cover he needs to aggressively seek the support of disaffected Republicans, independents and Reagan Democrats who question his job readiness.
Democrats must convince evangelical Christians that God is pro-choice on abortion and gay marriage. This will be a harder sell for Bible-believing Christians who have rejected the liberal theocratic notion that God’s word changes to meet the needs of a more enlightened society. The Republicans will portray Obama and the Democrats as lightweights on biblical knowledge and practice.
Democrats must avoid high-profile negative incidents and confrontations at the convention that might be captured on camera and played endlessly on cable television. This will require that party leaders keep a tight rein on protesters.
It would not serve the party’s interests well if the headlines are dominated by negative images that reinforce the worst stereotypes about groups of people that rest somewhat uneasily under the broad tent of its inclusive umbrella.
This is a task made more difficult by Democratic National Chairman Howard Dean’s recent slip, in which he referred to the Republicans as the "white party" while making the argument that his party is the best one for minorities. Dean’s comment came amid national headlines publicizing census projections that white Americans are headed for minority status much sooner than the bureau had originally projected. Instead of their minority status occurring around 2050, it is now expected nearly a decade sooner.
What Democrats need is an orderly convention, a strong populist party platform and message, and a credible ticket. A successful Democratic convention will go a long way toward helping the party regain some of the lost momentum that now surrounds the historic candidacy of Sen. Barack Obama.
Media contact: Amy Wolf, 322-NEWS
amy.wolf@vanderbilt.edu