By Matt Gewolb | March 20, 2006
As the Georgia legislative session winds down and attention turns to the 2006 electoral cycle, one thing is clear. Both here in Georgia and across the nation, it’s good to be a Democrat.
Nationally, the Bush administration and Congressional Republicans appear befuddled and inept. Plagued by a multitude of scandals and political miscalculations and saddled with an overwhelmingly unpopular war, the G.O.P. seems as vulnerable as ever. Coupled with a number of weak Republican incumbents facing strong Democratic challengers—Bob Casey’s effort to oust Senator Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania being a prime example—the stage seems set for Democratic gains in the Congressional midterms.
And in Georgia, where Sonny Perdue is governing with Republican majorities in both houses of the legislature, things aren’t looking much better for the Grand Old Party. A number of the Governor’s priorities and pet projects—with the so-called “H.O.P.E. Chest” amendment and a faith-based initiative chief among them—have been stymied. The defeats have been greeted with significant public approval. Even legislation aimed at denying critical social services to undocumented immigrants ended up largely eviscerated. Whether the Republican failures in the state house are attributable to a void of leadership from the second floor of the Capitol or the Democrat’s growing ability, especially in the Senate, to effectively play the role of a politically savvy minority party is unclear. What is perfectly clear, though, is that now is the time for Georgia Democrats to turn their legislative success into electoral victories. Polls show that the Governor’s mansion is well within reach and conditions are ripe for cutting deeply into the Republican majorities in both chambers.
But it’s simply not enough to point out the mistakes and failures of the other side. Democrats, in Georgia and around the country, must articulate precisely what they stand for and what they’re against. Democrats should be proud that our Party has consistently stood for good jobs for our American workers, good schools for our children, and good healthcare programs for our seniors. These are the core Democratic values and our candidates must get out on the campaign trail and tell the voters how we’ve been promoting and protecting those values. That message must be clear, consistent, and unambiguous—and that message must include a discussion of faith and morality, ground that has been ceded to Republicans for far too long.
Democrats running for federal office cannot simply point to the shortcomings of the Bush administration and Congressional Republicans. They must present the voters with a tangible alternative and give them a reason to believe that that alternative is worthy of their ballot. Democrats in Georgia cannot simply rely on G.O.P. missteps, though there have been many. They must present a compelling message that demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of the problems facing Georgians. And they must offer concrete policy solutions aimed at curing those ills. For too long Democrats have been afraid to go on the offensive, content to remain complacent and hope the other guy makes a wrong move. That must stop now. The 2006 electoral battles will not be won by virtue of Republican failures but by announcing a bold new Democratic vision for Georgia and for the nation.
Matt Gewolb is a political strategist and a partner with Beacon Public Affairs in Atlanta. He currently serves as an advisor to Democrats in the Georgia Senate and to several prominent political campaigns. He can be reached at mgewolb@beaconpa.com.
