The every 4 years running debate I have going

I have a friendly debate every 4 years with someone I'll call: Oregonman.

We have a recurring debate and speak to each other roughly every 4 years just in time for the Presidential elections. We have had this debate running on 8 years, and through what is now our third Presidential campaign (2000, 2004, & 2008).

He is one of those Progressive types who doesn’t get it. His dream candidate in 2004 and this election year was Dennis Kucinich…the very liberal House Representative from Ohio. Aside from the fact that the man doesn’t look Presidential at all (and campaigns are becoming more about optics/stagecraft), his issues are so left that were he to be elected by the Democratic Party for President, he would be easily beat in a landslide of epic proportions. The young vote, (who has yet to consistently show up to vote - something that worries me about Obama) who supported him, would be thrilled with him as a candidate. However, he is easily painted by the right-wing as a guy who will raise your taxes, take your guns, remove all morality from everyday life, etc, etc, etc. He would have ZERO chance because of the reasons outlined in my ridiculously long-ass post.

Oregon-man doesn’t get it. He believes, misguidedly so, that if Kucinich would just be able to get his message out to the masses…his views/proposals would be so convincing people will show up at the polls in droves. Almost a Dick Cheney-like thinking of “we’ll be greeted as liberators” when he talked about the Iraqi people pre-invasion. It’s pure utopia…pure sycophantic view. Let’s assume Democrats got over all the hurdles and Kucinich was able to get his message out consistently, cleanly, without bias from the Republicans; People wouldn’t be showing up in drives to support this message of Kucinich and people of his ilk…they’d be showing up in droves screaming, “NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!! We don’t want gay rights!!! Legalizing drugs? Are you insane?????”

Sometimes people aren’t ready for a message, even if it’s the right message. Progressives who continue to pursue this strategy are only continuing to hurt the prospects of a successful Democratic Party.

Think like a lower middle class, Middle American, white voter who is afraid of change. Step-by-step is the only rational, reasonable, effective, and winnable way to carry the Democratic message.