The Democrats' Problems

Michael Barone has an in-depth article summarizing a paper by Bill Galston and Elaine Kamarck describing the flaws in Democratic party strategy. For example, the authors debunk four myths key to Democratic strategies, but also wrong. For example, one I've tried to argue many times on this blog:

The myth of language, Berkeley Prof. George Lakoff's argument that Democrats need to present their positions in more-attractive language. No, say Galston and Kamarck, substance is the problem.

"Democrats are in trouble today, not only because their candidates have lacked compelling 'narratives' that resonate with voters but because they lack a coherent approach to foreign policy, espouse positions on key social issues that strong majorities of the electorate reject, and lack compelling economic proposals that speak to the new economic challenges of the 21st century." Whew.

Another point I've made before:

Galston and Kamarck seem to believe that the Democrats' chief problem is that too large a part of their constituency, and their primary electorate, is made up of liberals who reject values and positions held by large majorities of Americans.

...

"While social issues and defense dominate today's political terrain, it is in these areas that liberals espouse views diverging not only from those of other Democrats but from Americans as a whole. To the extent that liberals now comprise the largest bloc within the Democratic coalition and the public face of the party, Democratic candidates for national office will be running uphill."

If the Democrats want to exploit this moment in history, with the Republican coalition splintering, they should pay attention to this paper and act on it.