In the thread titled
Clinton years: where did Dems err? I posted the text below (starting with "Kennedy finessed...")
Does the electorate trust the Democratic Party?
Dems and liberals are fond of quoting polls that indicate that the electorate is more closely aligned to the Democratic agenda. The electorate tends to agree with Dems on domestic issues. The electorate tends to prioritize issues Dems say are important.
Yet, Democrats under-perform in elections. Why?
It often seems Dems and liberals fall back on the explanation the electorate is stupid, ignorant or is voting their prejudices.
For the sake of discussion, let's assume that the electorate isn't stupid or ignorant. They aren't primarily driven by prejudice. (Also, I'd like to leave discussion of conspiracy, e.g. voting machines, to other threads.)
Is there a case that Democrats aren't trustworthy?
Besides Dems being untrustworthy, what other explanations would account for Dems doing badly?
Is it because the Democratic Party isn't clear on who and what it stands for that it doesn't have a clear message?
Is it because the Democrat ability to tailor different messages in different places isn't viable in the era of a national media?
Kennedy finessed getting more Blacks to vote Dem in 1960 and getting more Southerners to vote Dem at the same time.
Has the Democratic Party finessed so many issues that regular folk don't trust Dems?
I would like to see polling on the following questions:
- Do you believe Democratic candidates believe what they say on the campaign trail?
- Do you believe Republican candidates believe what they say on the campaign trail?
- Do you believe Democrats will work to implement what they talk about when campaigning or are they merely saying what they think people what to hear while planning to do something else if elected?
- Do you believe Republicans will work to implement what they talk about when campaigning or are they merely saying what they think people what to hear while planning to do something else if elected?
- Do you consider candidates that say things they don't believe or cynically promise what they don't intend to deliver to be untrustworthy?
- How important is it that you trust a candidate before you vote for her or him?