|
|
|
| Current Issue |
|
|
| Resources |
|
|
|
The Democratic Strategy
| Article
# : |
19550 |
|
|
Section : |
CURRENT ISSUES
|
| Issue
Date : |
11 / 1991 |
1,653 Words |
| Author
: |
Gerald M. Pomper
Gerald M. Pomper is professor of political science at Rutgers
University. He is now completing a book on concepts of
American political parties. |
The Democratic Party enters the 1992 presidential campaign like a lost traveler, asking directions in unfamiliar territory. It knows its desired destination, victory; it lacks a road map; it hears conflicting advice.
Although President Bush enjoys unprecedented personal popularity, a potential upset Democratic victory lies hidden in public opinion polls. The electorate revels in the U.S. victory in the Persian Gulf, but its discontent is evident below the surface polling figures. The weak economy, deterioration in public services, and the emotional issues of abortion and race may prepare the way for an effective Democratic campaign.
A plurality of Americans now believe the country "is on the wrong track." Despite President Bush's overall high rating, a plurality of the nation also disapproves of his handling of domestic policy. This vague disquiet summarizes more specific attitudes favorable to Democrats, including support of more vigorous government action to deal with such problems as unemployment and health care costs. On the heated and divisive issue of abortion, voters are also more likely to favor Democrats, as they endorse "right-to-choice" over "right-to-life."
How can the Democrats take electoral advantage of these ambiguous possibilities? Despite its emphasis among journalists, the party's basic problem is not in finding a candidate. There will soon be up to half a dozen aspirants for the Democratic nomination, about as many as in 1984 and 1988: there will be a name on the party's line on the presidential ballot. With experience as a governor (Bill Clinton, Arkansas; Mario Cuomo, New York; Douglas Wilder, Virginia) or a senator (Tom Harkin, Iowa; Paul Tsongas, Massachusetts), that candidate will have sufficient credibility to run a respectable race. He will also have sufficient campaign resources, since the fall campaign will be paid entirely by federal government funds.
The true problem for the Democrats is determining a strategy. On this question, the party goes in three different directions, although there is some common ground among its factions. In the 1988 campaign, Michael Dukakis took each of these directions, compounding the incoherence of his flawed and futile presidential race.
One direction echoes Dukakis' acceptance speech at the Democratic convention: "[t]his election is not about ideology, it's about competence." In this strategy, Democrats would accept most programs of the Reagan and Bush
...
Read Full Article
Look for this article in Ask.com
|
|
