Stealth Candidates

Last night, I was discussing with another blogger just what should and what should not be in the democratic platform or in approved democratic resolutions. My web friend thinks they should leave out controversial items like "gay marriage", so their candidate doesn't have to defend these issues on the campaign trail, especially in very conservative areas. I don't agree.

I believe this is why the democrats have not done well in the last few elections. A few years ago, the party became infected with the idea that in order to win they must hide and not talk about some of their more controversial beliefs. They believe the only way to win is to move toward the right wing [even Hillary is guilty of this].

This explains why they took liberal candidates like Gore and Kerry and completely stripped them of their liberalism, thus creating a "stealth candidate", devoid of detectable beliefs. They then expect these "stealth candidates" to attract votes. It just doesn't work that way! People will always choose the devil they know over the devil they don't know.

George Bush didn't win in 2004 because most of the voters agreed with his programs. He won because the voters didn't have a clue who Kerry was or what he believed in. They may not have liked Bush, but at least they knew him. The democrats will keep on losing until they learn this lesson.

Americans expect a candidate to stand on his own two feet, tell them what he thinks, and be willing to defend his beliefs. They don't understand or trust a candidate who hides his beliefs or appears to have none.

I hope the democrats can cure themselves of this disease soon. The country really needs a second political party.