FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NOVEMBER 15, 2005

Contact: Bob Weiner/Rebecca Vander Linde (202-329-1700 or 301-283-0821)

TEN-POINT PLAN FOR DEMOCRATS TO NEGATE “NO MESSAGE” URGED BY DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST ROBERT WEINER

(Washington, DC) -- Democratic Strategist Robert Weiner, a former Clinton White House public affairs director, has urged Democrats to negate constant criticisms of “no message” with an “Urgent Ten Point Plan” framing the issues the Party has been stating.

Says Weiner: “Democrats do have a clear message—they have just not stated it in understandable terms. But it can be something like an “Urgent Ten-Point Plan”:

  • Build International support and funding for a democratic Iraq, unlike the current 90% U.S.-funded effort;
  • Fight al Qaeda where they are rooted, and do not create additional fronts or bypass human rights standards for detainees;
  • Protect, don’t destroy, Social Security and Medicare;
  • Ensure rapid, competent domestic naturaldisaster and terror response;
  • Corral the Oil companies, quit subsidizing their obscene profits from high gas prices, and build more refineries as we institute energy independence;
  • Nominate moderate Supreme Court appointees;
  • Balance the newly skyrocketing budget deficit and retool tax cuts to help average Americans;
  • Restore the quality of jobs for American workers at home, and reduce foreign outsourcing;
  • Promote Ethics in Government and end cronyism’s incompetence;
  • Provide honesty to Americans in reasons for any war, and reduce selective use of intelligence with a reminder that the Constitution begins “We the People”, not “We with Top Secret Clearances”

Weiner states, “Almost in unison, Delay, Cheney, President Bush, and others repeatedly criticize the Democrats as “The Party of No” with “no agenda”. What the Democrats have said “no” to is the destruction of the safety net and progressive programs like Social Security that have reduced poverty -- but the merits are of little consequence if they do not win the public relations war.”

He adds, “The Democrats must speak with one voice. Their leaders -- Senate Leader Reid, House Leader Pelosi, Governors Chair Richardson, and DNC Chair Dean –must agree on the message or people will continue to ask, “Who speaks for the Democrats?” At least it will be “everyone” until a presidential nominee is selected.”

“There is little difference between the congressional polls now and before the last two elections, which Democrats ultimately lost. Democrats led the generic Ipsos-Reid-Cook congressional poll 47-40 a year before the ’04 election. They were likewise ahead 49-44 ahead (CNN-Gallup) just a week before the ‘02 elections.Republicans in ’02 and ’04 capitalized on a message with effective advertising.”

“Democrats are percolating with excitement over the Party’s chances to regain the House and Senate due to what they see as major Republican blunders involving Iraq, WMD’s, Libby’s indictment, continuing investigations of Rove-Delay-Frist, Katrina, Social Security, gas prices, stock market stagnation, the deficit, tax fairness, Miers, and more. Last week’s Democratic gubernatorial victories in Virginia and New Jersey, and Gov. Schwarzenegger’s referenda defeats in California, are additional catalysts to Democrats energized over their chances. Yet without print and electronic advertising to make this case, and the positive agenda they also need desperately to promote, the election could easily repeat the results of 2002 and 2004,” he concludes.

Weiner delivers the Dean’s Lecture at UMass Amherst Wednesday on “Media Handling of High Profile National Issues” and has an oped on the Democratic Message in today’s Daily Hampshire Gazette in Northampton, MA.

Robert Weinerwas a senior Clinton White House public affairs directorand congressional committeecommunications director and Chief of Staff. He deliversthe Dean’s Lecture 4:30 PM Wednesday at UMass Amherst Campus Center on “Media Handling of High Profile National Issues” and will also conduct courses Wed-Thurs. on “Careers in Washington” and “Controversies in Public Policy”.He is now president of Robert Weiner Associates Public Affairs, .