Chuck Pennacchio and the Future

I attended a forum at the Upper Bucks for Democracy DFA last evening where the main topic was where the movement Chuck Pennacchio created goes from here. One of the main points was that change will best come from working within the Democratic Party by becoming committee persons. It always seems that after a particularly tough primary some progressives consider forming a third party or joining an existing third party. Since our system is inherently difficult for third parties this is generally a bad idea. I agree our best prospects are to increase our participation within the Democratic Party. Becoming committee people is the primary vehicle for effecting change. Weakening the Party would only enhance Republican power and domination.

Chuck announced he would devote time helping other progressive candidates win elections and look toward 2010 and the next U.S. Senate election. He also said he met with Bob Casey last week and concluded from the meeting that he is unable to personally endorse the candidate. Chuck seemed surprised, but not shocked, to learn the Casey campaign has hired no field organizers and has no plans to do so. This is the typical Washington Democratic consultant strategy which keeps losing general elections: run a top down, media heavy campaign punctuated by a few appearances here and there. Issue a stream of press releases and keep the candidate on the phones raising ever more money to satisfy the media clones who only judge a candidate's credibility based on their FEC reports. It's the strategy that has lost every full term Senate race in Pennsylvania since 1962.

Rather than build a grassroots campaign and build an army of volunteers to canvass, phone bank, and build support they rely on media buys to persuade the public. I must admit I give far more credence to something I'm told by someone I know and trust than by what I see in a 30 second television ad. It's called identity politics. Contact those you know and who know you and persuade them your candidate is the better choice. Get thousands of supporters throughout the state doing this, holding house parties, networking within their communities and then doing it again on election day to get out the vote. This is how the Republicans are working and working very effectively.

It reminds me of the old definition of insanity: doing the same thing over and over but expecting different results. Find a Santorum-Lite candidate, toss him in a room with a telephone and call lists, issue press releases then saturate the media with ads. Let's hope a Blue tidal wave of voter backlash against Republicans staves off the inevitable defeat in November.