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Nov. 10, 2004 When I look at Missouri, God help me, I see an opportunity lost. I see an even split of Democrats and Republicans, a symbolically conservative-minded voter base, and a perfect example of why the Democratic Party needs to reform its methods and beliefs if we are ever to win in the South again. Missouri is an example of how both parties have flaws, for Missouri’s noble voters, resilient as they are, happen to be people who have expectations. When, in 1988, George H.W. Bush ran a campaign of optimism and hope, the voters were more than happy to give him a term in office. When they read his lips in 1992, they put the neighbor boy in the chair instead. Missouri voters are not to be toyed with, for they possess a very powerful key. John Kerry never had Missouri’s heart or its 11 electoral votes. His support of abortion, confusing speaking, and questionable Catholicism turned off conservative Democrats and mildly religious single and married mothers – key constituencies in Missouri. To win Missouri, a candidate must show candor, honesty, a connection with the people, and moderation that John Kerry simply did not possess. To win, a candidate must show a close bond with voters on social issues like taxes, morals and healthcare. They must speak so the voters can understand, and spend more than an hour in St. Louis for a campaign stop. The people of Missouri are astute – they know when someone is using them for their votes and when someone will actually do something for them. Missouri voters know they are important, and that they symbolize a smaller-scale United States. They must feel personally invited to the polls by a candidate. Missourians feel that their vote is not just a ballot, but a pledge of trust in the candidate they cote for. John Kerry neglected Missouri, and by proxy all of Missouri’s voters. In doing that, he neglected something much more important: victory. Moderate single mothers, citing abortion and liberalism as the main reasons for their Bush vote, understand what so many of us do not. They would love a reason to vote Democrat, as most were displeased with Bush’s handling of the economy and the War in Iraq. They would cheer a moderate, principled Evan Bayh ticket, carrying as its VP a moderate centrist like Janet Napolitano or Bill Richardson. Missouri is not the sole territory of the Republicans – Democrats have shown their ability to win the state, which sides with good sense and moderation over outright Kerry liberalism. It is not the fault of Democratic voters, but of the Democratic Party, for thinking that John Kerry and John Edwards could rabble-rouse their way into a victory in Missouri. Missourians are not to be frightened, but wait to be convinced. They have shown through their votes that they are willing to elected Democrats, so long as they are manageable. We must find a candidate that cares about the Missouri voters if we want to win. It should be the job of every sane Democrat to put down the anti-Bush sword and begin scouring the ranks for one: Evan Bayh, Bill Richardson, Janet Napolitano, a moderate with ideals and views and the willingness to invest time in the people of Missouri. Let that search for the new face of our Democratic Party begin. ------------ About the author: Max Burns is a 17-year-old Democrat with moderate, centrist ideals. He blames John Kerry's 2004 loss on John Kerry, and is authoring a pamphlet on how to refine the Democratic Party for Victory in 2008 and beyond. For more information, check out The New Democrat. Read the fantasy-fiction novel "Alcardia". Email: DeMBurns@gmail.com Tell a friend about this site! ------------ All articles are EXCLUSIVE to Useless-Knowledge.com and are not allowed to be posted on other websites. ARTICLE THIEVES WILL BE PROSECUTED! |
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