Wanted: A leader with some knowledge of national issues who can proffer political ideas without putting the country to sleep; who can debate same with a modicum of conviction; who can establish direction and electrify the masses. Likeable personality a plus. No wimps or whiners please. Apply Democratic National Committee asap.
Democrats desperately need someone, anyone, to take up the national banner in the final weeks before the Nov. 5 election. That's not us saying so. It's some high-profile party regulars from Hollywood, the AFL-CIO and even a Democratic National Committee strategist. All have grown impatient over the party's lack of direction. We can't blame them.
At this stage, a cork adrift at sea, in a typhoon , would exhibit a more reasoned course.
Most recently, Rep. Richard Gephardt and Sen. Tom Daschle, unable to create much of a public spark with their party's limping agenda, have supported the resolution to take out Saddam Hussein. This, when opposition to war against Iraq is running as strong as ever among the party's core liberal Dems. Rest assured, that steam rising from traditional Democrat strongholds isn't a broken valve on the party's cappuccino machine.
Iraq's not the only concern. Donna Brazile, the Democrats' turnout strategist for the black vote, says she's beginning to feel like the fifth member of a string quartet, left out of the loop on issues and policies. And AFL-CIO political director Steve Rosenthal has said he'll buy dinner for anyone who can elucidate the party's agenda.
If Democrats have no sense of direction going onto the congressional elections, what meandering course will they set for the nation should they assimilate both houses of Congress⢠In good conscience, voters cannot let that happen.
