On their own terms

One theme the Democrats wanted attendees to take away from Missouri Senate candidate Claire McCaskill's fundraiser last Friday was that the Democrats are gearing up to take the fight to the Republicans. However, Sen. Barack Obama, D-IL, warned that Democrats shouldn't look at recent Republican success as a sign they should co-opt their tactics.

Obama believes his party can win on the issues; if they focus on explaining their vision for the country they will prevail without the divisive tactics.

Obama and McCaskill took a moment before the luncheon to answer some questions about the Democrats strategy for the 2006 campaign.

"If we tell a story; why we are Democrats, what it means to fight for the little guy, what it means to expand opportunity and include more people in the bounty of the country, then we’ll get attention," said Obama.

Republican tactics, Obama said, are designed to divide the voters and pull a fifty plus one vicotry. Obama pointed to bills on flag burning, gay marriage and estate taxes (often referred to as "death taxes" by Republicans) Senate Republicans are planning to introduce in coming weeks as examples of wedge issues designed to increase turnout in select areas of their base.

Rather than comment on McCaskill's opponent, Sen. Jim Talent (R), Obama preferred to focus on what McCaskill would bring to the Senate. The two got to know each other last year when McCaskill was deciding whether to run for the Senate. He said she represented her constituents well in the Missouri House, was very effective as the Jackson County Prosecutor and protected the fiscal interests of the state as State Auditor.

Obama would say that the Republican-led Senate, "generally had not been attendant to the needs of ordinary folks back home."

As an example, Obama said they hadn't had one conversation about health care on the floor of the Senate. Their only action in the arena of health care was the Medicare prescription drug plan; a plan that has led 5 states to sue the federal government and caused growing discontent and confusion among the recipients it is intended to help.

Friday also marked the sentencing of Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham (R-CA). Cunningham was convicted of bribing defense contractors and sentenced to 8 years and four months.

Numerous investigations into the financial dealings of Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff, Rep. Tom DeLay (R-TX), and their affiliates have opened a potential opportunity for Democrats. Already the Missouri Democratic Party has highlighted connections between Abramoff and Sen. Jim Talent's campaign finance chair, Jack Oliver, developed during his tenure as Deputy Director of the RNC.

I mentioned Cunningham's sentencing to Obama and that some Democrat supporters are wondering if the party may be missing a major opportunity to capitalize on the scandals that seem to expand by the week.

Obama, the Democrats' point man on ethics reform, acknowledged the political value in pressing the issue. "There are some simple things like banning meals from lobbyists, and the use of corporate jets from lobbyists that I think the average person thinks make sense," said Obama.

Last month, Obama proposed an independent commission that would provide an "independent eye" on the Senate, though for constitutional reasons, it would have little or no enforcement ability. Obama also helped move a bill out of the Senate Rules Committee that would clamp down on earmarks and restrict other questionable lobbyist/Senator interaction.

Yet the Democratic Party does seem to be missing an opportunity. Due to wane Democratic support, Obama's proposal has fallen flat and the earmark bill Obama supported was authored by Rep. Trent Lott (R-Miss); who is getting marks for being first.

Obama said Democrats will press as hard as they can and see what emerges. In a Republican-controlled Senate that may be the only way to affect policy, but it may leave them open to having their issues co-opted by Republicans.

The Republicans may find it difficult running with the Medicare prescription drug bill and the influence/bribery scandals hanging over their heads. They can, however, outflank the Democrats if they can seize the mantle of reform and introduce changes to help seniors. Yet in order to undercut Democrat advantages, they will have to run against a national policy many supported and ran on for years.

McCaskill's spokesman, Tony Wyche, said McCaskill will make that as difficult as possible. Wyche cited the trip McCaskill and her mother, Betty Anne, took around Missouri talking to seniors about prescription drugs and what they say is Talent's resistance to simple changes such as extending the enrollment deadline.

Obama and McCaskill said the Democrats have a message that will resonate with voters, the Democrats have merely had a difficult time being heard due to the sound of the Republican juggernaut jumping the tracks.

It may be sound advice to, as Obama said, let your opponent stumble, but the Democrats would do well to remember they still have to stay in the fight.