Elites cause defeats

Mike Gecan isn't a Bush supporter but he knows why the Democratic Party has lost its appeal:

On the most basic level, the contempt of the progressive elite for ordinary people—for their faiths, their speech patterns, their clothes, their hobbies, their hopes, and their aspirations—has driven scores of millions of Americans out of the Democratic Party and into either the Republican Party or a no man’s land between the two. The willingness of many Republicans to simply show respect for the habits and interests of these mixed and moderate Americans has paid growing political dividends. The Republicans have understood that communicating respect is more important than offering programs or incentives. The Democrats have failed to realize that multiplying programs or policies designed to meet people’s needs is doomed to fail unless and until those people sense a fundamental level of recognition of who they are, not just what they need.

Read the whole thing.

Mr Gecan should know what he's talking about, he's been an organizer for the Industrial Areas Foundation for over 25 years. That makes it virtually certain the Democrats will ignore what he has to say.

Via: Adam Barnes