I'm sick of hearing the Republicans and the Neutered-Media claim that Democrats don't have ideas. The Republicans don't have any ideas because they've tried them all... and they didn't work. Yet there is still a chance that the Republicans will retain power over THREE BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT. Why? Because the American people "know" who the Republicans are. Let's meet the Democrats, below the fold.
It's not about a slogan or an idea, it's about characterization. The Republicans have successfully characterized themselves as faithful, decisive protectors. Every faction of their party plays into this characterization in some form or another, be it the religious fundamentalists, the corporate sect or the warmongers. Democrats need their own positive characterization so that when people go to the polls, despite their possible lack of information, they still know (or perceive) who they're voting for. Making this about a group of issues will never work. Making this about a group of issues is what keeps the DLC wing and the DKOS wing of our party bickering back and forth instead of working together to win majorities. It's why Democrats remain unheard. Imagine that you're acquainted with someone, not well, but you interact with them here and there. This person is incredibly hard to read. You never know what they're thinking and thus there is difficulty in understanding their motives. Why do they do the things they do? You find yourself focusing on this question rather than recognizing the actual substance of their actions. Furthermore, this person leaves themselves wide open to be interpreted by whomever chooses to and in whatever way they choose. This is what has happened to Democrats. We don't define ourselves and thus leave ourselves open to be defined by others. It is that definition that sticks with voters. If more Americans truly understood the character of The Democratic Party, they would realize that Democrats represent them. The piece-meal tactics that we are using won't work without the proper characterization.
What should that characterization be? We need to look at what we have to offer. Historically, Democrats have invested tax dollars into our nation's infrastructure. Democrats have stood behind the underdogs in our society - laborers and those living in poverty, racial minorities and glbt. Democrats have implemented tools for discussion and debate as an alternative to fighting and war. These actions paint a picture of a party that is rational, productive and forward thinking. Those are characteristics that American's admire. No matter what issues we decide to give priority or what disagreements we may have within our party, every action we take should reinforce that characterization. In that context, we could go on slamming the Republicans for being corrupt or greedy or incompetent as much as we want.
Of course, the characterization probably needs a little more thought than the minutes I put into it, but the fact remains that as long as we go forward without defining who we are, the Republicans will have the advantage of doing it themselves.