March 21, 2006 at 13:15:19

For Democrats, Authenticity Matters Most

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By Al Quinlan, Posted by Rob Kall (about the submitter) Page 3 of 3 page(s)

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These qualities matter to voters. It's what they look for in a candidate. Democrats have to believe that this personal side matters if they want voters to trust them to lead again. Authenticity will help Democrats bridge the cultural divide. Speaking from a place of personal conviction, means we can address pro-family ideas in a way that transcends abortion, gay marriage, guns, and God. We can show that we respect and understand that people's lives are centered around their kid's soccer practice and church suppers. We can stand tall and not hide from tough issues like safety and security. And we can slowly shed this image as the Washington Party and be a party of the people again.

When I sit down with a candidate to begin a campaign, I ask them to start talking about themselves as an introduction. Ninety-nine out of a hundred times, they talk only about their professional life and accomplishments: what political offices they held, what program they just got passed in the House, or what honors they received in college.

They talk for a while. Then, I almost always have to ask, Do you have kids?" "Where did you grow up?" "What did you dad and mom do?" "What did they teach you to value most?" "Did you have to work your way through college?" Do you coach your son's little league team or your daughter's soccer team?" "Do you still teach Sunday school?"

These are the most important questions to ask because the answers shape the person. These answers never come from them unless they are asked and I believe that this is how a lot of Democratic candidates approach the public - from a distance - and that's how you lose your way in the desert. This has to change. It is the most important thing we can do as a party if we are going to walk out of that desert and back to victory.

There are plenty of ways to bring this authenticity front and center. Many Democrats have showed different ways to achieve it. But if we want to be the party of the future, we have to embrace the fundamentals of politics. This is a people business first and policy and problem solving business second.

Democrats have to change the way they look at the electorate. It can no longer be through a prism of ideas. Issues and proposals aren't enough and they aren't what people are looking for. Voters are looking for candidates with defined principles that will guide them as they govern.

In this case, we really should heed the old clichÃ© our mothers used to tell us on our first day at school, at a new job or the day we met our husbands and wives, Be yourself. Let them see the real you and you'll do fine. As always, mom was right.

This piece is the first in an ongoing series of publications to be released in the coming weeks by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner principals and analysts on the issues facing progressives in the US and around the world.

By Al Quinlanpresident, Greenberg, Quinlan, Rosner Research

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