Yes, sports fans, I'm using a sports metaphor, which as you may know is most unusual for your bookish blogmeister...
But in the car just now I was listening to Tavis Smiley, who was interviewing Howard Dean. Smiley said, "I know this is inside baseball, but there are reports the Democrats are looking for a slogan and are choosing between 'Together, We Can Do Better' and 'Together, America Can Do Better.'' Is this true?"
Foolishly, Dean told the truth and said it was, and that he preferered the version with "America." I had read the same story and was incredulous that such a conversation was being held in public. I can imagine the conversation among consultants and politicos, having been in many similar rooms.
Consultant: We have to use the word "America." It tests off the charts in focus groups.
Politician: I always like to say "together," people really respond to that.
Politician's aide: It's a positive message.
Consultant: The whole message is positive, whether we say we, you, your family or your country.
Second Consultant: That's what's wrong with it.
Politician: Not that again. I told you, voters want a positive message. They're tired of old fashioned politics.
Second Consultant: Don't be so sure. Old fashioned politics is what elected you. Besides you can be negative and positive at the same time. Look at Britain. In 1997, Tony Blair's slogan was "Because Britain Deserves Better." That word 'deserves' makes all the difference. Why does Britain deserve better? Who's responsible for Britain not being as good as it should be? See what one word can do?"
Politician: What do the rest of you think about that. How about "Because America Deserves Better?"
First Consultant: We can test it. We can add it to the DNC tracking poll tonight and see what happens.
Second Consultant: You can't test it. You can't use it. You'll get the Joe Biden treatment.
Politician: I'm not going back to the drawing board. We've spent a half million dollars on focus groups getting this far. Let's flip a coin. Heads it's "America" and tails it's "We" Who's calling it?
STAY TUNED FOR THE EXCITING CONCLUSION OF "A PARTY SEARCHES FOR A SLOGAN
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