So the big push is "tax reform". Isn't that a nice little phrase? I remember during the campaign thinking that talking points may be a great way to campaign but they are a terrible way to run a country. They don't win wars, for example. However, I am starting to reconsider. Since the presidenting part and the campaigning part are really the same thing nowadays, why not govern with talking points? It worked for the prescription drug coverage. Bush gained 7 points among seniors. Thats huge. Sure its a mess but it takes you a lot longer to say why its a mess then it takes me to say "prescription drug coverage". People like action, even if it fails. Thus the tax reform.
The Republicans may make a wreck of it and make things noticably worse for most Americans, but they will still loudly talk about their tax reform in the next elections. And it will get them votes.
What are our talking point issues? Things we can push for and, even if we fail, campaign on it next time? Health care seems like the obvious one. Hopefully Kerry will keep pushing his plan. Environmental protection also seems like a good one. We should push some simple protection legislation--something like the "safe future plan" which mandates no further erosion of environmental protection laws. These types of laws could also be strategically placed on state ballot initiatives. How about voter fairness? Particularly legislation that standardizes the number of voters per machine. This will resonate with urban voters and I can't see how it can turn off anybody--you can't be against fairness can you?
Any others?