A perfect example of this is the Social Security debate.  We are currently picking a new chair of the DNC, debating the future of our party and our position on social security.

While we talk the Republicans take action as outlined in the Washington Post:

"White House allies are launching a market-research project to figure out how to sell the plan in the most comprehensible and appealing way, and Republican marketing and public-relations gurus are building teams of consultants to promote it, the strategists said."

While the Republicans act, the Democrats wait:

"Democrats, scrambling to organize in the face of a multimillion-dollar juggernaut, have yet to settle on any particular counterargument but said they believe Bush's rollout of the idea has been rocky and new details will give them more ammunition."

I write this not to knock the Democratic Party, but rather to raise the idea that there might not be as big a crisis as people say.  Yes, talking and determining our future is important, but a big part of the Democrats problem is we don't do the nuts and bolts work of organizing as well as the Republicans.

This is echoed in the refrain you always hear that we are always `one step behind' the Republicans.

I think an overlooked element in this is the Republicans more prevalent background in business and marketing.  I think Democrats put more stock in the belief that the right issues will win a campaign, while the Republicans generally view their candidates to be a commodity, to be marketed like any other product.  Accordingly, they utilize the latest in marketing techniques, be it databases, targeting, or the latest ad technologies.

As we plan for the future of the Democratic Party we need to keep these ideas in the forefront.

1)    Yes, we need a vigorous debate, but if it doesn't produce action and results it is meaningless.

2)    No matter where we decide the party is headed, we need to put more emphasis on the nuts and bolts tools and methods of organizing, to ensure that our ideals are implemented.

3)    We need to modernize our toolbox and take advantage of the same corporate marketing and media techniques utilized by Republicans.