TPM Reader AWC on the anti-constitutionalists and how to fight them …
This post reminded me of a long running complaint I have with Democratic strategists: we (Democrats) lack good branding and fail to hone in on marketing themes as Republicans do – undoubtedly because the Democratic spectrum is populated by people who appreciate nuance over black and white. I completely agree that we need to “preserve a powerful executive while instituting a renewed respect for the limits to presidential power.” This makes sense to us, but it is difficult to employ as a brand. Our hesitancy to embrace President Bush’s power grab as a talking point – because of our awareness of presidential power’s critical import for civil rights and other issues – leaves us with a message that doesn’t fully tap into Americans’ deep suspicions of kingly power. Our response to “commander-and-chief” labeling should be “King George.” We can worry about the balance of presidential power after we’ve stripped King George of his.
This is very true. And it’s a key point. But devotion to the constitution is written into the fabric of American culture. So it should be possible to frame a vocabulary and political agenda in its favor that resonates across the political spectrum. Two key points are that Bush anti-constitutionalism is way outside the American tradition. Its intellectual roots are with foreigners. They are alien ideas. Touchy phrases, I grant you, but accurate too. Second, small-‘r’ republican government is courageous government. Secrecy, despotism and prerogative power are rooted in cowardice.
