The GOP has been soooo successful at "branding' (what it means to be a Republican or at least to identify yourself as a Republican) that even a majortiy of Democrats can tell you the four major "beliefs" of a GOP supporter.  #1 Smaller Government.  #2 Lower Taxes.  #3 The right to bear arms .. any kind and of any quantity. #4 Opposition to abortion.

An  analysis of three of these four Republican "ideals" should lead one to conclude that while they "sound" good they are not practical in the 21st Century.   Only aborrtion holds up to "principled" analysis.  

We all know that the "right to be born" issue has attracted the votes neccessary to overcome the centrist values of the Democratic Platform.  Never mind that the GOP Platform demands the "new born"  face being put to death for an ever growing list of criminal acts and at a younger and younger age. 

The Teri Schaivo case also points out that the GOP Plat Form  demands that we suffer an agonizing death regardless of our wishes, unless of course we do not have health insuarnce then its ok to pull the plug!

So where does that leave the Dem's?  In need of a very simple message that A MAJORITY OF VOTERS can idnetify with thats where.  I know that many a pundit and even more talking heads have made suggestions about how to build an "image" for the Party but so far it seems they have been unable to develope an overall theme for the collection of good ideas (typical democrats).

In my opinion it is very simple.  The party must be come the party of "doing the right thing".  The Schavio case revealed that Americans of both party affiliations applied situational ethics to support the decision to let Teri meet her "natrual" end.

The doing the right thing phrase can be applied to every issue and can be tied to every sound bite.  Even though it is vague it allows the Party to "imply" the full range of "Principles" that have historically been the core of the Party for an issue without having to get too technical (see John Kerry & Al Gore).   It also allows the Party to dissagree WITHOUT condeming the GOP thus avoiding challengin the mental self image of their supportrs.  This approach will allow any Democrat to say "I think we need to do the right thing about Clean Air, Clean Water, Tax Reform, Budget Deficits etc., etc." without having to get into details that turn off the voters or force them to confront the hypocracy of their beliefs. 

If we are going to be the Party of the "People" and the Party of the "Majority of People" we must tell the "People" we are going to act in their interest EVERY TIME we open our mouths!  We do that by telling them we are going to do what is "Fair, Honest and Just" when we talk about ANY issue.  We need to keep it simple short & sweet.  So lets call it the 3S's approach.  (works well for W doesn't it?)

Lets start our branding campaign by telling the Country that we (the Democratic Party) are not going to be the Party of Special interest we are going to be the Party of the COUNTRY'S interest.  So lets start by pointing out where the GOP has sidied against the "People" and against the "Country" and for Corporations and for Special Interests.  Lets start out by talking about the "fairness" of the Bush Tax "refroms" of 2001 & 2002.  Lets point out that while we were in shock over 911 its time to step back and think about if we are "doing the right thing" in: Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, N. Korea,  

Lets ask American if they think the Preisdnet has "done right right by the poor or children in his 2006 Budget.  Lets ask Americans if they think any Bush Administration policy initiatives have actually been the "right thing" for all of America or just the favored few.. 

You see my fellow Democrats under the Single Power microscope of "doning the right thing" any American can see the truth and understand the consequences of this Administrations actions.

Using a Single Power lens the issue are understood by people busy living their everyday lives, the message is easily repeated and, most importantly,equally transferable to all four of the media streams.

So what do you all think?  Can the Democrats Develop a "Brand" as "the Party of Fairness & Justice,  Can we develop the image as the Party that can be counted on to "do the right thing for all Americans in a majority of situations?"