The values party

I'm beginning to be more and more convinced that all the traditional explanations for why the Democrats have lost the last three national elections: no 'bold' ideas, anti-religious bias, soft on defense, are pure horse-pucky. Of course Bush was perceived as stronger on security throughout the last campaign, helped conveniently by the fact HE WAS PRESIDENT AT THE TIME OF 9/11. And it's easy to come off as having a born-again outlook when YOU SEEK TO RUN THE COUNTRY LIKE THE TALIBAN. The criticism that Democrats offer no new ideas is pretty well dispelled by Yeglesias here.

While it would certainly be an oversimplification to suggest Democrats have lost three elections in a row simply due to bad candidates or bad tactics or both, one could easily make the case that cultural and demographic changes are far more important in explaining the Democrats' decline than the party platform or candidates views on the issues. Certainly, there are numerous challenges for Democrats in adjusting to the shifts that have made them a minority party in 10 short years, but can we (and the media) kindly drop the talk of how sucky we are and start highlighting numerous recent accomplishments, not least of which has been becoming the party of values in America?