(2006-03-07) — The Democrat party, which has come under fire from within and without recently for its lack of a cohesive message or platform just eight months out from a national election, will soon unveil a plan intended to emulate the success of the Republicans’ 1994 ‘Contract with America,’ according to House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi.
“We took a good concept that offered bad policies, and brought our progressive ideals to it,” said Rep. Pelosi. “We wanted a name that capitalized on the success of the previous plan, but made it clear that our goals are quite different.”
The Democrat ‘Contract on America’ will be launched within the next several weeks, she said, “and it’s destined to pull our party together, give us a sense of mission and meaning, and to inspire some really amazing bumper stickers and buttons.”
Mrs. Pelosi said the key difference between the old ‘Contract with America’, and the new ‘Contract on America’ is captured in the preposition.
The phrase was suggested by progressive linguist George Lakoff, the U.C. Berkeley professor who consults with Democrats on “how to say what they mean without using traditional, culture-bound words that people understand.”
“The word ‘on’ in the ‘Contract on America’ denotes something positive and active,” said Mr. Lakoff. “It indicates that Democrat ideas are not off, they’re right on. It’s much stronger than the word ‘with’, which always sounded passive. The ‘Contract on America’ says Democrats are progressively leading America onward in a single, inevitable direction.”
Rep. Pelosi said top Democrats “need just a few more weeks to finalize the ‘Contract on America’, now that we have agreed to this catchy title.”
“I’m sure the actual ideas and policies will start to flow from there,” she said. “Then you’ll see the American people rally to the Democrat cause in a way that hasn’t happened since we nominated Michael Dukakis for the presidency.”
6 responses so far ↓
1 California Conservative » Pelosi to Unveil Democrat ‘Contract on America’ // Mar 7, 2006 at 8:47 am
[...] Chief satirist Scott Ott reports: The Democrat party, which has come under fire from within and without recently for its lack of a cohesive message or platform just eight months out from a national election, will soon unveil a plan intended to emulate the success of the Republicans’ 1994 ‘Contract with America,’ according to House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi. [...]
2 Sister Toldjah // Mar 7, 2006 at 9:39 am
More on the Dems struggle to find unified message
I blogged last night about the Dems continued failure to find a unified message on Iraq. To the news junkie who follows politics very closely, it has been obvious that it’s not just the Iraq issue that the Dems have failed to find a unifying p…
3 Blogs for Bush: The White House Of The Blogosphere // Mar 7, 2006 at 10:32 am
More On The Dems Struggle To Find Unified Message
I blogged last night about the Dems continued failure to find a unified message on Iraq. To the news junkie who follows politics very closely, it has been obvious that it’s not just the Iraq issue that the Dems have…
4 Right Mind : Democrats to Unveil ‘Contract on America’ // Mar 7, 2006 at 4:16 pm
[...] Democrats to Unveil ‘Contract on America’ From Scott Ott: [...]
5 Small Town Veteran // Mar 7, 2006 at 5:28 pm
‘Contract on America’
Pelosi to Unveil Democrat ‘Contract on America’Scott Ott(2006-03-07) — The Democrat party, which has come under fire from within and without recently for its lack of a cohesive message or platform just eight months out from a national election, will
6 Searchlight Crusade // Mar 7, 2006 at 7:23 pm
Links and Minifeatures
Carnivals:
By the way, I’ve got RINO Sightings this coming week, Monday March 13. Republicans and Independents Not Overdosed (on the Kool Aid). Looking for thoughtful stuff written by middle of the road folks? RINO Sightings is it. The…
You must log in to post a comment.