A preview of 2006 Democratic strategy?

Shallow Larynx brought this article to my attention, which has Illinois Congressman Rahm Enamuel talking about big ideas for the Democrats. Something I think is interesting is how similar it is to the ideas of Al Franken, when he gives an example of how, as a potential candidate, he would give a campaign speech today.

Some of the ideas that are most appealing to me are a big push for energy independence and expanded access to health care, if not universal health care. It's pretty obvious that the system is broken, and I don't think that Republicans hissing the word "socialism" is going to be enough to frighten the public any more.

Congressman Rahm Emanuel of Illinois had a nice moment on Meet the Press about a month ago. He said Democrats would run on their "ideas" in the 2006 congressional elections. "But what are the Democratic ideas?" moderator Tim Russert asked skeptically. Emanuel proceeded to rattle off five big ones, which seemed to shock Congressman Tom Reynolds of New York, his Republican debate opponent. "Those are the first solutions that have come out of (any Democrat's) mouth," Reynolds said.

No doubt "solutions" was a slip—but the notion that "Democratic ideas" might not be an oxymoron represented one small step forward for the perpetually benighted Donkey party.

Of course, what author Ed Klein doesn't acknowledge is that when you're the minority party in every branch of government, it's a little more difficult to get the attention of the press. That's just an example of the success the GOP has had in spreading the meme that Democrats don't have any ideas. Dems need to start throwing that charge back in the faces of accusers, just as Emanuel did. Or even a snarky retort like "well, our ideas certainly don't include bankrupting the treasury, destroying Social Security or invading countries that aren't a threat to us."