During this time of year when we make an extra effort to give thanks for all the good in the world and the lives we are able to live, it is important to also remember the politicians (those who have been elected and those less successful) and those who seek to lead. They play a very important role in our society, a role that few of us are willing to take on. In the spirit of good will and giving praise…

The Republican Party should be commended. Seeing an opening, an opportunity to further their agenda, they went after it. By using all means at their disposal, grassroots campaigning, Karl Rove’s money and the bully pulpit at church meetings, they succeeded in getting out their message.

However, inspite of poor party leadership and strategic blunders, rumors of the demise of the Democratic Party (in Maine and nationally) are greatly exaggerated. That isn’t to say the party doesn’t have work to do —  oh, it most certainly does.

Nationally, Republican victories and the fall of elected Democrats can be attributed to a swing among independent voters. Claims by Republicans saying they rallied their base and those by Democrats suggesting their loyalists didn’t bother to go to the polls, are fundamentally untrue. Indications are that nationwide, 36 percent of all voters were registered Republicans and 36 percent were registered Democrats. The move to the right by many independents was the difference-maker; more people consider themselves “conservative” than they did just two short years ago.

Since the Obama election of two years ago, Democrats stayed mostly true to their roots. Republicans strategically moved further to the right. They altered party platforms, caved to the Tea Party activists and made themselves more popular to a relatively small, yet powerful sect of the GOP.

So, what are Democrats to do? If moving to the center means more people with a “D” next to their name get elected, is that a sacrifice worth making? Should political parties alter their platforms just to accommodate the portion of the electorate who don’t find themselves attracted to to either of the two major parties? Absolutely not.

Democrats cannot go way of the Republican party. Thanks to the Tea party movement, the Republican Party has become a mere shell of what it once was. Instead of standing fast, and forcing the ultra-conservative wing to form a legitimate third party, they caved.

As a party, it is important to look at and reaffirm the platform that guides us. Democrat or Republican, Libertarian or Green Party, the body of individuals that makes up the party, has responsibilities that go beyond just getting our candidates elected. That work must continue while staying loyal to their respective cause.

Those furthest to the left (us liberals) in the Democratic party need to stand strong. Moving the party to the center will cause us splinter. Being everything to everyone is not how political parties are designed to run. Like any company or organization, straying from your strengths, and what you are good at, will likely mean your demise.

When discussing the results of the last election, a friend told me that she would prefer Democrats work to elect candidates who just want to do the right thing, and not take the approach that they can change the world. Our state and the nation would benefit greatly from political parties that focused on the day-to-day challenges of running government, strategic planning, and helping its citizens prosper.

One of the reasons that Independent candidates like Eliot Cutler (King and Longley before him) tend to be successful is because much of the electorate believes in the stereotypes associated with both parties (of course those stereotypes also can work to a candidate’s benefit.) Political parties have to understand they have a public relations problem. The stereotypes and misconceptions are endless; to combat them, the parties have to shy away from the cause du jour and work on legislation and reforms which improve our lives and move Maine and America forward. There are many issues where the parties can come together and work for the betterment of all, it doesn’t always have to contentious.

Bumper stickers, yard signs and cool slogans aren’t enough to educate the public about what political parties or candidates stand for. This work needs to start today, not a few weeks or months before an election.