If you were running the Democratic Party right now, what would you do over the next 4 years to regain strength?
I would would first of all count my losses and move on, basically telling democrats to shut up about the election. By making comments like, "Bush supporters are dumb and need to be educated" you are alienating over 50% of the country and only digging yourself into a deeper hole. State that the election was fairly won and its time to look to the future.
Next, over the next 4 years I would distance myself from the extreme liberals. Michael Moore should NOT be seated next to a man like Jimmy Carter in the spotlight. George Soros, PETA, and all these other 'hippie' groups should not represent the democratic party ever again like this year. As of now, this is a 2 party country so those people will vote Democratic even if they aren't in the spotlight.
Also, I would re-focus the party and bring it more to the right, back to where it was before the Kerry Campaign. By taking a far left stance, you alienate most Americans and further divide voters. Plus, there was too wide a spectrum of views. Voting for Kerry you had no idea where he stood on any issue because they were trying to please too many people at once.
Start acting like the party of the people again. Hollywood stars do NOT represent the people. Michael Moore makes movies and is NOT a representative of the people as much as he likes to think he is.
George W Bush has natural leadership skills. He's the guy that you meet and you immedialty want to follow him. Intelligence does not dictate leadership, nor do debating skills. He stands for something and fights to get it. Kerry did not have that persona about him. He was more like that smart kid who tries to please everybody that you like to put kick me signs on. The democrats need a candidate with true leadership qualities that has strong views that he will act on and has the history to back it up. None of the discussed candidates have that as I've seen.
Finally, the bashing needs to stop. The democrats have become a bitter party, and bitterness turns people away. Instead of attacking, offer positive solutions. And I mean REAL solutions, not baseless suggestions as Kerry did.
In conclusion the party needs to avoid the far left, return to representing the average citizen, lose the bitterness, and become positive do-ers.