Plain English, please!

Note: This post was originally intended as an open letter but after some consideration, I decided to post it here. It may get re-drafted and sent to PFAW or a media outlet, so this is the original, self-editted version.

I’ve seen the “Save the Filibuster” commercial several times in recent days, and I must commend People For the American Way for their efforts in bringing this issue to the attention of the American people. The film footage of Jimmy Stewart is very effective, as is the statement by the firefighter.

However, this morning I also saw the counter-ad paid for by the Judicial Confirmation Network and I hate to admit that their ad is more effective. It does not use the word “filibuster” but it invokes the theme of obstructionism, which is probably a concept that more Americans understand. Sure, it was misleading, but it made its point.

It also highlighted a major problem—Progressives do not speak in plain English! Honestly, how many people know anything about the filibuster outside of Washington? If they remember anything of it from high school government class, they may remember that it was a tool of obstructionism used to prevent important legislation from consideration. Perhaps the most blatant example of this tactic was the filibuster staged in the 60s by former Senator Strom Thurmond to prevent action on the Civil Rights Bill.

Is this the procedure that we are trying to protect?

Or, are we trying to preserve the notion of checks in balances in our government? As the firefighter states so eloquently, Republicans have majorities in both houses of Congress, control of the White House, and ostensibly control of the Supreme Court. So the real issue is not the filibuster; it is the potential for an abuse of power.

I understand the limitations of non-partisan political advertising, but Progressives will not swing public opinion in our direction if we continue to speak over the heads of the average American voter. This is the Al Gore and John Kerry problem all over again—we are too smart for our own good. I am not suggesting that the message needs to be watered down, but it does need to be more accessible. The Republicans convey their controversial positions through simple concepts presented in everyday language (even if they border on outright lies), whereas we produce complicated policy statements presented in wonk-speak. Is there any doubt why their method is more persuasive?

Thus, while the ad is very smart and clever, will anyone other than the True Believers be moved to support the cause? What we really want people to understand is that absolute power corrupts absolutely. This message could be summed up in the image of one man—Rep. Tom DeLay. And no one would even have to write a script because he opens his mouth and indicts himself with his pomposity.

This is just my 2 cents. Progressives need to win this fight because Republican moral grand-standing on every issue has become downright hypocritical and offensive. I worry that we continue to make the same mistakes by underestimating the appeal of their populist message. I applaud the aggressiveness of your efforts, but it just needs more of the common touch.