Daniel Tilson: Florida Democratic Party can’t ‘LEAD’ from behind

I’m this close to believing Florida Democratic Party (FDP) leaders can’t see the political forest full of discontent and disinterest enveloping them, due to a new reform agenda focused on “operational” tree trimming.

The party responded to its Election 2014 failures the same way so many other large, out-of-touch organizations respond after taking big, embarrassing PR gut punches.

They announced formation of a task force to analyze their failures and report back with recommendations (in late June) on how to do better next time.

This made it crystal clear just how clueless they are.

Now, I mean that in the best possible way, really.

After all, lots of smart, well-intentioned and ultra-experienced politicos were named to the LEAD – Leadership Expansion to Advance Democrats – task force.

Maybe that’s part of the problem.

Maybe if key grassroots Democratic activists who worked tirelessly knocking on doors and making phone calls were part of the mix, one of them would have channeled the voice of 2014’s Democratic and independent nonvoters.

If so, one of the first things the voice would say is, “?*%!$#?!, really, a freaking task force?!?”

Somebody on the inside has to understand and admit that it’s a government agog with task forces, committees, subcommittees, reports and recommendations that turns so many potentially civically engaged citizens into disillusioned, disengaged voters to begin with.

Just look at the “three strategic goals” for the task force.

1. Review best practices for candidate recruitment for local, state and federal offices.
2. Examine data and digital footprint to ensure new technologies are being utilized.
3. Assess field and turnout operations and recommend steps to improve performance.

If ever there were a trio of organizational goals to inspire lack of nonvoter interest and confidence, this is it.

It’s not that they aren’t worthwhile.

It’s that they ignore the twin elephants looming over the donkeys’ exercise in reform, grinning.

One is the lack of a singular overarching FDP message and mission, rather than a something-for-everyone platform.

The other is the timidity to think big, be bold and push the edge of the progressive public policy envelope.

The GOP in Florida and elsewhere stands for getting government smaller and “off people’s backs.” However wrong-minded, it’s plain and simple.

And all you have to do is look at how Florida Republicans have conspired to block health reform and privatize public schools, to understand how they push the envelope.

Sure, you can attribute that to the overwhelming majorities they hold in the legislature and the reelection of Gov. Rick Scott.

But think they’d back off their approach if in the minority?

The one and only way to combat that mentality and strategy is to embrace it, be better at it and be fearless about playing offense.

In other words, be an immediately identifiable opposition party, with brains and balls to spare.

Use a Howard Dean “50-state strategy” to build the brand, engaging voters between elections and running candidates in every legislative race statewide.

But the LEAD announcement promises only to “deliver recommendations on steps Florida Democrats must take to compete in the 2016 presidential election and the 2018 gubernatorial race.”

Okay, the presidential election, the gubernatorial race, and…crickets.

In all fairness, the FDP says the task force will seek grassroots input statewide.

But so far, the LEAD rollout reeks of a process intent primarily on placating the thousands of unnerved usual suspects populating Democratic clubs statewide, without serious consideration of a genuine sea change.

The fast-fleeting opportunity the FDP has to stand for something and message nonvoters accordingly…well, the way things are going, it’ll come around again in mid-November, 2016.

Daniel Tilson has a Boca Raton-based communications firm called Full Cup Media, specializing in online video and written content for non-profits, political candidates and organizations, and small businesses. Column courtesy of Context Florida.