Ed Rendell: Democrats Failed To Present Clear Message

WASHINGTON — Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell says if Democrats fare poorly on Election Day, it may be because they sent a muddled message to voters.

Appearing in a nationally broadcast interview Tuesday as polls opened in the East and Midwest, Rendell said, "We've got to learn to explain and communicate what we've done a lot more clearly."

A former Democratic National Committee chairman, Rendell also said he believes "expectations were unreasonably high" for Barack Obama when he took the presidency.

Appearing with Rendell on CBS's "The Early Show," Rep. Mike Pence of Indiana, chairman of the House Republican Conference, said newly elected GOP members of Congress will be ready to "roll up our sleeves and work with everyone."

Comments

[beerbagger]

04:24 AM on 11/03/2010

Wrong! Not enough truth & too much hand sitting.

[PaganKMcK]

03:01 AM on 11/03/2010

Well, I agree that Democrats have a muddled message. One mistake Dems made was the way the handled Spector and Sestak. Are you listening Governor Rendell?

[histoftomorrow]

01:06 AM on 11/03/2010

This is how the Midterms will be remembered 1,000 years from now: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlffdZtWOKc

[jonthebru]

12:01 AM on 11/03/2010

You know, Howard Dean's 50 state campaign should be given a ton of credit for getting Obama into office. That procedure should have been continued.

[frankcaprafan]

11:58 PM on 11/02/2010

On the contrary, over the last 2 years, Democratic leaders sent a CLEAR message--with their actions.

[Billar]

11:06 PM on 11/02/2010

The messaging was lousy and Harry Reid's spinelessness was a major factor in the Dems losses.

[LovelyGirl]

10:24 PM on 11/02/2010

I agree with Ed. The messenging was lousy. But I don't know what could have been said because the base cannot accept how conservative the country is. Just the election of a Barack Obama was hard for people who have very narrow minded views of the kind of people who can be elected to the office of President. Add to that the Dick Cheney and George Bush did a fine job leaving a mess for Barack Obama to clean up and the Chamber of Commerce developed a plan with key business not to hire people I don't think there's anything anyone could have said or done. This is all about letting Barack Obama know who is boss. We're in for a mess for years to come. I've lost all faith in this country ever being able to get anything done. It's not to anyone's benefit to work on anything when they are rewarded for being obstructionist.

[luckyone77]

10:22 PM on 11/02/2010

What they did wrong was fail to end the wars, and fail to reign in the banks.

[ReadyToExpat]

10:16 PM on 11/02/2010

Ed knows his politics, he's a master. While he's outspoken, but he never hands out b.s. As far as I'm concerned, Ed's right on target; Dems have had a message problem since the 2008 elections. Unfortunately, with the great unwashed, he who screams the loudest gets the vote.

I have a headache.

[hstdem]

12:23 AM on 11/03/2010

Ed's a blowhard. He can't understand why the message didn't get out while he was one of the many who constantly harped and complained about the president.

Ed and his ilk have been saying over and over that the food stinks (even though it has a great chef that makes great dishes), but they don't understand why people aren't eating.

Messaging only works when people can actually HEAR it. When the din from both the left and the right drowns it out, it's impossible to be heard. Perhaps if there was less noise (from the left) the message will finally get out.

[Scytherius]

10:05 PM on 11/02/2010

Oh come on. It's simpler than that. Obama and the Dems said they would do one thing. We elected them based n that. They didn't even try and backed down before the GOP at every turn. What fool on this planet would expect them to do well in the election after that?

[Sans Octavian]

09:01 PM on 11/02/2010

Reason: people just don't agree with Obama's agenda. Simple as that.

[BigPictureReg]

10:40 PM on 11/02/2010

What agenda would that be, that is, the one that people don't agree with?

[losangelian1]

07:56 PM on 11/02/2010

The bottom line is people are pissed off. Why they vote in 'the party of no', who have done nothing but gridlock the entire legislative process is beyond me. I mean Ohio just elected Bush's budget director to the Senate!!!!! People have short memories, and are way to easily influenced by nonsense.

[hstdem]

12:24 AM on 11/03/2010

You can thank the schizophrenic, fickle Indies for that.

[desertman]

01:39 AM on 11/03/2010

So the majority of Americans are idiots and you are all knowing?

[Les Burns]

07:21 PM on 11/02/2010

No,Governor, the Dems are in this position because they took their base for granted. Who degrades their own supporters and then when the object odf their affections( republicans and the blue dogs) turn their backs on them, then they want to go back on bended knee to the one who bought them to the dance with them? Dummies!

[Sweetbay]

07:48 PM on 11/02/2010

http://obamaachievements.org/list

[Les Burns]

07:59 PM on 11/02/2010

I am well aware. However, some would argue that those accomplishments while admirable on paper, had him negotiating against himself. He settled for hamburger when he might have had steak.

[Scytherius]

10:07 PM on 11/02/2010

Seen it. Not impressed. On some of the most major, game changing issues he should have taken a stand and fought. He did not. no list is going to prove otherwise. He did NOT do what he said. We are in George Bush' 3rd term. Don't give me some silly list when we are spieed on more than ever, Americans are dying in a useless war, corporations run the nation and not a PEEP about single payer.

OBAMA IS A DISASTER.

[KAL-EL]

07:08 PM on 11/02/2010

Sorry ed you and I both know that's BS. The democrats made their message loud and clear , you just can't handle the possibility that voters are rejecting that message.

Go Rand Paul LOL

[TracerTong]

09:16 PM on 11/02/2010

Really? If they did, what was that message? Go on, share with us that message.

Because what I've heard these last two years hasn't been loud or clear. Yeah, Public Option. Or maybe not. End DADT. Tomorrow. Maybe next week. Jobs, Jobs, Jobs. Oh, we didn't mean "jobs" we meant Steve Jobs.

The Democrats have punted and dithered at every opportunity. As a famous commentator once said, I'm not a part of any organized political party. I'm a democrat.

[gogogadget]

06:44 PM on 11/02/2010

Ed, you got to b e kidding! It was because of 2 specific things...
1. It's the economy stupid!!!!!! Obama has no clue. His advisors have no clue.
2. Obamacare. How do you pass a 4,000 page law without knowing whats in it???Oh, they knew what was in it. Pelosi, Reid and the dems shoved Obamas crap down Americas throat even though the people said no.
And for these 2 things..you dems can go suck eggs!

[Thabiti]

07:29 PM on 11/02/2010

The bills you describe were voted on. They were not shoved down America's throat. When Bush signed in Medicare Part D, was that shoved down America's throat. We will be paying for that one for generations.

[bannorhill]

08:30 PM on 11/02/2010

And how long will we be paying for Obamacare?

[losangelian1]

07:49 PM on 11/02/2010

What's with you guys and the 'shoving down the throat' thing?