Conventional wisdom among Democrats holds that the Republican political ascendance in recent decades relied on a political infrastructure created in the 1970s and 80s. At the base of this powerful message machine, according to this model, is a network of think tanks and advocacy groups that generate a steady flow of fresh ideas to nourish Republican candidates and fuel Republican campaigns.
Democrats, determined to close the political idea gap, have recently pledged upwards of $80 million over five years as part of a major effort to counter the conservative message machine. But is there really an idea gap, or is it a political artifact, a modern version of 1960’s missile gap? In political battles, are ideas heavy weapons that can determine the outcome of a campaign or shape a legislative agenda, or are they simply sidearms that all candidates and officeholders are expected to carry?
This conference to be held on Thursday, October 12, 2006 will examine where political ideas arise, how they are framed and fed into in the political dialogue, and the part they play in determining outcomes. Two afternoon panels of leading experts involved in the process will assess the origins, evolution, and impact of the Republican message machine and the Democratic response. An evening dialogue will address how new technologies, methods of finance, and campaign techniques are reshaping how political messages are framed, delivered and received.
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