If I ever have the good fortune to run and get elected for office, I must remember the lessons of the 2002 midterm elections. The decisions by many Democrats to vote in favor of the Iraq war resolution has had significant repercussions since then. It put Kerry in the awkward “voted for … before I voted against it” situation last year and it still confounds Democrats who would stand up in opposition to the war.

David Sirota writes today, though, that the problems the Democrats have are systemic, reaching down into the bowels of the consultants and strategists that perennially advise the party. Internal divisiveness never wins elections and if there’s one thing the Republicans have mastered, it’s internal message consistency. The Republicans are in the mold of the old machine parties, top down and patronage driven. It will be interesting to see how long they can maintain this discipline, especially as the key money men are getting implicated in scandals (especially Tom Delay).

Sirota has a point, though, and the fact that any strategist would advise Democrats to remain silent on Iraq seems completely asinine to me. The consultants are right that the “origin” question is played out, but it is extraordinarily important that Democrats come up with a plan that is clearly articulated to the public.

Difficulties about as the party internally is fractured. One faction wants troops home immediately. Others subscribe to Powell’s Pottery Barn rule (count me as one of these). A third group wants more troops sent in. All in all, it’s been difficult to agree on a goal let alone the details. It is, of course, part of having a bottom up party in a lot of ways. Democrats need leadership and with two factions internally vying for the money and the power (DLC vs. Others), we don’t have it yet.

Then, we have jokers like Biden out there confusing everyone… I wish he would just shut up some times. His act is getting old.