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Show Sunday, April 23, 2006 DAILY HERALD DEMOCRATIC STRATEGY ANALYSIS _ Alaska middle school students | ‘Dean, Democrats debate on message arrestedin weapons plot RachelD'Oro THE ASSOCIATEDPRESS FAIRBANKS,Alaska— Six middle school studentsin a small Alaska town werearrested ee on =e Authorities said the students could face charges of first-_ degree conspiracy to commit of plotting to bring guns and knives to school andkill fellow students. _ The arrestsstem from an murder. “I don't think it can get more serious than that,” The allegations came just investigation into rumors re- * emocratic Party of- ficials continue to as- semble the pieces for their midterm election | Strategy, but questions about the party's overall message, said. daysafter five Kansas teenag- _Dan Balz THE WASHINGTON POST | | | i Our current Republican governmentwill be judged by how they s Republicans, and two, provide an alternative. The first part, they've done for us, and the second part, we need to do.” ‘hey'vs The New Orleans was infused with optimism. Democrats believe the elements treated Americans of the that were crucial to Republican differences on Iraq, reserva- Gulf Coast... tions about their leaders and_ a successes in 2002 and 2004 — public fears about terror- 4 debates about campaign tactics ism and positive perceptions Howard Dean of Bush's leadership fies which are multiple and gar- gantuan,of the Bush administration,” said former DNC chair Donald L. Fowler. In his speech Saturday, Dean sought to outline the elements of a Democratic message, adapted from what congres- ers suspected ofplanning a shooting rampageat their high school were arrested on Thursday, the seventh anniversary of the Columbine massacre. Schoolofficials in Riverton, Kan., learned that a threatening contribute to concerns that they maynot be positioned to take advantage of the most favorable political climate since President Bush was elected. | The Democrats came to New Orleansthis week to how they treated Americans of the Gulf Coast, and how it has treated, or mistreated —no longer have the potency to turn close elections in the GOP'sdirection. Overpowering those Republican assets, they believe, is growing sentiment for a changein direction. “In 2006,the veil of compe- toseek revenge for being message had been posted on the highlight what they want the our American community,” tency that they pretended to have,the illusion of security they ran on, is no longer there,” said Robert Zimmerman, Democratic national committeeman from New York.“This is an election where the messageis ‘stand and mission thatinvestigated the _attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, comprehensiveethics and lobbying overhaul, and pushing Iraqis to take greater responsibility for —_defeating the insurgency. do that.” deliver,’ and they've not been able to stand and deliver.” of what other Demnocrats see = ‘came throughour interviews Internet, authorities said. The midterm elections to be about: boys ages 16 to 18 will stay in areferendum on Bush's leadercustody through the weekend ship and competence.Just as while prosecutors decide whethIraq symbolizes Americans’ erto file charges, a judge ruled | disenchantment with Bush's Saturday. foreign policy, New Orleans stands as a poignant reminder The North Pole boys, whose of the breakdownof governnameswerenotreleased, were ment after Hurricane Katrina among 15 students at the school hit the Gulf Coast. Democrats who were suspended after a parenttipped police Monday evening. A child told the parent that rumors werecirculating - about the alleged plot, which originally was planned for earlier that day, then changed to the following day, Lindhagsaid. Democratic National Committee Chairman = eee — ay sieis possible. “I don't think we can coast throughthis election year by pointing out the shortcomings, ported to police earlier in the week about the students’ plans in North Pole, a town of 1,600 people about 14 miles southeast of Fairbanks,said Police Chief. Paul Lindhag. The centgona wanted picked on by other students ds well as disliking staff and stu: dents, Lin The students had|planned to disable North Pole Middle School's power and telephone systems, allotting time to kill their victims and escape out of town, said. He would not elaborate on the case, or what kind of documented evidenceled to the students’arrests. “These are the ones who had majorroles in this,” Lindhag said. “All our information #\ and stuff like rat There were manyhoursof interviews, including with witnesses and those who werearrested.” Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean said in his speech tothe committee on Saturday. “The Republicans have cut andrun whenit comesto rebuilding the Gulf Coast, and we will not On that thereis widespread agreement, but many Demo- intend touse that imagery as a weaponuntil November to arguethat Bush has failed the American people on multiple crats fear it will not be enough “Our current Republican the Georgia Democratic Party chair. “One, disqualify the fronts. government will be judged by SHOP TODAY to win back controlof the HouseorSenateor both in November.“We have to do two things,” said Bobby Kahn, 1 But as powerful as that sentiment for change may be across the country, many Democrats see it as only one component of a winning campaignstrategy. In their estimation, the message“Had enough?”is not enoughto guarantee the kind of success in Novemberthat _sional Democrats have been assembling The proposals raising the minimum wage,tax fairness for mu Americans,rewriting the Medicare prescription drug plan, enacting recommendations from the com- But Dean's litanyfalls short as a comprehensive alternative to Republican governance, and while manyof them believe thereis still time to produce something for public consumption before the Novemberelection, thereis not overwhelming confidence that the party can doit OleNeola ANNIVERSARY SALE 00° OFF SPRING APPAREL CLEARANCE MISSES PETITES * WOMEN’S SPORTSWEAR * DRESSES « LADIES’ SUITS MEN'S & YOUNG MEN'S SPORTSWEAR KIDS « GUYS’ 8-20 * GIRLS 7-16 REGULAR, SALE OR CLEARANCE PURCHASE REGULAR, SALE OR CLEARANCE FINE JEWELRY *10% DISCOUNT IN OUR HOME STORE, LADIES’ a A INTIMATE, ‘SHOES, MEN'S TAILORED CLOTHING & UNDERWEAR PTT Te a Watches, Fine JoisDesiai ees ectonc Gis, Sali Electrics, Vacurs, Shopping Pass and Jewelry ae Values, Superior Values, Select La oerEEL ie. esoedpaetpe oa Dooney & Bourke,ca 7Genie House Charge savings not valid at entire stock clearance locations. 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