LIVE from Seattle Center: It's time for the Democratic Party to define what it stands for

Here at the Seattle Center Exhibition Hall, AM 1090's "We the People" panel is in the midst of a stimulating and intriguing conversation about rebuilding the Democratic Party's identity and articulating our values.

"The way we change the Democratic Party is to change the way we win," Rachel Maddow said, adding that the party truly needs to decide what it stands for so the party can have enforceable standards.

Currently, the party lacks a real standard, which leaves room for corporate suck-ups like Steny Hoyer (the Democratic majority leader).

So what does the Democratic Party stand for? Suggestions from hosts on the panel included good government, peace, broad prosperity, and populism.

UPDATE: Returning to the topic of FISA, Sam Seder predicted that Republicans will come out in mid-2009 (assuming Barack Obama moves into the White House in January) and complain that America is being spied upon.

And once again, the panel reflected on the Democrats' weaknesses: the party's inability to go on offense, reframe, or master political theater.

"We need to use their own video against them," Stephanie Miller suggested.

UPDATE II: On the topic of George Bush's legacy, the hosts agree that George W. Bush will answer at some point for his crimes at The Hague - maybe even within fifteen years, as Thom Hartmann predicted.

D.C. Democratic leaders are somewhat complicit in the administration's lawbreaking, the panel agreed, because Congress has done such a bad job of exercising oversight of the executive branch.

Stephanie Miller observed that the scope of the Bush administration's misconduct is so broad that the American people are actually numb with outrage.

UPDATE IV: We're taking a fifteen minute break.