There has been a lot of political hand-wringing behind the scenes over whom the Democrats will field to run for governor next year. Who wants the job of raising all that money and taking on a popular politician to boot? The challenge at the top of the ticket conceals a deeper problem for Democrats. Our problem is not that we don't have an answer to the above question; it's that we are asking the wrong question in the first place. The question shouldn't be "How?" or "Who?" when we talk about next year's election, but "Why?"

Both parties have become so singularly focused on elections and re-elections that the public sometimes feel politics is like watching a sporting event — interesting, but ultimately inconsequential. But the average citizen loses in this proposition, because what's good for short-term election victories is usually not what's good for our society in the long run.

I offer these suggestions for what we Democrats should do to revitalize ourselves.

1. Think 10 years in advance.

Hawai'i Democrats should speak to what truly defines the soul of Hawai'i and who has the qualities to lead us in the 21st century. Democrats need to focus on what kind of Hawai'i we want to build for our children and our children's children.

That means we need to preserve the environment, the culture and the quality of life that makes us different from another warm state or city in the U.S. Public policy should be different here because we don't want to become like a Los Angeles suburb, and that is one of the fundamental differences between the parties.

We Democrats put the highest priority on healthcare, education, the environment and our kupuna. After all, if our lives were all about money, many of us would be living someplace else. If we do all these things successfully, the politics and the elections will take care of themselves.

2. Stop waiting for a political messiah.

The future will not be defined and led by one individual, but rather by a group of leaders who truly represent the best interests of the people of our state. Hawai'i Democrats are waiting for a personality so larger-than-life that his or her appearance will create a movement. The painful truth: As long as we wait to be saved by one, we don't deserve to lead the many.

3. Plan for succession.

Democrats in Hawai'i have a bad habit of undermining their young. Ten years ago, there were no viable Republicans to speak of. Our only potential competition in terms of electoral success and ideas was from other Democrats. It was therefore reasonable, if shortsighted and mean-spirited, to attempt to undermine other Democrats — to cut off their legs before they could gather any steam. Leadership comes in all shapes, sizes and ages, and while paying your dues has its place, tenure should never be our holy grail. This can't be a battle between generations; we must do what John Burns did with Sen. Daniel Inouye and Gov. George Ariyoshi — it's about making sure that the quality, depth and breadth of leadership in Hawai'i continues for another generation.

4. Help the middle class.

The intent of the 1954 political revolution in Hawai'i was to create equality and fairness for the working people of the plantations. The inequity of that time was based on race and class. The new challenge for our society is to prevent our state from becoming so stratified economically that it comprises only two classes — the rich and those who work for the rich.

Many island societies fall victim to this dilemma because their people have few economic options, the price of land escalates and the mobility of their citizens is limited. Sound familiar? The singular issue that will revitalize Democrats over the next 10 years, and give them a purpose for existence (not just the perpetuation of power), is to assist the middle class to prosper and remain in Hawai'i and to live a healthy, comfortable life with their children and grandchildren. That has to be done through tax policy, a real commitment to investing in education and a renewed effort on re-training our workforce.

5. Give the next generation reasons for hope.

Hawai'i has many people who believe in progressive values — opportunities for all, environmental protection, civil rights and an important role for government to support and foster these values in our lives.

Democrats who want to be relevant in the 21st century must define, envision and achieve a new balance of economic prosperity for all. They must help preserve Hawai'i's environment and civil culture for those alive today and for future generations to come. Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, a 20th-century biologist and philosopher, may have said it best: "The future belongs to those who can give the next generation reasons to hope."

Democrat Brian Schatz has been representing Makiki and Tantalus in the House of Representatives for seven years. He wrote this commentary for The Advertiser.