Young Democrats Sharpen Tactics Against Old Rivals

[onehandle]

With the Capitol all but deserted last Monday night, the Democratic "30-Something Working Group" seized the House floor and took aim at their Republican adversaries.

As C-SPAN cameras beamed their performance around the country, Rep. Timothy J. Ryan, 32, of Ohio and Rep. Kendrick Meek, 39, of Florida recited a litany of GOP misdeeds -- mismanaging Hurricane Katrina and neglecting education and health care, for example -- and offered the Democrats' alternatives.

Their conversation even veered to religion, a subject many Democrats are afraid to touch. Ryan described the problems of the poor as a moral obligation and asked of Meek: "Where is the Christian Coalition when you are cutting poverty programs? They are fighting over Supreme Court justices."

The two newcomers -- who have served a combined six years in the House -- are part of a new generation of Democrats who are working to try to topple the GOP. Their fresh ideas, modern media skills and aggressive political tactics have inspired a party that has drifted for much of the past decade -- wedded to old notions and seemingly incapable of capitalizing on White House and congressional Republican miscues.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/22/AR2005102200969.html

[stevedeshazer]

1. This passage is really encouraging

While change within the party has not always gone smoothly, the top leaders recognize the importance of giving newer members running room. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has passed over more senior lawmakers to give newcomers key committee assignments and speaking roles during high-profile floor debates. For instance, she placed Meek on the Homeland Security and Armed Services panels, to enable him to earn national security credentials. And she gave Rep. Stephanie Herseth (S.D.) a prominent role in fighting a GOP plan to reduce Medicaid spending.

She also put junior lawmakers in charge of the 2006 campaign effort. "They are the future," Pelosi said. "And they are starting to set the pace for where things go.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

They are indeed the future.

[yorkiemommie1]

2. i saw some young demorats running a local campaign

here in SoCal. They are sharp and full of energy and ideas.

[Demeter]

16. Considering How The Good Ole Boys Screw Us

It's a smart idea to ease them out and let some fresh and hungry blood in.

[chalky]

3. Kicking for those who keep asking what the Democrats are doing.

n/t

[Voltaire99]

5. And what a pathetic reply.

Kick THIS.

Laying down like lambs for five years of Bushism is scarcely answered for by sending junior House Dems out to natter away on C-SPAN when nobody's listening.

Good for these fellows, sure, and may they learn--unlike their sorry elders--both to bark and bite. But if you think this is some kind of substitute for action, guess again; it's just minor league practice.

[chalky]

6. Wow...an amazing amount of venom in that comment.

Thanks for directing it at me. Good to see you don't reserve it all for Dems in office.

[powwowdancer]

13. I wouldn't worry...

Hey, we all get angry and bitter about the gallingly flagrant abuses of power perpetrated by chimpula and his cronies. It's a truism that you "lash out" with the ones you feel safest with, and I must confess, I've made a few angry, bitter posts, though the anger wasn't directed at anyone here at DU. And, indeed, while grandstanding thirty-somethings aren't the cure for all that ails us, it is still damned good to hear. We're all a bit burned out by the world-wrecking savagery of monkey boy. Sometimes a body just needs to vent. Good post, and keep up the good work.

:dem:
powwowdancer out

[Toots]

14. It was how Newt gained his fame and influence

At least they are concerned citizens who are speaking out. the rest of the Demcrats have left Dodge.

[Demeter]

17. We Got To Start Somewhere!

The Old Guard isn't going out on the line--the young NEED practice. They have our support, because we're rebuilding a Party here, rather like New Orleans, you know.

[NVMojo]

7. KICK!!!!

[Gelliebeans]

4. kick and recommended n/t

[dmr]

8. This old lady says "Finally, the questions are being asked!"

I want to know too, where IS the Christian Coalition when they are cutting poverty programs?

I've always wanted these questions asked. I want us to be the champion of all Americans, and to be that, we can't tip-toe around the right in fear of offending anyone, when the real offense is worrying about what they will say or do to us. They can't do any worse than what has already been done.

[oxbow]

9. BUT ITS THE LAST PARAGRAPH THAT REALLY GIVES ME HOPE!

-SNIP-

Pelosi says House and Senate leaders will soon lay out a slate of new ideas, similar to the "Contract With America" that the GOP used to attract voters in 1994, when it took back control of Congress.

One group that Democrats want to tap is veterans and active military members, who have seen their benefits cut or frozen as part of an ongoing budget squeeze. Rep. Artur Davis (D-Ala.), a second-term House member, believes Republicans could pay heavily at the polls throughout the South for overlooking this crucial voting group.

"When I see white male Alabamians shaking their heads, that tells me there are opportunities for Democrats to make major inroads," Davis said.


HELL YEA BABY- ITS TIME TO PUT ON OUR GAME FACE AND TAKE THE POWER BACK!
THE COUNTRY IS FINALLY SICK OF THESE CROOKS.

I SAY IT'S TIME TO DRAFT MORE YOUNG DEMOCRATS (FOR CONGRESS, THAT IS). THESE GUYS MAKE PLENTY OF SENSE TO ME. IT'S SAD, BUT THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IN A WHILE THAT I CAN SAY THAT.

[Judi Lynn]

10. It seems the Washington Post doesn't watch C-Span at night too often.

Kendrick Meek, Jay Inslee, and others often are on C-Span in the evening for excellent sessions. Sometimes they are joined by older Democrats, like Washington's Jim McDermott, Hawaii's Neil Abercrombie.... They are terrific. I've seen them multiple times, standing and discussing things on the floor of the House long after others have gone home. It's great. They seem so much brighter than MEpublcians.

From the article, a terrific note:

Emanuel says of his newcomer colleagues, "They're willing to dust it up, and that's what it's going to take."

[bigbrother05]

11. Not that it is the best comparison to make

but that is the way Newt honed his message. Can be used to produce clips/videos etc. and great practice. Openly airing their ideas along with the back and forth has to be a good thing.

[rosesaylavee]

12. This is how leaders are born - its good to know.

Thanks for the post!!

[Arugula Latte]

15. I've been hoping that a new generation of fire-breathers will emerge

on our side. We need to pound Republicans into the ground. They have damaged our country immeasurably. They must pay the price.

I hope that more and more young Dems. will rise up and push aside the old namby pamby doormat Democrats.

[xchrom]

18. interesting.