New Dems meet to shift party goals, image

[denverbill]

http://www.hillnews.com/news/073003/newdems.aspx


The Senate’s reconstituted “New Democrats” are seeking to redefine their party’s legislative goals and message at a time when several Democratic nominees for president are waging ideological combat.

“We are staying focused on good economic politics, stronger security policy, and other things,” said Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.), who co-chairs the group along with Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.).

“It’s natural during this kind of process … that the Democratic message isn’t coming across as clearly as it should.”

The New Democrats held their second meeting since restarting this year. The group, which includes 18 members, is seeking agreement on goals and a mission statement, plus specific policy aims that staff can work on during the recess.


Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) and other centrists have vowed to make an impact.


The centrists are vowing to make an impact both on caucus politics and the national political scene. “We’re a proud minority,” said Landrieu.

Pollster Mark Penn, who gave a presentation to the Democratic Leadership Council this week, shared similar data with the New Democrats. He suggested reaching out to various demographic groups — including white male voters, who may be influenced by President Bush’s standing on national security issues.

<snip>
The other members of the group are Sens. Evan Bayh (Ind.), John Breaux (La.), Kent Conrad (N.D.), John Edwards (N.C.), Dianne Feinstein (Calif.), Bob Graham (Fla.), Tim Johnson (S.D.), John Kerry (Mass.), Herb Kohl (Wis.), Joe Lieberman (Conn.), Blanche Lincoln (Ark.), Zell Miller (Ga.), Ben Nelson (Neb.), Bill Nelson (Fla.), Pryor, and Debbie Stabenow (Mich.).

---------------------------------------
Wow. John Edwards, Joe Lieberman, Bob Graham, and John Kerry.

Every Senator running for President is a member.

[ThorsteinVeblen]

1. If they were truly centrist

they would've have opposed the Iraq war and invaded Saudi Arabia.

They would have acted fiscally responsible instead of depleting the national treasury.

They would have objected to the politicalization of intelligence.

They would be demanding the release of the 9/11 report.

They would've have seen Ken Lay in jail.

They would support the dissolution of Clear Channel Communications through anti-trust laws.

They would support the dissolution of the massive media mergers in the 1990's.

Instead, they have shown themselves to be corrupt. It is time for them to go.

[LizW]

2. No Hillary Clinton?

I though she was a member of the DLC. She's listed on their website.

[LeftPeopleFinishFirst]

3. That is what

I was thinking.

[hedda_foil]

5. I noticed the same thing. Guess they missed her ...

On purpose or by accident?

[denverbill]

6. Different group.

The DLC isn't the same thing as the New Democrats, although it sounds to me like they share the same sorts of beliefs.

[LizW]

10. Oh, I see

I looked back at the website again. The Senate New Democrat Coalition (which seems to be the groups mentioned in this article) is a subgroup of the DLC, it seems.

[diplomats]

22. Maybe the Senate group isn't the same thing exactly

but HRC is a member of the DLC, I'm sure.

[whoYaCallinAlib]

4. White males? What about us white females?

They better be reaching out to me too!!!

[acropolis]

7. I think it's sad

that equal rights, social programs, the environment, etc. are now bunched together as "other things" by democrats.

Are they purposefully trying to make it look like there is one party with two different spellings?

[mjb4]

8. I will start a black group to expose

this fraud! I hate bill clinton and his lies! We will not be marginalized. and Yes, it is good to NOT VOTE!

[diplomats]

23. What are you talking about?

eom

[keenfordean]

9. They're not as bad

I like Mary Landrieu and Tom Carper. The "New Democrats" aren't nearly so bad as the DLC. I think the eventual reconciliation between the Deans and the establishment Dems will be worked out with the New Democrats, not the DLC. Now that the DLCers are openly supporting Bush Cheney, they're beyond the pale.

[Q]

11. Moderate DUers say these guys have no power...

...so what the hell are they doing reshaping the 'goals' of the DEMOCRATIC PARTY?

- And for the uninformed...the New Democrats have about the same agenda as the DLC.

[denverbill]

13. I'm not saying they are bad people.

It's just that being 'centrist' today is like being conservative 30 years ago. Richard Nixon actually proposed a National Health Care plan when he was President, and now, NHC is talked about in the same breath as communism.

The divide between rich and poor is growing. CEO salaries are rising MUCH faster than ordinary citizens AND they've gotten their taxes reduced by 50% over the last 20 years. More and more jobs are fleeing the US for overseas. The national debt is HUGE and growing fast. Social Security and Medicare are nightmares in the making. This country is going to hell in a handbasket and the best these bozos can come up with is "don't rock the boat"?

Piss on them.

[hedda_foil]

14. The New Democrats are the elected members of the DLC

They call themselves "New" Democrats.

[priller]

12. Landrieu didn't start winning her last race

until she ignored the DLC-type centrist advice and started criticizing Bush for his policy decisions that negatively affected LA (especially the sugar biz). At first they were paralyzed by the results of the Max Cleland race and thought it would be dangerous to criticize Bush. But finally they got over it and started WINNING.

(Of course, it helped that her opponent, Suzy Terrell, was an idiot.)

But I just hope Mary doesn't forget the lesson of her own victory.

[mjb4]

15. Ran back to the blacks is what she did

expose the Democrats LIE.

[cyr330]

20. same as her first election

She wouldn't have beaten Woody Jenkins the first time around if it hadn't been for the gay and African American vote in New Orleans. Mary certainly didn't want to have anything to do with gay pride, but she sure lapped up those votes like a wildcat. I can't stomach Landrieu, but she's better than that pig, John Breaux. Nevertheless, Landrieu beats ANY Republican candidate, so I suppose I should hold my tongue. . .

[Bandit]

24. You need to be less cryptic and spell it out

Where are you coming from? It doesn't sound pleasent.

[revcarol]

16. Anytime I see a group with privatize-Social-Security-Breaux in it,

every cell in my body goes on the alert.

The New Democrats want to take us back to the pre-FDR era in social programs, with more money for "defense."

DLC clones, get lost, the people don't want you.

[Armstead]

17. Can someone tell the difference between this and GOP?

(It's also interesting that they use the Republican form rather than "Democratic" in their name: New Democrat Coalition.

From New Democrat website

http://www.ndol.org/ndol_ci.cfm?contentid=250061&kaid=103&subid=111

Senators Evan Bayh (IN), Bob Graham (FL), Mary Landrieu (LA), Joe Lieberman (CT) and Blanche Lincoln (AR) founded the Senate New Democrat Coalition (SNDC) in the spring of 2000 to provide a unified voice in the U.S. Senate for progressive ideas, mainstream values, and innovative, market-based policy solutions.

<snip>


The SNDC's legislative agenda focuses on, among other priorities: free-trade initiatives, policies that foster the new economy, fiscal responsibility and greater investments in national security. Of particular note, the SNDC has been pushing to reform federal education policy and improve public schools by simultaneously expanding choice and competition, demanding greater accountability, and increasing investment.

<snip>

[wryter2000]

18. Improve education through choice and competition?

Please pass the barf bag.

(Damn, and I already told DiFi I'd never vote for her again.)

[denverbill]

19. Speaking of 'fostering choice', DUMP THE DLC!

Give Americans a REAL choice.

[Tinoire]

21. New Dems = DLC

---------------------------
<snip>

The Democratic Leadership Council (DLC) is now calling for reforms including school choice and merit pay for teachers.

DLC President Al From, writing in the Fall 1999 issue of the DLC's journal of public policy, presented what he called "New Democrats' 10 Key Reforms for Revitalizing American Education."

<snip>

The DLC's mission, as part of the Democratic Party, is to articulate "a new public philosophy built on progressive ideals, mainstream values, and innovative, nonbureaucratic solutions."

Commonly known as the "New Democrats," the DLC was noted in 1992 as playing an instrumental role in the nomination of one of its former chairs, Bill Clinton, as the party's candidate for president.

<snip>

http://www.mackinac.org/pubs/mer/article.asp?ID=2693

[study_war_no_more]

29. AMEN

D-L-C - the vicheys

[Gloria]

25. I caught a glimpse of Evan Bayh last night on Charlie Rose...

he was on with a pundit (I forget which one) and he was launching into his spiel....I turned him off! He looks weaslier and weaslier to me the more I see him!! He almost looks like....a Republican in his demeanor. Cold as a dead fish, no emotion at all....UGH!

[PROGRESSIVE1]

26. He looks like that other Indiana "Ditto Head"...

Dan Quayle!!! Can't get any more wiesle like than that!

[Selwynn]

27. "New Dems" = OLD Rebuplicans

New Dems are just as bad as republicans; they are just more subtle.

Oh, how I long for some "old" democrats.
Sel

[Monte Carlo]

28. Burn them! Burn them ALL!!

Heresy I say! They have associated with members of their own party!!...


Seriously though, I think people could read too deeply into this. When you are running for President in this country, one better be prepared to cover all of your bases.