Posted on 06/09/2005 9:17:37 AM PDT by anniegetyourgun
The New Democrat Coalition huddled for three hours Tuesday to plot strategy, determine which issues it will champion and try to generate new ideas for the Democratic Party.
The gathering, which was billed as a retreat for the group of 42 centrist House Democrats, was part of an ongoing effort launched earlier this year to increase New Democrats’ clout in Congress and help them become a source of ideas for the party as a whole.
Until this year, the New Democrats’ influence had been waning and they had struggled to find their voice and relevancy after the like-minded Clinton administration ended.
This year, however, they have embarked on a broad effort to reinvent and reinvigorate themselves. They established membership criteria — requiring contributions to their political action committee and attendance at group meetings — and have held weekly meetings and been more active in advocating for and against policy positions.
Leaders of the group recently came out against the Central America Free Trade Agreement, a bold step for the traditionally pro-trade group that won them kudos from labor unions and fellow Democrats but garnered complaints from the technology industry.
This latest meeting allowed members of the group to air their views on the group’s three key policy areas, economic growth, personal responsibility and national security, with the aim of developing positions that would reflect centrist values and resonate with voters. The group also discussed a reform platform to curb what members perceive as the Republicans’ abuse of power.
Much of the discussion had an eye toward honing Democrats’ message to voters.
“We understand that the 2006 elections are about Congress,” said Rep. Ellen Tauscher (D-Calif.), the group’s chairwoman. “We are serious about our commitment to be able to speak to issues in depth, to provide credible alternatives to the majority and to be able to debate them toe to toe.”
Democrats have at times been derided as a party that is out of ideas. The New Democrats’ agenda in part reflects a desire to counter that criticism, some New Democrats said.
“A large part of this process is about framing ideas so when Democrats do take power we’re ready for prime time,” said Rep. Artur Davis (D-Ala.), one of the group’s three co-chairs. “When Republicans were out of power, they sat around thinking of ideas. When we’re out of power, we engage in endless hand wringing. Part of this process is about having ideas we can implement once we [have] power.”
The New Democrats’ agenda represents an expansion of their focus during the Clinton administration, when they limited themselves to economic issues.
“The previous agenda was focused on growth. I think we’ll continue to work on those issues and talk more broadly about security and values. I think there’s a general sense that Democrats need to be better on those issues,” said Adam Smith (D-Wash.), also a co-chairman.
Although the group did not come to any conclusion about what its positions will be — Tauscher said that process will take three months — many members said that they did enjoy an engaging discussion.
“I think good things are going to come of this. Clearly this is a group that has refound its energy and will be exerting influence in the caucus and in the public image of the party,” said Rep. Brian Baird (D-Wash.). “By this point in my life, I’ve attended thousands of these meetings, and many times I walk away and say it was a waste of time. That was not at all the case this time.”
Democratic budget guru Stan Collender moderated the meeting.
Aside from considering their broader message, New Democrats also discussed a desire to weigh in soon on predatory lending, one attendee said.
Anybody read any new ideas here? (sound of crickets chirping). They are just trying on some new "sheep's clothing". It's the Socialism, stupid.
New ideas????? How about any ideas???
Anyone have any ideas for the D party? They're needing some, pretty badly!
Oh, I've got one:
SSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.......
New Ideas?????????
First of all, a new Democrat is a young kid who has been brainwashed with old class-envy socialistic ideas. Those ideas are not new, in fact "new ideas" in the minds of Democrats don't exist.
If Ellen Tauscher is a centrist....
; 0
There is a problem here! Whenever liberals try to generate new ideas, their synapses start to fire, unfortunately they fire over each others' heads and kill a lot of innocent bystanders.
I should read "New Democrats search for an idea.
If its more socialist ideas, nothing has changed.
Yeah but they're more like PIGressives.
If the Republicans had the nerve to use it, that would be a devasting slogan.
economic growth
Raise taxes.
personal responsibility
It's not your fault.
and national security
Cut the defense budget, CIA budget, and FBI budget.
Nothing new here, folks.
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