Congressional Democrats on Thursday declared they would run on their legislative record this fall, rejecting former President Clinton’s advice to counter a new Republican policy agenda with one of their own.
The Democrats’ decision to run on what they have accomplished over the last two years is politically tricky. Polls show that many Americans are skeptical of the two signature items of the 111th Congress: the new healthcare law and President Obama’s stimulus package.
House and Senate Democratic leaders on Thursday ridiculed the Republicans’ “Pledge to America,” a manifesto designed as a sequel to the “Contract With America” that helped the GOP win control of Congress in 1994. Democrats dubbed the document a “pledge to special interests” and said they have no plans to release their own governing white paper.
Democrats used a “New Direction for America” in 2006 when they recaptured the House and Senate, with slogan-friendly policy proposals such as “Six for ’06.” Some of the six policy items were signed into law in 2007 and 2008, while others were vetoed by President George W. Bush.
Last cycle, congressional Democrats adopted the “hope and change” message of then-Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), significantly bolstering their majorities in both chambers.
But this year, Democrats don’t have one clear, bumper sticker-friendly message.
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3 comments:
If they run on their record they will not get very far. Do they mean cap and trade, health care, massive wasteful spending, tarp, stimulus, etc? In case they haven't heard, 70% of the people don't like anything that they have passed. I hope the Dems just keep following Obama right over the cliff like a bunch of lemmings.
The Democrats won't put out their own "white paper" rebuttal to the Republicans Pledge to America?? You know why?? Because if they DID tell America what they planned to do in the next 2 years, we would probably revolt. Raise taxes some more? Close more small businesses? Come up with an ever-increasing list of new fees, taxes, levies, and charges for services that we are already taxed for? Tighten government controls on even more aspects of society? Give away more money to those who never wanted any that they earned themselves? Build more public housing? Corrupt the Constitution some more? Have people who have never been in the military and disdainfully speak about the military, tell the military how to wage a war and to include gay people? Take more and more benefits from seniors and veterans? Expand government beyond its already extremely bloated condition? Denigrate any citizen who dares to challenge the entrenched power structure as racist and redneck? This is all they have -- and they (rightly so) don't really want to say those things, so the best they have is to preach to the choir about the stimulis (a failure, and everyone knows it) and the health care reform (which WILL be a fiscal disaster, is being challenged in court, and was not a popular idea). Good luck with THAT, Dems...
If they do run on their record and don't get completely whipped in November they will see that as a victory and then the real change will come. Or should I say chains!
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