Move to the Center or Forfeit the Majority
The Congressional Quarterly offered some valuable insight into the mindset of the Democrats at this weekend’s Congressional retreat Democrats Serve Up Clinton-Style Centrism at Retreat
…The retreat will give the Democrats some uninterrupted time to discuss what they intend to do with their new majority in the 110th Congress — and how they should interact with opposition Republicans in Congress and with President Bush.
“This is one of the first tests for Democrats,’’ said Leon E. Panetta, a former House member from California who was budget director and chief of staff under Clinton. “They have to decide whether they want an issue. If they want more partisan trench warfare, they will dig in their heels and won’t get anything done.�
…Panetta, along with other party activists, is advising Democratic leaders to compromise for the sake of legislative triumphs. “Speaker Pelosi will have to persuade members that moving to the center is the right thing to do,â€? Panetta said.
Liberals… suggested that watering down Democratic priorities and compromising with Republicans could disappoint their party’s liberal loyalists.
…Clinton’s name has been invoked by lawmakers in both parties and by top White House officials in trying to persuade Pelosi and other Democratic leaders to move to the center on a range of issues.
Bush’s budget director, Rob Portman, has said he hopes to achieve a budget deal similar to the 1997 balanced budget law (PL 105-33) worked out by Clinton with a GOP-controlled Congress.
Charles E. Grassley of Iowa, ranking Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, argued this week that Pelosi should accept the bipartisan Senate minimum wage bill because it was similar to a 1996 minimum wage raise (PL 104-188) combined with business tax breaks that was “good enough for Clinton.�
“He’s the perfect person to make the argument for centrist compromises, both because they make for good government and because he can argue that, politically, they are the only way for Democrats to retain their majority,� Panetta said.
…“I would not say we are in the center yet. But one thing I like about Speaker Pelosi is that she can put aside her personal politics and do what’s good for the caucus,â€? Stupak said. “We need to move to the center. She has not tried to impose her views on the caucus.â€?
This is an inspired conversation and reflects that adults may be finally in charge who understand the art and necessity of pragmatic compromise. I believe that Moderate Voters will credit the Dems with any progress made in the 110th Congress, particularly if they are willing to compromise to get things done. And if the Dem leaders successfully position themselves as deal makers we will credit the GOP and liberal ideologues for any stalemates.
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