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.
89 Responses to “Move to the Center or Forfeit the Majority”
Paul, indeed a good sign. It is very clear, though, that this debate is far from over. I’d argue that this debate should have been dealt with immediately after the elections, or even before.
They seem to be heading toward the right direction though.
Very insightful; thanks for pulling and sharing this material, Paul. I also tend to agree with Michael vdG that it would have been nice to see this type of effort several months ago, but better late than never, especially if it has a material impact on how they govern and manage the process from concepts to bills to laws.
Yes exactly Pete.
It does worry me a bit actually: will people like Clinton be able to persuade those who might favor a more partisan approach?
Moving to the center is a good thing. Just be careful how you do it. Since 1994 the Republicans have attempted to portray every proposal they make as being the center, not far right, not extremely conservative. It doesn’t matter what it was, with a wink and a not to their hard core base they’d deny anything they did lay outside of the American mainstream, i.e. the center. This mustn’t be allowed to continue. When this is tried again and it will be, call them on it loud and clear. At the same time bring forth a proposal that really is centrist. Let everyone compare and contrast. This is the successful way to be centrist.
(Horrendously off topic: Jim, glad to see that you started your own blog a few days ago. I encourage everyone to go check it out)
Jim S- Yes and many on the right have portrayed every single Democrat as a far lefty – almost a socialist. That’s why the Dems chose a modest, centrist platform. I would like to see the GOP take a step back towards the middle and towards common sense, but I don’t expect to see it, until they lose a few more elections.
Thanks, Michael. I’m still playing with the look and other things. Also, as I mentioned in one of my posts there I’m probably going to move it from being hosted by WordPress to another hosting service though I’ll stick with the WordPress software. There are limitations on the WordPress site that I don’t want to stay within.
And I have the domain name registered already.
Hi – enjoyed your home page!
good URL!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wow! I didn’t know that site was that good!
Just stopped by to visit and got the crunch on your stuff in here – bravo!
We loved the site, really loved it!
You have a good site, i enjoyed my stay!
Thank you, friends, for your sharing your ideas
Man, what a well set-up website!
I see we share a common interest! Excellent job on the website!
We really liked the website .. Thank you.
I just want you to know that I think you did a terrific job on this websight.
Thanks for a lovely site, I am very impressed
Thank you for providing this site and guest book.
The stuff on this web site is really witty and cool wise
YES,VERY GOOD WEBSITE!
Keep it up (like I do
) Great site – loved the bit about yourselves.
Please let me know if there are any equally great sites like this you can recommend to me. Thanks Again
Keep it up (like I do
) Great site – loved the bit about yourselves.
I love this site, there is so much information to be found. Thank you.
Ich finde Ihre Homepage sehr gut und fundiert. Die Informationen helfen mir bei einer Diplomarbeit für den Bereich der Medizinischen Dokumentation vielen Dank und weiter so.
howdy I quite enjoyed this website .
I used this site to get information for that i had in my class. This is an excellent site for this information
What a great web site…
i really loved your site and found it to be very friendly and helpfull.
I like your website ,and like to communicate with everyone on this issue!
I found your website after I have been surfing the internet to be useful
de, – Sunday, February 22, 2004 at 11:47:29 (PST)
I admire you on the willingness to share this info with others – good luck!
Thank you for the great web site – a true resource, and one many people clearly enjoy
Ein wirklich sehr Interessante Seite mit guten Informationen.
Logging into this website should be a requirement for anyone knowledgeable on earth these days…
Thank you for opening a wonderfully new sight..I wish you the best of luck with your new venture.
I really, truly am glad I found this site. It has answered so many questions for me. I will be back. Thank You
%-) genuinely interested by this website
Sehr informative Seite. Vielen Dank für die Infos!
I have admire your unselfishness in taking the time to make this web site.
Great Website! It helps me a lot with my tough homework. I’m not so hot in that class
Thanks for the hard work, keep it up!
Lovely to see such a wonderful site. Thank you
Hi from New York And thanks for the web site. It was just the thing I had been looking for. It has helped me no end. Thanks again
This was a great site. I needed to find something for my Homework and This site helped me out so much! Thanx alot!!!!
U’ve got good pics, the site could use a tiny bit of work (no offense) its still awesome
good work, will back soon, great site congratulation!!