New Democrat Update - April 1998
MUCH TO CELEBRATE, MUCH MORE TO DO
Al From, President & CEO of the national DLC, visited Denver on March 17 and spoke at a Colorado DLC Legislative Forum luncheon. From’s message is both encouraging and challenging to all New Democrats - we achieved much but we have so much more to do.
The Clinton presidency has turned around the Democratic Party on such issues as fiscal discipline, welfare, and crime. President Clinton has proven that Democrats can preside over a balanced budget, the best economic recovery in two decades and the largest ever reduction in the federal workforce.
In addition, the New Democrat message is succeeding beyond our national borders, with a strong tie to Tony Blair, prime minister of the United Kingdom. Now Germany has nominated a new progressive in the same Clinton-Blair mold, further evidence that a new, "third way" political message is meaningful to a wide audience.
At the same time, the Democratic Party is at a critical juncture with the impending end of the Clinton era. New Democrats are winning the battle of ideas within the party but are entering a new phase that must go beyond relying on Clinton to sell our ideas. The movement must become an even stronger political network around the country, expanding the base of new elected officials and leaders who can talk the talk and walk the walk.
After the luncheon, From met with Denver Mayor Wellington Webb, members of the Webb administration, and the Denver Post editorial board. The next morning, he had a breakfast meeting with State Rep. Bob Bacon and State Rep. Jennifer Veiga to discuss how the DLC can be more helpful to state and local elected officials. From ended his visit, meeting with Fred Brown, Political Editor of The Denver Post.
From helped form the national DLC in 1985 and has developed the organization into the leading source of policy innovation within the Democratic Party. Today, DLC membership has risen to several thousand citizen activists and elected officials, including some of the nation's most respected lawmakers. One in nine Democratic state and local legislators in the country is now a DLC member.
The Colorado DLC thanks Al From for sharing his thoughtful and insightful comments with us!
AUTO CHOICE II
Last month, the New Democrat Update supported Rep. Veiga's bill to reduce the amount of required minimum personal injury coverage in auto insurance from $130,000 to $15,000. Thanks to everyone for their feedback!
While the proposal died in the State Senate, New Democrats should continue supporting measures that give drivers more choices. For example, another idea gives motorists the option to not sue for non-economic damages for personal injuries resulting from an accident. While still eligible for economic losses, consumers could reduce their insurance costs by 20-30 percent if they agree not to sue other drivers for pain and suffering.
For more information on this proposal, see the article by Congressman Jim Moran (D-Virginia), CO-chair of House New Democrat Coalition, in the January/February 1998 issue of The New Democrat. Again, please let the Colorado DLC know what you think.