New Democrat Update

FEELEY ELECTED CO-CHAIR

State Senator and Minority Leader Mike Feeley has been elected the new CO-Chair of the Colorado DLC. Governor Roy Romer is the DLC’s other CO-Chair, as well as the national DLC’s vice chairperson and General Chairman of the Democratic National Committee.

“I have been in the trenches on issues that are important to Democrats and New Democrats,” said Feeley, in a news release. “My work with the DLC during the past six years has involved issues grounded in common sense and development of policy beyond traditional labels. I am honored the DLC has chosen me to be CO-Chair for Colorado and look forward to participating in the public debate.”

Having Senator Feeley on board is a real boost to the New Democrat movement in Colorado. The Senator embraces a new third way in politics that emphasizes opportunity, responsibility and community, rooted in mainstream values. His leadership in the Senate and as an elected official will strengthen the important role already played by the DLC across the state.

Additionally, the Board elected Stan Wilks, CPA, as its Treasurer and activist Scott Hutchings as Secretary. Both are new to the board.

Welcome and thanks to Senator Feeley, Mr. Wilks and Mr. Hutchings for their leadership!

WHAT DO DEMOCRATS REALLY THINK?

In the next few months, the Colorado DLC will conduct a statewide poll on the public policy views of rank-and-file Democrats and the general public. The poll will conclude if the views and interests of the so-called “base” Democratic vote are significantly similar or dissimilar with independent voters. Customized to Colorado's current situation, the questionnaire will be modeled after recent state surveys conducted by the New Democrat Network and the national DLC’s report, “The New Democratic Electorate.”

Thus far, State Reps. Bob Bacon, Dan Grossman, Bob Hagedorn, Jennifer Veiga, and Suzanne Williams, along with State Sens. Mike Feeley and Stan Matsunaka, will be participating in this key initiative. They will serve as advisors to review the questionnaire, oversee the project and analyze the poll's results. In addition to strengthening the survey's usefulness, these advisors will also present the results and findings to other Democrats across the state.

The New Democrat Update will keep you informed on the progress and conclusions of this very important poll of Colorado Democrats and the general public. Stay tuned!

ADD YOUR VOICE!

The Democratic Leadership Council is hosting the second annual National Conversation, Thursday, June 4, in Washington, DC. The meeting - beginning at 8:45 AM and adjourning at 5:00 PM - will focus on some of the successful New Democrat ideas with leaders from around the country. That evening, there will be a reception for the best and brightest New Democrat leaders and supporters.

The DLC forged the New Democrat agenda of opportunity, responsibility, community, and empowering government - the cornerstone of the platform on which President Clinton was twice elected to the White House. We have already moved our nation beyond politics as usual with successful ideas like voluntary national service, welfare reform, community policing, charter schools, fiscal restraint, and tax credits for the working poor. However, past successes do not ensure a solid future for our nation or for Democratic politics.

The DLC is at a critical juncture as we begin a new phase of our mission. After making a tremendous impact at the national level, we are now focused on identifying and promoting the next generation of New Democratic leadership - both elected officials and civic leaders - for the 21st century. Add your voice and help us develop an agenda based on progressive ideas, mainstream values, and fiscally responsible approaches to governing.

Please RSVP for this important event by contacting Allison Baker or Helen Milby at 202-546-0007.

A NEW LABOR

The March/April edition of The New Democrat makes two very strong, basic cases. First, workers face a new set of realities and challenges. Second, the labor movement must play an important, but very different, role in the New Economy.

New Democrats frequently and seriously clash with organized labor on a wide array of issues. We have been proponents of free trade - specifically NAFTA, GATT and giving fast-track authority to President Clinton. The DLC also strongly advocates reinventing our public-sector systems, including education, welfare and job training. The AFL-CIO opposes all of the above. The editorial in this month's magazine says it best:

With notable exceptions - some of which are highlighted in this issue - the US labor movement has failed to respond effectively to these economic changes. Instead, many union leaders have hunkered down, hoping to stop or stem the restructuring of our economy and the modernization of our public institutions. This is why union leaders resist deeper integration in global markets, even at the cost of denying all Americans the economic benefits of open and expanding trade. This is why they cling to a nostalgic view of union militancy, even as the New Economy redefines economic security in terms of empowering individuals to hone their skills, collaborate in flexible workplaces, and control health and pensions and other key resources.

At the same time, we strongly believe that New Democrats and organized labor can and should be important parts of a new progressive movement in America. In fact, a different kind of labor movement is essential to the interests of the middle-class and those less fortunate.

This is insightful and provocative reading you do not want to miss!