New Democrat Update - September 1998
COLORADO DEMOCRATS FACE HISTORIC OPPORTUNITY
According to a poll commissioned by the Colorado DLC, state rank-and-file Democrats, unaffiliated voters and members of the middle class, along with many moderate Republicans, want a new choice in politics. They are increasingly tired of an old left-right debate that is more focused on rehashing the past, rather than building the future. In contrast to the agendas of narrow special interests, ossified bureaucracies and outdated ideologies, the electorate wants pragmatic solutions to the issues we face today. In other words, they are desperately seeking a “Third Way.”
A majority of Colorado Democrats and over two-thirds of the middle class describe themselves as either moderate, somewhat conservative or very conservative. By almost a two to one margin, Democrats and the middle class believe in a DLC type of public sector that helps people equip themselves to solve their own problems. Only small numbers believe in a FDR New Deal-style government that protects people from adversity or in a libertarian one that merely stays out of our lives.
Significant majorities of Colorado Democratic, unaffiliated and middle class voters are focusing on crime, high taxes and government spending and family values. While these have been traditionally “Republican issues,” the poll indicates that Democrats can neutralize these significant disadvantages by emphasizing sound economics, fiscal accountability, being tough on crime, personal responsibility and other mainstream values.
If Democrats demonstrate credibility on these fronts, they can then move to issues where they have traditionally enjoyed advantages. In fact, state legislative Democrats today get great marks from their own base, the middle class and unaffiliated voters on caring about them, advocating children's interests, helping working families, creating opportunities for everyone and protecting senior citizens.
Large majorities of voters, across the political spectrum, cite affordable, high-quality health care, managing growth effectively, and better transportation systems as concerns. While usually giving Democrats an edge on these important policy debates, voters have little faith in either party. Support can be significantly broadened and deepened if Democrats communicate effective messages, backed by serious policy proposals, that address these problems in a commonsensical, economically sensitive and cost-effective manner.
At the same time, Democrats must move beyond the narrow concerns of some traditional constituency groups by advocating new messages and policy initiatives that put the debate back on progressive terms. For example, on affirmative action, we should call for an end to the gridlock caused by traditional liberals who defend the status quo and conservatives who merely seek to divide and conquer. Similarly, almost 90 percent of Colorado rank-and-file Democrats favor free trade - an issue on which labor unions have specifically taken a strong and opposing position.
Colorado Democrats can clearly build a majority coalition around this new Third Way while maintaining their traditional progressive principles. It is imperative to continue pushing for enduring values like equal opportunity, cultural tolerance, an active public sector, a sense of community and a special commitment to those less fortunate Coloradans. However, in this new era, Democrats must rethink how to apply these important principles. Party leaders must radically change the means to achieve these ends just like progressives did at other great turning points in our history like the Industrial Revolution, the Great Depression and the Civil Rights Movement.
The telephone survey of 806 voters, including an oversampling of 400 Democrats, was conducted by the Norwest Public Opinion Research Program of the Graduate School of Public Affairs at the University of Colorado at Denver. It was completed in July 1998.