New Democrat Update - November 2006

WHAT COLORADANS REALLY WANT

Last month’s New Democrat Update summarized the major conclusions of a Colorado DLC poll, conducted by RBI Strategies. This time around, the NDU takes a look at some other important findings, especially those that focus on what it takes to govern successfully - key at a time when Colorado Democrats could well occupy the governor’s seat and control both houses of the legislature.

Voters are not calling for governing philosophies from either polar extreme - far from it. A significant majority of Coloradans want limited, activist government. Few are extreme libertarians, seeking to indiscriminately dismantle the public sector. Even fewer want go back to a FDR like-paternalistic style of governing. In sharp contrast to those two extremes, almost two-thirds - an increase from eight years ago - want a government that empowers and equips people with the tools they need to solve their own problems.

Along those same lines, Coloradans are not income redistributionists - they are “aspirationists.” When asked if it is more important to redistribute existing wealth or to enable everyone to have a chance to make a higher income, 84% pick the latter. They want a bigger economic pie, not one sliced up more equally. Traditional Democratic class-war politics will simply not work in Colorado.

Dissatisfaction about state legislators from both parties is rising. The following table shows the percentage of voters who ranked Democrats and Republicans as “good” and “poor” in 1998 and last summer. The drop in good and increase in poor is significant - and troubling.

		1998	2006
Democrats -	Good	53%	41%
	Poor	10	14

Republicans -	Good	54	33
	Poor	10	17

When voters are asked why they identify with either Democrats or Republicans, the second-ranked reason for their choice is “the lesser of two evils” (As it has been historically, party affiliation is the most reliable predictor of voter behavior). Indeed, neither party has much to celebrate when 15 percent pick Democrats and another 17 percent pick Republicans primarily because they despise the other side. Clearly, both parties have a lot of work to do to truly win these folks over.

The character of elected officials counts more than ever. Voters rate “integrity” as the single most important trait they value in elected officials, well above their positions on issues such as education and health care, and other traits such as “moral values” or “shares my values.” In this age of cynicism, the electorate is valuing authenticity above all else.

Education ranks as voters’ number one issue. In addition, a majority supports a complete overhaul of the public education system, rather than incremental change. They have also rejected the false choice of more reform or more resources - they want both. The number one problem cited was educational bureaucracy (24%), followed closely by lack of funding (21%) and too little parental involvement (18%).

Increasingly, voters are willing to consider major health care reforms. When asked to describe the state’s system, 43% said it “needs a complete overhaul,” 36% said it “needs some changes, but nothing major” and only nine percent believe it needs a “minor tune up.” By a significant margin, affordability of health care trumps accessibility to it.

It is no longer an issue just for older voters. As costs continue to increase well over the rate of inflation, 30% of those aged 35-44 believe health care is a top priority. It is also near the top of the list of concerns for unaffiliateds and was the second-highest rated issue (behind only education) among voters who are undecided on whom to support for the state legislature.

The consensus that something must be done about health care costs is clearly growing. Increasingly, the debate will be over which reforms make the most sense.

The importance of water issues is growing. For now, Democrats have a slight advantage, especially with unaffiliated voters. Republicans appear to be suffering from their support of Referendum A, overwhelmingly rejected by voters in 2003. The ballot measure would have constructed reservoirs and diverted water from one river basin to another.

Finally, and consistent with all of the above, voters are dissatisfied with both sides of the debate, disliking the terms “conservative” or “liberal.” Subtracting the negative responses from the positive ones results in a deficit of 17 points for liberal and 8 for conservative. Only “progressive” has a net positive of 32 points - a term clearly associated with Democrats (Certainly “progressive Republican” is an oxymoron these days). That represents a considerable plus for our party.

The bottom line - Colorado could turn solid blue in the near future - if Democrats can get it right.

BILL RITTER’S “COLORADO PROMISE”

Bill Ritter is the only candidate in the governors’ race who has developed a broad, reform-oriented vision that will truly meet Colorado’s challenges. “The Colorado Promise” articulates an optimistic, forward-looking governing philosophy that speaks with a clear sense of common purpose, and advocates innovative, practical solutions, rooted in mainstream values.

Based on hope, rather than fear, it demonstrates what he stands for and not just what he is against. It shows how much he wants to get done - not how much he will stop the other side from doing. It is a road map of where he will take the state, as well as the guiding principles by which he will govern, and the strategies it will take to get there.

Rather than clinging to the familiar past and simply protecting the old arrangements, it embraces the future with new ideas. It replaces the doctrine of every man or woman for himself or herself with one that focuses on the common good. It represents a new kind of public activism that equips citizens, families, and communities with the tools they need to solve their own problems.

The Promise’s proposals will ensure that every Coloradan has a chance to get ahead in a growing economy and the opportunity to get quality health care. Its economic strategies will give the middle class and those less fortunate hope again. It assures all Coloradans that their future can be better than the past.

Finally, it emphasizes fiscal responsibility and includes specific strategies that will ensure state government works better, make it more responsive to those it serves - and more accountable to those who pay for it.

See all of it for yourself here.