Democratic Party

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Shift to Right in Europe Bodes Ill for US Dems

(Newser) - The global recession has sparked a conservative, anti-immigrant impulse in Europe—see the right’s victory in European Parliament elections—and US liberals should take notice, Michael Lind writes for Salon. Though “it would be a mistake to read too much into the elections” as the “European Parliament...

To McAuliffe's Surprise, Va. Dem Primary Up for Grabs

(Newser) - Democrats head to the polls today in Virginia for a surprisingly tight gubernatorial primary, Politico reports. Last-minute polls show Creigh Deeds surging ahead of Terry McAuliffe and Brian Moran. If he pulls out the win, it’ll be a major upset—McAuliffe, the former DNC chair, had been expected to...

Black President, Sure; Alabama Governor? We'll See

(Newser) - In the post-Obama political landscape, a young congressman is attempting a feat perhaps more difficult than putting a black man in the White House, writes Robbie Brown in the New York Times. That would be putting a black man in the Alabama governor’s mansion. “Yes, it will be...

Rush, Newt Push Media to the Right
Rush, Newt Push Media
to the Right
OPINION

Rush, Newt Push Media to the Right

They're mainstream while progressives are ignored: Dionne

(Newser) - Media coverage of Barack Obama is closed-minded and biased—in favor of conservatives. "Rush Limbaugh's sneezes or Newt Gingrich's tweets" circulate like wildfire, but criticism of the president from the Democratic left goes unheard, writes EJ Dionne of the Washington Post. The result is a skewed picture in which...

Obama Already Throwing Weight for Midterms

Takes steps for Reid, Specter, Gillibrand 4 months into term

(Newser) - He’s been in office just a few months—but President Obama’s already working to get Democrats elected in 2010, the Wall Street Journal reports. So far this month, Obama has urged a potential candidate to run in North Carolina, battled a primary threat to Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, pledged...

Falwell's Liberty U. Quashes Campus Dems

(Newser) - Jerry Falwell’s conservative Christian Liberty University has suspended the student Democratic Club for supporting candidates “directly contrary to the mission” of the school, the Lynchburg News Advance reports. Virginia Democrats are up in arms. “I urge the leadership of Liberty University to reverse this attack on the...

Dem Donor Hsu Pleads Guilty to $20M Fraud

Ponzi scheme garnered illegal political donations: feds

(Newser) - Democratic fundraiser Norman Hsu pleaded guilty today to 10 counts of wire and mail fraud related to an alleged $20 million Ponzi scheme. Prosecutors say Hsu, now 58, bullied victims into contributing to political causes and made illegal donations to politicians like Hillary Clinton, who eventually returned $850,000. His...

Dems Promised Me Seniority: Demoted Specter

(Newser) - Arlen Specter, demoted to junior spots on Senate committees after switching to the Democratic Party, thought things would be different, he told CNN today. Majority Leader Harry Reid “said that I would maintain my committee assignments,” Specter said, “and that my seniority would be established as if...

Hoyer and Pelosi: Unlikely Allies
 Hoyer and Pelosi: 
 Unlikely Allies 
Analysis

Hoyer and Pelosi: Unlikely Allies

(Newser) - Nancy Pelosi and Steny Hoyer are about as different as Democrats get; he’s an affable Blue Dog budget hawk, she’s the pugilistic progressive poster girl. When Hoyer ran for House majority leader, Pelosi backed the other guy. But these days, the two are thick as thieves, Politico reports,...

Rendell Gets Machiavellian in Specter Switch
Rendell Gets Machiavellian in Specter Switch
Analysis

Rendell Gets Machiavellian in Specter Switch

Senate ambitions may have played role in governor's courtship

(Newser) - Arlen Specter’s party switch was a "seriously Machiavellian" move by Joe Biden and, particularly, Gov. Ed Rendell, writes Eleanor Clift of Newsweek. Biden’s self-interest in the matter is obvious: Specter represents the all-important 60th Senate vote. But the "gregarious, ambitious" Rendell, an even closer friend of...

Obama 'Thrilled' to See Specter Join Dems

'You have my full support,' president tells Pa. senator in call

(Newser) - Within minutes after Sen. Arlen Specter announced he was switching from the Republican to the Democratic Party, President Obama called Specter from the Oval Office, welcoming him into the fold, Politico reports. We are “thrilled to have you,” Obama said, adding, “You have my full support.”...

Specter Defects to Democrats
 Specter Defects to Democrats 

Specter Defects to Democrats

(Newser) - Arlen Specter is jumping to the Democrats, leaving the party excruciatingly close to a filibuster-proof Senate majority, reports Politico. Sources say VP Joe Biden was key to the effort to recruit the Pennsylvania senator. “Since my election in 1980, as part of the Reagan Big Tent, the Republican Party...

Obama Pandered to Lefties With Memo Release: Cheney

Ex-VP slams Obama terror policies

(Newser) - Dick Cheney said President Obama’s release of Bush administration torture memos was meant “essentially to appease a certain element of the Democratic Party or because of campaign commitments,” Politico reports. Speaking on Fox News, Cheney did a mocking impression of al-Qaeda’s reaction: “Gee whiz, isn't...

Dems Draw a Bead on 'Party of No'

After earmark battle, a plan to show GOP as devoid of ideas

(Newser) - Democrats are going on the attack in a new campaign labeling Republicans as “the party of ‘no,’” Politico reports. Officials and ads will argue that Republicans are playing a knee-jerk political game in opposing Democratic measures, like President Obama’s budget proposal, without offering alternatives. The...

Unless He Resigns, Senate Likely Stuck With Burris

The embattled Senator, though lacking support, pledges to dig in and fight

(Newser) - Whatever problems Roland Burris had being seated in the Senate, they pale in comparison to the problems the Senate will have getting rid of him, the Los Angeles Times reports. Expulsion from the Senate requires a two-thirds vote; the last senators to be formally booted were alleged rebel supporters during...

Fast-Track New Stimulus: Pelosi

(Newser) - Congressional Democrats are looking to fast-track a $600 billion economic stimulus package in the first weeks of the New Year, the Washington Post reports. Nancy Pelosi said today lawmakers are working with the Obama transition team to craft the plan, which is smaller than the $1 trillion scheme floated earlier....

Dems, It's OK to Use 'Liberal' Tag Again
Dems, It's OK to Use
'Liberal' Tag Again
OPINION

Dems, It's OK to Use 'Liberal' Tag Again

Label is ready to make a comeback

(Newser) - Now that Democrats have started winning again, Michael Lind wants to go back to using the word “liberal” instead of “progressive.” Writing in Salon, he explains why:
  • A name change isn’t going to protect anyone from criticism in any case, so be brave. “Your enemies
...

Obama's Grassroots Army Ponders Next Move

Broad movement may dissipate if asked to work toward merely party-oriented goals

(Newser) - Barack Obama’s campaign bred a network of grassroots activists who subscribed to the “Obama brand,” not necessarily the Democratic party. As Obama prepares for office, his advisers are split, the Los Angeles Times reports: Should the powerful grassroots operation remain separate from the party’s, mobilized to...

Palin's Flop Shows Gender Doesn't Sway Women Voters

It's the agenda, stupid: Goodman

(Newser) - This election showed a female candidate won’t automatically draw women’s votes if most women disagree with her on the issues, Ellen Goodman writes in the Boston Globe: “It’s not the gender … but the agenda.” With women traditionally putting economic issues—and more governmental control—...

Dem Lobbyists Step Up, Prepare to Cash In

High premium on connection to the party in power

(Newser) - As Democrats adjust to controlling all three branches of government, Democratic lobbyists are flying high, reports the Washington Post. Barack Obama's stated resistance to influence-peddling notwithstanding, the trend that took off after control of Congress flipped 2 years ago is gaining speed. “In this climate, Democratic backgrounds are attractive...

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