Democratic Leadership's Agenda Mirrors President's - Republican Leadership At Odds With Their Base

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Jan 26, 2012

U.S. House Democrats at Retreat Turn to Obama on Message

Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives are taking a cue from President Barack Obama by casting Republicans as the roadblocks preventing passage of legislation to aid the middle class.

During their three-day strategy session at a resort on Maryland’s Eastern shore, Democrats plan to build on the sharp contrast that Obama has been drawing.

“The problem with this Congress is there is no vision, and that opens up a wide berth for us to appeal to the American people, and we’re going to do that,” said New York Representative Joe Crowley, a member of the Democratic leadership. “The American people want to see a functioning Congress.”

The theme of the Democratic party retreat, “Reigniting the American Dream,” tracks closely with the central message of Obama’s Jan. 24 State of the Union address.

read more: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-01-26/u-s-house-democrats-at-retreat-turn-to-obama-on-message.html


‘Stop-Newt’ Republicans Confront Base Unwilling to Take Orders

Jan. 26 (Bloomberg) -- Two days after Newt Gingrich defeated Mitt Romney in the South Carolina presidential primary one of Romney’s big-name backers offered a grim prediction for his fellow Republicans.

“The possibility of Newt Gingrich being our nominee against Barack Obama I think is essentially handing the election over to Obama,” former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty told reporters on a Jan. 23 conference call. “I think that’s shared by a lot of folks in the Republican Party.”

Pawlenty’s comments echoed those being uttered publicly and behind the scenes by elected Republicans, party activists, fundraisers and pundits, who represent a portion of the party establishment -- a “stop-Newt” caucus -- populated largely by people who have known the former U.S. House speaker for decades.

The question is: Can they?

“There really is no Republican establishment left that can control anything,” said Matthew Dowd, a onetime aide to President George W. Bush and now a Bloomberg Television contributor. “Some try to act like they are in charge, but the fraternity is now running the campus.”

read: http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-01-26/-stop-newt-republicans-confront-base-unwilling-to-take-orders.html

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1. Dems to Obama: Bring on 'Do-Nothing Congress' hit

CAMBRIDGE, Md. (AP) ' House Democratic leaders say they welcome a campaign by President Barack Obama against a "do-nothing Congress" even though they're part of it.

Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said Thursday it's not only okay for the president to adopt that strategy, she would encourage it. Democrats argue that Americans will then understand how Republicans are blocking the president's agenda. They say voters will also understand dysfunctional Senate rules that require 60 votes to move legislation.

But Democrats control the Senate and have 191 seats in the House. Voters who already hold Congress in low regard could send lawmakers from both parties packing.

http://production.broadcastnewsroom.com/article/Dems-to-Obama:-Bring-on-Do-Nothing-Congress-hit-1854160