Van Hollen: Dems must be ‘crystal clear’ on economy in 2016

[alp227]

Source: the hill

Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) says Democrats must do a better job in 2016 of touting their economic agenda as the party braces for a tough midterm election.

On MSNBC’s “Andrea Mitchell Reports” Monday, Van Hollen, the top Dem on the House Budget Committee, rejected calls for changes at the Democratic National Committee, saying that the party needed to better argue for its policies.

“I don’t think there needs to be a change in leadership, but I think what we need to do is, as we head into the next cycle, is to be crystal clear about our economic agenda, our middle-class agenda that has been drowned out for a variety of reasons,” he said.

Van Hollen pointed to the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and the Ebola outbreak, saying they had taken attention away from economic issues.

Read more: http://thehill.com/policy/finance/222647-key-dem-our-economic-agenda-must-be-crystal-clear-for-2016

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full segment on msnbc: http://www.msnbc.com/andrea-mitchell-reports/watch/republican-surrogates-aim-to-push-gop-ahead-351865923509

[elleng]

1. I agree

'as we head into the next cycle, is to be crystal clear about our economic agenda, our middle-class.' The fact that we have to 'do a better job' suggests to me that we DO need a change in leadership.

[ballyhoo]

6. Well, I'm glad someone finally said it. Unfortunately, the new

leadership will not be to our liking, I'm afraid.

[DonCoquixote]

2. Oh yes

The problem being is that Hillary has firends who want to keep the ecomnomy as is, like Rahm Emmnuel or Alice Walton.

[yurbud]

13. Rahm is Democrats Chris Christie

Not an ideologue, just a straight up corrupt thug.

[turbinetree]

3. Reporting

There should be a time slot somewhere beside C-Span to explain to the everyday American public what was/is happening in the Congress this or next year and have a big board as a background showing what this republican do nothing congress did or doesn't do.
Then have Titles of how many times they attack entitlements, education, environment ect....
And how many days vacation they have taken, and how many detrimental votes they take.
Then you can be show Andre what is CRYSTAL CLEAR and see what she has to say---not much
John Oliver had it right on his show last week.

[1StrongBlackMan]

4. Funny ...

I was just in a discussion with a group of 7 people (Group Demographics: 2 African-Americans, 1 Hispanic, 4 whites, 4 Females, 3 gay - including 1 newly recognized legally married couple, 2 Multi (multi) millionaires, all self-identifying (to a varying degree) as Democrats, or Liberals, or Progressive).

We all, pretty much, agreed that the heavy lifting on social/cultural issues have largely been accomplished (though, like with race issues, we have far, far to go) ... So we tossed around, maybe we (the Left) can leverage our work, and accomplishments, in turning the tide on the social issues, to focus intently on an economic mission.

But one of the self-identifying liberals (as opposed to her identifying as a "Democrat" or "Progressive&quot , argued: "Nahhh, that won't work because that would mean getting 6 of us to acknowledge those imperfect "accomplishments" as something other than unmitigated disasters!"

[Enrique]

5. also, the local sports team needs to put points on the board n/t

[elleng]

7. That is definitely true, Enrique!

[caber09]

8. We need change at top...

We need Howard Dean back in charge with 50 state strategy!!

[elleng]

12. Yes

[AtomicKitten]

14. He did a great job as DNC Chair.

[SoapBox]

9. He needs to tell the DNC or whoever

has been sending out all those pathetic "loser" emails.

Get some BRASS Dems! Oh and a freak'n SPINE!

[whereisjustice]

10. lol- "better argue for its policies" When it comes to spying, torture, offshoring jobs, trade deals

tax breaks for the rich, corporate welfare, seems to me the arguments in favor have been very clear.

And that's why 12th hour attempts to get people off their asses to vote aren't going so well.

[jtuck004]

11. "middle-class agenda". < Damn right It will be smaller by then, too, easier to focus on. n/t

[Gloria]

15. Chris speaks well on TV

Question: why weren't they "crystal clear" during this mid term cycle??

Now, as a business new/stock person I know damned well things are pretty crappy, but in terms of
headline news, things look "better."

And yet, the Dems sat on their hands, niche marketing...no overall message at all..LOSERS