Democratic Governors to Name New Leaders

[Freddie Stubbs]

By RON FOURNIER
The Associated Press




WASHINGTON - Democratic governors hope to wrest control of their beleaguered party and make their homegrown policies, tactics and political organizations a key to reversing Republican gains.

"Democratic governors are going to reassert ourselves in the Democratic Party, both on policy and organizational issues," Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico said Wednesday. "Democrats can't be a Washington-based party."

The political call to arms will be launched Thursday, when the Democratic Governors Association meets to officially name Richardson its chairman and Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm its vice chair.

The governors also will hold private talks about the future of the party, their contribution to an effort by anxious Democrats everywhere to determine how to recover from the devastating Nov. 2 elections.

more: http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/1-12022004-409680.html

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

1. I'm glad they're organizing, but Richardson should temper his comments.

"Democrats can't be a Washington-based party."

That isn't a very productive statement at all. It didn't need to be said and it puts us all in a bad light.

[Freddie Stubbs]

2. Oh course a Governor is going to say this

They want more power and money going to the states, where they are in charge.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

3. I know why he said it, but it only increases the "out of touch" stigma.

[Freddie Stubbs]

4. That who is out of touch?

Washington politicians? Remember who is running the show there. Creating that perception may be a good thing.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

5. That our entire party is out of touch with "heartland values".

You know, that typical bullshit line.

[janx]

7. I wouldn't call New Mexico the heartland, exactly...

[janx]

6. The idea of taking our country back is spreading!

Do you think that Gov. Dean had anything to do with this? ;-)

I'm so hell bent on getting a Dem governor back in Colorado...

[NVMojo]

8. if there is a dem governor from a blue state who says he supports

"states rights" over federal control, I will move to that state. Civil war was also over this issue.

[janx]

9. Well get ready. I think you might have a few states to choose

from in the next few years if this effort works. It's about time!

[rockymountaindem]

10. I'm glad to hear that.

It's just one more step towards localizing the party and narrowing down our focus to the local and regional level. If it worked for the Republicans over the past 40 years it can work for Democrats too.