Democrats Roll Out "New Direction" Agenda

[Rose Siding]

House Min Leader Nancy Pelosi, Sen. Min Leader Harry Reid, DCCC chair Rahm Emanuel and DSCC chair Chuck Schumer led off, rolling out their six-pronged "New Directon" agenda for print reporters at the DSCC. Nat'l and homeland security, energy independence, health care, jobs, college access and retirement security will be on the tips of every Dem tounge going into the fall, these leaders said.
...
Dem candidates will be "agents of change" running against the GOP "status quo," said Emanuel. The American people are "tired of stay the course," observed Schumer. Dems will "chart a new direction," drove home Pelosi. Americans have "had enough of this president and this Congress," declared Reid.

Perhaps most important, Schumer pointed out where his candidates were actually embracing their "6 for '06" theme. Ford with Nat'l Security on the Dubai ports in TN, Casey with retirement security on opposing Social Security privatization in NJ, McCaskill with health care on supporting stem cell research in MO, etc.

Down 1st Street an hour later, four House GOPers gathered to trumpet five of their own policy priorities......Though their message was much the same as the Dems, Republicans revealed their own internal differences as soon as they took questions. Asked about a minimum wage increase, Davis was quick to point out that the four members were not in agreement on the topic....Even more contentious was the matter of immigration.

http://hotlineblog.nationaljournal.com/archives/2006/07/a_new_direction.html

[WCGreen]

1. Good news....

Good news indeed...

[NewInNewJ.]

2. Just wish they would stick with one and get on with it!!!

[Rose Siding]

5. What do you mean? This is the one they've been planning

Here's the old format from months ago-

http://www.democrats.org/agenda.html

And in Pelosi's mid-June radio address-

http://www.democrats.org/a/2006/06/house_democrati_2.php

Now they've fleshed it out for reporters. This is the right time to do that as they expect to use the recess to campaign on these things.

[acmejack]

3. They took a new direction the other day away from their base.

Where is this direction going? I have little confidence remaining in this leadership team. Let's see, Casey will speak to a Woman's right to choose, oh wait, we gave up on that prong-new direction indeed! Leadership must be flexible to adapt to the ever changing needs of the Corporate sponsor's profit margins, I mean the people...

Forget it, just vote dem, what other choice do you have?

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

4. From* Emanuel!

*pron: Frahm

[LincolnMcGrath]

7. I get it!

lol

One need only to be in the same room one time witnessing Al From gush over Newt Gingrich to recognize why AL has such a losing track record.

[Rose Siding]

6. Corresponding mssg from Harry Reid on HuffPost-

In my home state of Nevada, in Reno, families are paying $3.12 for the gas they need to drive to work - more than double the price they were paying in 2001. That means they have hundreds of dollars less each month to spend on food, medicine, and their other needs.

In Boulder City, there's a man in a wheelchair I know from church, whose hope has been crushed because President Bush catered to the radical right and vetoed stem cell research last week.

In Las Vegas, there are two families – the Lukac's and Salazar's – who lost their sons in Iraq. Their lives will never be the same, and they're doing everything they can to ensure their sons’ sacrifices are honored.

In Pahrump, there's a senior named Robin who found her prescription drugs would cost 8 times more under the President's Medicare drug plan because it was written for drug companies, not for her.

These Nevadans – and the millions of Americans just like them – are who Democrats are standing with today. They've been ignored by the Do Nothing Republican Congress, which has put special interests and a special few first. They've suffered through weeks of debates over non-issues such as marriage, flag desecration, the estate tax, and medical malpractice. Meanwhile, their real problems have only grown worse.

We need a New Direction for America, and that is what Democrats offer. By changing course in Iraq, providing affordable health care, strengthening the middle-class, and embracing science and medical research, the Democratic agenda will unite America and turn away from the divisive politics of the last six years.

We won't pit Big Oil against working families when it's clear we're all better off pursuing a bold new future of energy independence.

We won't force workers to choose between getting by and saving for the future, because we'll protect Social Security, cut taxes for the middle-class, and build an economy where work pays.

And we won't go to war based on trumped up threats; we'll be tough and smart with a foreign policy that concentrates on our real threats, Iran, North Korea, and Osama bin Laden.

To bring our message to the American people, on the first weekend in August, House and Senate Democrats will kick off a coordinated nationwide effort. Already more than 200 town halls, press conferences, and speeches are scheduled.

And this weekend, the DNC will host 750 New Direction for America, Democratic Reunion events around the country. These events include party officials, candidates, sitting members of Congress, Governors. It’s a party wide effort to nationalize this race and bring it across the finish line.

Sign up to attend an event in your area by clicking here.

The challenges America faces are great. But we can meet them together by working in our common good, making America work for all, and charting a new direction for our great country.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sen-harry-reid/a-new-direction_b_25941.html

[Rose Siding]

8. From the press release: Americans have had enough

"Millions of Americans across the country have had enough," said Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid today. "They're tired of coming in second to Big Oil, Big Drug Companies and the radical right. They're tired of been ignored by this Do Nothing Republican Congress, while their everyday problems only grow worse. They want a new direction, and with Democrats, they're going to get it. We will unite America behind an agenda that works for all -- a change in course in Iraq, affordable health care, a stronger middle class, and a belief in science and medical research. It's time for a New Direction, and it starts today."

"Democrats are charting a New Direction, one that unites our country and creates a better America," House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi said. "Whether it's the war in Iraq, price of gas, affordable health care, or the cost of college, Americans know the country is going in the wrong direction. Our New Direction for America will address the real priorities of the American people, expanding opportunity and prosperity for all, not just the privileged few."

Over the course of the 109th Congress, Democrats have announced a series of significant policy agendas, from Real Security to Honest Leadership, that cover the breadth of what is needed to put America back on the right track. Collected as Six for '06, this legislative plan -- Real Security, better jobs at better pay for the American people, college access for all, energy independence, affordable health care and life-saving science and retirement security and dignity -- mark a crucial break with the tradition of failure of this Republican Congress. It's a New Direction exemplified by two outstanding first-term Members of Congress, who joined today in the call for change.

"This Republican Congress has been nothing more than a rubber stamp for George Bush on issue-after-issue," said Senator Bob Menendez of New Jersey. "When it counts the most -- when the American people cry out for the slightest sign of leadership from this Republican Congress -- they simply dance to whatever tune George Bush plays. Under this Republican leadership we are clearly headed in the wrong direction and the American people deserve much better. It is time for a new direction."

"Democrats are headed back to our home districts, to our neighbors, to those we serve, to speak of another way -- a New Direction for America," Congressman Emanuel Cleaver of Missouri said. "We will tell them of our hopes to bring civility, compassion and courage back to the Congress. We will remind them of a government that once served the people and that can serve them again."

Following today's event, Democrats will be taking their message of change across the country for the August Recess, holding more than two hundred New Direction events across America. Democrats are putting the Republican Do Nothing Congress on notice that the status quo will not continue. Standing united with the American people, Democrats have the right plan to take America in a New Direction.

http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=69916