Centrists Team Up for New Coalition

[ProSense]

Centrists Team Up for New Coalition

By Jessica Brady
Roll Call Staff

Sen. Mark Begich (Alaska) and Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley are joining forces to launch NewDEAL, a nonprofit coalition aimed at building a farm team of young Democratic officeholders with future statewide ambitions.

The group, which launches today, will bring together 10 local and state officials “to look for fresh ideas outside of Washington, D.C., where local leaders are developing and testing pro-growth progressive ideas out on the ground,” according to a release.

Among the 10 names being touted in the first class is Nevada Secretary of State Ross Miller, a potential candidate for Senate in 2012.

"Centrists"? That's not how Begich and O'Malley are billing the group.

Governor O’Malley, Senator Begich Announce Launch of The NewDEAL to Recognize State and Local Pro-Growth Progressive Leaders New Organization Unveils First Group of State & Local Elected Officials

Today, Governor Martin O’Malley of Maryland and U.S. Senator Mark Begich of Alaska announce the launch of the NewDEAL, a new national network committed to elevating pro-growth progressive state and local elected leaders and their innovative ideas from across the country.

Ten rising elected officials from across the country have been selected as the first group of NewDEAL leaders for their work championing ideas ranging from progressive tax reform to fostering small business growth and streamlining government spending.

“Too often in DC, pro-growth and progressive goals are seen as opposed to each other. But as former mayors, Governor O’Malley and I saw first hand how solutions that were both pro-growth and progressive could help to grow the economy in a way that expands opportunity for everyone. The NewDEAL is designed to highlight and foster these types of ideas and leaders,” said Senator Begich, Honorary Co-Chair of the NewDEAL.

“Senator Begich and I have joined the NewDEAL, because we believe that we need to look for fresh ideas not just from the top down in Washington DC, but also from the bottom up, where local leaders are developing and testing their ideas out on the ground,” said Governor O’Malley, Honorary Co-Chair of the NewDEAL.

The first ten leaders to be recognized by the NewDEAL hail from a diverse set of regions and hold a variety of local elected positions. Those ten are:

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Progressives? I think "centrist" is more appropriate.

Still, this is what needs to be done. If only a group of elected (and non-elected) progressives would form such a coalition.

[Vincardog]

1. we don't need any more 'centrists' we need some fucking full on LIBERALS

[ProSense]

2. Don't expect Begich and O'Malley to identify them. n/t

[Telly Savalas]

5. I intend to write "Fuck the DLC" on my primary ballot

in the hopes that a liberal candidate materializes out of thin air and beats these people.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

6. Great idea. I'm with you on that.

[ProSense]

7. Good idea. n/t

[leftonlongisland]

8. O'Malley's not a centrist

I'm not so sure this group is centrist. Brian Beutler made an interesting point about them on TPM:

"An early goal for the group is to swing back against the idea that conservative ideas are the only fuel for economic growth, and take back that initiative for progressives"

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/03/new-progressive-group-aims-to-close-the-talent-gap-between-left-and-right.php

[msongs]

3. they will just help the president promote the republican agenda nt

[ProSense]

4. So Begich and O'Malley are Republicans?

Do you know if they agree with the President's entire agenda?

Which part of the his agenda is Republican: the health care law, education and infrastructure spending, energy independence, Wall Street reform?

[Avant Guardian]

9. lol

What center? What is the political philosophy of the 'center?' Half republican 'ideas' in everything?

'centrist' = self hating Democrat