Internal Democratic Fights Come to a Head This Week

[Valin]

National Journal:

At Hill meetings and a Philadelphia retreat, the House minority will debate term limits and an economic message.

Alex Brown

Jan. 26 2015

 

In the first weeks of a new Congress, House Democrats are like an army in retreat: They're outnumbered, isolated, and divided over how—or if—to make a stand.

 

Even the weather is being uncooperative: Later this week, as a blizzard envelops the Northeast, they'll head to Philadelphia for rallying cries and tough discussions about the future of their party. And before that retreat, members will have to address a growing debate over whether the party's reluctance to impose term limits on its committee leaders is stifling opportunities for the up-and-comers who will define the party's future.

 

Public details about the retreat are so far sparse, though President Obama is slated to address the caucus Thursday, followed by Vice President Joe Biden the day after. While the gathering will no doubt feature its share of rah-rah moments, senior staffers for both moderate and progressive coalitions within the caucus agreed that its substance will center on the search for a consensus economic message.

 

"There seems to be a debate happening about what kind of economic populism House Democrats are going to be pushing this Congress," said one aide to a prominent liberal member. The staffer requested anonymity to discuss internal debates, comparing members who want to grow the gross domestic product and ease regulations with those who seek to raise the minimum wage and put curbs on Wall Street. "Those conversations will happen at the retreat," he added. "Coming out of the retreat, people want there to be a tight definition of the things we see as economic populism."

 

"There's definitely a sizable faction that is dissatisfied with the direction of the messaging," said a moderate aide who also requested anonymity. "A number of those members are planning to attend to make those concerns known.… There's going to be some pretty frank conversations about the future direction of the party. It's growth versus fairness." The staffer said many members are frustrated that party leadership did not take a lesson from the midterm elections in which Democrats' fairness-focused message was drubbed at the polls.

 

(Snip)

[Cyber_Liberty]

It's growth versus fairness.

 

I want to hear this battle cry all across the land.