The New Democratic Party

[JohnCA246]

In 1992, Clinton campaigned as a "new Democrat."  They had a globalist point of view, and were socially liberal for the most part.  Abortion seemed to be the litmus test of prospective candidates.  The "new democrats" made tremendous progress in the west coast and suburbs. 

Now in 2006 Democrats seem to be going through a new transformation.  The Iraq war is becoming the litmus test for folks who seek the Democratic nomination, rather than abortion.  The Democrats appear much more conservative on social issues.  This seems to be helping them in the South and in states like Montana. If the Democrats win eigther house, it seems as though they will have real trouble passing social legislation or any investigations.

On the other hand, if they focus on economic issues such as minimum wage hikes, they may have a chance to pass real legislation, even if the Republicans hang on to a razor thin control.  A focus on economic populism would certainly be a shift away from the Democrats of the past 10 years.

   

[Adlai Stevenson]

I do think a Democratic majority would be more moderate because their extra support will be coming from states like Indiana, Kentucky, Nebraska, Wyoming and Ohio.  Its doubtful whether they can win in Connecticut yet in these states there will be definitely be GOP losses so the Democrats at the official level will be more conservative than the grassroots. 

[socaldem]

What social legislation needs passing?

Most social legislation can be dealt with at the state level.    Once dems control the agenda the social issues will simply disappear from the agenda.  That is a victory in that it stops anti-gay bills, legislating on religion, womens' rights restrictions, etc.  It means conservative dems dont have to worry about having to go to their constituents with those votes on their records, too.  Of course the GOP can always try the discharge petition route...

As for economics issues and investigations of malfeasance in the execution of militarystrategy by the incompetant civilian leadership, full speed ahead!

[Umengus]

What social legislation needs passing?

(...) Once dems control the agenda the social issues will simply disappear from the agenda.  (...)

certainly not (in my opinion). Moral values will be the base of the new gop and the republican machine will be strong enough to push his priorities on mediatic and political agenda.

[GOP = Terrorists]

The Iraq war is becoming the litmus test for folks who seek the Democratic nomination, rather than abortion. 

Good.  A reasonable person can be anti-abortion.  No reasonable person can be pro-Iraq.