Democratic Party

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Obama 'Thrilled' to See Specter Join Dems

'You have my full support,' president tells Pa. senator in call

(Newser) - Within minutes after Sen. Arlen Specter announced he was switching from the Republican to the Democratic Party, President Obama called Specter from the Oval Office, welcoming him into the fold, Politico reports. We are “thrilled to have you,” Obama said, adding, “You have my full support.”...

Specter Defects to Democrats
 Specter Defects to Democrats 

Specter Defects to Democrats

(Newser) - Arlen Specter is jumping to the Democrats, leaving the party excruciatingly close to a filibuster-proof Senate majority, reports Politico. Sources say VP Joe Biden was key to the effort to recruit the Pennsylvania senator. “Since my election in 1980, as part of the Reagan Big Tent, the Republican Party...

Obama Pandered to Lefties With Memo Release: Cheney

Ex-VP slams Obama terror policies

(Newser) - Dick Cheney said President Obama’s release of Bush administration torture memos was meant “essentially to appease a certain element of the Democratic Party or because of campaign commitments,” Politico reports. Speaking on Fox News, Cheney did a mocking impression of al-Qaeda’s reaction: “Gee whiz, isn't...

Dems Draw a Bead on 'Party of No'

After earmark battle, a plan to show GOP as devoid of ideas

(Newser) - Democrats are going on the attack in a new campaign labeling Republicans as “the party of ‘no,’” Politico reports. Officials and ads will argue that Republicans are playing a knee-jerk political game in opposing Democratic measures, like President Obama’s budget proposal, without offering alternatives. The...

Unless He Resigns, Senate Likely Stuck With Burris

The embattled Senator, though lacking support, pledges to dig in and fight

(Newser) - Whatever problems Roland Burris had being seated in the Senate, they pale in comparison to the problems the Senate will have getting rid of him, the Los Angeles Times reports. Expulsion from the Senate requires a two-thirds vote; the last senators to be formally booted were alleged rebel supporters during...

Fast-Track New Stimulus: Pelosi

(Newser) - Congressional Democrats are looking to fast-track a $600 billion economic stimulus package in the first weeks of the New Year, the Washington Post reports. Nancy Pelosi said today lawmakers are working with the Obama transition team to craft the plan, which is smaller than the $1 trillion scheme floated earlier....

Dems, It's OK to Use 'Liberal' Tag Again
Dems, It's OK to Use
'Liberal' Tag Again
OPINION

Dems, It's OK to Use 'Liberal' Tag Again

Label is ready to make a comeback

(Newser) - Now that Democrats have started winning again, Michael Lind wants to go back to using the word “liberal” instead of “progressive.” Writing in Salon, he explains why:
  • A name change isn’t going to protect anyone from criticism in any case, so be brave. “Your enemies
...

Obama's Grassroots Army Ponders Next Move

Broad movement may dissipate if asked to work toward merely party-oriented goals

(Newser) - Barack Obama’s campaign bred a network of grassroots activists who subscribed to the “Obama brand,” not necessarily the Democratic party. As Obama prepares for office, his advisers are split, the Los Angeles Times reports: Should the powerful grassroots operation remain separate from the party’s, mobilized to...

Palin's Flop Shows Gender Doesn't Sway Women Voters

It's the agenda, stupid: Goodman

(Newser) - This election showed a female candidate won’t automatically draw women’s votes if most women disagree with her on the issues, Ellen Goodman writes in the Boston Globe: “It’s not the gender … but the agenda.” With women traditionally putting economic issues—and more governmental control—...

Dem Lobbyists Step Up, Prepare to Cash In

High premium on connection to the party in power

(Newser) - As Democrats adjust to controlling all three branches of government, Democratic lobbyists are flying high, reports the Washington Post. Barack Obama's stated resistance to influence-peddling notwithstanding, the trend that took off after control of Congress flipped 2 years ago is gaining speed. “In this climate, Democratic backgrounds are attractive...

Think Big, Obama
 Think Big, Obama 
OPINION

Think Big, Obama

President-elect needs to use Democrats' big mandate to bring in a 'new New Deal'

(Newser) - Barack Obama needs to ignore those who are urging him to start small for either political or practical reasons and seize this chance to bring about the real social reforms voters have mandated, Paul Krugman writes in the New York Times. "This year’s presidential election was a clear...

Dems Let Lieberman Keep Chairmanship ... for Now

Connecticut Democrats submit censure resolution to state committee

(Newser) - Joe Lieberman will hold onto his chairmanship of the Senate Homeland Security committee for now, but his future is still unclear following a meeting with Majority Leader Harry Reid, the Hill reports. “While I understand that Senator Lieberman has voted with Democrats a majority of the time, his comments...

Washington Faces Seismic Shift
 Washington Faces Seismic Shift 
OPINION

Washington Faces Seismic Shift

Obama will be one of the most powerful presidents of the modern era, says Politico

(Newser) - The election of a relatively young black man to the presidency carries obvious historical significance—but beyond the symbolism, John F. Harris and Jim VandeHei write for Politico, last night marked one of the most momentous political transformations in modern American history. The rout of the Republican party means that...

IN THE OBAMA COLUMN...
 IN THE OBAMA COLUMN...  
BLUE STATE TALLY

IN THE OBAMA COLUMN...

(Newser) - Barack Obama started his push to 270 with few surprises, taking Vermont—and then most of New England, including major wins in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Florida. Here's a rundown on the states the Obama/Biden ticket clinched on its road to victory:
  • Vermont (3)
  • Massachusetts (12)
  • Delaware (3)
  • DC (3)
...

GOP Braces for Big Losses
 GOP Braces for Big Losses 

GOP Braces for Big Losses

Republicans in final scramble to save embattled incumbents in key races

(Newser) - The embattled GOP is preparing for heavy losses in both houses of Congress even as it wages last-minute battles for key seats across the nation, reports the New York Times. The Democrats, meanwhile, are making significant inroads into the traditionally Republican territory of suburban America, using their extra cash to...

Obama Abandons Principle by Hedging on Gay Marriage

(Newser) - Barack Obama and Democrats in general are "pretty squishy" on the issue of gay marriage, and that's a disgrace, writes Joshua Holland at AlterNet.org. The reticence to embrace full marriage rights for all is a betrayal of  the "very important progressive ideal that the law should apply...

Time for Hopefuls to Wax Philosophical

We still don't know how the candidates think: Noonan

(Newser) - Barack Obama is rising in the polls, but he still seems “exotic”; John McCain is playing the maverick but his maneuvering on the bailout may have been “too cute.” In a week with “all categories upside-down and out the window,” it’s time for both...

Obama Hopes to Find Southern Comfort in Va.

State demographics shifting blue, but Dems haven't won since '64

(Newser) - Barack Obama is seeking to become the first Democrat to win Virginia since LBJ in 1964. He's got a good shot, writes the New York Times: demographic changes favor his party, and Virginia has now elected two Democratic governors and a senator. But John McCain has the support of several...

Attention Obamaniacs: Remain Calm!
 Attention 
 Obamaniacs: 
 Remain Calm! 
OPINION

Attention Obamaniacs: Remain Calm!

With 2 months to go, Dems are going nuts, writes Collins

(Newser) - In the space of just 10 days, many Democrats have decided that Barack Obama's once sure-fire candidacy is now doomed. Gail Collins has some advice for them: stop hyperventilating. If Team Obama seems as cool as always, says the New York Times columnist, it's because "they don’t care...

Dems Better Organized, Top Righties Say

DeLay, Santorum: Left is poised for big gains at expense of GOP

(Newser) - Top Republicans are convinced Democrats have out-organized them, and hold a significant tactical advantage heading into the fall, Politico reports. “The left has been incredible,” Rep. Eric Cantor said today. “When you’re talking about tactics … we’re at a disadvantage.” Former House Majority Leader...

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