Reply #29: Obama is obviously the first successful post-DLC Third Way/New Democrat

[wyldwolf]

The New Democratic movement, or Third Way, is a policy and governing philosophy. The Democrat Leadership Council is it's biggest organizational arm. Obama is obviously not a card-carrying member, but he doesn't have to be to further the New Democrat agenda as his stated and written policy proposals and governing style indicates.

Sen. Corzine once wrote about the DLC, "while I shared its founding purpose, which was to frame a successful response to President Reagan's efforts to portray Democrats as the party of "tax and spend," social engineering and failed personal responsibility, I believe that purpose has been largely accomplished..." He also credited the DLC for the "foundation of fiscal stability that Democrats have built."

Obama's apparent feelings take that route even further. In "Audacity of Hope," he credits Bill Clinton for recognizing the categories of conservative and liberal have played to Republican advantage and are inadequate to address our problems. He says Clinton's third way goes beyond splitting the difference. It taps into the pragmatic, nonideological attitude of Americans.

I have invited many people on DU to do a comparative analysis of Obama's governing and policy philosophies vs. those of the DLC. So far, no one has taken me up on it.