In Key House Races, Democrats Run to the Right - NYTimes

[applegrove]

In Key House Races, Democrats Run to the Right
By SHAILA DEWAN and ANNE E. KORNBLUT
New York Times
Published: October 30, 2006

ASHEVILLE, N.C., Oct. 28 — In their push to win back control of the House, Democrats have turned to conservative and moderate candidates who fit the profiles of their districts more closely than the profile of the national party.


"One such candidate, Heath Shuler, was courted by Republicans to run for office in 2001. Mr. Shuler, 34, is a retired National Football League quarterback who is running in the 11th Congressional District in North Carolina. He is an evangelical Christian and holds fast to many conservative social views, like opposition to abortion rights.

“My guess is that if Democrats are in the majority, it’s going to be because of these New Democrat, Blue Dog candidates out there winning in these competitive swing districts,” Representative Ron Kind of Wisconsin, co-chairman of a caucus of centrist House Democrats, said in an interview.

But if candidates like Mr. Shuler do help the Democrats gain majority control of Congress, it could come at a political price, which may include tensions in the party between its new centrists and its more liberal political base.

While Democratic leaders have gone to great lengths to promote the views of these candidates, some, like Mr. Shuler, have views on issues like gun control and abortion that are far out of step with the prevailing views of the Democrats who control the party. On some issues, they may even be expected to side with Republicans and the Bush White House.

......... SNIP"

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/30/us/politics/30dems.html?th&emc=th

[greeneyedboy]

1. duh, when you take over red districts, you naturally need to appeal to that crowd.

so all this boils down to is that Republican incumbents in previously safe seats are in danger.

[applegrove]

2. Right. Districts make up a gradient of beliefs. You must get power

and implement some great policies..like health care..before you can teach some people that it is in their best interest to vote for the Dems slate.

[Guaranteed]

3. This re-takeover will be short lived if we don't

stand up for our principles and pull the culture back in line.

Leadership. Leadership. Leadership.


This just ain't gonna fly........

[applegrove]

4. Hopefully when the Dems have the House..they can do something

about elections and the law.

[Jax]

5. Great

just don't expect to change the Democratic platform to suit your right wing views without a helluva fight.

[applegrove]

6. I don't have right wing views. I'm Canadian. I'm pro good public

schools and pro universal health care..taxes on the wealthy (40%) and all. I just thought it was interesting that the USA is more of a gradiant than we think.

20% of Americans are progressives, 35% are Bush's base and the rest moderates. That is just the way it is. But there is hope that if Bush continues to "ungovern" while the soon to be Democratic House actually governs... that those numbers will change dramatically.

[Jax]

7. nothing I posted was directed at you

your 'statistics' are bs.

[applegrove]

8. I only saw the break down once. Find me others and I'll take them.