New Democracy Corp poll. An analysis by Sirota and article in CSM.

[Pirate Smile]

From David Sirota's blog:

Why the Public Believes Dems Stand for Nothing

A new poll out tells us what we already know: though 56 percent of Americans believe the country is headed in the wrong direction, more voters have positive feelings about Republicans than Democrats. As pollster Stan Greenberg notes, "Republicans weakened in this poll... but it shows Democrats weakening more" and that decline by Democrats is because people believe Democrats have "no core set of convictions or point of view."

Most likely, the entrenched Democratic elites in Washington are shocked at this, especially with all the scandals surrounding top Republicans. But then again, these same elites are the ones who have helped run the party into the ground over the last decade – we shouldn't expect them to understand much more than how to protect their own careers in the Establishment.

So in the interest in boiling it down for these people, let's make it very clear as to why America still thinks Democrats stand for nothing:

- When you vote with Republicans for an energy bill that showers huge oil/gas companies with massive tax breaks at a time of record deficits, and that energy bill won't lower the cost of gasoline, Americans will believe you stand for nothing.

- When you ignore public demands for a withdrawal/exit strategy from Iraq, and instead vote against legislation requesting the President explain an exit strategy from the war, Americans will believe you stand for nothing."

more at http://www.davidsirota.com/

The Christian Science Monitor article:

James Carville and Stanley Greenberg

The Democratic strategist and pollster shared a new poll on the country's political mood.

By David Cook | Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor

WASHINGTON – A majority of Americans think the country is on the wrong track, with the war in Iraq the most frequently cited cause for concern. But that discontent has not translated into gains for the Democratic Party - something that worries many within the party.


RESTIVE TIME: Democratic strategist James Carville sees voters in a 'foul mood' that could lead to third-party bid in 2008.
ANDY NELSON - STAFF

"The country is just in a foul mood," says Democratic strategist James Carville. He cites a new poll from Democracy Corps in which 56 percent of Americans say the country is headed in the wrong direction. Democracy Corps provides public opinion polling and strategic advice to Democrats. It was cofounded by Mr. Carville and Stanley Greenberg, who served as President Clinton's pollster.

The latest Democracy Corps survey, conducted June 20-26, found that Democrats are "not doing very well," Mr. Greenberg said at a Monitor breakfast.

Some 43 percent of voters said they had warm feelings about the Republican Party, while only 38 percent had positive feelings about Democrats. "Republicans weakened in this poll ... but it shows Democrats weakening more," Greenberg said. He attributes the decline to voters' perceptions that Democrats have "no core set of convictions or point of view."

http://search.csmonitor.com/search_content/0629/p02s01-usmb.html

Here is the Democracy Corp poll

http://democracycorps.com/reports/surveys/Democracy_Corps_June_2005_Survey.pdf

edit to ask - does anyone know how to copy and paste off of a PDF?

Congressional elections next year - vote for Dem 48%; vote for Repub 43%

[htuttle]

1. Why doesn't Carville still have the garbage pail on his head?

He should just leave it on. If Americans don't think Democrats stand for anything, it's in large part due to his dubious advice.

I've come to the conclusion that Carville's an idiot who's been making bank on Clinton's popularity since he left office.

[AX10]

2. Democrats stand for America!

[hedda_foil]

3. Check this part out!

I clicked on the link to the Hill article about the Progressive Caucus that Sirota mentioned and found some GREAT info!
http://www.hillnews.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/062105/progressives.html

Progressives to Unveil "Core Principles"

A group of House Democrats will unveil a set of goals dubbed “The Progressive Promise” next week in an effort to put liberal priorities higher on the Democratic agenda and offer an alternative to conservatives’ vision of an “ownership society.”

The announcement by the 57-member Congressional Progressive Caucus ...will also direct attention to the liberal members of the House, some of whom have felt sidelined as more centrist Democrats have chosen to side with Republican leadership on several issues.
<snip>

"We intend for our agenda to become … more prominent overall in the Democratic caucus,” said Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), who jointly chairs the Progressive Caucus with Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-Calif.).

<snip>
The group is expected to focus broadly on fostering economic justice, protecting and preserving civil liberties and promoting global security, Woolsey said. Its agenda may include calls for universal healthcare, a balanced-budget amendment and the withdrawal of troops from Iraq.
<snip>

The New Democrat Coalition, a group of 42 centrists, has been constructing its own set of shared views, to emphasize initiatives in economic growth, national security and personal responsibility. The group held a brainstorming session two weeks ago to begin formulating ideas for its centrist agenda. That process is expected to take at least three months.

Progressives are moving much more quickly to formulate their agenda and plan to have it ready for an event next Tuesday. They are expected to be joined at the event by representatives of various liberal organizations, including, potentially, Progressive Democrats of America, the Institute for Policy Studies, Peace Action, National Priorities Project, Jobs with Justice and The Nation magazine.