Democrats Seek The Center

Moderation and pragmatism took center stage as centrist Democrats gathered for a two-day boot camp to talk up a mainstream political agenda.

"People are tired of extremism," said Arizona state Rep. Debora Norris. "We want solutions, and the middle ground is where we are going to find them."

Norris was among about 250 elected Democrats who participated Monday in the first day of the event, sponsored by the moderate Democratic Leadership Council.

Democrats heard from Sen. Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut and Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle of South Dakota, two people mentioned in speculation about the 2004 presidential campaign.

Lieberman, Al Gore's running mate in last year's election, urged his party to take a new approach to religion.

"We have too often dismissed and disparaged the importance of faith in American life and made the faithful feel unwelcome in our party, particularly if they are open and outspoken about their religion," he said.

He also said that cultural values must play a more prominent role in decision-making by Democrats.

"We have sometimes seemed too worried about offending our friends in Hollywood when they do not seem to be worried enough about offending our values," he said.

Several Democrats considering a presidential bid in 2004 did not make the trip, which suits DLC leaders. They say they want to focus on building party strength at the local and state level this year.

"We are determined to ensure that the Democratic Party is not just the party of the two coasts, but the party of Nebraska, Mississippi, Utah and Indiana," said Sen. Evan Bayh, chairman of the DLC this year.

Leaders of the DLC chose to meet in Indiana partly because it is Bayh's home state. But they also say the state is a symbol of success in the New Democrat movement.

Although a Democratic presidential nominee has not captured Indiana since 1964, the governor's office has been held by a Democrat for 13 consecutive years. The party has controlled the Indiana House for all but two years in the past decade.

In 1999, Bart Peterson became the first Democrat elected as mayor of Indianapolis in more than 30 years.

The philosophy of the New Democrats and the DLC blends long-held party beliefs like tolerance and inclusion with fiscally conservative, pro-trade and pro-growth views intended to win over swing voters.

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York said the DLC served as a catalyst for such policy initiatives as community policing and charter schools. Now it must take on new issues such as preventive health and privacy in the age of the Internet, she said.

"These are not just questions for elected officials," she said. "These are issues for everyone. The conversation has to grow far beyond the walls of this room."

By MIKE SMITH
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