11.14.2005
Joe Klein: Why the Democrats Are Happy Warriors (TIME.com)
The Party Tries to Move Forward With Five Big Ideas
Posted Sunday, Nov. 13, 2005
Congressman Rahm Emanuel of Illinois had a nice moment on Meet the Press about a month ago. He said Democrats would run on their "ideas" in the 2006 congressional elections. "But what are the Democratic ideas?" moderator Tim Russert asked skeptically. Emanuel proceeded to rattle off five big ones, which seemed to shock Congressman Tom Reynolds of New York, his Republican debate opponent. "Those are the first solutions that have come out of (any Democrat's) mouth," Reynolds said.
No doubt "solutions" was a slip—but the notion that "Democratic ideas" might not be an oxymoron represented one small step forward for the perpetually benighted Donkey party.
And so, on Election Day of 2005, I checked in with Emanuel at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) offices—he's the current chairman—and asked him to elaborate. He responded with a rat-a-tat of ideas and expletives, a joyousness unknown to Dems in recent years. But then, Emanuel, a former ballet dancer and Clinton White House capo, has always seemed a human amphetamine. I kept asking him to slow down as I took notes. He wouldn't, but here's the general idea:
Expand support for higher education. "Make college as universal in the 21st century as high school was in the 20th"; three out of four jobs in the new, high-tech economy require two years or more of higher education.
Create a National Institute of Science and Engineering, like the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Funding for the nih has quadrupled since the 1980s, from $7 billion to $28 billion. "That's why we lead in pharmaceuticals and medical technology." Funding for science has been stagnant—about $5 billion—during that period. "I'd quadruple it and concentrate on nanotechnology, broadband and energy."
Promote energy independence. Reduce foreign oil by 50% in 10 years. Create a hybrid economy. Use government contracts and tax incentives to boost solar and wind power.
"You got a job, you got health care." Give the uninsured vouchers—"I'm not afraid of vouchers"—for use in the insurance system that covers federal employees. Basic coverage, nothing fancy.
Organize a bipartisan summit on the budget. Balance it.
(More ... TIME.com -- Joe Klein: Why the Democrats Are Happy Warriors) ¶ 18:46
Posted Sunday, Nov. 13, 2005
Congressman Rahm Emanuel of Illinois had a nice moment on Meet the Press about a month ago. He said Democrats would run on their "ideas" in the 2006 congressional elections. "But what are the Democratic ideas?" moderator Tim Russert asked skeptically. Emanuel proceeded to rattle off five big ones, which seemed to shock Congressman Tom Reynolds of New York, his Republican debate opponent. "Those are the first solutions that have come out of (any Democrat's) mouth," Reynolds said.
No doubt "solutions" was a slip—but the notion that "Democratic ideas" might not be an oxymoron represented one small step forward for the perpetually benighted Donkey party.
And so, on Election Day of 2005, I checked in with Emanuel at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) offices—he's the current chairman—and asked him to elaborate. He responded with a rat-a-tat of ideas and expletives, a joyousness unknown to Dems in recent years. But then, Emanuel, a former ballet dancer and Clinton White House capo, has always seemed a human amphetamine. I kept asking him to slow down as I took notes. He wouldn't, but here's the general idea:
Expand support for higher education. "Make college as universal in the 21st century as high school was in the 20th"; three out of four jobs in the new, high-tech economy require two years or more of higher education.
Create a National Institute of Science and Engineering, like the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Funding for the nih has quadrupled since the 1980s, from $7 billion to $28 billion. "That's why we lead in pharmaceuticals and medical technology." Funding for science has been stagnant—about $5 billion—during that period. "I'd quadruple it and concentrate on nanotechnology, broadband and energy."
Promote energy independence. Reduce foreign oil by 50% in 10 years. Create a hybrid economy. Use government contracts and tax incentives to boost solar and wind power.
"You got a job, you got health care." Give the uninsured vouchers—"I'm not afraid of vouchers"—for use in the insurance system that covers federal employees. Basic coverage, nothing fancy.
Organize a bipartisan summit on the budget. Balance it.
(More ... TIME.com -- Joe Klein: Why the Democrats Are Happy Warriors) ¶ 18:46
