Newly formed Dem advocacy group

[FightinNewDem]

http://www.third-way.com/

The Third Way is "a Senate-focused progressive advocacy group" co-chaired by Senators Blanche Lincoln, Tom Carper and Evan Bayh, with Senators Mary Landrieu and Mark Pryor serving as vice chairs.

Since four out of the five Senators are still in their forties, I am glad to see some articulate new voices moving to the forefront in the party. Four of the five have won in "red states", and undoubtedly have a considerable amount to offer as to how we can re-connect with voters in places like Arkansas, Indiana and Louisiana.

Here's what the founder, Jon Cowan, formerly of Americans for Gun Safety, has to say:

Progressives have no voice in the Bush Administration, and the House of Representative rules allow the majority party to essentially ignore the views, legislation and procedural requests of progressive members in that chamber. But the Senate, with its elaborate rules protecting the prerogatives of every member, provides progressives with the opportunity to play a meaningful role in setting the course of American governance. Even in an era of conservative dominance, progressive Senators can enact legislation and make a positive mark on government. But they must craft their legislation in a way that seems sensible to Americans on both sides of the ideological divide. By hewing to centrism and moderation, progressives can effectively fight and defeat right-wing extremism.

This will not be easy. To succeed, there must be an aggressive force outside Congress that is coming up with new ideas, educating the public and generating support for these initiatives. That need is the impetus for Third Way.

The founders of Third Way have recruited three centrist Democratic Senators to lead their efforts in Congress and serve as honorary co-chairs: Senators Evan Bayh (D-IN), Tom Carper(D-DE), and Blanche Lincoln (D-AR). Two others, Senators Mary Landrieu (D-LA) and Mark Pryor (D-AR), also serve as the group’s honorary vice-chairs. These Senators are seen as the leading progressive centrist Senate voices and are expected to exert significant influence as the pivotal swing-voting block as President Bush works to advance his second term agenda

[BayCityProgressive]

1. forgive me for sounding

skeptical, but most of the time "centrist" or "moderation" are just codes for free trade, welfare reform, and privatization.