ABCNote reports on Clinton Speech to Party

[papau]

<snip>Bill Clinton outlined a blueprint for Democratic victory: unity; clarity of message; aggressive campaign tactics to match those of Republicans; a national message; and hard work.

He didn't specifically say the party needs to run for the center, but instead urged Democrats to find their center, saying that the plan is clear and will work if the execution is right.

He also answered critics ("people who call themselves liberal") who said he'd abandoned the liberal base during his own presidency, vehemently ticking off gains for the middle class, the poor, women, gays, and minorities on his watch.

"All we disagreed about by the end was trade," and that wasn't much of a disagreement, he claimed. "We need to stop beating on each other and work together," and build the party together, Clinton went on to say.

"We will not, however, win again until we learn a few lessons," Clinton said stressing that Democrats need to support Howard Dean, Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi, and state parties. Democrats need better tactics, he said, and need to brand themselves better. "Too many voters didn't know why we were Democrats except that we were against the President's policies."

"We need a national message," Clinton said. "Every time we have a national message, we do well" —begging a question or two about John Kerry, who was sitting right there and who Clinton otherwise praised.

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