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I agree with Scot Lehighs assessment that the Democrats have essentially lost their way (Two political parties, two difficult dilemmas, Opinion, July 14). The Democrats were once a big tent party that appealed to all segments of society based on a set of basic ideas, best articulated by Franklin D. Roosevelt in his second bill of rights.

These included the right to a useful and remunerative job ... ; the right to earn enough to provide adequate food and clothing and recreation; ... the right of every businessman, large and small, to trade in an atmosphere of freedom from unfair competition and domination by monopolies at home and abroad; the right of every family to a decent home; the right to adequate medical care and the opportunity to achieve and enjoy good health; the right to adequate protection from the economic fears of old age, sickness, accident, and unemployment; the right to a good education.

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Roosevelt said, We are trying to construct a more inclusive society. We are going to make a country in which no one is left out. I would argue that the Democrats need again to embrace these rights as their basic goals, which would get them and the country back on the right track.

Len Solo

Marlborough

Read the rest here:
Democrats need to channel FDR - The Boston Globe

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. House Republicans on Tuesday shot down a legislative effort by Democrats to obtain Treasury Department documents that could show any ties between the finances of President Donald Trump, his inner circle and the Russian government.

The bill was rejected amid intense sparring with Democrats openly wondering whether or not Trump, a Republican, is compromised by a foreign power and Republicans dismissing it as a political stunt.

Representative Jeb Hensarling, the Republican chair of the House Financial Services Committee that rejected the proposal, said the panel would not be spending any time exploring Trump's financial network. Hensarling cited open investigations by congressional committees and a special counsel into conclusions by U.S. intelligence agencies that Russia interfered in the 2016 election campaign to help New York businessman Trump win.

Moscow has denied any meddling and Trump has denied and collusion between his campaign and Russian officials.

The bill, known as a "resolution of inquiry," is a rarely used legislative tool that allows Congress to formally request certain documents from the executive branch. But following Tuesday's voice vote in the committee, the bill is not expected to receive consideration by the full House of Representatives.

Specifically, the bill sought documents that may have been unearthed by the Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network that could show any ties between Trump's finances and Russia.

Democrats on the committee have been trying for months to obtain financial records tied to Trump. In particular, they have pressed for information involving his business dealings with foreign banks, and any potential connection to Moscow.

"Clearly we have something afoot in this country that leads right to the top," said Representative Earl Perlmutter, a Democrat. "We need to make sure that this nation isnt under the thumb of another nation because of financial leverage or whatever it might be."

The resolution asked for any records of loans or credit from a number of banks to Trump, and 22 of his closest associates, including family members and top White House and campaign advisers. The banks include Deutsche Bank AG and Russian lenders Sberbank and Gazprombank.

Hensarling chided Representative Maxine Waters, the top Democrat on the panel who has called for the president's impeachment, for pushing the bill.

He said it was "frankly and regrettably, a procedural tool that is blatantly political of nature and one that I do not necessarily consider to be worthy of debate."

Reporting by Pete Schroeder; editing by Grant McCool

Read more from the original source:
Republicans block Democrats' bid to see Treasury files on Trump - Reuters

The plan is a three-pronged approach that focuses on improving wages, lowering costs of everyday expenses and boosting job-training opportunities, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Sunday in an interview with ABC's "This Week."

Following their party's devastating presidential loss in November, Democrats have been in a period of soul-searching as they seek a new message and cohesive identity in the Trump era.

"The No. 1 thing that we did wrong is we didn't have -- we didn't tell people what we stood for," Schumer said.

A new ABC News/Washington Post poll shows 52% of Americans think Democrats don't stand for anything other than being against Trump, while 37% say the party "stands for something."

"They know we're standing up to Trump," Schumer said, pointing to the poll. "They like that. But they want to know what do you stand for?"

At a retreat Monday in Virginia, Schumer and other Democratic leaders will unveil more specifics of their plan. For now, Schumer says components include focusing on lowering prescription drug prices, reforming corporate mergers and creating jobs for 10 million Americans.

"A bold, sharp-edged message, platform, policy, that talks about working people and how the system is rigged against them is going to resonate," he said in the interview. "And this is the first time we're going to have it, and our party is going to be unified."

Schumer acknowledged that Trump campaigned on a similar, anti-establishment message but argued he has since abandoned campaign promises in favor of more conservative policies.

Democrats need a net gain of 24 seats to retake the majority in the House. Historic trends of a president's party losing seats in the midterm elections of a president's first term coupled with Trump's low approval rating is giving Democrats hope of hitting that magic number.

More specific proposals will be rolled out in the coming months "that are quite different than the Democratic Party you heard in the past," Schumer said.

"We were too cautious. We were too namby-pamby," he added.

See the rest here:
Democrats seek to unify under a new economic agenda - CNN

Now its sure to be smooth sailing. Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Though the 2018 midterms are still a long way off, national Democrats have caught some flak for not yet developing a unified message to sell to voters beyond Trump Is Bad. (Which, to be fair, is one that most of America is on board with.) The lack of a clear, identifiable agenda was also a key factor in Hillary Clintons defeat last year.

So to get the ball rolling in their quest to pick up the 24 seats needed for a Congressional takeover, Democrats will unveil their gleaming new motto on Monday, which is A Better Deal. Or, more specifically, A Better Deal: Better Jobs, Better Wages, Better Future.

To quote Jeb Bush: please clap.

If this rather anodyne phrasing sounds familiar, its because it recalls two successful slogans of presidents past: Theodore Roosevelts Square Deal, back in 1910, and, of course, FDRs New Deal, which he rolled out to great effect in 1932. (Youd think there might have been advances in political branding technology in the intervening 85 years. Youd be wrong.) It also may work as a foil to the supposed dealmaker in chief who currently occupies the White House.

Both of the Roosevelts focused with laser-like precision on economic security for Americans, and todays Democrats are attempting to follow suit. The Washington Post reports that some lawmakers, aides and outside advocates consulted on the new agenda said that it is expected to focus on new proposals to fund job-training programs, renegotiate trade deals and address soaring prescription-drug costs, as well as other issues, including a $15-an-hour federal minimum wage. Senator Chuck Schumer said on ABCs This Week that Democrats had been too namby-pamby in their economic messaging, and declared that the party would seek to change the way big companies merge and consider getting behind a single-payer health care system.

Will A Better Deal cut through the clatter and claim its place in the pantheon of successful slogans with Deal in them? Stay tuned.

This post has been updated to include Senator Schumers comments about the Democratic agenda.

From must-see to cant-see.

White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci said on Sunday that the president thinks Russia is too smart to get caught hacking an election.

The most unpredictable Tour in a decade ends in the most predictable way.

They claim the president has nothing to hide.

The White House indicated on Sunday that the president will sign the bill rather than get into a veto fight. Well see.

Party leaders are clearly trying to channel the Roosevelts, but that doesnt mean their rebranding is going to work.

Another 30 people were found alive, but many may have suffered permanent brain damage from their injuries.

Republicans extremism on health care has had a surprising effect.

She also offered to take his seat. Her remarks didnt go over very well.

It may come in handy down the road.

A rundown of how Trump has failed to meet his critics darkest expectations and how he has exceeded them.

It has not been a banner week for President Trumps attorney general.

By excluding from Trumpcare indispensable features, the Senate parliamentarian has probably killed the bill unless McConnell nukes her rulings.

Like so many other media entities, Vice is making a stronger push into video.

Everybody is making the same dumb joke about Trumps new communications director.

U.S. passports used to travel to North Korea will soon be invalidated by the government.

Anthony Scaramucci doesnt seem concerned about all his old tweets.

The former White House press secretary was a glutton for punishment, and now hes gone.

At a time when the White House could benefit from a steady, respected hand to run the communications shop, Trump went in a very different direction.

Originally posted here:
Democrats to Unveil New Slogan Promising a 'Better Deal' - New York Magazine

President Donald Trump slammed Democrats for what he called "laughing" over the Russia investigations while attacking fellow Republicans for doing "very little" to protect him, in a pair of new tweets Sunday afternoon.

The president repeated his assertion that the probes are a "Witch Hunt."

"Two groups are laughing at this excuse for a lost election taking hold, Democrats and Russians," he tweeted.

Trump also had some choice words for the GOP.

"It's very sad that Republicans, even some that were carried over the line on my back, do very little to protect their President," he wrote.

Trump, some of his family members and his associates are under investigation by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, the FBI and separate Congressional panels looking into potential collusion between his campaign and the Russian government.

U.S. intelligence agencies have already concluded that Russia used a combination of hacking and disinformation to influence the 2016 presidential election to boost Trump's candidacy and damage Hillary Clinton's.

Congressional lawmakers say Trump's eldest son and his former campaign chairman won't be forced to testify publicly next week as part of the investigations. Donald Trump Jr. and Paul Manafort are discussing undergoing a private interview with the Senate Judiciary Committee. The committee's chairman, Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, and top Democrat, Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California, also say they are negotiating with Trump Jr. and Manafort about possibly turning over documents.

Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law and top White House aide, is scheduled to speak behind closed doors with the Senate intelligence committee on Monday and the House intelligence committee on Tuesday.

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Trump tweets Democrats are laughing at 'Russian Witch Hunt,' Republicans do 'very little' to protect him - Fox News