Strains in Party Threatens Democrats -It’s about the jobs Stupid!
By PETER WALLSTEN and NAFTALI BENDAVID
WASHINGTON — The Democratic Party’s broad ruling coalition is starting to fracture as lawmakers come under increasing pressure from the left to respond to voter anger over joblessness and Wall Street bailouts.
Associated PressJob seekers hand over résumés while trying to get information at a job fair in Livonia, Mich., earlier this month. Amid tensions within the Democratic Party, Congress is seeking to pass a bill in December aimed at creating jobs, although concerns about the deficit will likely keep it limited.
Tensions boiled over this week, with an angry party caucus meeting Monday in the House, and black lawmakers Thursday threatening to block legislation in protest of President Barack Obama’s economic policies. Along the way, members of both parties grilled Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner over his ties to Wall Street, and some called on him to resign.
The squabbling is turning up pressure on the White House and Democratic leaders in Congress to respond, a challenge when their focus is on passing a health-care overhaul. That appears less important to voters than finding solutions to economic woes, suggesting the weak labor market could overwhelm Mr. Obama’s domestic agenda. The dilemma facing party leaders: trying to keep core supporters excited without undermining more conservative members from right-leaning districts.
“The 2008 election wasn’t about health care. It was about the economy,” said David Beattie, a Democratic pollster whose clients are running for office in competitive states including Colorado, Florida and Georgia. “But we’ve been addressing health care and energy. People are hurting, and they want something done to alleviate that.”
Mr. Obama’s aides and his allies are scrambling to mollify supporters and minimize anxiety among independent voters who are fleeing the Democrats over economic issues. Congress is seeking to pass a bill in December aimed at creating jobs, although concerns about the deficit will likely keep it limited in scope. Congress is also looking to speed the much-delayed passage of a transportation bill, which could encourage spending on infrastructure projects.
The strains represent a turnaround from earlier this year, when Mr. Obama enjoyed soaring approval from his base and White House aides spoke in sweeping terms about turning that loyalty into an enduring political force.
“There’s tremendous concern about the lack of results on Main Street for all of the money that’s been borrowed and spent,” said Rep. Peter DeFazio (D., Ore.), one of the more liberal members of his party. Lawmakers representing one of Mr. Obama’s most loyal constituencies, the Congressional Black Caucus, have been vocal in their unhappiness.
The White House has met privately with black caucus members. But officials have given no indication of a course change. Aides say passing health care and other agenda items will excite the political base.
“What the American people need and expect from the White House is a continued focus on reforming health care, changing the outdated financial rules and doing everything we can to continue to grow the economy and put Americans back to work, which is exactly what we are focused on,” said spokeswoman Jennifer Psaki.
Democratic pollster Peter Hart, a contributor to the Journal/NBC poll, said an improving economy would soothe party strife. “Do Democrats have to worry about turnout and voter intensity? You bet,” he said. “But it’s nothing that lowering unemployment by two points can’t solve.”
