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DLC chairman puts forth New Democratic agenda |
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Posted: 03/28/07 07:30 PM [ET] |
Former Rep. Harold Ford Jr. (Tenn.) yesterday delivered his first speech as chairman of the Democratic Leadership Council (DLC), asking Democrats to focus on fresh ideas and formulate a clear plan to address the challenges the country faces.
“To lead America in a dangerous world, we must be more than an anti-party — anti-Bush, anti-Iraq, anti-war,” Ford said. “Democrats have a responsibility to offer what America and the world need to rebound from the Bush years — a positive and serious plan to combat Islamist fanaticism, prevent the spread of weapons of mass destruction, stabilize weak and failing states and protect people in places like Darfur against murder.”
He announced the DLC will hold forums with governors and other leaders around the country in coming months and proposed a number of reforms on issues such as the economy, education, and national security.
His proposals included requiring three months of civil service for all Americans by the age of 25, halving the number of political appointees in the executive branch and providing universal healthcare.
“It is time to put the ‘new’ back in New Democrat. It is time to put new ideas back at the heart of American politics,” Ford said.
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