News · Press Release

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING: Widespread Praise for Democrats’ #ABetterDeal Economic Agenda

Rollout held in Virginia’s 10th District, a swing district that symbolizes why the House is in play in 2018

In case you missed it, House and Senate Democrats unveiled A Better Deal for the American people.

“We’re here in Berryville to earn back that trust, and talk about our plans to grow our economy to deliver better jobs and wages for all Americans, and to invest in the skills and tools that Americans need to build a better future,” Chairman Luján told the crowd yesterday.

Luján continued, “Compared to a few years ago, over half of Democrat and swing voters do not feel that there’s more opportunity for them. Nearly half of these voters say that a sudden $500 expense would be a serious blow to their family’s budget.  Three out of every four voters say their incomes are not keeping up with the cost of living. Well, that’s not right, and the American people deserve A Better Deal. One that puts hardworking families first again.”

Here’s the Chairman’s full remarks here.

Here’s a look at some of the coverage…

  • NYT: Democrats Try to Find Economic Message After Railing Against Trump
  • La Opinion: Demócratas impulsan agresiva agenda económica para ganar adeptos en 2018
  • Roll Call: Democrats Cast Wide Net in Shaping ‘Better Deal’ Platform

A source with the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee said Chairman Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M., and senior committee staff have met with more than 50 strategists and leaders over the past seven months to help reach a consensus on an economic message. Those meetings included people from Sen. Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaign, which waged a competitive Democratic primary challenge to Hillary Clinton last year and exposed divides in the Democratic Party.

The DCCC also met with aligned groups including leaders of labor organizations, EMILY’s List, which supports pro-abortion rights women candidates, End Citizens United, and VoteVets.

Voters have also contributed to this platform, with the committee conducting surveys and collecting input from community events and organizers on the ground (in February, the DCCC launched its “March into ’18” initiative that included early investments in state parties so they can hire organizers in competitive House districts).

  • Washington Post: Democrats announce their 2018 campaign agenda from a ruby-red corner of Northern Virginia

For Democrats to gain control of the House, they would have to unseat members such as Comstock — a point made by Rep. Ben Ray Luján (N.M.), chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

“While it’s early, there’s no doubt that this district and so many others are up for grabs in the 2018 midterms,” he said. “This won’t be easy. And Democrats can’t take anything for granted.”

  • Roll Call: Democrats Mix Politics With Policy Rollout in Virginia

And Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Ben Ray Luján said it was not a coincidence that the announcement came in Berryville, which sits in Virginia’s 10th District.

Democrats launched their new platform in one Republican’s backyard — and in a congressional district at the top of Democrats’ target list in 2018.

“While it’s early, there’s no doubt that this district and many others will be up for grabs in the 2018 midterms,” the New Mexico Democrat said. “But it won’t be easy and Democrats can’t take anything for granted.”

  • The Hill: New Dem message doesn’t mention Trump

The Democrats quickly pushed back, challenging Ryan to debate the two plans on their merits.

“Speaker Ryan should probably be most concerned about how ‘A Better Way’ falls short in helping the American people, and especially hard-working families,” said Rep. Ben Ray Luján (N.M.), the head of the House Democrats’ campaign arm.

The plan unveiled on Monday is the first phase in the Democrats’ messaging push. It features a series of specific policy changes designed to boost wages, train new workers, lower drug costs and rein in corporate power.

Members consistently went after big corporations and lobbyists.

“We must crack down on those corporations that send jobs overseas,” said Rep. Ben Ray Lujan, D-N.M

Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Ben Ray Luján travelled to Berryville in Clarke County, Virginia, to outline the Democrats’ case.

“There’s good reason that we met here today rather than in Washington, D.C. Berryville sits right in the middle to Virginia’s 10th Congressional District. And while it’s early, there’s no doubt that this district and so many others are up for grabs in the 2018 mid-terms.”

  • The Guardian:  Democrats pledge ‘better deal’ for workers in shift to populist platform

Berryville is situated in a swing district that Democrats hope to wrest from the Republican congresswoman Barbara Comstock. To take back the majority in the House, perhaps the only way Democrats can begin implementing this ambitious platform, they need to win 24 seats.

“While it’s early, there’s no doubt that this district and so many others are up for grabs in the 2018 midterms,” said Lujan, who chairs the Democrats’ House campaign committee.

  • NBC News: Can Democrats Win by Building a Better Trump?

Rep. Ben Ray Lujan, D-N.M., the chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and one of two people of color on the stage of 10 lawmakers, said individual members of the party would still emphasize those issues.

“It’s not to eliminate anything or keep anything out,” Lujan said in an interview after the event. “But it’s to make sure that we’re encouraging our colleagues to center in and around a real economic conversation with the America people.”

  • CNN: Even with a new message, Democrats struggle to break through

“When President Trump’s son-in-law is being interviewed (by Senate investigators) during concerns of meetings with Russians who hacked our American elections, that’s going to be breaking news,” Rep. Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico, the chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, said in an interview after the event.

“President Trump, his family, and his team are going to be part of the national narrative, especially with all the investigations and uncertainty taking place,” he said.

Luján’s advice for Democratic House candidates in places like Berryville — where the party hopes to unseat Republican Rep. Barbara Comstock — is “don’t get distracted by all that,” he said.

“Put your focus on a local conversation,” Luján said. “The national narrative will be what it is.”

Rep. Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M., who heads the House Democrat fundraising arm, said the party message is focused on working class families.

“Voters and constituents want us to focus on them, to understand where they are,” Luján said. “And that their wages do not keep up with the standard of living.”

  • AP: Promising ‘A Better Deal,’ Democrats try to rebrand party

The event took place in the district of one of the GOP House members they hope to defeat next year, Barbara Comstock.

“While it’s early, there’s no doubt that this district and so many others are up for grabs in the 2018 midterms,” said Rep. Ben Ray Lujan, who chairs the Democrats’ House campaign committee.

  • The Hill: Democrats roll out ‘Better Deal,’ new economic agenda

A Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee source said Rep. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), the chairman of the DCCC, and senior staff “met with over 50 key political strategists and thinkers,” including members of Sanders’s presidential team.

  • MSNBC: First Look: Democrats Unveil Economic  Agenda in Appeal to Suburban Voters

  • MSNBC: Live with Craig Melvin: Dems Unveiling New Economic Plan Aimed at 2018 Races

  • CNN: New Day: Interview with Rep. Jim Himes

 

  • CNN: New Day: Interview with Rep.  Barbara Lee





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