US Politics: The "Progressive" Battles of the Democrats and the "Pledge" of the Republicans (Haddigan)

It is one of the final legislative battles in Congress before it adjourns ahead of November's elections. Democrats will attempt to pass the DISCLOSE Act on campaign finance, which failed on a vote of cloture in July, trying to establish a record of progressive reform in the face of Republican obstructionism in the Senate.

Democrats are searching desperately for an election message to reinvigorate the core vote that supported Obama in 2008. Even though they have failed to repeal the "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell" legislation on gays and lesbians in the military, even though they have failed to achieve the DREAM Act allowing immigrants to gain nationality through service in the US military, even though the DISCLOSE Act is likely to be defeated, this will give them the answer to charges that they have not pressed for the reforms promised by Obama’s message of hope and change. Democratic candidates will campaign around the country with the mantra that we tried but failed because of a Republican minority in the Senate that was able to block progressive legislation.

In short, this campaign season will be about how successful Democrats are in convincing their wavering supporters, uninspired by the results of the stimulus or healthcare reform, that the Republicans are the "Party of No", financially backed by a murky web of special interests and corporations.

Meanwhile, the Republicans have unveiled their policy document, for the forthcoming elections: the 20-page "Pledge for America", or as the media are portraying it, a new "Contract With America" (the original was for the 1994 Congressional elections). The document understandably concentrates criticism of the Administration on its handling of the economy, allying this with an anti-establishment tone that plays to the interests of the grassroots of the Tea Party.

Although the manifesto does not emphasise social issues, or propose any specific policies that would please social conservatives, it places on page 1 the Pledge that a Republican Congress would “honor families, traditional marriage, life and the private and faith-based organizations that form the core of our American values".

Note that last clause defending private and faith-based organizations. Republicans are aware that the next session of Congress will see significant efforts by Democrats to handicap the political activity of tax-exempt foundations.

The next days will see the drawing of battle lines that will dominate the campaign trail in the weeks before November. Democrats will argue Republican gains in Congress will destroy any hope of progressive change in the next two years, pointing their voters to the measures defeated in Congress this week. Republicans will counter with the now-famous mantra, even if it was created by a Democrat, "It’s the economy, stupid", and they will remind their supporters that victories will help them push back against the unpopular reforms that Obama has managed to achieve.