While the pundits and DLC hacks spin the new Democratic majority as moderate if not outright conservative, the facts simply don't back that up much. The vast majority of the dem class of 2006 are pro-choice and pro-getting out of iraq, and nearly all of them are in favor of fair trade, higher minimum wages, some form of universal health insurance, right to organize, access to a decent education, energy independence and ethics reform in DC.
While a couple are actual conservatives (the entire Indiana contingent are on the right edge of the party, and the right-wing organization Democrats for Life, who refused to endorse Kerry in the 2004 election, have claimed 6), even then they are often quite liberal when it comes to trade and wages.
analysis and more below the fold
Many of the class of 2006 tie reproductive rights into a broader narrative of privacy from government meddling in people's private lives; while kos has called this position "libertarian democrat," it could just as well be called simply "liberal," and at any rate is completely consistent with the letter and spirit of the bill of rights. Immigration stances (especially a loud denunciation of 'amnesty' and a promise to "get tough on illegal immigration") and carte blanche support for the state of Israel (even - especially - after this summer's bombing of Lebanon) seem to be the only areas where more illiberal positions tend to prevail.
Also notable is that several of the class of '06 beat back Rahm Emmanuel-funded primary challengers before they went on to win the general election, basing their runs on grassroots support and no nonsense truth-telling campaigns taking the Bush administration and the Republican party pretty hard. Christine Cegelis was, interestingly enough, involved in several of these insurgent grassroots campaigns, also worth keeping in mind come the primary season in '08.
Behold the class of '06, and check them out for yourself:
Liberal:
VT-AL Peter Welch
NH-1 Carol Shea-Porter beat DCCC-handpicked candidate
NH-2 Paul Hodes
CT-5 Chris Murphy
NY-20 Kristen Gillibrand
NY-24 Michael Arcuri
NY-19 John Hallbeat DCCC-handpicked candidate
PA-8 Patrick Murphy
PA-7 Joe Sestack
OH-18 Zack Space beat DCCC-handpicked candidate
MN-1 Tim Walz
IA-1 Bruce Braley
IA-2 Paul Loebsack
KY-3 John Yarmuth beat DCCC-handpicked candidate
CO-7 Ed Perlmutter
AZ-5 Harry Mitchell
AZ-8 Gabrielle Giffords
CA-11 Jerry McNerney beat DCCC-handpicked candidate
Conservative:
PA-10 Chris Carney DfL
PA-4 Jason Altmire DfL
NC-11 Health Shuler DfL
OH-6 Charlie Wilson DfL
IN-2 Joe Donnelly DfL
IN-8 Brad Ellsworth DfL
IN-9 Baron Hill
Moderate or unclear:
FL-18 Tim Mahoney (ex-Republican, recruited over grassroots dem by DCCC)
WI-8 Dr. Steve Kagen
KS-2 Nancy Boyda
TX-22 Nick Lampson
And then there are those who are still counting the votes, ranging from liberal to moderate:
CT-2 Joe Courtney
OH-15 Mary Jo Kilroy
OH-2 Dr. Victoria Wulsin
NC-8 Larry Kissell beat DCCC-handpicked candidate
LA-2 Karen Carter or William Jefferson
TX-23 Ciro Rodriguez vs. Henry Bonilla in a run-off
Additionally, the caucus moved left due to a couple abortive DLC'er senate runs:
TN-9 Steve Cohen replaces DLC'er Harold Ford
HI-2 Mazie Hirono replaces DLC'er Ed Case
In all, I'd say - DLC press releases and media stenographer reports aside - that if anything the House Dems moved left, especially on energy independence, a minimum wage hike and fair trade, but also solidly on withdrawal from Iraq and defending privacy rights, including the right of women not to be treated like children or wards of the state WRT their reproductive health. All in all, it looks like we'll have a pretty durable liberal governing majority in the House (the Senate is another matter). Now whether they'll hold to those promises, or be "convinced" after spending a bit of time in Washington DC is another story, but for now, they are pretty far from the shift right the media is claiming occurred.
In sum, don't believe the hype.
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PS. Booman makes a similar case about the new Dem majority here, as well as a look at who controls the committee chairs here, and a piece on the significance of this victory for african-american democrats here (all worth a read).
PPS. If anyone knows more about any of these candidates, or if I've gotten someone horribly misplaced, or forgotten anyone, please let me know in the comments. I'm just going on issues pages here.
(originally at surf putah)