Apologies if it's been linked before, but I just saw this article in the WaPo.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A41113-2004Nov10.html
Among Third Way's programs will be a "New South" project, aimed at crafting policies and political strategies for cultural and values issues that have played against Democrats in that region in recent decades. The project will be led by Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.), a vice chairman.
Third Way will also conduct a national security retreat and craft policy initiatives on health care, taxes, tort reform and Social Security reform -- all identified by Bush as key items on his second-term agenda.
The group plans polling to help Democrats find more effective political language to advertise their policies, similar to the way Republicans embraced the phrase "death tax" to describe the estate tax.
"You can't create policy around message," said Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.), another co-chairman. "But there is something important about finding the right message when you create policy."
Permit me to disagree with the majority of Kos folk. This sounds like a good idea.
My reasoning is pretty simple. The Republican party is growing increasingly angry and right-wing. Moderates who are not named Arnold Schwarzenegger and do not pimp 9/11 (Rudy!) have no place in the party. However, they're still piling on enough moderates' votes to turn their 33% base into a 51% election majority.
There's no sign that the Republicans care about winning moderates with anything more than fearmongering. But what if the Democrats effectively court moderates? Including all those Christians (like me) who are scared by Jerry Falwell?
It's totally possible. The DNC and the House Dems can fashion a liberal domestic policy. The Third Wayers can repackage it for moderate consumption. (Their obsession with language is a very, VERY good sign). Honestly, it sounds like what the Republicans did 12 years ago - charge hard with idealogically faithful policies, but soft-pedal them as a "contract with America."
Sounds good to me.