Mike
Well-known member
Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2005 5:08 p.m. EDT
Democratic Pollster: We Don't Stand for Anything
Democratic Party pollster Stan Greenberg said Wednesday that "one of the biggest doubts about Democrats is that they don't stand for anything."
During a conference call with reporters, Greenberg said Democrats deal with "the same doubts they had about John Kerry" - the party's 2004 presidential nominee. The issue arose as Greenberg discussed what Democrats need to do to stop Republican gains among Hispanic voters.
Bush got about 40 percent of the Hispanic vote, according to various estimates, a slight improvement from the 35 percent he got in 2000. Greenberg, a former pollster for President Clinton, said Hispanic voters' stand on the issues indicate Democrats can solidify their Hispanic support if they "rediscover their values and beliefs."
Democrats' lack of clarity was a contributing factor for the gains made by Republicans among Hispanics in 2004, Greenberg said, adding "that stands out even more for voters generally and for white Catholics."
Greenberg's comment come as Democratic leaders, including party Chairman Howard Dean, say they are trying to do a better job of telling voters who they are.
"Not that we need to change what we believe in, but need to do a better job of communicating what we believe in," said Karen Finney, a Democratic Party spokeswoman.
© 2005 The Associated Press
Democratic Pollster: We Don't Stand for Anything
Democratic Party pollster Stan Greenberg said Wednesday that "one of the biggest doubts about Democrats is that they don't stand for anything."
During a conference call with reporters, Greenberg said Democrats deal with "the same doubts they had about John Kerry" - the party's 2004 presidential nominee. The issue arose as Greenberg discussed what Democrats need to do to stop Republican gains among Hispanic voters.
Bush got about 40 percent of the Hispanic vote, according to various estimates, a slight improvement from the 35 percent he got in 2000. Greenberg, a former pollster for President Clinton, said Hispanic voters' stand on the issues indicate Democrats can solidify their Hispanic support if they "rediscover their values and beliefs."
Democrats' lack of clarity was a contributing factor for the gains made by Republicans among Hispanics in 2004, Greenberg said, adding "that stands out even more for voters generally and for white Catholics."
Greenberg's comment come as Democratic leaders, including party Chairman Howard Dean, say they are trying to do a better job of telling voters who they are.
"Not that we need to change what we believe in, but need to do a better job of communicating what we believe in," said Karen Finney, a Democratic Party spokeswoman.
© 2005 The Associated Press
