Each morning, Bill Scher and Terrance Heath serve up what progressives need to effect change on the kitchen-table issues families face: jobs, health care, green energy, financial reform, affordable education and retirement security.
MORNING MESSAGE: Running On Their Record
OurFuture.org's Bill Scher: "This convention is not apologizing for anything. They want voters to see exactly what they did, so they can ask voters for a renewed mandate to build on our successes and do even more for the economy. The Democrats cut through the Tea Party blather about death panels, and held up real Americans deeply grateful for the expansion of health care coverage. They dismissed the phony outrage over Solyndra … showed the green jobs that have been created, and mocked the Republicans backward "Drill Baby Drill" stance. They barreled past the union attacks to tout the success of the auto bailout, and featured a former Republican firefighter who is disgusted by attacks on public sector unions … The Republicans are trying to get voters to tune out the tough hits on their ticket and their failed policies of the past by arguing they come from a place of 'desperation.' The charge makes no sense. Because as anyone can see, the Democrats are not desperate. They're proud."
Dems Lay Claim To Middle Class Values
Michelle Obama caps off night emphasizing middle class values. NYT: "The address was meant to lay the foundation for a convention program devised to remind wavering working- and middle-class voters — the same ones Mr. Romney is working so hard to woo away — what they liked about the president when they supported him four years ago, and how his own humbler roots have helped inspire his policies to help them."
Sen. Harry Reid revisits Romney's tax returns: "He went on to describe Romney as a 'beneficiary' of a 'rigged game.' 'Never in modern American history has a presidential candidate tried so hard to hide himself from the people he hopes to serve,' Reid said. 'When you look at the one tax return he has released, it’s obvious why.' He then noted Romney’s tax rate and use of overseas bank accounts."
Dems seek to turn around "are you better off" debate. NYT: "The half-full argument, which the Obama campaign will promote at the Democratic convention here this week, holds that the economy is far stronger than it was at the depths of the recession in early 2009 when it was bleeding 800,000 jobs a month. Tepid though it may be, the pace of this recovery is on a par with the aftermath of other post-World War II financial crises, like those in Asia and Latin America."
ObamaCare In Spotlight
HuffPost: "…it appeared that by the end of the night, the president's health care law had gotten more mentions from the slate of Democratic speakers than it had during the entirety of the Republican convention the week prior. And it wasn't accidental. A top Obama aide said the repeated references were part of the convention's broader theme and scope. 'The focus is on how we restore economic security for the middle class, and access to affordable care,' said the aide. 'Accessible health care is one of the pillars of that.'"
W. Post's Ezra Klein: "Romney has a 'health care' section on his web site, but it’s so vague that it’s impossible to say what he actually intends to do. So far, that’s served them well. It’s allowed them to attack the Democrats’ Affordable Care Act without opening themselves up to criticism on the specifics of their plan. But it’s also meant that they don’t have specific answers for the health-care crisis … That’s left an opening for the Democrats — an opening that, for the first time, they seem intent on taking."
Yet another opportunity to deny Romney the women's vote. WSJ: "Rep. Carolyn Maloney of New York delivered the Democratic women’s line of the day … 'For the first time, being a woman is NOT a pre-existing condition.'"
"All Of The Above" Is The Word On Energy
Dems tout green energy jobs, slam "drill baby bill": "…President Obama and other leading Democrats are planning a vigorous defense of the administration’s track record on energy issues, highlighting a sharp drop in oil imports, a doubling in renewable energy output and improved fuel efficiency in new vehicles … Republicans have criticized the programs as ill-fated efforts to help politically connected firms, including the now-bankrupt solar panel maker Solyndra … But Democrats can say that Obama was able to double the nation’s output of wind and solar energy, and that there has been a substantial increase in the number of jobs …"
Though platform goes a little easier on oil. The Hill: "Democrats believe Obama has made inroads by touting his support for expanded oil-and-gas drilling as part of a wider energy strategy heavy on green energy and efficiency. They think they have blunted GOP attacks on energy — which Republicans traditionally have seen as a strength of their party — in part by more tightly embracing fossil fuels. Their 2012 platform embraces a wide array of energy options — four years after the party made multiple references to the 'tyranny' of oil."
Dem Sen. Amy Klobuchar holds out hope for bipartisan energy bill. The Hill: "Klobuchar said the ad hoc Senate 'gang' that has sought a bipartisan sweet spot on energy in recent years should take another swing. … She noted that senators in both parties have offered support for a bill aimed at making energy use in building and manufacturing more efficient, which is sponsored by Sens. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) … The 'gang' — which reached 20 senators in 2008 — rolled out a broad plan that blended wider offshore drilling with major new investments and incentives around electric vehicles and biofuels, as well as measures to support nuclear power. "
