The Plumline's Greg Sargent: Listening, Dems?

[flpoljunkie]

Top pollster to Dems: Hold a vote on middle class tax cuts!

If House Dems hold a highly-charged vote on whether to extend the middle class tax cuts, it will go a long way towards exciting the lackluster Democratic base, by proving to rank and file Dems that the party is willing to actively fight Republicans on their behalf, a top Dem pollster told me in an interview.

The pollster, Stan Greenberg, made news this week by presenting the Dem caucus with data showing that the debate over the Bush tax cuts is a winner in general. But in our interview, he focused specifically on whether Dems should stage a vote on extending the middle class tax cuts -- something Dem leaders may not do, because moderates are balking -- and suggested doing so could help solve some of their worst political problems.

"A vote will make this issue real, and bring out the clarity of the Democrats' position," Greenberg told me. "This is an election that's being profoundly shaped by who's engaged. Republicans are engaged. They are turning out in large numbers."

"You have got to give Democrats reasons to vote," Greenberg continued. "Things have to be at stake for Democrats to vote. This is an opportunity to make politics relevant to these voters."

Some Dem leaders have suggested that if Republicans block such a vote in the Senate a clear enough contrast between the parties will have been drawn, making a House vote unnecessary. But Greenberg dismissed this argument, saying that Dems should hold the vote to prevent the issue from fading from the headlines.

"If this gets blocked in the Senate without a visible filibuster, and if the House does not vote, this issue goes away," Greenberg said. "This issue is only real if you hold a vote."

Greenberg added that a vote would convince the base that "finally, Democrats are really fighting." He added: "Taking this to a vote sends a very clear signal that we're serious about this issue, and that we're taking it to the Repubicans."

Listening, Dems?

By Greg Sargent
September 16, 2010

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2010/09/top_pollster_to_dems_hold_a_vo.html

[Cosmocat]

1. LOL ...

Rarely do you see drop dead good policy meet at the path of similarly good politics ...

They are in unchartered territory, wonder if they can find a way to do what makes 100 percent good sense ???

[damntexdem]

2. Yeah, it's a no-brainer -- so we need worry that House Dems WILL screw it up.

Nancy Pelosi needs to push it down the throats of the 'worried' Dems.

[flpoljunkie]

3. My money is with Speaker Pelosi!