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“New Democrats” and Why Wisconsin Liberals Hate Them

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“New Democrats” and Why Wisconsin Liberals Hate Them WISCONSIN’S NEW “NEW DEMOCRATS” AND WHY WISCONSIN LIBERALS HATE THEM MICHAEL FLAHERTY tate to do it. On top of Representative that, the Milwaukee SFrank Boyle says Democrat has been he still can’t believe on the road constant- what’s happening — ly. As head of the and pounds the table Assembly to reinforce his point. Democratic caucus, Only a few weeks ago, she’s been raising he and his 44 fellow campaign money, Wisconsin Assembly recruiting candidates Democrats voted to and crafting cam- endorse tax breaks for paigns for enough two percent of the candidates so that state’s largest busi- her Democrats can nesses and a fuel tax retake control of the break for Midwest 99-seat house. “I Express Airlines. can’t even count the hours,” says Krug, “Democrats trying to recall her crawling into bed last month of campaign work. with business?” the Superior Democrat shouts incredulously. “We’ve forgotten who we are. But then she smiles. We’ve forgotten we represent working peo- Pro-business Democrats now lead the ple.” Wisconsin Assembly’s Democrats — and peo- “I’m telling you, there are no liberal ple are responding, she says. “We’ve actually Democrats anymore!” raised more money than the Republicans. I’m convinced we can re-take the Assembly this Meanwhile, it’s noon at a Greek restaurant fall.” near the Capitol. Representative Shirley Krug is pondering her sandwich, looking a bit tired Krug says her team has the candidates, the as she reflects on the last few months. “It’s strategy and the money to pick up several been a long, grueling, spring,” shrugs Krug, seats in the Assembly this fall that will put the former university economics instructor Democrats back into the majority when they who is now the Democratic leader of the meet again next January. That means commit- Wisconsin Assembly. tee chairmanships, control over the legislative The Legislature accomplished very little — Michael Flaherty is President of Flaherty and Associates, and it took hundreds of hours of empty debate a Madison public relations firm. He was formerly government reporter for the Wisconsin State Journal. Wisconsin Interest 27 agenda and a voice in spending more than $40 Their philosophy is wildly controversial billion in state taxpayers’ money every two within their own caucus — and Republicans years. seem almost bemused by what they view as attempts by Democrats to become more like Further, she says, her cabal of young, them. mostly urban, pro-business Democrats repre- sent a national trend which, she adds, will “We’ve already won,” laughs Steve Baas, more than likely mean Democrats will re-cap- a spokesman for Assembly Speaker Scott ture the U.S. House of Representatives — and, Jensen. “We’ve moved the political debate to eventually, all of Congress. fit our agenda — tax cuts, smaller government, safe streets and family values. Even if Shirley Krug’s team is a new breed of Wisconsin does pull off a miracle and regains five seats to Democrats. They’re proponents of welfare retake the Wisconsin Assembly for the reform. In fact, they claim they were the ones Democrats,” he says, “the Legislature will be who first proposed “Wisconsin Works,” the acting on our agenda.” state’s comprehensive work-for-benefits wel- fare system. “We even came up with the Many Republicans come close to laughing name,” Krug says. They’ve been highly sup- out loud when they hear the words “fiscal con- portive of tax breaks “to help keep Wisconsin’s servative” and “Democrat” in the same sen- businesses competitive.” And they’ve voted tence. “Do they really think they’re the more consistently with Republicans on tough-on- fiscally responsible party?” they ask. crime legislation ranging from dozens of So far, however, the “New Democrats” penalty “enhancers” to existing sentences for have seen some victories. crimes to Governor Tommy Thompson’s plan to eliminate parole in Wisconsin. These “New Democrats” are actively courting the business community, especially in These are Democrats who say they’ve got Milwaukee. And the business community is a more mature view of the role of government. responding. At a Milwaukee fundraiser at the “Republicans believe in getting rid of govern- Pfister Hotel starring former Texas Gov. Ann ment. Liberals believe government should be Richards, the Democrats raised $100,000. At a everything to everybody,” says Rep. Antonio function in May at the Metropolitan Riley, D-Milwaukee, a leader of the national Milwaukee Association of Commerce bankers pro-business Democratic movement and an and realtors flocked to the event that generated early advocate of “Wisconsin Works.” $20,000. “New Democrats believe government Further, they see themselves outflanking should play an active role in society — that conservative Republicans on their own turf. government can be a catalyst to help people. Conservative Assembly Republicans led by But we also believe people should take respon- Scott Jensen have left a political vacuum by sibility for their own lives.” taking a hard line on tax cuts — and waging a Riley goes further: Liberals have actually campaign of social legislation that is relatively hurt the poor by assuming they are unable to meaningless, such as new laws defining mar- think and act for themselves. “The poor don’t riage, Riley says. want to be rubbed on the head,” he says. “Republicans have us spend a lot of time “They want jobs and the opportunity to fulfill on issues nobody cares about — school uni- their dreams and values.” forms, redefining marriage, flags in schools,” But are these “New Democrats” the future says Jeff Plale, a freshman Democrat from of Wisconsin’s Democratic Party? Can these Milwaukee. “We’ve had 30 votes on abortion Democrats’ rise in the Wisconsin Assembly this session,” Krug says. translate into votes and political victories “I speak to a lot of CEOs,” she adds. “Their throughout the state? view is that Jensen has no vision beyond tax 28 Summer 2000 cuts. The CEOs have a lot of other issues — voters care who wins? Does it really matter if labor issues, training issues. Tax cuts aren’t the Democrats take over?” only thing that drives economic growth in this “Harry Truman once said that if voters are state.” given the choice between a Republican and Many Democrats are not happy with their someone who acts like a Republican, they’ll new leadership. Liberal Democrats protest the eventually chose the real thing.” Republicans that Krug, et. al. are selling out “traditional took power precisely because they demonstrat- Democratic values” that will cost the party ed to voters that they represented a clear philos- heavily in the long run. ophy — and they nurture and encourage peo- ple to vote. “I respect them for that,” he says. “This is a failing strategy,” says Mark Pocan, D-Madison, a leader of the Assembly But the “New Democrat” Representatives Democrats’ liberal faction and himself a top — Krug, Riley, Jeff Plale, Milwaukee, Bob candidate recruiter and fundraiser for Ziegelbauer, Manitowoc, Jon Richards, Assembly Democrats. “You have to show peo- Milwaukee, Dan Schooff, Beloit, Jim Kreuser, ple differences in the two Kenosha — are unapolo- parties. If you don’t, peo- getic. In fact, they insist ple don’t think voting that if Democrats “cling makes a difference. If to traditional values” they don’t feel they have they’ll be relegated to the a choice, they’ll stay abyss of minority power home. For Democrats, “If Democrats really are — with no influence at all low turnout means over the future of Republicans win.” Republicans, why Wisconsin state govern- ment. Instead of cozying up to business, Pocan says, would voters care who Remember, they say, Democrats should be wins?” that Democrats were blast- leading the charge for ed out of power in the “traditional Democratic 1980s after Ronald Reagan issues,” helping the poor, and fellow conservatives providing more money did a masterful job of for education and job depicting Democrats as a training, and fighting coalition of people living hard against special tax favors for big busi- on the fringes of American society. nesses. The “New Democrat” is part of a national “I wish they were embarrassed by it,” says movement called the Democratic Leadership John Nichols, editorial page editor of the Council started in the South after Walter Capital Times and a nationally published liberal Mondale’s sound defeat by Reagan. commentator. Democrats will regain power by “caring The polls, and past voting trends, indicate about issues that people care about,” Krug that Wisconsin is still a relatively liberal state, says. “It’s a values-based approach. We care supporting candidates such as Michael about education, safe-schools, safe communi- Dukakis and Walter Mondale, he says. ties and economic opportunity.” Becoming more like Republicans may win in So while “Scott Jensen is talking about the short-term, but “without ideas of your school uniforms and miniature tax cuts, we’re own, you lose in the long run.” working on helping provide jobs for people,” “Ask yourself this,” Nichols explains. “If says Riley, now the national chairman of the Democrats really are Republicans, why would Democratic Leadership Council. “It all comes Wisconsin Interest 29 down to economics. People want to work. This leader that doesn’t allow for much ideological is not some warmed-over Republican idea. We expansionism. “Chuck controls virtually are building bridges.” everything,” said one Democratic member who did not want to be named for fear of retri- “New Democrats” are in a unique position bution. to bring labor and business together, he says. They can tackle common issues such as the Complicating the debate is that there are need for better education and training pro- few real fiscal conservatives anywhere in the grams, transportation issues and trade issues state Legislature.
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