Stories from the New Politics

Mr. Ross spoke before the first convention of the Democratic Leadership Council on the principles of the Council relating to education, business and trade, and the American political system. He said the Republicans were winning the White House because they were an alternative to Democrats, who previously have offered only tax and spend policies for Americans. He recited a lengthy indictment of the Democratic party’s image for most Americans, which included a focus on the impoverished without consideration of the working class; big government solutions to public problems with big spending; a concentration on maintaining the public safety net rather than maintaining a road for upward progress. In all, the Republicans have identified themselves with American visions of success while the Democrats have identified with problems. He called for the Democratic Leadership Council to lead the Democrats toward higher identification with middle class Americans. Mr. Ross then introduced a number of close