RNC Research

Obama’s State Of The Union Address, Shows “Signs Of Strain” Between The Liberal And Moderate Wings Of The Democratic Party.  “As the White House drafts a sixth State of the Union address, signs of strain are emerging within the Democratic Party, with liberals pushing the president to be more outspoken about the economic issues that now drive voter dissatisfaction. And while the speech isn’t likely to make a big impact on what policies get through Congress, it could have a lasting effect on the direction of Democratic politics.” (Josh Kraushaar, “Divided Democrats Put Obama In A State of The Union Squeeze,” National Journal, 1/20/14)

• Liberal Democrats Want Obama To Use His Speech To Take A “Confrontational Approach Toward Wall Street And Higher Taxes On The Wealthiest Americans.” “The party’s centrist wing, which generally backs entitlement reforms and free-trade agreements that appeal to the more affluent, wants Obama to use the speech to convey an economic-growth message. The liberal wing is urging a more confrontational approach toward Wall Street and higher taxes on the wealthiest Americans.” (Josh Kraushaar, “Divided Democrats Put Obama In A State of The Union Squeeze,” National Journal, 1/20/14)
• AFL-CIO Michael Podhorzer: “Obama Needs To Be More Responsive To Where The Public Is.” “‘Obama needs to be responsive to where the public is. He should not overrate the component of the Obama coalition that is the affluent in the same breath as the others,’ said AFL-CIO Political Director Michael Podhorzer. ‘The real coalition that elected Obama was one that overwhelmingly is not making it in the economy.’” (Josh Kraushaar, “Divided Democrats Put Obama In A State of The Union Squeeze,” National Journal, 1/20/14)

“It Will Be Difficult For The Administration To Both Strike That Balance And Achieve Its Main Political Goal Of 2014—Holding Onto The Senate.”  “It will be difficult for the administration to both strike that balance and achieve its main political goal of 2014—holding onto the Senate. The White House has been holding private meetings with senators up for reelection, betting that red-state Democrats can benefit from economic initiatives framed in a populist manner. But with Obama’s approval ratings in bad shape in these states, that strategy could be a losing one.” (Josh Kraushaar, “Divided Democrats Put Obama In A State of The Union Squeeze,” National Journal, 1/20/14)