Democratic presidential field ignores its own moderates

The centrist Democratic Leadership Council's summer meeting is being snubbed by the Democratic presidential field. Not even one candidate will attend the meeting, but Bill Clinton will be there. So will 300 officeholders from more than 45 states.

The purpose of the meeting is how can Democrats appeal to moderate, independent voters.

I guess Hillary, Obama, Edwards, and the rest just care about the far left, the peaceniks, the NAACP, and the rest of the discriminated.

DLC founder Al From: "They have tunnel vision."

But he also makes a good point which the candidates must listen to.

"Presidents are elected in the middle and they are elected by being bigger than their party. Neither parties' activists alone can elect somebody president. Democrats have a long history of nominating people, including people who have lost badly. The challenge for Democrats is to nominate somebody who can win the election."

It is possible that the current candidates feel the low popularity of President Bush would give Democrats an advantage for the 2008 presidential election. However, despite the strong participation by the left-sided base, the political middle is still quite significant and voters in that bloc can easily swing their votes to the other side. They have to know that they are frustrated with both major parties.

I won't be surprised when the Democratic presidential candidate is chosen, he or she will pander to the DLC in order to get the moderate vote.

But where are the candidates? Instead of being at the DLC summer meeting, they will be in Chicago attending a convention of liberal bloggers. Figures.

Yahoo News - Democratic hopefuls snub party moderates