Candidates fuel hopes of party liberals
WASHINGTON — Two powerful blocs among Democrats -- organized labor and liberal activists -- heard several of the party's presidential contenders pledge allegiance Thursday to a progressive agenda more sweeping than would have seemed politically palatable not long ago.
The candidates' liberal chorus about the war in Iraq, gay rights, healthcare and labor issues was a testament to the Democratic left wing's growing strength since the Republican rout in the 2006 midterm election.
The White House hopefuls called for broad healthcare reform. All embraced allowing gays to serve in the military, a step to the left of President Clinton's policy of "don't ask, don't tell."
The rival candidates also paid homage to their party's deep antiwar sentiment by competing for the mantle of being the most strongly opposed to the war in Iraq.
Speaking to a labor group in Washington were Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York and Barack Obama of Illinois, former Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich of Ohio.
The forum of liberal groups, which convened a few blocks away, heard Edwards, Obama and Richardson, along with Mike Gravel, a former senator from Alaska. Clinton and Kucinich are scheduled to address that group today.
At a time when many Republicans are dissatisfied with their presidential candidates, the mood at the twin forums illustrated the energy and high hopes coursing through liberal ranks.
"There's enthusiasm and optimism that someone in this room will be elected president," said Wayne Holland Jr., head of the Utah Democratic Party who attended the conference of liberal activists organized by the Campaign for America's Future. "There's a confidence I've never seen."
However, by pushing their nominee to the left during the primary contests, Democrats risk not being able to win over more conservative voters in a general election. But for now, progressives see the field of candidates catering to liberal interests as an embarrassment of riches.
"I was impressed with all of them," said Allan Winey, an accountant in Pennsylvania who attended the day's first gathering, a meeting of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union. "They are all headed in the right direction."
The crowd at the union convention numbered about 2,000. More than 3,000 people were at the more boisterous conference of liberals.
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