LEESBURG, Virginia As political turmoil grips Washington D.C., House Democrats will convene their annual policy retreat at Leesburg in Virginia starting Thursday with President Joe Biden giving an address.
Some Democratic lawmakers in competitive districts downplay Speaker Mike Johnson’s conservative positions, believing his even-keeled approach will connect better with voters. DelBene warns this may backfire.
Speakers
The issue conference launched Wednesday amid chaos for House Republicans and low approval ratings for President Joe Biden. Biden will address his caucus Thursday afternoon; Kamala Harris will deliver her address Wednesday.
Some Democrats are pushing their party to target Republican incumbents in swing districts with a narrative that their leaders can’t govern effectively, following in the footsteps of former Democratic president Joe Biden who often went after Republicans for taking credit for legislation they opposed or for which they didn’t vote in support.
Speaker Mike Johnson may present Democrats with an opportunity to make that argument. He comes from a different corner of their party than his predecessors and has less close ties to Wall Street donors and corporate donors who often fund GOP campaigns; instead he has connections more with ascendant populist and evangelical grassroots, which may help him connect with voters in swing districts. But creating an image of menace around this new Speaker would be foolish.
Topics
House Democrats believe they can win back control in November with effective messaging and leverage the legislative successes they earned in President Biden’s first two years, including passage of a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 rescue package, climate and infrastructure legislation and expansion of abortion rights.
Democratic leaders are counting on Wes Moore, Maryland’s first black chief executive candidate, as well as Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Andy Beshear of Kentucky and Michelle Lujan Grisham from New Mexico as governors to advance their party agenda in key battleground states like Kentucky and New Mexico.
White House and Cabinet officials are providing vital assistance in making complex legislation more understandable for constituents, including visits from Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg showing off new bridge construction, and Infrastructure Coordinator Mitch Landrieu showing off highway project upgrades. The three-day conference is taking place at a hotel in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor.
Agenda
House Democrats are convening their annual policy retreat despite turmoil within the Republican conference and declining approval ratings for President Biden. At their three-day gathering at a hotel in Baltimore, House Dems will hear from Vice President Kamala Harris as well as Cabinet officials during this three-day event.
Democratic leaders are keen to demonstrate their party’s cohesion as they attempt to recapture control of the House majority, encouraging candidates to adopt economic populism such as raising minimum wages or abolishing barriers to union organizing.
They plan to highlight legislative successes such as passing major infrastructure legislation, funding computer chip manufacturing in domestic factories and new gun reform laws as part of their effort to persuade voters to support them this fall. They hope that highlighting and publicizing such accomplishments will persuade more voters to support them this time around.
Location
House Democrats are meeting here to craft a messaging plan to help maintain their slim majority and flip five Republican-held seats back over. At their retreat, House Dems will showcase all their achievements during President Biden’s first two years in office; from major infrastructure projects and gun reform laws to funding computer chip manufacturing operations at home. They are also using this momentous occasion to highlight landmark climate and health care bills passed this session.
Democratic House incumbents face an afflicted party and president with low approval ratings; many Democrats in competitive districts fear being ousted by voters. Their choice of candidates for reelection remains limited: both veteran incumbents like George Santos from New York and Joe Donnelly of Indiana as well as rising stars such as Wes Moore are available; special elections will also be held to replace retiring or departing members and special election to replace retiring or departing ones such as Reps George Santos of New York or Joe Donnelly from Indiana who are running as special elections or special elections to replace retiring members like George Santos from New York or Joe Donnelly from Indiana; or special elections to replace retiring or departing members, such as retiring or departing members such as retiring or leaving Reps George Santos of New York or Joe Donnelly from Indiana respectively and rising stars such as their newly named red-to-blue program candidate Wes Moore respectively.
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