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March 30, 2001/Nisan 6, 5761, Vol. 53, No.26
Democrats implored to grow grassroots
BARRY COHEN
Community Editor
John Cohen speaks at the Nucleus Club of the Arizona Democratic party at Phoenix Country Club, March 19.
Photo by Barry Cohen |
In an article in the Washington Post March 11, Robert Reich, U.S. Secretary of Labor during the Clinton administration, pronounced the Democratic Party "deceased."
John Cohen, policy advisor to the Clinton-Gore '96 and Gore-Lieberman 2000 presidential campaigns and guest speaker at a meeting of the Maricopa County Nucleus Club, respectfully disagrees.
"The Democratic Party is in a time of evolution and modification," just as the country is transitioning from an industrial, manufacturing base to an information age, said Cohen.
Part of this state of change requires local party leaders to organize on a grassroots level, he added, including making connections with mayors, city councilmen, state legislators and governors.
Further, "you have to raise money to build portfolios of state and local officials who are going to evolve to be our national leaders," he said.
Cohen now works as director of the community crime-fighting project of the Progressive Policy Institute, the think tank of the Democratic Leadership Council. He is also president and chief executive officer of PSComm, a technology solutions management firm.
He spoke to the monthly Democratic Nucleus Club March 19 at Phoenix Country Club. Nucleus is "the fund-raising arm of the Maricopa County Democratic Party," according to Manny Cisneros, chairman of the Maricopa County Democratic Party. Nucleus holds monthly luncheons with guest speakers.
An impediment to Democrats' grassroots organizing and unifying is a rift begun by party members who have embraced the Green party, led by Ralph Nader, said Cohen.
"One of the most dangerous things that can happen two years from now, or for the election for president in four years, is that we don't solve this rift that is beginning to appear between those on the progressive end of the party and those considered to be more centrist and moderate," he said.
Cohen criticized Democrats for failing to articulate a clearer message on the environment, on race issues and on equal opportunity for all.
Cohen was at a loss to suggest a leader who would unify the Democrats and attract those who have abandoned the party base. "I'll be very honest with you, and I hope I don't irritate anybody here. I haven't seen (anybody) yet," he said.
However, he did offer a "short list" of possibilities, including Sen. Evan Bayh (D-Ind.); Sen. Joseph Lieberman (D-Conn.); Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.); Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, lieutenant governor of Maryland; Martin O'Malley, mayor of Baltimore; and Wellington Webb, mayor of Denver.
In the absence of a national unifying leader, it is logical to organize on a grassroots level, said Courtland Coleman, executive director of the Arizona Democratic Party.
"Right now, (we're trying to) organize our grassroots and grow our organization to be more effective when it comes to campaign elections," said Coleman.
Efforts include telephone calls, letters to the editor, e-mail and communication targeted to particular communities, he said.
The party must reach out to Phoenix, Tucson and Flagstaff, in addition to other cities and show how Democratic ideals and principles will make a difference in people's lives, Coleman added.
"It's the small issues that matter," said Scottsdale City Councilman David Ortega, a democrat. "We have the greatest impact on the local level, especially in education and neighborhood well-being."
When asked in an interview about the relationship between grassroots organizing and responding to President Bush's efforts to gather support for faith-based initiatives and school vouchers, Cohen responded, "Education is a tricky issue."
He said he is more concerned with the teacher-student ratio and whether existing curricula are preparing minority and disadvantaged children for the technological age.
He said another crucial part of grassroots organization is "building a government infrastructure that is highly effective, that makes delivery of services to citizens a top priority."
When a neighborhood streetlight needs to be replaced, when a pothole needs to be filled or when an alley needs to be cleaned up, people should feel comfortable turning to local government leaders to respond to their needs, added Cohen.
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