Democrats everywhere have been running away from Bill Clinton. On the other hand, they are almost all running on the agenda they laid out in the State of the Union. Left, right and center, Democrats everywhere are running on the same trinity this year of protecting the surplus for Social Security, reducing class sizes in the early grades, and regulating HMO s. Republicans have a more mixed message so far. A lot of the incumbents are focusing on their achievements for the last few years, particularly balancing the budget.
Challengers are much more scattered.
First of all, we re trying to run on issues almost everywhere. And I think there is a reluctance on the part of Republicans to engage on any of those three issues, with the possible exception of education, where the Republicans do have some ideas. There is a tremendous tendency when we say Health Care Bill of Rights, they say Lewinsky. When we say save the surplus for Social Security, they say Lewinsky. When we say raise the minimum wage, they say Lewinsky.