Faced with an uphill battle to win back the majority they lost a decade ago and worried that the public doesn't know where they stand, House Democrats Wednesday will unveil a platform of six "core values" they hope will give voters a reason to support them in November.

The New Partnership for America's Future is "our pledge to the American people addressing their aspirations," says House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of California. She promises "a drumbeat" by House Democrats about their party's values on national security, prosperity, fairness, opportunity, community and accountability.

The statement of principles, designed to fit on a pocket card that candidates can carry with them, reiterates familiar Democratic positions. There are no new initiatives or specific legislation. Instead, the plan lays out goals such as creating 10 million new jobs, assuring health care for all children, making college tuition tax deductible and ending deficit spending.

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They learned that lesson from House Republicans, who ended 40 years of Democratic rule a decade ago by unveiling their "Contract with America," a detailed blueprint for GOP action. Minutes after today's Democratic announcement on the same west-front steps of the Capitol where Republicans introduced the contract, GOP leaders will hold their own news conference to "celebrate a decade in the majority," Pryce says.

Posted by: Jonathan Singer / 8:26 AM | Basie! Home