DLC president Bruce Reed opened the discussion by enjoining Democrats to....
focus on the party's fundamental problems. "The core of Democrats' problem is
the same as it was when the DLC was founded 20 years ago: the middle class
doesn't trust us enough to stand up for their security, their values, or their
economic interests

Al From, the DLC's CEO and founder:

"Accept the truth" that Republicans have achieved majority status, albeit a
narrow majority;

"Expand the map" by working on a Democratic revival in "red states";

Address three "trust gaps" that have become obstacles to acceptance of
Democratic candidates: a "security gap," a "culture gap" and a "reform gap";

Brownstein suggested that Bush might have won half of the white union vote, and
that the Democrats' "southwestern strategy" of focusing on states with large
Hispanic populations might have been a mistake."

Brownstein argued that one danger sign for Democrats is that they are not doing
as well in "red states" as the Republicans are doing in "blue states." "Red
America is becoming Fortress America," he observed, noting that over the last
two elections Democrats have lost 10 out of 10 open Senate seats in the South.

As the one successful Democratic Senate candidate in the South on November 2,
Sen. Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas offered three thoughts for Democrats in
communicating with voters they have been losing in "red states:"

"Trust the voters" to understand the issues that most affect their lives,
instead of trying to tell them what they should care about;

"Get rid of sacred cows" in talking about domestic issues, and stop defending
federal programs as ends in themselves;

"Get comfortable talking about your faith" as a way of instilling trust in the
values of Democratic elected officials.

Former Clinton White House political director Doug Sosnik argued that
"elections are often lagging indicators of political trends," and suggested
that the 2004 results reflected a long period of growth in Republican strength
rather than any clear advantage in the future. But he also agreed with all the
other panelists in urging Democrats to get better in touch not just with the
values, but with the day-to-day lives of voters. "The vast majority of people
in this country don't think of themselves as 'red people' or 'blue people,'" he
said. "They think of themselves as just normal people living their lives."