Democrats Facing Uphill Campaign Battles

Texas Insider Report: WASHINGTON D.C.  When youre so narrowly focused as my Democratic friends are on increasing the minimum wage on this sort of gender equality thing that may appeal to some people but its not going to do very much for economic growth" said former Sen. Jon Kyl (R-AZ. at right.) arguing that the Senate Democrats Economic Inequality Agenda is setting up to be a big loser with swing voters this November.   The group Each American Dream has a starter budget of $1 million and recently commissioned a poll that revealed 67 of swing voters believe expanding businesses and creating jobs is the best strategy for reducing economic inequality not raising the minimum wage. Fifty-nine percent of swing voters said reforming the welfare system would best reduce income inequality. The survey of 1200 voters nationwide was conducted earlier this year by Frank Luntz a prominent GOP pollster and has been shared with Republican and Democratic congressional offices. The Luntz survey revealed that 58 of voters including 60 of swing voters are dissatisfied with income and wealth distribution in the United States a finding that corroborates other polling on the economy. However only 28 of swing voters said they believe the solution is to ensure broader access to good schools and college education according to the Luntz poll.

1. The Luntz survey found that 44 of registered voters see a decline in the cultural values of hard work and personal responsibility as the primary cause for poverty.
2. Only 14 blamed education inequality and only 5 pointed to a lack of government programs for the needy.
3. Only 21 of swing voters viewed raising the minimum wage as the most effective remedy.

Kyl said he expects his former GOP colleagues to begin challenging the Democrats inequality platform more directly in the months ahead. The survey found that 43 and 42 of Democrats respectively saw improved access to education and a higher minimum wage as the best way to combat income inequality. That might be why some centrist Democrats facing uphill campaign battles have kept their distance from the Democratic leaderships agenda items. While Senate Democratic Policy Chairman Charles Schumer (left D-NY) has tried to rally Democrats around a populist economic agenda centered on raising the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour Each American Dream is quietly talking with centrist senators about protecting the interests of employers and high-income earners. Kyl says Democrats including Schumer are more receptive to his arguments than they publicly acknowledge. Centrist Democrats facing tough reelections in November however have yet to embrace their Democratic leaderships agenda.

Its not necessarily going to be the focus of my campaign" said Sen. Mark Pryor (D-Ark.) who does not support a proposal to raise the federal minimum wage to $10.10. Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La. below 2nd from right) another vulnerable Democrat has also been reluctant to back the wage hike according to groups who have lobbied the Senate Democratic caucus.

Last time I checked Chuck Schumer represented Wall Street and I dont think that he would confess to the constituents on Wall Street that he has turned his back on them so that he can help raise the minimum wage of average workers" Kyl said. He understands as well as anyone the role that wealth creation plays in a healthy economy. Its the essence of economic growth." Schumer joined Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and other Democratic leaders in rolling out their 2014 A Fair Shot for Everyone" Agenda. That agenda includes:

1. the Minimum Wage Boost
2. the Paycheck Fairness Act which promotes equal pay between men and women
3. a plan to improve College Affordability; and
4. a tax hike on the wealthy

Kyl said those proposals would have little impact on the economy contrary to the promises of Democratic leaders. Schumer acknowledged that the Democratic agenda is designed to rev up the liberal base. Each of these issues every one of these will motivate our base but is also a great issue in red states leading up to the November election" he said Wednesday. Income inequality is making Americans uncomfortable but the solutions that Americans actually want to see arent higher taxes or bigger government" said Jeff Cook-McCormac senior adviser to Each American Dream. This messaging we are sharing on both sides of the aisle."