Democratic Leadership Council

The Democratic Leadership Council is an influential non-profit corporation that advocates centrist and neoliberal positions for the United States Democratic Party. Moderate party leaders founded the DLC in response to the landslide victory of Republican candidate Ronald Reagan over Democratic candidate Walter Mondale during the 1984 Presidential election. The founders believed the United States Democratic Party needed to reform their political philosophy if they were to ever retake the White House, a goal which had eluded the Democrats since the 1976 election of Jimmy Carter. The DLC hails President Clinton as proof of the viability of third way politicians and a DLC success story. Critics contend that the DLC is effectively a powerful, corporate-financed mouthpiece within the Democratic party that acts to keep Democratic Party candidates and platforms sympathetic to corporate interests and the interests of the wealthy.

Related Topics:
Centrist - Neoliberal - United States Democratic Party - Republican - Ronald Reagan - Walter Mondale - 1984 Presidential election - White House - Jimmy Carter - President Clinton - Third way

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The DLC's affiliated think tank is the Progressive Policy Institute. Democrats who adhere to the DLC's philosophy often call themselves New Democrats.

Related Topics:
Think tank - Progressive Policy Institute - New Democrats

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Its current chairman is Governor Tom Vilsack of Iowa, and its vice chair is Senator Tom Carper of Delaware. Its CEO is Al From and its president is Bruce Reed.

Related Topics:
Tom Vilsack - Iowa - Tom Carper - Delaware - Al From - Bruce Reed

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