Skip to footer

John Podesta and Mark Penn

  • By David T. Cook

John Podesta, president of the Center for American Progress,and Democratic pollster Mark Penn of Penn, Schoen & Berland Associates, were Wednesday's guests. Here are excerpts from their remarks:

On expectations that the House will vote to repeal inheritance taxes permanently:

(Podesta) "One has to give credit to a triumph of public relations over sound economics or a real sense of fairness in this country."

On the political dynamics surrounding President Bush's campaign to reform Social Security:

(Penn) "He may be right in saying he was hitting the third rail of politics.... They either have to figure out a new way to change the dynamic, which they have done in the past, or they could be facing some pretty grim [midterm elections next year]. At some point, Republicans are going to start to notice this."

On Democrats' need to offer specific policy alternatives:

(Podesta) "Ultimately, people want to know what are you going to try to do to help them lead better lives.... I think they would be [well-served] to put some of those ideas out on the table and embrace the need for tackling some of the important issues."

On Hillary Clinton as a presidential candidate:

(Penn) "She has a tremendous amount of enthusiasm among Democrats. She has a unique ability ... to generate tremendous enthusiasm.... And if hard-core Republicans don't like her, and you call that polarizing, then every candidate in America is polarizing."

You've read  of  free articles. Subscribe to continue.
QR Code to John Podesta and Mark Penn
Read this article in
https://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0414/p20s02-usmb.html
QR Code to Subscription page
Start your subscription today
https://www.csmonitor.com/subscribe