They fear that the liberal Democratic president's social emphases in his second term will undercut focus on improving the economy. From The Wall Street Journal: "Mr. Obama's speech was a call to action on Democratic social issues,
focusing in part on civil rights, gay rights and efforts to help
low-income Americans. But parts of his agenda — which includes controlling gun violence,
preserving his health-care law and writing more pro-immigrant laws — could
prove a tough sell, even with some Democratic members of Congress. 'The reality is that in the few remaining swing districts we have
left, you are going to be unable to get the moderates to go with you if
you push the agenda too far to the left,' said Dennis Cardoza, a former
California congressman and a moderate Democrat. He said prioritizing the
economy and immigration was the best course."
The article continues: "But the president's agenda could put him at odds with some Senate
Democrats up for re-election in 2014, many of whom come from GOP-leaning
states. Of the 21 Democratic-held seats up in 2014, seven are in states that
Mr. Obama lost in 2012, including five seats deemed competitive in early
ratings by the nonpartisan Cook Political Report. They are held by Mark
Begich of Alaska, Mark Pryor of Arkansas, Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, Max Baucus of Montana and Kay Hagan of North Carolina. Those Democrats tend to be far more supportive of gun rights
and — especially in the cases of Ms. Landrieu and Mr. Begich — of the oil
industry than the White House is, and they could oppose measures to
control gun violence or to limit global warming."
More: "Many other Democrats in Congress offered little response to the
president's social-policy agenda Tuesday, saying they remained hopeful
his address to Congress on Feb. 12 would offer details of economic
policy. 'The more that we're focused on economic growth and economic
empowerment…then you have a chance of more bipartisan agreement,' said
Rep. Ron Kind (D., Wis.), chairman of the New Democrat Coalition, a
centrist group in Congress."
Obama's Agenda Gives Centrist Democrats Pause
