Moderate Dems Working Group

Formed in March 2009, the Moderate Dems Working Group is made up of 16 U.S. Democratic senators that position themselves as a bridge between the Senate leadership and the Administration, to focus on solutions to urgent problems. They will meet before the regular Senate Democratic Caucus lunch every other week.

Leading the group are Sentators Evan Bayh of Indiana, Tom Carper of Delaware and Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas. "Moderate" is a term of convenience; all three are honorary chairs of the "progressive" Third Way; Bayh and Carper have headed the "centrist" Democratic Leadership Conference. Lincoln and Carper served in the House of Representatives; Bayh and Carper were state governors. The remaining members are:

Mark Udall Colorado	Michael Bennet Colorado	Mark Begich Alaska
Kay Hagan North Carolina	Herb Kohl Wisconsin	Joe Lieberman Connecticut
Claire McCaskill of Missouri	Ben Nelson Nebraska	Bill Nelson Florida
Mark Pryor Arkansas	Jeanne Shaheen New Hampshire

Bayh described the goal as collaborating to get 60 votes among the various Democrats of different ideologies. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said, “If we are going to deliver the change Americans demanded and move our country forward, it will require the courage to get past our political differences and get to work. Established organizations like Third Way and new ventures like this group offer us a new opportunity to get things done, and I support every effort that puts real solutions above political posturing.”