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Janet Napolitano on Principles & Values
Democratic AZ Governor; Designee for Secretary of Homeland Security
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Key to politics: enlarge the circle to achieve common goals
During my time as governor of Arizona, there were many instances where I was at an event and someone would lean over to me and whisper "I'm a Republican, but I voted for you."
They had to be out there. I was elected 3 times--once as attorney general and twice as governor--as a Democrat in a state where Democratic support alone can't win you an election.
They key to making change in politics is to give those types of people a home--to enlarge the circle, include people who may not agree with you on everything, and make skeptics into partners.
This can be difficult, but the larger and more diverse the coalition, the greater the potential to achieve common goals. This has been one of my priorities during my time in politics.
Source: Intro to Unite and Conquer, by Kyrsten Sinema, p. ix
, Jul 1, 2009
Change from old political cynicism to new hopeful model
In the past, efforts to describe the essence of politics have resounded with cynicism. Politics is likened to sausage making or cat herding; it is called the organization of grievance, or the process by which people who once had good intentions
sell out for expediency. But the political phenomena that have changed our country in the last few years--foremost among these President Obama's historic rise to the White House--
have given us a less cynical and more hopeful model for what politics really is: the organization of people with common interests and concerns and the act of mobilizing them toward a common goal.
We have seen the ability of broad-based, well-led coalitions to change politics and empower people who had never thought they could make much of a difference.
Source: Intro to Unite and Conquer, by Kyrsten Sinema, p. xi
, Jul 1, 2009
Supports Hyde Park Declaration of "Third Way" centrism.
Napolitano adopted the manifesto, "A New Politics for a New America":
As New Democrats, we believe in a Third Way that rejects the old left-right debate and affirms America’s basic bargain: opportunity for all, responsibility from all, and community of all.
We believe:- that government’s proper role in the New Economy is to equip working Americans with new tools for economic success and security.
- in expanding trade and investment because we must be a party of economic progress, not economic reaction.
- that fiscal discipline is fundamental to sustained economic growth as well as responsible government.
- that a progressive tax system is the only fair way to pay for government.
- the Democratic Party’s mission is to expand opportunity, not government.
- that education must be America’s great equalizer, and we will not abandon our public schools or tolerate their failure.
- that all Americans must have access to health insurance.
- in preventing crime and punishing criminals.
- in a new social compact that requires and
rewards work in exchange for public assistance and that ensures that no family with a full-time worker will live in poverty.
- that public policies should reinforce marriage, promote family, demand parental responsibility, and discourage out-of-wedlock births.
- in enhancing the role that civic entrepreneurs, voluntary groups, and religious institutions play in tackling America’s social ills.
- in strengthening environmental protection by giving communities the flexibility to tackle new challenges that cannot be solved with top-down mandates.
- government must combat discrimination on the basis of race, creed, gender, or sexual orientation; defend civil liberties; and stay out of our private lives.
- that abortion should be safe, legal, and rare.
- in progressive internationalism -- the bold exercise of US leadership to foster peace, prosperity, and democracy.
- that the US must maintain a strong, technologically superior defense to protect our interests and values.
Source: The Hyde Park Declaration 00-DLC0 on Aug 1, 2000
Page last updated: Mar 13, 2021