SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2002
TABLE OF CONTENTS

EDITOR'S NOTE
by Chuck Alston

Where We Stand

HOW TO EARN A MAJORITY
by The Editors
Demographic trends are creating Democratic opportunities. But a majority won't come automatically, or easily.

Cover Package

AMERICA'S CHANGING POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY

WHERE DEMOCRATS CAN BUILD A MAJORITY...
by John B. Judis and Ruy Teixeira
Welcome to the ideopolis. These fast growing metropolitan areas with postindustrial economies are the breeding grounds for a new Democratic majority.

...BUT ONLY WITH THE RIGHT AGENDA
by Mark J. Penn
The potential Democratic majority depends on voters concerned about growth and opportunity.

INDEPENDENT STREAK
by Marshall Wittman
The GOP may be losing independent suburban voters, but Democrats haven't won yet.

FELLOW TRAVELERS
by Harold Meyerson
The coming Democratic majority will be drawn from the top and bottom of the Information Age economy.

THE BRAWL IN THE SPRAWL
by David Brooks
If Democrats look down on the values of the outer suburbs, they'll soon see red.

Special Section: New World / New War

DEMOCRATS AND THE WAR ON TERRORISM by Sen. John F. Kerry Foreign policy should not be ceded to the Republicans. THE FUTURE OF NATO by Steven J. Nider Three steps the alliance should take to refocus on the right threats. Blueprint Extra: ARE THE GERMANS REALLY ANTI-AMERICAN, OR JUST ANTI-BUSH? (Web only) by Peter Ross Range No matter who started this playground brawl, important relations between major countries can clearly be damaged when neither pays enough attention to the other's interests and concerns.

Columns

Political Memo by Al From Let Independents In	The Vital Center by Bruce Reed Don't Leave Education Behind
The Politics of Ideas by Will Marshall Making the Case on Iraq	Guest Column by Sen. Charles E. Schumer Balance on the Bench

Essays & Comment

THE BUCK STOPS WHERE?
by Gene Sperling
The Clinton administration shifted policies to strengthen the economy. The Bush administration seems interested only in shifting blame.

BUSH LISTENS TO COOLIDGE, McKINLEY, AND ROVE
by Robert D. Atkinson
The Bush economic team is marching in lockstep to the policies of the past -- the very distant past.

THE PROGRESSIVE RAP ON CORPORATE MISCONDUCT
by Ed Kilgore
Democrats should demand corporate responsibility but leave the populist rhetoric to Ralph Nader.

STOP THE REVOLVING DOOR
by Mark A. R. Kleiman
Accountability for results helped police reduce crime. It's time to try it in corrections as well.

Culture & Politics

POLITICS AT THE MARGINS
by Alan Wolfe

ON THE TREADMILL TO NOWHERE
by Fred Siegel

PUTTING VOUCHERS TO THE TEST
by Sara Mead

RESISTING THE BRAVE NEW WORLD
by Robert D. Atkinson

New Dem Digest

WEB EDITOR'S NOTE:
Some features in the New Dem Digest section of the new Blueprint are available in print, only. (Subscription information.)

People, Policy & Politics

• Local officials call for national drive to meet the homeland security challenge. Plus:
  • PLAYBOOK -- A menu of ideas for state and local elected officials.

Interview

• A conversation with Middlesex County, Mass., District Attorney Martha Coakley on prosecuting crime.

• Arkansas Senator Blanche Lincoln
• Hartford Mayor Eddie Perez
• Phoenix City Councilman Greg Stanton
• Los Angeles School Board President Caprice Young

Resources

• Capsule review of recent books and Internet tools, an Idea of the Week from NDOL.org. Plus:
  • NEW DEM INDEX -- Back to school edition.
    by Bruce Reed

What Works

• Tight housing markets can yield teacher shortages, but some areas have found ways to ease both.
  by Senator Tom Carper