To the Point

The State of the Democratic Party

Members of Congress rose to their feet 88 times last night as President Bush presented plans for concerns traditionally associated with the Democratic agenda. Though Bush has no popular mandate or working majority, he has won control of both the White House and the Congress. How far have Democrats strayed from their party's political backbone? Who will lead them back to traditional grassroots issues? We join leading Democrats, including California Congresswoman Maxine Waters and The Nation's David Corn, in an examination of their own vision. (Diana Nyad guest hosts.) Newsmaker: What Bush Didn't Say - Last night before a nationally televised speech to a joint session of Congress, President Bush announced his plan for a 1.6 trillion-dollar tax cut, and launched new discussions on education, energy and race. Eleanor Clift, contributing editor for Newsweek, says Bush hopes to achieve his cut-and-spend feat by leaving high-profile social programs in tact. Reporter's Notebook: Puzzled Israelis Sign Up to Hear the Other Side - Despite ongoing violence, ignorance and stereotypes continue to embitter relations between Palestinians and Israelis. Israelis may see Palestinian construction workers, but rarely meet Palestinian professionals. Dr. Adel Manna is trying to change all that. The Jerusalem-based historian runs a seminar by Palestinians on Palestinian history for Israelis.