A War Room of One's Own

The "first permanent communications war room for Democrats on Capitol Hill," the Senate Democratic Communications Center, has been launched. The SDCC's 15 staff members are led by Jim Manley, Senator Edward Kennedy's press secretary, and Phil Singer, former Kerry-Edwards campaign spokesperson. Manley said the SDCC's goal is "to amplify the Senate Democratic agenda," conceding, "the Republicans have been successful ... with a unified set of talking points." Senior Fleishman-Hillard partner Jon Haber also noted the Republican Party's "message discipline," and said Democrats are trying "to position themselves as helping individuals, families and workers." SDCC plans include a dedicated website and regular media outreach.