Democrats Build 2014 Strategy Around Minimum Wage

“Democratic Party leaders, bruised by months of attacks on the new health care program, have found an issue they believe can lift their fortunes both locally and nationally in 2014: an increase in the minimum wage,” the New York Times reports.

“The effort to take advantage of growing populism among voters in both parties is being coordinated by officials from the White House, labor unions and liberal advocacy groups.”

“In a series of strategy meetings and conference calls among them in recent weeks, they have focused on two levels: an effort to raise the federal minimum wage, which will be pushed by President Obama and congressional leaders, and a campaign to place state-level minimum wage proposals on the ballot in states with hotly contested congressional races.”

Wonk Wire: “The minimum wage will rise in 13 states this week, and as many as 11
states and Washington, D.C., are expected to consider increases in 2014.”