Party ‘Alive and Well,’ Democrats Say in Reply : They Try to Portray Reagan as Fiscally Irresponsible and Lacking Compassion

Seeking to dispel notions that their party is on the skids, Democrats responded to President Reagan’s State of the Union address with a 28 1/2-minute television program proclaiming that they are “alive and well” and sensitive to the concerns of the American people.

The program was the first opportunity Democrats have had to present their case to a national audience since their resounding defeat in November’s presidential election. And, seizing that opportunity, it trumpeted Democratic “success stories” while attempting to portray Reagan as fiscally irresponsible and lacking compassion for ordinary Americans.

The $100,000 production did not shy away from mentioning some of the Democratic Party’s warts--particularly its failures in the 1984 election. But it also declared that the party “knows how to change.”

Disarray Denied

“Many pundits are talking of a Democratic Party ‘demise’ or ‘disarray,’ ” Rep. Tony Coelho (D-Merced), chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, said at a news conference before the broadcast. “With that in mind, we hope that tonight’s program will convey to the American people that the national, state and local Democratic parties are alive and well.”

That theme was repeated throughout the production, which was sponsored by the House and Senate Democratic policy committees and narrated by Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton, who “epitomizes the new Democrat,” according to the show’s producer, media consultant Raymond Strother.

The Democratic response featured party officeholders--including House Majority Leader Jim Wright of Texas, Colorado Lt. Gov. Nancy Dick and Philadelphia Mayor W. Wilson Goode--participating in four discussion groups. Topics varied from budget deficits and Social Security to taxes and defense spending.

‘Differences Are Many’

“Our objective tonight is not to disagree with our President and his party, though our differences are many,” Clinton said at the start of the program. “Like all Americans, we must celebrate any success that builds a better future.”

In a conciliatory spirit, Clinton took note of Reagan’s 74th birthday, saying: “By the way, Mr. President, happy birthday tonight.”

The Democratic program was taped before Reagan’s address and responded to it only in general terms. But, like the President’s speech, it sought to establish a generally upbeat tone.

“There is a Democratic Party in America which is alive and well,” Clinton said, “a party committed to prosperity and opportunity for all Americans, a party more concerned with the future than the past, a party convinced that we are living in challenging times which require us to go beyond the established dogmas of both national political parties.”

Need for Party Reform

But Clinton acknowledged the need for party reform, saying: “This is a party that knows it has to change, a party that wants to reach out to all Americans, Democrats, Republicans and independents. Perhaps we have lagged behind in recent years. But we’re on the move.”

The 58 ordinary Democrats who participated in the discussion groups were basically upwardly mobile white-collar and blue-collar workers--many of whom defected to the Republican column in last November’s presidential election, according to Strother.

“That show is focused on that group of defectors, those people we tend to be losing,” Strother said. “It’s directed to them--it’s going to appeal to them.”

In an attempt to demonstrate the party’s belief in fiscal responsibility and economic growth, a series of brief “success stories” was flashed on the screen.

Bradley, Cuomo Praised

The show praised, among others, New York Gov. Mario M. Cuomo for balancing his state’s budget, Massachusetts Gov. Michael S. Dukakis for establishing a state industrial finance agency to promote economic development and Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley for his role in the financially profitable 1984 Summer Olympics.

To keep the focus on fresh Democratic faces, the show featured no appearances by any of the top three Democratic aspirants in last year’s presidential primaries--former Vice President Walter F. Mondale, Colorado Sen. Gary Hart or Chicago civil rights activist Jesse Jackson--and contained only brief remarks by House Speaker Thomas P. (Tip) O’Neill Jr. of Massachusetts and Senate Minority Leader Robert C. Byrd of West Virginia.

The Democrats contended that the Treasury Department’s tax reform proposal--whose goals Reagan espoused in his State of the Union message--had its origin in Democratic legislation introduced by Sen. Bill Bradley of New Jersey and Rep. Richard A. Gephardt of Missouri.

Shown on NBC and CBS

“But, of course, we’re glad the Republicans have finally come on board,” Coelho said.

The program was shown on the NBC and CBS television networks immediately after the President’s speech. But ABC decided to hold the response until tonight at 7:30 PST, broadcasting instead on Wednesday an episode of its top-running “Dynasty” series.

“ABC decided ‘Dynasty’ was more important than democracy,” Coelho said.