The American Spectator

But their interests will be secondary to the other keynote speaker, Sen. Hillary Clinton. Clinton’s speech is expected to be a broad discussion of a return to DLC roots, and a re-imagining of the party for a new majority in 2006 and beyond. “People are hoping it’s the kind of speech that becomes the template for what we do down the road,” says a DLC member involved in planning the event. “We expect her remarks to be the ones that really set the tone for the event.”

Clinton is expected to take a more prominent role in the DLC in the coming days, perhaps in a policy development position, which would allow her to make more policy-oriented media appearances. “Right now, she’s doing media because of the fascination and the expectation that she is running, but that’s not enough,” says a consultant for the Glover Park Group, which does work for Clinton. “She needs to sharpen her policy chops, and fronting for the DLC is a great way to reinforce that there is more to her than a well-known name.”

p> DIRTY AIR JORDAN br> As if there weren’t enough of them, former John Kerry campaign adviser Jim Jordan is starting up yet another 527. This one is targeted at attacking Republican senators and prospective Senate candidates (read Republican House members and state officials) during their off-election-cycle years. /p>

Because 527s are barred from overt activities tied to political parties and campaigns, Jordan’s Senate Majority Project would focus instead on attacking Republicans during those times when they weren’t running for re-election or seeking election to the Senate.

According to a current DNC staffer aware of the project, Jordan envisions an aggressive, down and dirty opposition research operation that would generate negative press coverage in senators’ home states. Jordan is already raising money. According to Democratic operatives and former Kerry campaign staffers, SMP isn’t just focused on run of the mill Republican senators, its mission is to go after Senators with even higher aspirations.

“We’re hearing they are looking at [Sens.] Frist, Brownback, and Hagel, among others,” says a Democratic operative. “If SMP works on some level, it will make it harder for these guys to run for president, because the SMP will talking up the dirt long before they get into national campaign mode.”

No word on who is funding the project, though Democratic Sen. Harry Reid has been briefed on the 527 and given it his blessing.

p> DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE br> German Chancellor