Democrats don't relate to middle-class people.

We need to make sure middle-class people are able to pay the bills. We need to make sure that poor people don't starve. Those are values, too.

The bottom line is there are lots of problems that were not created by government. The biggest one is loss of middle class incomes, loss of good-paying jobs which was created by technology and globalization. Above all, when you can move a job to China or India, it reduces wages.

Real Democrats don't abandon the middle class.

Let me say this, to all of the chattering class that so much focuses on those little tiny, yes, porky amendments - the American people really don't care.

Wisconsin Democrats are focused on making life more affordable for our middle-class families, so they can pay for their health care, have a good-paying job and send their kids to college. Whether it is our schools, health care, jobs, energy costs, or the ongoing war in Iraq, one thing is clear: When it comes to these priorities, Democrats are on the side of Wisconsin families.