DGA to Guv Candidates: Don't Get 'Boxed In' on Health Care Reform

November 04, 2009 4:47 PM

ABC News' Teddy Davis reports:

Nathan Daschle, the executive director of the Democratic Governors Association (D.G.A.) said Wednesday that the party's candidates for governor cannot "fall into the trap" of getting "boxed in" on federal issues like health-care reform.

"Our advice," said Daschle, "is if your opponent is trying to box you in on a federal issue, then they probably have no ideas" on issues which directly affect state government.

Daschle, who made his remarks the day after Republicans picked up governor's offices in Virginia and New Jersey, said that the DGA, which is not a policy organization, would not be urging its candidates to endorse Democratic health-care reform. 

While the DGA is urging its candidates to stay away from contentious federal issues like health-care reform, Daschle expressed confidence that President Obama would make good on his promise to sign health-care reform and that the Democratic Party as a whole would benefit.

Speaking about Tuesday's losses, Daschle said he was "disappointed but not discouraged," adding that his organization is looking forward to 2010 when 37 states will hold gubernatorial elections. 

Daschle made his comments on a conference call with reporters.