Tech low on the Democratic totem pole

The New Democratic Network (NDN) -- the coalition of tech-focused, centrist Democrats who introduced digital-signature legislation and are working to improve trade relations with China -- trotted out some of the House and Senatecandidates it is backing in November.

But the Congressional hopefuls had surprisingly little to say about technology. On Monday, NDN candidates focused more on Social Security and school reforms than online privacy, export controls or Internet taxation.

Several NDN members said technology would be the main message on Wednesday, when candidates will participate in a new-economy discussion with tech industry leaders, including Marimba Chairwoman Kim Polese, Homestore.com CEO Stuart Wolff and former FCC Chairman Reed Hundt. NDN campaign chairman Rep. Adam Smith, who is running for re-election in Washington, said technology is secondary for so many candidates because tech policy is low on most voters' priority lists.

"Tech it still working it's way up," Smith said. "It doesn't connect with people on the same level as issues such as education or Social Security."

That is not to say technology doesn't matter at all. Technologies such as Napster have moved debates about copyright and fair use into the mainstream. And privacy has emerged as a No. 1 concern among Internet users.

But Monday's appearances were a chance for candidates to deliver three- to five-minute mini-stump speeches that were heavy on mainstream issues, such as prescription-drug benefits for seniors, and light on technology issues.

Former California representative Jane Harman, who waged an unsuccessful bid for governor in 1998, was the most tech-focused, joking about her "B2C efforts," which she said stood for "back to Congress." Harmon said she supports access to good workers though more H1-B visas, access to new markets thorough a better trade relationship with China and access to digital government.

NDN founder and president Simon Rosenberg disagreed with the assessment that candidates didn't talk tech. Candidates simply took a broad approach to the new economy, tackling issues like improving schools to bridge the digital divide, he said.

"That's going to be the test of the new economy: not that Marc Andreessen makes another $100,000 dollars -- which I hope he does -- but that more new people can take advantage of the opportunities it provides," Rosenberg said.

To be sure, Democrats are hosting more tech-focused public events than Republicans did at their convention two weeks ago, largely thanks to the NDN and the Democratic Leadership Council.

"The New Democrats are growing in strength and influence," Rosenberg said, noting that vice presidential nominee Joseph Lieberman was one of the group's founders. "This is an extremely powerful centrist block."

Rosenberg likened the NDN to a venture capital fund for candidates, since it has helped to elect 33 members of Congress since its inception in 1996.

The network is on track to raise $5.5 million, Rosenberg noted -- double the amount it's raised in the past -- which puts it among the party's 15 largest political action committees. To get NDN funding, candidates must buy into the group's agenda and be competing in a close race.

Many of the incumbents credited the NDN with giving them a home in Congress, a place where fiscally conservative lawmakers interested in technology and a government safety net could find like-minded leaders.

Newcomers said the NDN tech focus already has had an impact. "For eight years, this country has been enjoying the benefits of the New Democrats' agenda," said Missouri governor Mel Carnahan, who's challenging Sen. John Ashcroft.