New York Times essayist Thomas B. Edsall proposes a “Project 2028” for Democrats, which he describes as “an outline of items in a hypothetical 2028 Democratic Party platform designed to restore the party’s appeal to centrist working- and middle-class voters.” Edsall adds, “My suggestions are subject to challenge and dispute, and as usual, I have sought out comments from strategists and political experts. In the expectation that this will turn out to be a more-than-one-column project, I welcome comments, critiques and suggestions from readers. What did I miss? What did I overemphasize?”

Here’s an excerpt of Edsall’s opinion essay:

Mission Statement

The Democratic Party is committed to equality of opportunity and to democratic, competitive markets in which discrimination by race, creed, sex or ethnicity is prohibited and the chance to get ahead is broadly shared.

The party’s focus will be on supporting the aspirations of working men and women rather than privileging the interests of those who have accumulated extraordinary wealth through market power, inheritance or political influence.

The Democratic Party believes government has a substantial obligation to secure this equality through access to education, housing, public safety and protection from poverty, especially in childhood.

The party rejects a politics that seeks to guarantee equality of outcomes, which risks undermining growth, productivity, innovation and beneficial competition.

The party believes that economic growth is essential to the maintenance of public support for policies promoting fairness, equality, better schools and more housing.

The party is committed to ensuring an equal chance for all people to succeed to the best of their ability while making sure everyone who wants to work can get a job that pays enough to live a secure, middle-class life.

The Democratic Party welcomes proposals to better the lives and opportunities of Americans, particularly the working and middle classes, from all sources, regardless of ideology or party affiliation, including Republicans.

Here, for example, is what Edsall suggests via “Sex and Genders”:

The Democratic Party recognizes the legal and policy precedence of biological sex in certain contexts. Transgender Americans should not, however, face discrimination in employment, education, housing or public life, and they should be free to live in accordance with their gender identity, including their choice of names, dress and pronouns.

At the same time, in settings where physical differences materially affect fairness, safety or privacy — such as competitive sports and certain custodial settings — the party believes policy should be grounded in biological sex.

Edsall includes some critical comments from issue experts, including William Galston, a senior fellow in governance studies at the Brookings Institution and a former deputy assistant to President Bill Clinton for domestic policy, who writes:

While every American should have access to quality, affordable health care as a matter of right, Democrats understand that achieving this goal will require major changes in the current health care system, including increasing the number of pediatricians, gerontologists and primary care doctors while expanding access to community-based clinics.

We encourage all large businesses to make on-site health care available to their employees. We will attack all aspects of the current system — including excessive concentration, counterproductive regulations and distorted government payment schedules — that raise costs and diminish access to basic care.

More here.