Al From, whose founding of the Democratic Leadership Council in 1985 helped push the Democratic Party toward the center and send Bill Clinton to the White House, is stepping down as the group's leader.

Although the DLC enjoyed considerable influence during Clinton's two terms, it has suffered a decline in recent years as new party activists have embraced more liberal viewpoints, internal politics have driven away key staff, and funders have questioned its raison d'etre.

From is succeeded by Bruce Reed, another longtime force at the DLC both before and after his stint as chief domestic policy adviser to Clinton. A press release from the group says it is "turning over a new leaf" and plans to refocus its mission on "the battle for reform and ideas."

See National Journal's report on the recent travails of the DLC here (subscription required).

                                                                                                                     -- Julie Kosterlitz