Which Blue Dogs Can Boehner And Cantor Always Count On? The Boehner Boys
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Since Obama was elected there are a handful of neo-Confederate Blue Dogs who have voted-- on crucial substantive issues-- more frequently with the Republicans than with the Democrats, Parker Griffith of Alabama has gone so far as to promise his constituents that if they re-elect him, which isn't very likely (since Democrats have no reason to vote for him and Republicans will have their own candidate), he'll vote against Nancy Pelosi as Speaker next year. The Blue Dogs, and fellow travelers, who vote more frequently with the GOP on the big issues are, from bad to worse:
Baron Hill (IN)
Jim Matheson (UT)
John Barrow (GA)
Ann Kirkpatrick (AZ)
Mike McIntyre (NC)Heath Shuler (NC)
Chris Carney (PA)
Mike Ross (AR)
Artur Davis (AL)
Lincoln Davis (TN)
Joe Donnelly (IN)
Frank Kratovil (MD)
Walt Minnick (ID)
Jason Altmire (PA)
Bobby Bright (AL)
Charlie Melancon (LA)
Harry Mitchell (AZ)
Glenn Nye (VA)
Scott Murphy (NY)
Jim Marshall (GA)
Dan Boren (OK)
Travis Childers (MS)
Parker Griffith (AL)
Gene Taylor (MS)
Many of these clowns were recruited and nurtured by Rahm Emanuel to help keep the Democratic caucus corporate friendly for his Wall Street paymasters. There are several Republicans who vote more frequently with the Democrats than some of these characters-- Tim Johnson, Ron Paul, Mike Castle, Jimmy Duncan, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Vernon Ehlers, Walter Jones and Chris Smith. But most of the time the Republicans vote in lockstep. Their party discipline is good; they're all a bunch of robots for the most part. This morning, for example, H.R. 876 came up and it passed 232-184, "providing for consideration of the conference report to accompany the bill (H.R. 2996) making appropriations for the Department of Interior, environment, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010. Basically, it just sets forth the rules for the debate and it isn't considered a substantive vote. It's a procedural vote, the kind where party discipline is supposed to kick in.
But a dozen reactionary Democrats crossed the aisle to start the day standing with Boehner and Cantor: Bobby Bright (AL), Dennis Cardoza (CA), Travis Childers (MS), Jim Costa (CA), Parker Griffith (AL), Frank Kratovil (MD), Charlie Melancon (LA), Walt Minnick (ID), Harry Mitchell (AZ), Scott Murphy (NY), Glenn Nye (VA), and Gene Taylor (MS). They do it all the time. In fact the 9 bolded did it on another resolution on the same procedural bill just a few minutes earlier. These are all Boehner Boys.
The DCCC will be putting virtually every cent they collect into protecting the Boehner Boys and trying to save their seats. Right now they are begging for donations for Bill Owens in NY-23, who will absolutely be a Boehner Boy if he wins a seat next week, the same way Scott Murphy-- who they also tricked grassroots Democrats into supporting in a special election-- is. It's very hard to do it-- yes, yes, the Republican running against them are even worse-- but the Republicans can't ruin the Democratic brand and make it worthless. The Republicans can't inexorably drag the Democratic caucus further and further from the interests of working families and align it with the Wall Street banksters and the anti-family corporate interests. You want to know why the Health care reform bill Nancy Pelosi put out today was so disappointing? Two words: Blue Dogs.
At 1:39 this afternoon, the final appropriations bill for Interior passed-- 247-178. Ten Republicans broke ranks with obstructionists Boehner and Cantor but they didn't care because they had their Boehner Boys crossing the aisle in the other direction, among them 8 mangy Blue Dogs: Bobby Bright, Travis Childers, Joe Donnelly, Parker Griffith, Baron Hill, Frank Kratovil, Walt Minnick, Harry Mitchell, and Gene Taylor.
Blue America is putting together a dedicated effort for 2010 to defeat Blue Dogs. Doug Kahn, a former Democratic candidate for Congress will be working as a full time volunteer on that effort. Our fundraising for this effort is at the Bad Dogs page, which will grow as more progressives jump into primaries against Blue Dogs. Right now Marcy Winograd is running hard against Jane Harman and Doug Tudor is fighting back against an insidious new Blue Dog, Lori Edwards. Both can use help. I expect the next progressive to step up to the plate will be Regina Thomas against John Barrow in Georgia's 12th CD.
Labels: Blue Dogs
posted by DownWithTyranny @ 6:00 PM
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6 Comments:
I was surprised not to see Bill Foster on this list. He has said (though not in these exact words) that he is against a robust public option. His actual words were something along the lines of, "I'm for the public option as long as it's on a level playing field with the insurance companies. I want to ensure that the competition is fair." Basically, let's not piss off the insurance companies, shall we?
He's another one who was nurtured by Rahm and the DCCC, so I'm very surprised not to see him on this list. Does this mean there's some hope for him, or does it just mean that he's good at toeing the line?
People like you are going to destroy the democratic majority. Wasn't it a few months ago that you were praising artur davis? Your loyalties change like the wind, and you're just as bad as the people you claim to oppose. Newsflash: you're helping them. Grow up and learn how the world works. I hope you are old enough to remember 1994, because its going to be deja vu for you, and the people and the patient few who actually want to make the world a better place. You're and idiot if you think a liberal democrat can win in minnick or bright's district.
I hope you're satisfied with your dedicated campaign to erode the dem base. This is how the gop lost touch in 2006, and you're making us no better than them. Sleep well.
A democrat can win anywhere if they have principles. Alan Grayson is not in a liberal district by any means, but look what he has done to stand up to the republicans and insurance companies. The people want a representative with backbone, and they want a representative who supports the public option. Every poll shows that the majority (anywhere between 60% and 80% depending on the poll) of Americans want a strong public option. If that's the case, then why is it so hard for these dems to grow a spine and do what their constituents want them to do?
"neo-confederate Blue Dogs"??? what the heck are you talking about? that is quite a stretch.
By the way, how much money did you raise for Regina Thomas last time? Seems to me that folks money would be better spent trying to knock off crazy Republicans.
"Seems to me that folks money would be better spent trying to knock off crazy Republicans."
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Thing is, though, Anon, there are quite a few Blue Dogs who vote solidly with the most conservative Republicans--hell, if you read here over several weeks, you'll see plenty of blogs individually spotlighting their activities. Do they deserve a free pass? I've seen Democratic supporters in some blogs who have rabidly defended them, although these BDs rake in huge amounts of Big Industry cash to vote against the very things their constituencies frequently want. Why vote for that? Target them by all means, so we can get some focus dearly needed in a party that sprawls all over the political spectrum. Maybe we can then get passage of some good, progressive bills through a Congress the Dems say they control.
What is worse is some of these guys are utilized by the Repub. establishment. Blue Dogs will vote with the conservative Republicans so some of they're guys can cross over and vote with Dems so they can have "Bipartisan" cover for their constituents. Whose team are the Blue Dogs on? It's pretty clear.
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