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House Blue Dogs flex new muscle on health care
Boston Herald ^ | 7/23/09 | staff

Posted on 07/23/2009 11:35:58 AM PDT by xtinct

Conservative-leaning Blue Dog Democrats are enjoying a power surge like no other in their 15 years, forcing President Barack Obama and their own party leaders to deal with their demands for cost cuts and tax restraints in overhauling health care.

The evidence is everywhere these days: Polls show the public shares their concerns about the cost of Obama’s plan to insure all Americans who seek health coverage. Obama himself has spent valuable presidential time in private talks with these Democrats and in near-daily appeals for the public to prod Congress into action. And the group’s political fund raising is peaking.

All the while, Obama and Democratic leaders have issued shout-outs to the faction of 52 House members, a sign of the clout Blue Dogs wield over some of the president’s top priorities — none more than his plan to provide health care to virtually all Americans.

"I think, rightly, a number of these so-called Blue Dog Democrats — more conservative Democrats — were concerned that not enough had been done on reducing costs," Obama said Tuesday in an interview with CBS News.

(Excerpt) Read more at bostonherald.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Front Page News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: 111th; bhohealthcare; bluedogs; congress; democrats; healthcare; healthcarereform; obamacare; socializedmedicine
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Nothing like some bogus race relations issue to cover up what's really happening --> Dems are failing. Pelosi and Reid said that health care reform will be handled after the break.

BUT they bloviated the nation to death before they were put in their place by the Blue Dog Democrats.

Hope for the nation rests with the Republicans and Blue Dogs

1 posted on 07/23/2009 11:36:02 AM PDT by xtinct
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To: xtinct

Is it too early to send Thank You cards to all of the Blue Dog Dems? Just wondering.


2 posted on 07/23/2009 11:38:00 AM PDT by US Navy Vet
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To: xtinct
My congressman, Ike Skelton of Missouri's 4th district, voted for cap and trade and will likely vote for Obamacare.
I am very disappointed in this man.
3 posted on 07/23/2009 11:38:19 AM PDT by Eric in the Ozarks
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To: xtinct

4 posted on 07/23/2009 11:40:06 AM PDT by xcamel (The urge to save humanity is always a false front for the urge to rule it. - H. L. Mencken)
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To: US Navy Vet

Yep, too early.

It’s tea time.


5 posted on 07/23/2009 11:40:47 AM PDT by Tarpon (You relinquish your responsibilities, you surrender your rights.)
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To: Eric in the Ozarks

Anyone involved with signing this bill into law should be forced into Obamacare for themselves and their families. Anything less is absolutely outrageous.


6 posted on 07/23/2009 11:41:10 AM PDT by Aria ( "The US republic will endure until Congress discovers it can bribe the public with the people's $.")
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To: Tarpon

I got the water on to boil!


7 posted on 07/23/2009 11:42:19 AM PDT by US Navy Vet
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To: US Navy Vet

The Blue Dogs are about as reliable as the authenticity of questions at a Hussein press conference. I would not trust the fate of our rights to this group. As with every other politician, the price is right. And when their asking price for their votes has been granted, watch out.


8 posted on 07/23/2009 11:43:02 AM PDT by Oldpuppymax (AGENDA OF THE LEFT EXPOSED)
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To: Oldpuppymax

Trust them not, you do.
9 posted on 07/23/2009 11:45:25 AM PDT by xcamel (The urge to save humanity is always a false front for the urge to rule it. - H. L. Mencken)
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To: xtinct
Hope for the nation rests with the Republicans and Blue Dogs

And the hope I have is for the healthcare co-op.

Health Care Co-Ops, D.C.'s Latest Buzz, Have Ups, Downs

I work for one. We are innovative, provide fantastic care, and do it for lots less money.

10 posted on 07/23/2009 11:45:59 AM PDT by MarMema
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To: Aria
Their hypocrisy is just astounding.
11 posted on 07/23/2009 11:46:55 AM PDT by Eric in the Ozarks
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To: MarMema
healthcare co-op discussion

The only real disadvantage is the start up cost.

12 posted on 07/23/2009 11:48:42 AM PDT by MarMema
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To: xtinct

They will give in after getting some concessions for their districts or states and vote through an even more bloated bill. That is how these things work. With majorities in both the house and senate, they will pass something, no matter how bad, just to say they did health care. Count on it.

Hopefully our side and a few of these blue dogs can at least hold down the runaway spending. I’m not a fan of more government regulation, but they also need to do something about the preexisting condition problem so everyone who wants to buy insurance can.


13 posted on 07/23/2009 11:51:53 AM PDT by MadisonChristian
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To: US Navy Vet

Every dog has its day—today its the blue dogs.


14 posted on 07/23/2009 11:57:52 AM PDT by Forward the Light Brigade (Into the Jaws of H*ll)
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To: US Navy Vet

I sure hope tea parties are celebrated nationwide this recess. Nothing clears the mind more than mad constituents taking over the reps meetings spouting facts — In every Congressional district in the country.


15 posted on 07/23/2009 12:04:45 PM PDT by Tarpon (You relinquish your responsibilities, you surrender your rights.)
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To: Eric in the Ozarks

Get in his face with all your friends, neighbors and anyone else at a Town Hall meeeting. Call his office and say you oppose Obamacare and ask him when is the next TownHall meeting.

Town Hall meetinsg may be the best way to wake up these communists.


16 posted on 07/23/2009 12:08:04 PM PDT by Frantzie (Remember when Bush was President and Americans had jobs (and ammo)?)
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To: US Navy Vet
Is it too early to send Thank You cards to all of the Blue Dog Dems?

If history is any lesson, all of these guys are going to vote for this at some point in the future. I'll be more than happy to eat crow on this, but if Zell Miller were there (Hannities favorite Dem) even he would vote yes.

17 posted on 07/23/2009 12:08:50 PM PDT by Balding_Eagle (Overproduction, one of the top five worries for the American farmer.)
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To: Tarpon

Bingo! Folks - the Blue Dogs are scared of one thing - The Nov 2010 elections.

If I were a Blue Dog I would be so ashamed that the boy sun king ali-Hussein was my Dem party leader with Benito Pelosi.


18 posted on 07/23/2009 12:12:07 PM PDT by Frantzie (Remember when Bush was President and Americans had jobs (and ammo)?)
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To: US Navy Vet
Is it too early to send Thank You cards to all of the Blue Dog Dems?

Don't thank them until ObamaCare is dead. It's currently critically wounded, but still alive.

19 posted on 07/23/2009 12:13:14 PM PDT by Repeal 16-17 (Let me know when the Shooting starts.)
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To: xtinct

I don’t buy this supposed Blue Dog opposition...friction...or whatever it is. I think it’s a contrivance...stale Washington theater. A setup for “compromise.” Compromise is just a government-sanctioned euphemism for the installment plan. Me? I think of it more like small doses of arsenic. No matter what, we’re doomed.


20 posted on 07/23/2009 12:18:05 PM PDT by Since 2009-07-21
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