Even safe Democrats feeling at risk

Politico ^ | 11/4/2009 | Jonathan Allen

[markomalley]

Jim Costa’s path to reelection isn’t the toughest among House Democrats, but that doesn’t mean the California Democrat feels safe voting for a House health care overhaul bill that he says is too costly and does too little to help rural districts like his own.

“I think we’re all vulnerable next year,” said Costa, who won with nearly three-quarters of the vote last year in a district that President Barack Obama carried with 60 percent.

Costa is one of a handful of moderate House Democrats from relatively stable districts who aren’t yet on board with the health care bill and whose “no” votes could force colleagues in more marginal districts to cast offsetting — and potentially perilous — “yes” votes.

Rep. Dennis Cardoza (D-Calif.) — from a 59 percent Obama district — is another. Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas), who won with 69 percent of the vote in 2008 and has never gotten less than 59 percent, is also in play, calling himself “undecided.”

Brian Baird (D-Wash.), a politically safe liberal who was once a harsh critic of the legislation, said he has moved from leaning “no” to “undecided.”

As the controversial centerpiece of their agenda nears the House floor, Democratic leaders are reviewing their whip lists to see which lawmakers can be moved from “no” to “yes” with which last-minute policy tweaks — or political favors. The calculus involves not only getting to a majority but causing the least possible electoral pain for the party next year.

[markomalley]

Something to watch. But we STILL need to keep the pressure on these people.

This link, https://ssl.capwiz.com/congressorg/directory/congdir.tt?action=myreps_form, will get you addresses and phone numbers for not only your reps but the Blue Dogs. Both in the district and in DC. Let them know you're watching and will remember...

Members of the Blue Dog coalition:

Blue Dog Leadership Team

Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (SD), Blue Dog Co-Chair for Administration
Rep. Baron Hill (IN-09), Blue Dog Co-Chair for Policy
Rep. Charlie Melancon (LA-03), Blue Dog Co-Chair for Communications
Rep. Heath Shuler (NC-11), Blue Dog Whip

Blue Dog Members

Altmire, Jason (PA-04)
Arcuri, Mike (NY-24)
Baca, Joe (CA-43)
Barrow, John (GA-12)
Berry, Marion (AR-01)
Bishop, Sanford (GA-02)

Boren, Dan (OK-02)
Boswell, Leonard (IA-03)
Boyd, Allen (FL-02)
Bright, Bobby (AL-02)
Cardoza, Dennis (CA-18)

Carney, Christopher (PA-10)
Chandler, Ben (KY-06)
Childers, Travis (MS-01)
Cooper, Jim (TN-05)
Costa, Jim (CA-20)

Cuellar, Henry (TX-28)
Dahlkemper, Kathy (PA-03)
Davis, Lincoln (TN-04)
Donnelly, Joe (IN-02)
Ellsworth, Brad (IN-08)
Giffords, Gabrielle (AZ-08)

Gordon, Bart (TN-06)
Griffith, Parker (AL-05)
Harman, Jane (CA-36)
Herseth Sandlin, Stephanie (SD)
Hill, Baron (IN-09)
Holden, Tim (PA-17)

Kratovil, Jr., Frank (MD-01)
McIntyre, Mike (NC-07)
Marshall, Jim (GA-08)
Matheson, Jim (UT-02)
Melancon, Charlie (LA-03)
Michaud, Mike (ME-02)

Minnick, Walt (ID-01)
Mitchell, Harry (AZ-05)
Moore, Dennis (KS-03)
Murphy, Patrick (PA-08)
Nye, Glenn (VA-02)
Peterson, Collin (MN-07)

Pomeroy, Earl (ND)
Ross, Mike (AR-04)
Salazar, John (CO-03)
Sanchez, Loretta (CA-47)
Schiff, Adam (CA-29)
Scott, David (GA-13)

Shuler, Heath (NC-11)
Space, Zack (OH-18)
Tanner, John (TN-08)
Taylor, Gene (MS-04)
Thompson, Mike (CA-01)
Wilson, Charles (OH-06)

Call today!!!

[ThunderSleeps]

“I think we’re all vulnerable next year,” said Costa

Here's a real simple way for any Congressional Representative or Senator to figure out if they are vulnerable in their next election. If you vote for big government socialism in any form, such as the healthcare "reform" -- then you are vulnerable.

I have never been a single issue voter before, but by {diety} I am now. Any of my representatives (Senators or Congressman) that votes for further socialist takeovers in any industry, but particularly this massive healthcare fraud of a bill... I will not only vote against you, I will contribute money and volunteer time to help your opponents in the next election.

[Guenevere]

bttt

[thethirddegree]

I am in Tim Holden’s (D-Pa) district. He gets a call from me about once a week. I am not expecting a Christmas card however.

[Jet Jaguar]

BTTT

[not2worry]

I’d say after yesterday’s election “YEAH”, every sitting Democrat has to be a Blue Dog.

Thank you God for giving us the Power to save our Country, Be Heard and to Continue to Give Us Strength To Carry on the Good Fight.

[notpoliticallycorewrecked]

Good Morning Mr. Costa,

I just wanted to let you know that if you vote for the health care bill like (Boxer and Feinstein), you will need to get your resume out and brush it up a bit.

[From The Deer Stand]

It’s time for a good House cleaning, Jim.

[rod1]

“Brian Baird (D-Wash.), a politically safe liberal who was once a harsh critic of the legislation, said he has moved from leaning “no” to “undecided.””

Well ol’ Brian is positioning himself for a Pelosi handout.

[nascarnation]

The distressing part is that after these guys get voted out, they become DC lobbyists and start making real money.

[STONEWALLS]

“Call today!!!”

....just got off the phone....and BTW don’t forget to make aa few calls to Dem congressmen in your state....even if they’re outside your district!....reason is many of them have senate aspirations.

[markomalley]

....just got off the phone....and BTW don’t forget to make aa few calls to Dem congressmen in your state....even if they’re outside your district!....reason is many of them have senate aspirations.

One thing to remind them is that it would be a terrible thing if next year advertising started closely identifying them with Pelosi's agenda...

[tioga]

once a week? are you on a first name basis with his office staff?

[ExTexasRedhead]

Traitors, corrupt vermin that must be thrown out. Every last one of them.

[ducks1944]

Yes even if you can’t vote for them....but remind them you can give there opponents $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ & your time to help them be defeated.

[ducks1944]

Yes even if you can’t vote for them....but remind them you can give there opponents $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ & your time to help them be defeated.

[norge]

Jim Costa has been around for years. It’s a good thing he’s feeling vulnerable.

Like most central valley Dems, he has to stay fairly moderate, however.

[The Great RJ]

Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D-SD) is walking a tightrope if she were to vote for Obamacare, cap and tax or card check she would lose her seat, but she is under enormous pressure from out of state liberal groups who funded her campaign as well a Pelosi.

[fortheDeclaration]

Republicans need to stop thinking there is a true 'blue-dog' Democrat!

That is simply Democrat propaganda, to get these guys elected.

If they were true fiscal Conservatives, they would say that these bills are DOA.

They are looking for enough votes so they can vote 'no' to give them cover.

Any Democrat who is even considering voting for the Pelosi bill is just a Democrat lapdog, not a 'bluedog'.

[Major Matt Mason]

I have never been a single issue voter before, but by {diety} I am now.

This is not a single issue situation. You also have cap-and-tax, which would be equally damaging to this country, and there is card-check, which would be very bad for the free market economy. The battle has only just begun.