Blue Dog Democrats Hold Key

Wall St. Journal ^ | November 07th, 2009

[Steelfish]

Blue Dog Democrats Hold Key

PATRICK YOEST

WASHINGTON — A group of fiscally conservative House Democrats is set to vote on a health-care bill that virtually all of its members think does too little to rein in health costs and keep the federal budget deficit under control.

But by all indications, the 52-member group -- known as the Blue Dog Coalition -- will split in the voting. The lawmakers, some of whom played an instrumental role in passing a version of the bill approved by the House Energy and Commerce Committee, have met continually to discuss health-care issues but haven't taken a shared position.

Democratic losses in governors' races in Virginia and New Jersey emboldened Republican critics, who say that the Blue Dogs can't reconcile competing demands of combating federal spending and obeying Democratic leaders on major bills.

If the health-care overhaul passes, "a lot of Blue Dogs in this country are going to have a lot of 'splaining to do back at home in their districts, where people do not want the health care that's being peddled by this administration," Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele argued this week on the Fox News Channel's "On The Record With Greta."

A number of Blue Dogs have already announced how they will vote on the bill. Rep. Frank Kratovil (D., Md.) a freshman Democrat who narrowly won a previously Republican seat last year, cited concerns about the bill's cost in announcing Friday that he would vote against the bill.

"Obviously the underlying commonality for all of the Blue Dogs is the concern of the cost and the deficit," Mr. Kratovil said.

The Congressional Budget Office has estimated that the bill's $1.055 cost over a decade will be covered by its increases in taxes on the wealthy and trims to Medicare spending.

[LS]

As of 9:30 we have 35 Dems on record as voting “no.” We need five more.

[MamaLucci]

Do you know what time the Stupak amendment failed to pass?

[Kryn-Man]

Make them explain what a “Health Choice Czar” is to their constituency. Maybe that will bring them back to reality.

[Stepan12]

As of 9:30 we have 35 Dems on record as voting “no.” We need five more.

Maybe they won't be the phonies I've said they are for so many years -- FOR ONCE!

[mwl8787]

They have NOT voted on the Stupak amendment yet. It will likely pass - no roll call as yet

Why is everyone having such difficulty keeping current?

[Frantzie]

We could have had one voted in NY-23 but thanks to Newt the adulterer - we lost that seat.

[MamaLucci]

I just had someone on another thread tell me it failed......I’ve been out for a while.

[Free State Four]

I will guarantee you that Dennis Moore, Kansas 3rd Congressional District, who has claimed to be a blue dog democrat since he was elected 12 years ago, voted for the health care bill. Just as he voted for the TARP, and the Porkulus and the Crap and Tax. He has voted to the left of Nancy Pelosi since he arrived in Congress. He has SO FOOLED the people of KS 3rd district, it is criminal.

[Fabozz]

"...fiscally conservative House Democrats..."

Yeah, right. You know what the difference is between Bigfoot and a "fiscally conservative Democrat"? There's actually some evidence Bigfoot exists.

[FreeReign]

As of 9:30 we have 35 Dems on record as voting “no.” We need five more.

Well it won't be the newly elected dirtbag from NY-23, Owens.

He's happy to vote "yes".

[uncitizen]

So the blue dogs will split the vote. Those in the worst jeopardy next election will be the nays no doubt. Oh how sweet it is for the RATS. They can save the careers of half the blue dogs this way and still get their bill passed. This will turn out to be a real squeaker and the RATS will brag about how bi-partisan they were and how partisan the GOP was.

I despise these freakin evil pigs!

[Blood of Tyrants]

Who do they think believes them? There is NO WAY they will EVER cut Medicare. They took AARP in the back room and told them that the promises tp cut it were outright lies.

[lurk]

They might get this passed.

But they have expended all of their political capital on this one issue.

They are making themselves odious, within 12 months of an election.

This could go one of two ways: Great rebellion on the part of the people, or a great one-way leap into the abyss of Socialism.

[rep-always]

Then we must ensure that they know about the piece of crap that represents them in Congress and vote him out. We must challenge each and every one that votes for this bill, even if we don’t live in their district or state.

[lurk]

They might get this passed.

But they have expended all of their political capital on this one issue.

They are making themselves odious, within 12 months of an election.

This could go one of two ways: Great rebellion on the part of the people, or a great one-way leap into the abyss of Socialism.

[Frantzie]

Thank Newt the RINO and DIABLO POS.

[Outlaw Woman]

This was as of around 6:30CST: ALL NUMBERS BEGIN WITH 202-225 THESE DEMS WERE 'ON THE FENCE'

Melissa Bean (Ill.)Ph 3711 FAX 7830

Marion Berry (Ark.) Wants more aggressive action against HMOs, drug makers Ph 4076 FAX 5602

Dennis Cardoza (Calif.) Ph 6131 FAX 0819

Yvette Clarke (N.Y.)Have to complete a Form. NO NUMBER

Joe Donnelly (Ind.)3915 NO FAX LISTED

Chet Edwards (Texas) A perennial GOP target; rejected climate bill Ph 6105 NO FAX

Keith Ellison (Minn.)4755

Bob Etheridge (N.C.) May run for Senate 4531

Bill Foster (Ill.) “Encouraged” House is moving forward; voted no on climate bill 2976

Bart Gordon (Tenn.) Republicans targeting Science panel chairman 4231

Raúl Grijalva (Ariz.) Wants vote on “robust” public option 2435

Baron Hill (Ind.)5315

Dennis Kucinich (Ohio) He said he "will have trouble voting for anything other than robust public option." 5871

Daniel Lipinski (Ill.) Opposes abortion rights 5701

Dan Maffei (N.Y.) 3701

Betsy Markey (Colo.) Has concerns with cost of the bill 4676 Harry Mitchell (Ariz.)

Patrick Murphy (N.Y.)4276 FAX 9511

Jim Oberstar (Minn.)FOUND NOTHING BUT FORM

Solomon Ortiz (Texas) Voted no on climate change bill NEED FORM

Ciro Rodriguez (Texas) Voted no on climate measure 4511 FAX 2237

Loretta Sanchez (Calif.) Has gone from "yes" to undecided 2965 FAX 5859

Heath Shuler (N.C.) 6401 FAX 6422

Adam Smith (Wash.)8901

Zack Space (Ohio) Voted yes on Energy and Commerce Committee 6265 FAX 3394

Betty Sutton (Ohio)3401 FAX 2266

Peter Visclosky (Ind.)2461 FAX 2493

[Outlaw Woman]

... trims to Medicare spending.

Do our Parents REALLY understand what this means?????? And what about the bastards that voted this in???? (Please forgive my language)

[LS]

Just a little while ago.