The Lap Dog Coalition

The Wall Street Journal ^ | 10-04-10 | CHRIS CHOCOLA

[GOP_Lady]

Blue Dog Democrats voted with Nancy Pelosi 80% of the time on economic issues.

In the House of Representatives, the 54 members of the Blue Dog Coalition are the self-described fiscal conservatives in the Democratic caucus. Unfortunately, the description doesn't fit.

Organizing into a coalition after the Republican takeover of the House in 1994, the Blue Dogs branded themselves loyal but conservative Democrats. They were, in the words of Rep. Pete Geren of Texas, yellow dogs who had been "choked blue" by the strident economic liberalism of their party leaders.

In their first Congress, the Blue Dogs mostly lived up to the hype (albeit in an economically conservative environment). In 1995, the average Blue Dog's score on the National Taxpayers Union's congressional score card—which measures how well members vote on matters of taxes, spending and debt—was 52%, while the average Democratic score was 28%.

Afterward, though, the Blue Dogs' performance fell precipitously. Democrats retook the House in 2006, partly because of victories by Blue Dogs such as Brad Ellsworth in Indiana and Heath Shuler in North Carolina. Blue Dogs' average NTU scores since then, during Nancy Pelosi's first three years as House speaker, were 10%, 15% and 18%—hardly distinguishable from the average Democratic scores of 6%, 11% and 8%.

Every year since 2007, the Democratic advantage in the House has been fewer than the number of seats held by Blue Dogs: If they had wanted to, the Blue Dogs could have made themselves masters of the House. They could have held an effective veto over any bill they pleased, insisting that Mrs. Pelosi, Majority Leader Harry Reid and even President Obama himself heed their call for fiscal responsibility.

[GOP_Lady]

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[MaggieCarta]

The (ahem) "money-quote" from the article:

The evidence is overwhelming: The Blue Dogs are not fiscal conservatives, and only a few can credibly claim even to be fiscal moderates.

Stop me if I'm wrong, anyone, but are these so-called "Blue Dogs" typically elected in districts that might ordinarily trend Republican if the voters stopped and thought about what they were doing?

Thanks, 001! Have a great day!
002

[lentulusgracchus]

Stop me if I'm wrong, anyone, but are these so-called "Blue Dogs" typically elected in districts that might ordinarily trend Republican .....

Sure, that was the whole idea when Rahm Emanuel recruited them to run in Republican districts at the same time the national Democrats were making a big stink about Republican "corruption", a campaign that was kept on track after Black Caucus Democrat Rep. Jefferson of Louisiana was caught by the FBI with big chunks of frozen cash in his home freezer, mostly by the MSM refusing to cover Jefferson's corruption scandal and trial (and conviction).

The Dems got the majority in 2006 by running "moderate" Dems and screaming about GOP corruption and ineffectual government. And by running out the Mark Foley scandal, pantsing Speaker Denny Hastert's worthless "leadership" and persuading conservative GOP'ers to stay home (the whole point).

Basically, Pelosi and Emanuel substantively defrauded the People by offering clean, moderate candidates. Twice running. Who then voted Party-line Red in session.

Payback time.

[Admin Moderator]

Please do not post any AP images or images from the WSJ.

[Fresh Wind]

Please vote for me. I promise I won't poo on the carpet any more!

[Son House]

Spot the Blue Dog Credibility Gap;

Statement from Walz’s(D-Mn) Congressional Office

http://www.bluestemprairie.com/a_bluestem_prairie/2009/01/walz-votes-for-stimulus-bill.html

This legislation will create and save 3 to 4 million jobs, rebuilding America, making us more globally competitive and energy independent, and transforming our economy for long-term growth; give 95% of American workers an immediate tax cut; and invest quickly in the economy – with 75% spent in the first 18 months.

What’s exciting is that southern Minnesotans can benefit greatly from this strategy. Experts say more than 90 percent of the jobs created will be in the private sector.” added Walz.

[Son House]

Spot the Blue Dog Con Job;

http://www.startribune.com/politics/state/89886767.html?page=2&c=y

Rep. Tim Walz, D-Minn., “...They just didn’t understand how we could save money on this by adding more people to the system...”

[MaggieCarta]

Thanks, lentulusgracchus, I thought as much.

Nice synopsis!

[MaggieCarta]

Every time I see “saved or created jobs” I immediately think of Neil Cavuto saying, “I have lost or not gained 75 pounds since this legislation passed.”

[lentulusgracchus]

Best example of the kind of "blue dog" Rahm recruited was a young woman veteran he got to run in a Republican district against a long-time incumbent. She'd been badly wounded flying her Blackhawk in combat in Iraq in 2004 and lost both legs when an RPG-7 literally landed in her lap and went off. She passed out, her co-pilot landed the helo, and she was rushed off to field hospital and then Landstuhl for a pair off prosthetic legs. Medically released from the Army, she moved to Chicago and was promptly recruited by Emanuel to run for Congress in a suburban district. She didn't win, but she came close.

[MaggieCarta]

That is simply shameless exploitation, IMHO.

Have a great day!

[GOP_Lady]

Oh, I’m sorry. I remembered the Getty images. I will remember the AP images. Thanks for the reminder.

[Ron/GA]

The eighth congressional district of Georgia is currently represented by Jim Marshall(D).

He votes conservatively and has been on the right side of defense, personal liberty and fiscal issues. Generally, he is a good guy. This has allowed him to survive in a very Republican district for 8 years now.

His Democrat ties are making him suspect now on these big, crucial issues we have facing us.

I told him over a year ago that he needed to switch to the Republican party. He did not.

While I would vote for him in a heartbeat as a Republican, as a Democrat, his vote will always be subject to pressure from his party.

Frankly, I believe that he has voted against his party primarily when they have an overwhelming majority and can afford to let him vote against them - to keep his district pacified. On critical issues, when vote is close, I don’t doubt that he belongs to them and will vote the party line.

We can not afford any doubts as to how we are represented and we cannot afford any “go along, get along” votes in Congress. It’s time for him to come home.

[MaggieCarta]

...I told him over a year ago that he needed to switch to the Republican party. He did not.

He could regret that decision...soon...very soon...

Frankly, I believe that he has voted against his party primarily when they have an overwhelming majority and can afford to let him vote against them - to keep his district pacified. On critical issues, when vote is close, I don’t doubt that he belongs to them and will vote the party line.

I think that you are probably right.

[rmlew]

Great piece. I keep picturing a campaign commercial with Nancy Peolsi ordering a blue puppy to piss on constituents on command.

As I have said many times, "There's no such thing as an elected conservative Democrat. Only a good liars and ignorant constituents."

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks rmlew.

Blue Dog Democrats voted with Nancy Pelosi 80% of the time on economic issues. ...the 54 members of the Blue Dog Coalition are the self-described fiscal conservatives in the Democratic caucus.... Organizing into a coalition after the Republican takeover of the House in 1994, the Blue Dogs branded themselves loyal but conservative Democrats. They were, in the words of Rep. Pete Geren of Texas, yellow dogs who had been "choked blue" by the strident economic liberalism of their party leaders... In 1995, the average Blue Dog's score on the National Taxpayers Union's congressional score card... was 52%, while the average Democratic score was 28%... Democrats retook the House in 2006, partly because of victories by Blue Dogs such as Brad Ellsworth in Indiana and Heath Shuler in North Carolina. Blue Dogs' average NTU scores since then, during Nancy Pelosi's first three years as House speaker, were 10%, 15% and 18% -- hardly distinguishable from the average Democratic scores of 6%, 11% and 8%. Every year since 2007, the Democratic advantage in the House has been fewer than the number of seats held by Blue Dogs: If they had wanted to, the Blue Dogs could have made themselves masters of the House.

[TheOldLady]

"Every year since 2007, the Democratic advantage in the House has been fewer than the number of seats held by Blue Dogs: If they had wanted to, the Blue Dogs could have made themselves masters of the House."

Not if they wanted to stay on this side of the grass.

[SunkenCiv]

Let’s remember the 2006 election, when the leftists targeted WOT supporter Joe Lieberman, running the cipher Ned Lamont, and pushing Joe right out of the Democratic Party, but handing him a resounding victory in November that year. That was another step in their thug tactics to take control of the Party of the Single Party State.