Now that the dust has settled and The voters have spoken it is clear that the Blue Dog Coalition of the U.S. House of representatives is facing extiction. Add them to the critically endangered list! Close to half of them have been defeated gutting their membership, including The leadership members Rep. Baron Hill (In-09) and Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (SD). The long knives have come out from the Progressives in the Democratic Party blaming the victims, (the Blue Dogs) for their historic rout at the polls.
The Blue dogs counter that the steep losses were the result of ordinary Americans being fed up with the far left Progressive/Socialist agenda they have been force fed by Nancy Pelosi and the Obama White House. Those defeated so far are; Mike Acuri (NY-24) Sanford Bishop (GA-02) Allen Boyd (FL-02) Bobby Bright (AL-02) Christopher Carney (PA-10) Travis Childers (MS-01) Jim Costa (CA-20) Kathy Dahlkemper (PA-03) Lincoln Davis (TN-04) Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (SD) BaronHill (IN-09) Frank Kratovil Jr. (MD-01) Betsy Markey (CO-04) Jim Marshall (GA-08) Walt Minnick (ID-01) Harry Mitchell (AZ-05) Dennis Moore (KS-03) Patrick Murphy (PA-08) Glenn Nye ((VA-02) Earl Pomeroy (ND) John Salazar (CO-03) Zack Space OH-18), and Charles Wilson (OH-18).
It will only get worse in 2012 with redistricting favoring Republicans in the majority of cases. The 112th Congress will consist of approximately 244 Republicans and 191 Democrats. The remaining Democrats to be seated in the 112th will dominated by representatives from inner city districts as well as a few abutting liberal enclaves. Virtually all of them are hard left doctrinaire Progressives. As far as this group are concerned the Blue Dogs can get lost.
The remaining option for many Blue Dogs is to play the R card, The Republican card! Most, if not all will be losing their seats in 2012 if things don’t change dramatically over the next two years and in order to save their skins, many have to consider their options. If they flip soon they can get something in return for changing teams. If they wait, they face almost certain defeat at the polls.
The Democrat Party they knew and loved no longer exists. It is a party that now consists of Reps. of coastal California, Massachucetts, Delaware, and Connecticut, sprinkled with urban districts personified by Nancy Pelosi and Charlie Rangel. Long gone are the concerns of suburban and rural voters for whom the remaining Blue dogs represent.
Which one will be the first to stand up and declare that they have had enough and switch? And if not, Which one will have the guts to Try to salvage whats left of the Democrat Party from the leftist stranglehold and run for President against Barack Obama in 2012? Heath Shuler or Patrick Murphy up for the task? Perhaps Sanford Bishop? They have nothing to lose that they haven’t lost already. Or will the challenge come from the Senate with Sen. Elect Joe Manchin Running for the Democratic Nomination? A true blue Dog who can hunt!
Conventional wisdom says Obama will be challenged from the left in 2012, but a challenge from the gutted center of the Democratic Party would be the most devastating development for the Commander in Chief to contemplate. So, in conclusion, Can a Blue Dog Hunt in 2012?
I am afraid what the surviving Blue Dogs will find in the lame duck session will not be to their liking. If Nancy Pelosi is still the minority leader and she keeps saying it was not policy but that the Democrats did not create jobs fast enough, they will be in a terrible spot. Either swallow the lies or strike out to a new home. I remember what Ronald Reagan said of his divergence from the Democrat party, “I did not leave my party, my party left me.”
P.S. I think you missed a senior Blue Dog who got sent packing after 21 years hanging onto power. Fomer Rep. Gene Taylor[MS-04] lost to Steven Pallazo who tied Taylor’s vote for Nancy Pelosi as Speaker in trade for the democrats passing insurance legislation in the wak of Katrina around his neck like a millstone.
There was no such thing as a Blue Dog. It was media garbage. They sounded like a moderate Republican to get elected, then voted in lockstep with the party. Pretty much the only ones who didn’t were those given permission not to.
Also have to correct CA-20 Costa is now leading, shamefully, but seams voters in Fresno county like him although he voted 3 times with Nancy Polesi to curb the water flow to the valley farmers. Just amazes me cause their unemployment is because of policies like that, and they seem to have voted to keep him there.
The Blue Dogs claim to be conservative on a number of issues, but honestly it is impossible for a Democrat, by their very nature, to be conservative. They talk a good game but it is always just talk.
In the immortal words of the great Sam Elliott, “That dog won’t hunt so cut it the %^&* loose!”
The “dogs won’t hunt” is the correct opinion of the voters who just tossed them out! They failed their constituents when they voted with Nancy Pelosi and ignored the protestations of the populace at the town hall meetings as well as the 9/12/10 rally. The writing was on the wall and they failed to understand the message.Thx for the addition Anna Puma and as far as Jim Costa goes… there is always 2012! The rest had better start working on their resume forthwith.To the defeated Democrats, Welcome to the “dreaded Private sector”!
“Moderate” democrats? So what! The leftist base of the party will simply say good riddance! By the way, don’t be so sure that republicans will have the GUTS to redistrict in their own favor. Pusses have run the party for so LONG that the final product might actually benefit DEMOCRATS!!!
Just a note to thank all of the Veterans for their service. Thanks Dad! (WW2 Vet. Utah Beach 6/6/44)
@ Blogforce One, You are Welcome. Freedom ain’t Free. My Father jumped with the 101st into Normandy, no longer amongst us, but traditions of courage, sacrifice and service to the Nation continues.
Blue dogs are just creepy liar Democrats who pretend.
Blue dogs are simply leftists-in-waiting…waiting, that is, for instructions as to how and when to sell out their constituents. But Weimaraners are GREAT dogs. I had one for many years. She was goofy as hell, but one of my favorite pups.
drank too much with my legion buddies. Hurtin today.
My old man was with the Regina Rifles at Juno Beach. They took him and other experienced ncos from the Patricias to train the green Prairie Johns at mouseholing the buildings of Courseilles Sur Mer. The technique was to use satchel charges to breach the wall of a house, toss a grenade, and hose the place with submachine guns. A tank could be used to punch a hole also. Another method was to boot the door, toss a grenade, and hose it down. They had learnt that in Italy, especially at Ortona. He said the method worked like a charm. Dad died 15 months ago.
Breaking; Blue dog Whip Rep. Heath Shuler (NC-11) will challenge Nancy Pelosi for the Minority leadership post in the House. Bela Pelosi and her minions of evil will destroy him politically in a most unpleasant way thereby further alienating him and the the surviving Blue dogs in the Democrat Party. If any of the surviving Blue Dogs are your Reps. let them know that the time is now to switch parties!
Fox news; Outgoing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, facing a growing rebellion against her bid to become minority leader, is likely to be challenged for the post by a moderate Democrat.
North Carolina Rep. Heath Shuler, who has been sending signals since last month that he would run against the San Francisco liberal if she didn’t step aside, is expected to launch his leadership bid on Sunday when he appears on CNN’s “State of the Union.” He’s also appearing on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” on Monday.
Shuler, a former NFL quarterback
, told the Clay County Progress this week that he had no choice but to leave the sidelines.
“At this point, no one has come forward, no one in leadership for a long time,” Shuler told the North Carolina weekly newspaper. “It will be very tough. It is probably a race we can’t win. But we need a moderate voice in the Democratic Party.”
A little late for that, Heath!