Leaders crack whip on loyalty -House Dems retaliate for members r-votes

[Rose Siding]

Rep. Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) was harshly upbraided Monday night by House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.) and other members of the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee for failing to be a “team player,” signaling that the Democratic leadership intention to impose a strict regimen of party discipline in the 109th Congress.
...
He stands next in seniority on the agricultural panel to replace former Rep. Charles Stenholm (D-Texas), who was defeated in November. But questions about Peterson’s party loyalty, both his voting record and his lackadaisical fundraising, have forestalled what would have been an otherwise routine promotion to be the Democrats’ top lawmaker on issues affecting rural — and often red — America.

“There is no doubt that there’s a lot of resentment about how Collin Peterson has conducted himself in his time in Congress. It’s more than just the Medicare vote,” a senior Democratic aide said.

A Democratic leadership aide said: “Members were upset when they learned that Boyd co-sponsored a Republican Social Security bill and are tired of some members of the caucus not pulling their weight. And the Steering Committee reflected that.”

http://www.hillnews.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/010505/loyalty.html

[Warpy]

1. ROFL! "Look how mean they are to anybody who

steps out of line! Those awful Democrats!"

Meanwhile, the media whores have done very little reporting on the bullying done by Delay, Frist, Hastert, Cheney and Bush.

[Mountainman]

2. Well if the Dems don't stand together with the little power they have

then there is no need to have a minority party.

[Rose Siding]

3. That's exactly right

The only thing that worries me in the article is that he may STILL get his committee. They should but some bite in their bark.

[cattleman22]

4. This is sad

I thought the Democrats were the party of tolerance and open to ideas. Yet here they are acting the same as the Republicans.

[jpgray]

5. A party that can't stand together when there is great need is worthless

Good for the Dems for trying to get some more discipline in the ranks when it's really needed.

[Bouncy Ball]

6. GOOD for them.

They need to be grabbing their balls and demanding that Democrats act like freaking DEMOCRATS. Otherwise, as someone said upthread, what point is there in having the party at all?


The Dems aren't just opposing another political party, they are opposing those who would gleefully TEAR DOWN our civil rights and the Bill of Rights. They are opposing people who have been wiping their asses with the Constitution for four years.

This is no tea party.