House Dems are supporting challenger of pro-CAFTA Cuellar

[Rose Siding]

snip>
Several of Rep. Henry Cuellar’s (D-Texas) Democratic colleagues are not supporting the moderate freshman’s reelection bid, instead opting to back one of his challengers, former Rep. Ciro Rodriguez (D), a popular former lawmaker who lost to Cuellar last fall by 58 votes.

Democratic Reps. Charlie Rangel (N.Y.), Luis Gutierrez (Ill.) and Ted Strickland (Ohio) contributed to Rodriguez’s campaign in the first half of this year, according to Federal Election Commission filings, and at least eight more members attended a fundraiser for Rodriguez held in Washington last month.

http://www.hillnews.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/081705/out.html

The Hill spins this as being personal, but that's not all of it...


Dean said the Democrats also must become more cohesive, and criticized the 14 Democratic House members who voted last week for the CAFTA trade agreement.

"We're going to have some private, very tough discussions with them, and some of them are probably going to be replaced by Democrats," he said, drawing a laugh from the audience.

http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/atlanta/0805/05conven.html

[On the Road]

1. I am So Happy About This

There's been no party discipline. Cohesiveness is the first step to making the most of minority party status.

[brentspeak]

2. Good news

Rather than go for the scorched-earth policy of the left-wingers ("Don't vote Democratic! Let's hand the country over to the Republicans!"), the party is correctly rectifying the situation by working through the primaries.

[Orion The Hunter]

3. Adios Cuellar!

If you are going to vote like a Republican, then we will treat you like one and give you the boot!

[madfloridian]

4. Good for them. This is going to be happening more, I think.

You don't give our country's economy away and not pay a price...not anymore.

[idlisambar]

5. this is great, Cueller looks vulnerable n/t