So, who has more votes to influence the House leadership's Iraq plan? 'Blue Dogs' or Progressives?

[bigtree]

Progressive Caucus calls for Iraq withdrawal by Dec. 31

March 08, 2007

A leading member of the Progressive Caucus has introduced an amendment to the pending Iraq war supplemental budget that calls for a complete withdrawal of U.S. troops and contractors from Iraq by Dec. 31.

The “Lee Amendment,” named after author and Progressive Caucus co-chairwoman Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), is two-pronged. It calls for the “continued protection of members of the Armed Forces … and Department of Defense contractor personnel” and fully funding “the safe and complete withdrawal from Iraq of all members of the Armed Forces and contractor personnel … not later than December 31, 2007.”

At a press conference Thursday, Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), a vocal member of the Progressive Caucus who also co-chairs the Out of Iraq Caucus, said the amendment provides a reasonable and simple way out of Iraq and dismissed criticisms that the group’s intent is simply to cut off funds to the troops.

“We are reasonable intelligent legislators elected by the people to make good decisions,” Waters said. “And those people that try to paint us as folks that simply want to get out and leave our troops exposed are incorrect.”

Waters also noted that the Progressive Caucus will continue discussing a date for withdrawal with the Democratic leadership.

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/progressive-caucus-calls-for-iraq-withdrawal-by-dec.-31-2007-03-08.html


Conservative Democrats assert power

WASHINGTON - When House Speaker Nancy Pelosi faced scorn from fellow Democrats during a recent closed-door meeting for not moving more aggressively on Iraq, it was conservative Blue Dogs — her ideological opposites — who rose to defend her.

With Democrats in charge again, the Blue Dogs have played a key role in halting an emerging plan to place strict conditions on war funding. Their revolt helped beat back that proposal, by Pelosi ally John Murtha, D-Pa. Leaders are now considering a watered-down version.

Rep. Lynn Woolsey D-Calif., a member of the "Out of Iraq" caucus that favors forcing an end to the war, complained in a recent Web interview that Blue Dogs "are bragging that they have nine new members."

In the interview with the liberal group Progressive Democrats of America, she pointed out that the Progressive Caucus can boast the same number of freshmen.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070307/ap_on_go_co/democrats_blue_dogs_2

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

1. Probably blue dogs.

They need to ensure they get re-elected and we need to make sure they vote with us.

[bigtree]

2. I wonder if they can pass the Pelosi 'compromise' without the P.D.s

or how many would vote against it if their amendment didn't prevail?

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

3. Neither side can pass anything without help from the other.

That's why the compromise had to happen in the first place.

[bigtree]

5. I don't think the progressives got what they wanted

they've been left to fend for their proposal outside of the bill

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

9. No one gets everything they want in a compromise.

That's why the word "compromise" exists.

[bigtree]

10. doesn't look like they got anything they wanted yet.

they were shut out from the standing legislation and forced to fend for their proposal on their own. That's significant enough to term it a setback for their proposal.

[KoKo]

6. A little more from article says that there are more Liberals but goes on to say:

Iraq is a good example," Boyd said. "The majority of the caucus would say, 'Let's be really strong in forcing the president out of here.' Well, some of us are really uncomfortable playing general, and you're going to see that reflected in what we vote on."

The more sizable liberal wing of the party is chafing at the Blue Dogs' influence.

Rep. Lynn Woolsey (news, bio, voting record), D-Calif., a member of the "Out of Iraq" caucus that favors forcing an end to the war, complained in a recent Web interview that Blue Dogs "are bragging that they have nine new members."

In the interview with the liberal group Progressive Democrats of America, she pointed out that the Progressive Caucus can boast the same number of freshmen.

But party officials argue that those more liberal newcomers are not in competitive seats, and that their supporters are unlikely to forsake Democrats in 2008, when they will be highly motivated to turn out to try to wrest the presidency from Republicans.

The same can't be said of the first-term Blue Dogs, many of whom are already preparing for tough re-election fights.

[bigtree]

7. One of the out of Iraq caucus said in their news conference they had the votes

to hold up the leadership compromise

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

8. That's nice and all, but simple math still tells me...

that the progressives don't have enough votes to pass the laws they want on their own.

[madfloridian]

4. Ask yourself who's got the money? Money is the power.

Which group has more ties to corporations and the big money on K Street, etc.?