Evan Bayh To Form "Blue Dog" Caucus in Senate

[Shiver]

Evan Bayh Forming Conservative "Blue Dog" Caucus In Senate.
The Huffington Post
Dec. 14 2008

Via Open Left, Roll Call reports:

Bayh, who has spoken with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) about his initiative, said he is trying to create a faction of moderate Senators who will gather on a weekly basis ahead of the usual Tuesday Democratic Caucus meetings.

Additionally, Bayh envisions inviting outside speakers to address the group, which would also work in concert with third parties that have similar viewpoints, like the Third Way, a nonpartisan progressive think tank.

A Reid spokesman said the Majority Leader was similarly upbeat about the idea.

"Nearly a decade of Republican fiscal irresponsibility has contributed to our current economic crisis," Reid spokesman Jim Manley said in an e-mail statement. "That is why Sen. Reid welcomes Sen. Bayh's decision to form this group. For we know that Sen. Bayh, like all Democrats, is committed to restoring our nation's fiscal and economic health."

*snip*

Steve Benen adds:

In the House, the Blue Dogs are not only overly cozy with corporate lobbyists, this is a coalition reluctant to embrace a progressive vision on issues like climate change, and committed to a financial plan focused on spending reductions and balanced budgets -- precisely when the federal government needs to be doing the opposite.

That Bayh wants a similar group working in the Senate is discouraging, to put it mildly.

*****

That's really the whole thing... there's a little more at the top link, but not that much...

[Thrill]

1. Another pain in the ass for Obama

[SoxFan]

10. Most House Blue Dogs supported Obama very early

Far earlier than most of the Progressive Caucus. But go ahead and think what you want.

[Thrill]

24. Considering Bayh is leading this

Another pain in the ass for Obama

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

2. I think this gives the Blue Dogs too much power

they might decide to start voting as a group on reactionary programs, such as union-busting. I could even see them joining with the Rethugs to block Obama's legislation.

[SoxFan]

11. Then disband the Progressive Caucus while you're at it

They vote as a bloc and don't always agree with Obama.

[blm]

15. Have the Progressive Democrats had TOO MUCH power in the Dem party the last 2 decades?

Is THAT why BushInc has been so PROTECTED and served the last 2 decades?

You really think the Lee Hamilton, Bill Clinton, Joe Lieberman Democrats have been GREAT for holding BushInc and the fascist agenda in check and accountable?

[SoxFan]

16. Look at the House leadership

Is Nancy Pelosi a Blue Dog?

Was Dick Gephardt a Blue Dog?

Foley? Rostenkowski? Dingell?

The House has been headed by Establishment Dems. If you have a beef with a lack of accountability, take it up with those folks, not with the Dogs.

Remember, the name of the Blue Dogs derives from what happens when you leave a yellow dog out in the cold for too long. the entire reason for the formation of the caucus was to give voice to fiscal conservatives and deficit hawks who feltt hat their concerns were being blown off by the Democratic congressional leadership.

[blm]

17. Remember, we tried it Bill's way and that led directly to Bush2, 9-11 and this Iraq war.

Gee - what would this nation look like if Bill Clinton had SIDED with Kerry and Gonzalez on accountability for BushInc's criminal operations and allowed the citizenry the fuller picture of those operations?

Instead, he sided with the secrecy and privilege of GHWBush and his powerful cronies - CONSISTENTLY.

Did that work for you? Did that work out well for the party? The country? The world?

[Shiver]

18. Actually, the name comes from former Demoratic Rep. Pete Geren,

who remarked that the members had been "choked blue" by those "extremist" Democrats from the left.

The term is also a nod to the "Blue Dog" paintings of Cajun artist George Rodrigue. The founding members of the coalition would meet in the offices of two representatives (Billy Tauzin and Jimmy Hayes), and both had paintings by Rodrigue on their walls. Both of them, oddly enough, later switched to the Republican party.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

3. And there are people who wanted this douche to get the VP job...

:puke:

[TomClash]

4. Maybe we need a left-wing caucus of "Red Bull" Senators nt

[Phred42]

5. Blue Dogs: "The OTHER Republicans"

This is,in fact, the Permanent Republican Majority and the Dogs are part of it.

Let's understand that 30 years ago these cowards would have had the guts to call themselves Republicans.


Human Society: Don't forget to Spay or Neuter your Blue Dogs

[burythehatchet]

6. Evan Bayh, one leg short of a three legged stool.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

7. More like a two-legged tool.

[burythehatchet]

9. one legged tap-dancer? Whatever, he's a dick

[Odin2005]

8. I'll bet my congressman (Collin Peterson, DINO-MN) is one of them.

:puke:

[boomerbust]

13. Ya

Golden Gophers Suck!!!!!!!!!

[RB TexLa]

12. Good

[Peace Patriot]

14. I find it mystifying why anyone would want to identify themselves as "Blue Dogs,"

whose last leader in the 21st century was Gary Condit, the so-called Democrat who proposed posting the Ten Commandments in all public buildings, and whose youngest mistress disappeared on May 1, 2001, during a meeting Condit was having with Dick Cheney (who was never asked--let alone interrogated--about that meeting by any law enforcement officer in the USA, nor by any of the corpo/fascist 'news' monopoly so-called reporters). Two days later, on May 3, 2001, Condit led the 10 "Blue Dog" Democrats who voted FOR the Bush Junta's first tax cut for the rich, in a very close and controversial vote.

There's your "Blue Dogs"! It is a term from an 'ol boy Louisiana Congressman that stinks of death, bigotry, hypocrisy and fascism.

[bigtree]

19. representing the 'pragmatic' side of the Senate

. . . no doubt :eyes:

[alarimer]

20. These "blue dogs" can go to hell.

They are DINOS. Worse than Republicans. Wolves in sheep's clothing, whatever you call it. I hate them far worse than Bush.

[TankLV]

21. BAD news! Fuck 'em...

But yet, WE progressives are told to sit down and shut up...

[ladjf]

22. "Blue Dogs. We don't need no stinking Blue Dogs." nt

[FLAprogressive]

23. Fuck the Blue Dogs and the Corporate Jets they rode in on....nt