Is this the worst Dem in the Senate?

[cali]

Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D., defied the odds in November when she won the closest senate race in the country, and now that she's arrived in Washington, she's defiant as ever. But now, instead of defying the pollsters, she's defying the Democratic caucus by taking divergent opinions on issues central to President Obama's second term agenda, ranging from gun control to the environment.

Heitkamp, who says growing the economy is her top priority, is concerned that the president is changing his focus to issues like climate change and gun control.

"I think, you know the one thing that has gotten lost by everyone is one of the best ways that we can perform here is by getting people back to work, making sure that this economic recovery, slow as it is, gets amped up and moves forward," Heitkamp tells Politics Confidential. "It's one of the reasons why I've been such a big proponent of the Keystone Pipeline. There's a shovel ready, private sector jobs program, good paying jobs."

On the topic of gun control, Heitkamp does not hesitate when asked if she'll support an assault weapons ban; her answer is a definitive no.

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http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/power-players-abc-news/sen-heidi-heitkamp-defiant-democrat-115938898.html

[Nye Bevan]

1. Possibly not. Have you been following the Menendez thing? (nt)

[Recursion]

2. If all we can get from that state is the caucus vote, that's better than nothing

If you think a more liberal candidate could win, support them in the primary. I don't think so.

[Scuba]

3. No, she's a Republican who infiltrated the N.D. Democratic Party.

[Mass]

4. Her or Manchin.

[hrmjustin]

5. She comes from a conservative state.

I just hope she does not turn into a Nelson of NE, because if she does than we don't need to help her get re-elected. But we need to remember she won in a state that the president did not win her state so she probably feels no loyalty to him. It is a shame but that is likely the reality of it.

[southernyankeebelle]

10. That's the problem these blue dog dems. We need to start looking for FDR dems.

[TheKentuckian]

6. DiFi is strong with the suck.

[rurallib]

7. as is Baucus

[TheDebbieDee]

9. Hello? What about Sen Mary Landrieu of Louisiana?

She, along with Nelson and Baucus and Blanche Lincoln held out for sweetheart deals for her state before selling her "yea" vote for Obamacare.

[The Magistrate]

8. No,Ma'am: Baucus Is The Worst

He has the seniority and position to do serious harm, and he has done serious harm.

[rusty fender]

11. Mark Pryor, D-Ark.

could vie for worst Dem in Senate.

[geek tragedy]

12. No, she's a North Dakota Democrat.

They don't elect liberals up there.

Try Tom Carper from a liberal state like Delaware.

[tarheelsunc]

13. Would you rather say the words "Senator Berg"?

She's in a red state, she can't afford to be but so liberal there. She's not someone who true liberals will agree with on many issues, but she's definitely better than the alternative.