Conservative Democrats seek larger role

[Shrek]

From MSNBC:

WASHINGTON - For a dozen years, the Democratic conservatives known as Blue Dogs have been baying at the moon, ignored by Republicans and tolerated by their more liberal Democratic colleagues. Now, these House lawmakers say that is about to change.

Republicans "did not lose their seats to liberal Democrats" in last weeks elections, said Rep. Mike Ross, D-Ark. "Republicans lost their seats to Blue Dog Democrats."

"We'll have a lot to say about what passes and what doesn't" when the 110th Congress convenes in January with Democrats in control for the first time in 12 years, said Ross, new communications director for the caucus.

(SNIP)

"We also will attempt to restart the old GOP-Boll Weevil coalition that proved so successful in the 1980s to advance President Reagan's revolution," Pence said. "There are Blue Dog Democrats that want to balance the budget, address our nation's abounding debt, strengthen Social Security and protect life and marriage. Our minority will look for opportunities to work with them when there is agreement."

More at link

[texpatriot2004]

1. Kick it for the Blue Dog Democrats nm

[dpbrown]

2. If threads around here are an indication, they're sure not making friends doing it

And then there's Carville trying to stab the baby and steal it all back for Hillary.

[Beacho]

3. This liberal democrat has no problem with that

We have common ground to work with and things that need doing

[rexcat]

4. For the most part I don't have a problem with conservatives but...

"There are Blue Dog Democrats that want to balance the budget (don't have a problem here), address our nation's abounding debt (again, I don't have a problem here), strengthen Social Security (still don't have a problem) and protect life and marriage (YES, I DO HAVE A PROBLEM HERE).

I am pro-choice. It is everyone's wish on the pro-choice side to reduce the number of abortions but until there is adequate sex education (not just abstinence programs), when birth control is available to those in need of it, When Plan B is available to every women in need of it and when the health of the mother becomes paramount I say no fucking way am I going to concede to these people.

I have work in the clinical setting since 1972. There are times when abortion makes sense. If the fetus is so malformed and is not viable I think abortion is a choice that should be preserved. I also think in the first trimester a women should have the right to terminate the pregnancy for what ever reason. It is no ones business other than the women making the decision and her physician. In the second and third trimesters there should be a very good (medical)reason to have an abortion but that right should be left up to the women and her physician. Life for the sake of life seems a little to rigid for my tastes.

Just some of my thoughts on the subject.

[pinto]

5. And, in the larger picture, there's this:

from the MSNBC article cited:

"Leader Pelosi looks forward to working with the Blue Dogs in the 110th Congress," said Jennifer Crider, Pelosi's spokeswoman. "They are important voices in our diverse caucus."

and this, from the Nation:

http://www.thenation.com/blogs/thebeat?bid=1&pid=139093

BLOG | Posted 11/12/2006 @ 09:10am
The Crowded Progressive Caucus

What will be the largest of the ideological caucuses in the new House Democratic majority?

Why, of course, it must be the "centrists" affiliated with the Democratic Leadership Council's "New Democrat Coalition." Yes, that's got to be the case because all the commentators at the Wall Street Journal keep saying that centrists were the big winners on Tuesday.

Er, no.

Well, then, it must be the more conservative Democrats who identify themselves as "Blue Dogs." Surely, that's the answer because all the folks on Fox News keeping talking about them.

Nope.

The largest ideological caucus in the new House Democratic majority will be the Congressional Progressive Caucus, with a membership that includes New York's Charles Rangel, Michigan's John Conyers, Massachusetts' Barney Frank and at least half the incoming chairs of House standing committees.

Big tent, imo, is not just a slogan. *Open*, honest debate within our Congressional delegations is a healthy thing in itself and a refreshing change from the lock step Republican standard.

[rocktivity]

6. And what have conservative Democrats done to EARN a larger role?

They may not like the more "liberal" end of the party, but they ARE they ones who have brought it into power. And I'm fed up with "conservative" and "centrist" being used interchangeably.

:shrug:
rocknation