Blue Dogs bracing for another electoral drubbing
An unsympathetic look at the numbers shows the Blue Dogs could suffer further losses. If Roll Call’s race ratings bear out — that is, if all races leaning Democratic swing that way and vice versa — the group is looking at a ceiling of 19 members.
That is only true if the party wins all of its Tossup races. If it loses those, membership could dwindle to as few as 14 members to start the 113th Congress.
Blue Dog Co-Chairman for Communications Mike Ross (Ark.) said not to count out his candidates.
“I think there’s going to be a lot of surprises,” said the six-term lawmaker who will retire at the end of the year, almost certainly leaving his district in Republican hands. “2010 was the worst year for Democrats in 70 years, and we lost a lot of Members. But anyone that could survive 2010 certainly will not have a problem surviving 2012.”
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
WHY? Obama is going to win, easily and he’ll have coat-tails won’t he?
JFKY on October 9, 2012 at 7:19 PM
The modern Dem party chased out any remaining “moderates” in recent years. The “Blue Dogs” knew their days were numbered when Leftist ideologues like Pelosi and Obama came to leadership positions.
I actually don’t have a problem with this. Bold colors and all that. Let’s debate the issues for real…Dems: stop pretending you’re conservative when you talk to your constituents back home. Take the mask off. Tell them their energy bills need to “necessarily skyrocket.” etc.
visions on October 9, 2012 at 7:22 PM
The concept of the Blue Dog is really encouraging and truly American.
It died, gorily and with finality, in 2010 with the passage of Obamacare. You could square the Stimulus, the bailouts – even some of the scary stuff that didn’t pass like Cap and Trade and Amnesty – with a delusional centrist maverick outlook.
You can’t square Obamacare, or any of the attempted union coups. If you support that, if you didn’t change parties (or at least vote against your leadership in caucusing) you’re a communist who’s committed to destroying market economics and socializing America’s healthcare system. Period End Stop.
HitNRun on October 9, 2012 at 7:26 PM
We actually need more blue dogs in Congress, just not from red states.
faraway on October 9, 2012 at 7:27 PM
Apparently, Heath Shuler (NC) disagrees with this assessment…
cs89 on October 9, 2012 at 7:31 PM
They fell into lock-step with Pelosi and Reid to force Obamacare on us. If they didn’t vote with Nancy on Obamacare, they voted against it with her permission. No Democrat can ever be trusted again, even the blue dogs put party over their constituents when they have a little pressure and bribery from their liberal overlords.
obladioblada on October 9, 2012 at 7:43 PM
There is the dog that isn’t barking.
The ‘rats have given up on the fantasy of handing the gravel to Pelosi.
So, if the ‘rats don’t have enough juice to win a majority of the 535 Congressional Districts… how in blue blazes is Obozo going to win a second term?
The Repub base isn’t sitting home like they did in ’08, so the ‘rats aren’t going to push out any R-Congressmen unless they’ve been re-redistricted into a hazardous position.
I’m not overconfident, but I don’t see the fundamental math results needed for a ‘rat victory… anywhere.
CPT. Charles on October 9, 2012 at 8:55 PM
I am hoping to get rid of my Blue Dog, John Barrow. We have new district lines, so hopefully he’ll be gone after this election, despite a weak Republican opponent.
ktrich on October 9, 2012 at 8:58 PM
At best they’re useful idiots, but more likely they’re just opportunistic liars.
pauljc on October 9, 2012 at 9:06 PM