All 435 House seats - Representatives or Congress are up for re-election !!

[Breeze54]

So, what are all of you doing concerning this?

Do we purge the Blue Dogs and Dino's? Who are they?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Dog_Coalition#List_of_Blue_Dog_Coalition_members">Blue Dog Coalition

Blue Dog Democrats are a group of 48 moderate and conservative
Democratic Party members of the United States House of Representatives.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Dog_Coalition">Blue Dog Coalition Members

List of Blue Dog Coalition members

* Mike Arcuri (New York)
* Joe Baca (California)
* John Barrow (Georgia)
* Melissa Bean (Illinois)
* Marion Berry (Arkansas)
* Sanford Bishop (Georgia)
* Dan Boren (Oklahoma)
* Leonard Boswell (Iowa)
* Allen Boyd (Florida), Blue Dog Co-Chair for Administration
* Dennis Cardoza (California)
* Christopher Carney (Pennsylvania)
* Ben Chandler (Kentucky)
* Jim Cooper (Tennessee)
* Jim Costa (California)
* Bud Cramer (Alabama)
* Lincoln Davis (Tennessee)
* Joe Donnelly (Indiana)
* Brad Ellsworth (Indiana)
* Gabrielle Giffords (Arizona)
* Kirsten Gillibrand (New York)
* Bart Gordon (Tennessee)
* Jane Harman (California)
* Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (South Dakota), Blue Dog Whip
* Baron Hill (Indiana)
* Tim Holden (Pennsylvania)
* Steve Israel (New York)
* Nick Lampson (Texas)
* Tim Mahoney (Florida)
* Jim Marshall (Georgia)
* Jim Matheson (Utah)
* Mike McIntyre (North Carolina)
* Charlie Melancon (Louisiana)
* Mike Michaud (Maine)
* Dennis Moore (Kansas), Blue Dog Co-Chair for Policy
* Patrick Murphy (Pennsylvania)
* Collin Peterson (Minnesota)
* Earl Pomeroy (North Dakota)
* Mike Ross (Arkansas), Blue Dog Co-Chair for Communications
* John Salazar (Colorado)
* Loretta Sanchez (California)
* Adam Schiff (California)
* David Scott (Georgia)
* Heath Shuler (North Carolina)
* Zack Space (Ohio)
* John Tanner (Tennessee)
* Gene Taylor (Mississippi)
* Mike Thompson (California)
* Charlie Wilson (Ohio)

Former members of Congress who were once prominent Blue Dog Coalition members include:

* Brad Carson (Oklahoma)
* Gary Condit (California)
* Harold Ford Jr. (Tennessee)
* Ralph Hall (Texas) (became a Republican and is still a member of the House)
* Bill Lipinski (Illinois)
* Ken Lucas (Kentucky)
* David Minge (Minnesota)
* Max Sandlin (Texas)
* Charlie Stenholm (Texas)
* Billy Tauzin (Louisiana) (later became a Republican and served until 2005)
* Jim Turner (Texas)

-------------------------------------------

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Dog_Coalition#Differences_between_the_Blue_Dogs_and_liberal_Democrats">Differences between the Blue Dogs and liberal Democrats

In 2005, the members of the Blue Dog Coalition voted 32 to 4 in favor of the bill to limit access to bankruptcy protection (S 256). Congressman Collin Peterson was subjected to a heated round of questioning from colleagues in the Democratic Party over several votes where he strayed from the party line before being nominated as the ranking member on the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture, in what would otherwise have been a routine nomination.

On the other hand, some prominent Blue Dogs have also received strong support from liberal activists within the party, most notably Brad Carson of Oklahoma in his unsuccessful 2004 run for the U.S. Senate, John Tanner of Tennessee (whose Republican opponent in 2004, James L. Hart, was a eugenics advocate denounced by his own party), Jim Matheson of Utah, and Loretta Sanchez of California in her successful bid to unseat former Congressman Bob Dornan. Online fundraising efforts by liberal weblogs in 2004 named Carson's campaign a top national priority. In some cases this support for Blue Dogs came about because the Republican opponent (former Representative, now Senator Tom Coburn) was seen as holding strong right-wing views; in other cases the support is because in some states like Tennessee, Oklahoma, the Dakotas, and Utah, a conservative Democrat is seen as the only kind of Democrat who can be viable at the polls. Some progressive activists also view the Blue Dogs as an important part of a Democratic Party big tent coalition, which will give the party important credibility with rural voters and social conservatives, while viewing the Blue Dogs as perhaps easier to swing to the left on fiscal and trade issues than the DLC.

Others in the party's liberal wing disagree, and have promoted the idea of running future primary challenges against both Blue Dog Coalition and DLC members in an effort to unseat Democratic Party members they view as unreliable or too conservative. The editors of the left-wing weblog OpenLeft have christened the Blue Dog Democrats as "Bush Dogs" and have begun a campaign to identify Bush Dogs (so defined as those Democrats who voted for war funding in May 2007<2> and voted to grant President George W. Bush warrantless wiretapping powers<3>) and evaluate whether a primary challenge is feasible. <4><5>


---------------------------------


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Dog_Coalition#Differences_between_the_Blue_Dogs_and_liberal_Democrats">Differences between the Blue Dogs and the Democratic Leadership Council

The differences between the Blue Dogs and the other prominent coalition of moderate Democrats, the Democratic Leadership Council (DLC), are sometimes subtle. The DLC describes itself as new Democrat while taking moderate or liberal positions on social issues and moderate positions on economic issues and trade. The DLC views the support of free trade as a traditionally liberal position, and similarly frames their support of an aggressive national defense as historically a Democratic Party position. The two emphasize different goals; the DLC aims to revitalize and strengthen the Democratic party, while the Blue Dogs prefer to emphasize bipartisanship.

Democrats who identify with the Blue Dogs tend to be conservatives, but have more divergent positions on social issues than the DLC. Reflecting the group's Southern roots, many are strong supporters of gun rights and get high ratings from the National Rifle Association, some have pro-life voting records, and some get high ratings from immigration reduction groups. As a caucus, however, the group has never agreed on or taken a position on these issues, and many members favor more socially liberal positions.

On economic issues, Blue Dogs tend to be pro-business and favor limiting public welfare spending, arguing instead for "individual responsibility". They have supported welfare reform, for example, as well as the Republican-backed Bankruptcy Reform Act of 2005. They do, however, have differing positions on trade issues, including some supporters of labor unions, protectionism, and other populist measures, while the DLC tends to favor free trade.


----------------------------


http://berkley.house.gov/GovInfo/FAQ.html#How%20often%20are%20Representatives%20and%20Senators%20up%20for%20re-election">FAQs About Congress

* How many members of Congress are there?
* What is the current split between Republicans and Democrats in Congress?
* How often do Members of Congress switch parties?
* How often are Representatives and Senators up for re-election?
* How many people do Congressmen/women and Senators represent?
* What's the biggest difference between the House and the Senate in how they operate?
* How much do Representatives and Senators get paid?
* How much do they get to spend on expenses?
* What is the demographic breakdown of Congress? Isn't it full of attorneys?
* How does a bill become a law?
* Whenever I turn on C-SPAN, it doesn't look like anyone is there? Why?
* Does it make any difference if I email, write, or call Congresswoman Berkley?
* Why does Congress use a Committee System?
* What committees does Rep. Berkley sit on?
* How many bills are introduced every year?

--------------

We had better start focusing on this asap!! The bush lovers need to go.... home!

[anniebelle]

1. We might as well elect repukes instead.

I'm so sick of seeing these votes on the floor come up with EVERY blue dog (i.e. repuke) votes with the administration. I hope every one of them are voted out and there's a few a senate that should never come back either. Schumer and Feinstein come to mind. And the press can just quit referring to Lieberman as "caucuses with the Democrats" -- I don't think so.

[Breeze54]

2. I'm sick of it too. - Are any of them from your state?

:shrug:

We need to find out if any progressive's are running against them.

I'm checking Open Left http://www.openleft.com/ to see if they have more info on each of them.

[mac2]

7. Yes...Melissa Bean

and Emanuel are from Illinois.

No real Progressive (Democratic) support by the party in this state. You have to be pro-war.

Hey Dean can we re-run the election 2000 in Florida? As usual the party is creating problems for themselves so they can lose once again. Get out of the kitchen Dean you are causing the fire!

http://satiricalpolitical.com/?p=1587

[mucifer]

8. you forgot dan lipinski. I worked on Mark Pera's campaign

But, he lost the primary. So sad.

[mac2]

14. I don't know on what platform Pera ran.

Can we trust elections with computer voting machines and corrupt election officials...even here in Illinois? Democrats knew the voting situation was stacked against them but we didn't see election reform they promised us since 2000.

If your candidate was pro-amnesty or anti-war they won't win. The people don't want amnesty and the DLC won't support or fund anti-war candidates. Yes...the DLC are Republicans (except for immigration and abortion).

This primary is a bitter disappointment to me. Even my own party are set on losing once again. What a mess in Florida and Michigan the party leaders created. Same ole, same ole but this time before the election even starts. They are not separate parties but the same. I see no real choice as a Progressive Democrat in this election emm..."selection".

http://satiricalpolitical.com/?p=1587 Why not re-run the 2000 election in Florida and Michigan Dean? Why didn't you call for it when it was the state law to do so? A winner was declared by Democratic leaders before the votes were even counted the first time.

[Breeze54]

9. Do you know if she or they have any Dem challengers? n/t

[mucifer]

10. The primary in IL is over

[Breeze54]

20. You're right...

What was I thinking. :(

It's sure been silent on the M$M about any of these races.

[mac2]

15. Not serious threats as far as I know.

The media and party were silent about it anyway.

In the primary I voted for another candidate than Bean. The only issue she was running on was against the war. I asked she fill out the Voter Smart forms on issues and bio but she refused.

I haven't received one piece of mail from challengers. It's like they kept serious challengers from running.

Here she is...

http://www.freethedemocrats.com/

[dysfunctional press]

17. don't forget bill foster.

he just won the special election for the 14th district- hastert's old seat...and he says that he will caucus with the blue dogs.

[nxylas]

25. I thought Melissa Bean was Condi's significant other

I certainly remember all the "Rice and Bean" jokes when details of their relationship first emerged. I guess I'm thinking of another Bean.

[Catch22Dem]

5. They're not the same thing

Look, if given the choice between a conservative dem and an equally conservative repuke, go with the Dem every time. It DOES make a difference. The party in power controls the committees. Plain and simple.

[Breeze54]

6. I hope the choice is between a Progressive Dem and a Bush Dog!

Then vote for the Progressive but otherwise, I agree.
It's better to hold that seat with a Dem sitting in it.
At least they can be pressured on how they vote.

[Catch22Dem]

28. All about the pressure, yes

I totally agree, it would be great if the choice was between a yellow dog dem or a bush lap dog, but if you can't get the progressive through the primary process, then I STILL feel like it's our duty to elect the DINO. I know a LOT of DUers would disagree with me, but committees are the bigger picture.

[Breeze54]

3. BUSH DOGS - More info.

http://openleft.com/tag.do?tag=Bush+Dogs">BUSH DOGS

Sign-up for Updates from Open Left & the Bush Dog Campaign

From failing to stop the war to expanding Bush's wiretapping authority, the swing vote of conservative Democrats in the House are forming an effective conservative majority that is enabling President Bush to govern as he wishes.

This Bush Dog campaign has both short-term and long-term goals. In the short term, we aim to help progressives win the next fights in Congress over FISA and Iraq. Over the long-term, this is part of a broader effort that touches on the core of the purpose of Open Left: building a progressive governing majority.


http://action.openleft.com/page/s/bushdogs">Sign-up now to get involved with this effort

[Breeze54]

4. This is going to be uncomfortable for many of us.

This is going to be uncomfortable for many of us. Criticizing the people we just elected, people who may even be nice to us personally, is never easy. And shifting away from raw partisanship, which was necessary from 2002-2006, towards the idea that we need good Democrats and not Bush Dog Democrats, is going to take some slight adjustments. We're going to be told that we are jeopardizing candidates in swing districts, that we are hurting the possibility of retaining the majority. We're going to be told we're bad Democrats.

None of that is true, and it is loser talk. There is no such thing as a Republican district, and Democrats only get stronger when we stand confidently for our values. Criticism makes us better, not weaker, and demanding that our candidates stand for ideas and not just party labels will make the Democratic Party a more vibrant and effective vessel for change.

http://action.openleft.com/page/s/bushdogs

[mac2]

12. Dennis was doing fine in his district until he supported

Amnesty. What was he thinking? Wanting to lose?

Amnesty is lawless and a threat to our country to allow so many immigrants in at one time (legal ones are at an all time high). Doesn't matter why, who, or from where....diseased, criminal, spies, etc. It is a threat to our security. Many say we have 13 million new illegals. I'd say more than 30 million since the last Amnesty (which Congress promised to stop and can't seem to address because of cheap labor and breaking union power). They want open borders like the EU for their American Union. Are they crazy or what?

No our ancestors didn't just walk in to America. They came through Ellis Island. They had to pass health inspections and have a job or sponsor at the other end. Limits on number of immigrants were put in place when the whole thing got out of control. It was legal immigration...not like now.

Now they (corporate politicians) lie saying they can't find enough engineers, etc. We don't have enough because there aren't jobs for them. Why go to college and be unemployed? Ask the various professional engineering groups and they will tell you many engineers are without good jobs because of "off shoring" of our manufacturing sectors.

When you thing about it...even Congress has been "outsourced and privitized" to the secret world order leaders who decide our fate. They keep making laws and run for elections like we live in a democracy. I won't have faith in their public service (represent our best interests) until they resign from those groups. Whose first up? Clinton? Obama? McCain?

[Breeze54]

21. Huh? ----- >Dennis Won!

And he'll be re-elected in Nov. ;)

[mac2]

26. Hope so.

[Skidmore]

11. It is time to clean house!

I'm working on getting our DINO out this year by supporting his Democratic party opposition.

[mac2]

13. I agree.

But they keep doing things to lose elections.

[Breeze54]

22. Hell yeah it is... it's past time but

there are only so many primaries left.

I hope your candidate wins! Are they progressive?

[dysfunctional press]

16. you left out the newest blue dog- bill foster from illinois.

he just won the special election for dennis hastert's ENORMOUS seat this past saturday, he claims to be a "fiscal conservative" and he has stated that he will caucus with the blue dogs.

[mac2]

18. Not in my district.

[Breeze54]

23. I just copied the list.

Do you know how to edit on wikipedia and add his name to the list?

Just great! Another Bush Dog!

Maybe he'll be a tad better that Hastert? :shrug:

How is he on other social issue's besides money?

[JimGinPA]

19. Patrick Murphy (PA ) Is An Obama Co-Chair Here. I Don't Have A Problem With Him

:shrug:

[Breeze54]

24. From his voting record and issue ratings

he seems to be to have high ratings. That's good.

http://www.votesmart.org/issue_rating_category.php?can_id=60031

In 2007 NARAL Pro-Choice America gave Representative Murphy a grade of 100.

In 2007 American Civil Liberties Union gave Representative Murphy a grade of 83.

2007 Representative Murphy supported the interests of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights 87 percent in 2007.

2007 Representative Murphy supported the interests of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People 92 percent in 2007.

[mac2]

27. What is his stand on illegal immigration when he goes to Congress?

Foster talked about going the mile with the other party on CSPAN. That worries me since their time is over and we don't want them in power (especially their privatization miles for the NAFTA highway).

I agree with the Republican agenda to secure our borders (although they don't fine employers or support immigration agents financially). I don't agree with open borders under the Americas Union or truckers from Mexico in America. A large percentage of both parties don't want that.