Are BlueDogs = Repubs? I have figured a basic question to answer that.

[Better Today]

So like many of you, I've been trying to figure out how to judge the BlueDogs? Are they really Repubs in disguise or are they truly voting their conscience, their belief that it's the only re-electable stance, their belief that they're representing their constituents (however wrong that may be)... how d'ya tell?


Well, I've decided to use the same test we've all been using to judge the Repubs. . . have they offered any alternative solutions (solutions being the key word, not just wanting things removed, but finding actual alternative solutions) to any of the issues that they are nay-saying about???

I think this is a good litmus test that can be used across the board for determining which blue dogs are wrong but "understandable" vs. ones that are just plain not Democrats.

[Meshuga]

1. Moderate Republicans are moving to the Democratic party because

They are not welcome in the New Repuplican party with all the crazies. At first I thought it was a victory when Republican switched sides. Now I think it is bad because these guys give the perception that progressives are in power but that is about it.

[dmallind]

2. ...or... just maybe ...you could look at their overall voting records. NT

[stray cat]

3. No - just look at their affiliation - it says dem and they ran and were elected as a dem

[Ineeda]

4. Agree. A key question for rethugs and blue dogs

is not "what's wrong with the Democrats' bill?", which is all they can blather about. The question should be, "what do you propose to make it right?"

[Better Today]

6. Exactly, if they tried to offer alternative solutions but didn't get something they could accept,

then I think I give them a pass. If however all they did was join the party of "no," then I think, boot their asses out of the party and make 'em get their election financing from somewhere not connected to the Democratic party.

[tosh]

5. My bluedog...

is opposing the healthcare bill today. He made no commitment until today with a press release posted on his website.

On the other hand, he is consistently on the correct side with all things alternative energy related.

I don't at all equate him with a rethug. I think in his case he is truly representing his district, which is VERY large and diverse but mostly moderately educated.

Another bluedog that represents my native district in southwest Georgia (and thus my mother and my family's business) is much more progressive and came out early on in favor of the healthcare bill. I follow him closely and am always pleased with the way he votes.

[EvolveOrConvolve]

7. No

The Blue Dog Dems are, in general, more conservative than other Democrats, but they are usually more liberal than most of the Republicans that can get elected in that party nowadays. For the most part, they're on our side ("our" being Progressives), but take some stances that are more conservative in nature, especially if they have a large conservative constituency.

You have to ask yourself a question when facing this issue:

Do we live in a representative democracy where the elected leaders follow the wishes of the people who voted for them

OR

do we live in a pseudo representative democracy where elected officials are beholden only to their political party?