Democrats.com on REPLACING the bu$h Democrats w/ handy-dandy chart of some/all of them

[Triana]

While Democrats control the House of Representatives by 231-202, they cannot pass progressive bills on health care, the environment, jobs, justice, and impeachment - or even stop horrendous Republican bills on Iraq, torture, and warrantless wiretapping - because a few dozen "Bush Democrats" usually vote with George Bush.

One solution is to elect more Democrats to increase our majority so "Bush Democrats" matter less, and many netroots groups like Moveon.org, DailyKos.com, and Blue America are doing this brilliantly.

The other solution is to support progressive Democrats in primaries against "Bush Democrats," and that's why we launched this effort, drawing heavily on the excellent advice of Blue America's Howie Klein.

The main reason progressives have avoided primaries against Democratic incumbents is the fear that a divisive primary might help turn a "Bush Democratic" seat into a Republican seat. Realistically, there may be a few "Bush Democrats" who are uniquely able to win in Republican districts and therefore should not be challenged in a Democratic primary. But those are the exceptions, not the rule - especially in an election like 2008 where Democrats have a large lead due to widespread disgust with Bush and the entire Republican Party. We will not target incumbents who are truly exceptional.

While we focus on replacing incumbent Bush Democrats, there are two other situations in which progressive Democrats face Bush Democrats:

* Open seats where progressive Democrats are running against Bush Democrats
* Progressive Democratic incumbents who are being challenged by Bush Democrats

You can help all of our progressive Democratic candidates through our Actblue page:
http://www.actblue.com/page/bushdemocrats

1. Incumbent Bush Democrats who deserve primary challenges

Below is a list of Democrats who voted wrong on one or more crucial votes. Some are hard-core "Bush Democrats" while others simply join them from time to time.

By publishing this list, we hope to accomplish several goals:

1. Persuade these Democrats to stop voting with Bush so we don't have to challenge them in a primary. Democrats who reverse their bad votes and genuinely embrace progressive positions will be crossed off our list
2. Encourage progressive Democrats to run primaries against those who keep voting with Bush


MORE plus chart:

http://www.democrats.com/bushdemocrats

[mmonk]

1. Thanks. The list is useful in its breakdown of

the bushdemocrats.

[PATRICK]

2. Don't forget the

most useful issue in dealing with the entire phenomenon is a root cause that can be dealt with by sweeping campaign finance reform and media fairness. It undercuts the roots of bad behavior while leveling the playing field for challengers. It is a good step one. Otherwise raising up a field of little hope and wasted talent would have a minimal effect of putting the scare into some of them. Or the idea of a challenge might simply fold.

We have to really put the heat on for empowering the people in general, then getting at the particular will be more natural and possible. They will all immediately be induced to change their ways even before a challenge and we might not have to wait until election time to see some results.

Not perfect. Not immediately satisfying, but solid for the long run if progressives have what it takes on a fairer ground.

[mmonk]

3. I still remember being told to support all of them

because Conyers and others would be Chairs of committees. I don't know how that argument can still be made given what has happened. So after the upcoming election, we need to find quality replacements to run in primaries. Remember, these people will carry reform only so far because they are still in office.

[PATRICK]

16. Chicken and egg for sure

and reform will not be automatic easy or devoid of big loopholes. It is one national, overall possibiity that can do more than trying to get one or two of them. If one or two are taken out reform might not be so easy to obtain via the survivors or even wary progressives themselves. Math and results-wise I would think the best shot is to go for general reform as a first step but not ignoring building up new local candidates, which needs to be done in any event.

Framing the discussion always in trying to mail an incumbent only has us picking away at the party and getting to that either or diviseness. Unions still support GOP reps who vote their way are are the only reasonable choices to succeed in elections. How well has that prudent strategy worked in the long run? Very mixed but so far the unions always get the short end AND have to match big business campaign giving and media propaganda as well. Progressive per se are much less able to work that game and when they go knocking on labor's door, for example, will they get automatic support or the pragmatic cold shoulder.

The biggest effort should go to chopping the tap root out, not pruning. In our favor is the fact that oin order to BE a Dem there must be more residual humanity, dedication to service and disgust with the money game. People power can be enticing unless, like the Shiites under Saddam, it is systemically powerless. Dems can be awarded for adapting. I think, despite the long memories and anger of many here, conversion to better voting records will earn forgiveness- because we are not the GOP either. Pushing some to be "honest Republicans" or rampaging to the dark side would be better when the push is national and not a vendetta that makes even liberal Dems nervous and club defensive. Best chance, best choice, best way to pave a road for the public to regain proper representation.

[Senator]

4. K&R

[formercia]

5. Stealth Republicans posing as Democrats

There are a few Republicans who have crossed over because they oppose Bush Gang but most are stealth candidates, sent under false flag to undercut the Democratic party.

They have been able to get away with it because of the need to gain chairmanships and leadership positions in Congress. Once the Democrats get a solid majority this Fall, there will be no need for pretense and looking the other way.

Begone to Joe Lieberman and all of the other Bush sycophants.

[ananda]

6. Is Obama included?

He's been supporting bluedogs lately.

[druidity33]

7. other than Barrow?

is there someone else you're referring to?

:shrug:

[Catherina]

12. Barrow was the first name I checked. Pretty good list. n/t

[Catherina]

11. Why would he be? Unless you think McCain is the progressive they should support n/t

[tnlurker]

8. 4 out of 5 TN democratic congressmen are Blue dogs

I don't think any of them have serious challengers this year. The deadline to file was back in April. No chance to unseat them this time except with a republican.

[mmonk]

9. There's always future primaries.

[peacetalksforall]

10. It makes me want to cry to know that we have fight the Republicans and

people who are Dems by label. All of them.

It makes me want to cry to be called a Progressive - I'm only one American-US citizen who loved my country and thought there were more like me. Truly, those who work to destroy it can't love it.

We shouldn't even be having this discussion.

I no longer go to church because my church left me - I like it much better when I knew it wasn't political and hate spreading.

My Party appears to be leaving me unless enough people wake up. I try to teach. More and more are closing it all out.

Obama has way too many rejuvenated people to protect. I'm not sure he is up to it, though I hope it's all a juggling game right now - with proof of what we want to believe surviving.

[Catherina]

13. In all fairness, he can't do it alone. No man could but he is our best hope

to dig ourselves out of this mess. I believe he'll work against us less than the other ones and on some issues will support us.

I know how you feel. :hug:

[Catherina]

14. Rec'd. Thanks n/t

[robinlynne]

15. OH YES. Thank-you.

[lonestarnot]

17. More than fucking excellent!

K & R

[Raksha]

18. I LOVE that term "Bush Democrats"!

Whoever came up with that one is a genius, because that's exactly what they are. We'll get a lot of mileage using it on a regular basis. It's instantly comprehensible, for one thing--you KNOW what a Bush Democrat is the first time you hear it!