Democrats who refuse to be named as Blue Dogs... rather cowardly.

madfloridian

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Wed Mar-18-09 01:29 PM
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Democrats who refuse to be named as Blue Dogs... rather cowardly.

I have been looking all over the internet for the names of the supposed 15 Blue Dogs in Evan Bayh's group.

Evan Bayh refused to give the names out on TV today. He just thought he was so cute and funny. Has he actually forgotten that they work for us?

It is cowardly to refuse to own up and give your name out when you join a group like this. If you join a group you should do it with pride, and state your name clearly and loudly.

Video:

Evan Bayh's secret Blue Dogs

Here is more from Think Progress on the topic. Still looking for all those names Bayh said were on the press release.

Moderate� Senate Democrats to formally announce formation of Blue Dog-style coalition.

Roll Call reports that a group of 15-20 �moderate� Senate Democrats � boosted by their success in �paring down the more than $900 billion economic stimulus bill to $787 billion� � plans to �formally announce next week that it is aligning as a loose coalition or working group focused on deficit reduction and fiscal responsibility�:

Led by Sens. Evan Bayh (D-Ind.), Tom Carper (D-Del.) and Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.), members said early press reports of their meetings were mischaracterized as an opposition group to President Barack Obama�s agenda and budget. But they acknowledge that they are seeking to restrain the influence of party liberals in the White House and on Capitol Hill....

Nebraska Sen. Ben Nelson said the moderate bloc is modeled after the Blue Dogs, but that the realities of the Senate prevent them from being as organized or unified as the House group, which regularly wins concessions from House Democratic leaders.

But as one anonymous Democratic senator told Roll Call, �Once you decide to be part of a bloc that is completely dislocated from the main Democratic caucus interests, you�ve not only separated yourself, you�ve also burned a lot of bridges.� Politico previously explained the possible implications of such a group, writing, �If the moderate Democrats in the Senate are willing to work with moderate Republicans�they will negate the White House�s ability to portray opposition�as partisan obstructionism.�

A few others are named in other articles.

Dem 'Centrists' Plot To Push Back On Obama Agenda

A bloc of Senate Democratic moderates is quietly maneuvering to keep open the option of vetoing two of President Barack Obama's most ambitious agenda items this year -- climate change and health care reform.

Eight Democrats who want to water down new climate change legislation have already joined with Republicans and signed a letter opposing any attempt to use fast-track budget rules to prevent filibusters. Many of the same Democrats also oppose using those budget rules to prevent filibusters of health care legislation.

.."Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) and Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.) are among the eight Democrats who signed the letter opposing reconciliation. Republicans are on their side, claiming the move would break Obama's bipartisan pledge.

"That's absolutely a concern of a lot of people," Lincoln said. "We need everyone in the room. It needs to be done in a bipartisan way."

Open Left has part of the article from Roll Call which indicates that other Third Way folks may be involved.

Evan Bayh Forming Blue Dog Caucus in the Senate

Additionally, Bayh envisions inviting outside speakers to address the group, which would also work in concert with third parties that have similar viewpoints, like the Third Way, a nonpartisan progressive think tank.

A Reid spokesman said the Majority Leader was similarly upbeat about the idea.

"Nearly a decade of Republican fiscal irresponsibility has contributed to our current economic crisis," Reid spokesman Jim Manley said in an e-mail statement. "That is why Sen. Reid welcomes Sen. Bayh's decision to form this group. For we know that Sen. Bayh, like all Democrats, is committed to restoring our nation's fiscal and economic health."

Over the past three weeks, Bayh and his staff have reached out to Senators to judge the appetite for such a group.

"I've had some expressions of interest," Bayh said. "I'm going to continue to meet and talk to my colleagues."

Likely targets for Bayh would include moderate Democrats like Sens. Mark Pryor (Ark.), Blanche Lincoln (Ark.), Mary Landrieu (La.), Ben Nelson (Neb.), Jim Webb (Va.), and Sen.-elect Mark Warner (Va.).

The Minnesota Independent suspects that Amy Klobuchar may be joining them.

Klobuchar to join Senate �Blue Dog� Dems?

U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar met with 13 moderate and conservative Democrats and independent Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut on Tuesday as part of a group formed by Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., and based �loosely on the House Blue Dog Coalition.�

The new coalition is concerned with proposed tax hikes and spending. Klobuchar�s office said she is working to make sure any spending is fiscally responsible.

Politico reports that many in the meeting were dissatisfied with President Obama�s proposed budget, particularly tax increases on the wealthy.

Bayh, the founder of the new group of senators, said, �I do think that before we raise revenue, we first should look to see if there are ways we can cut back on spending.�

�The American people and businesses are tightening their belts,� Bayh added. �I think we need to show that the government can economize as well.�

The group is committed to working with moderate Republicans on a variety of issues.

I am going to keep searching for these names.

They work for us. We put them in office. They should reveal the groups to which they belong.