15 "Moderate Democrats" (Joe Lieberman) Decide to Piss Me The FUCK OFF.

[QueenOfCalifornia]

It's temporarily called something like "The Practical Caucus."

Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., announced on MCNBC's "Morning Joe" this morning that he has formed a gang of 15 Democrats - yes, Democrats - in the Senate to essentially try to keep President Obama in check. The group is sending a message to the White House to not expect them to rubber stamp every proposal sent down Pennsylvania Avenue, particularly when it comes to spending, and that maybe Obama is trying to do too much, too fast. And since it takes 60 votes to get much done in the Senate, this group could be critical and essentially control the outcome of many pieces of legislation in the Senate.

"We're coalescing in a group to try to focus on making changes the American people need but to make sure they're done in a practical way that will actually work," Bayh said of his group of "moderate" Democrats. "We are not ideologues. We are pragmatic. We are not strident partisans. We care about our country more than our party."

While there's 12 names on the press release announcing the caucus, Bayh joked that "there are three or four others we're putting in the witness protection program who will attend meetings who don't want to be publicly identified yet."

Members include Sens. Ben Nelson of Nebraska, Tom Carper of Delaware, Kent Conrad of North Dakota, and Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas. Bayh, who at one time was thought to be picked as Obama's running mate, even called Obama's chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, to give him the heads up. Known for having a temper, Emanuel's response was actually far from hot-headed; he even asked to come to the gang's first meeting.

"I think we have an ally in the White House who's going to help us strike the right balance," Bayh said.

Scarborough, laughing, said: "He was measuring you out for political body bags. Expect a dead fish on your doorstep."
Bayh: "I haven't received a mackerel at my house yet, Joe. Maybe they'll deliver it to yours by mistake."

Others joked that Harry Reid would move Bayh's suite into the Capitol parking lot.

Trying to maintain some sense of seriousness, Bayh said his group could be Obama and Reid's "best friend" - but it could also very well be just the opposite. The group could hold tremendous power.

From Politico:

"There is rising doubt among Democrats - particularly moderates already concerned about the big costs and deficits called for in Obama's budget - that either Obama or Washington have enough bandwidth this year to stimulate the economy, overhaul the failed financial sector and move on to a far-reaching domestic agenda. ...several lawmakers made clear that they have trouble with Obama's logic that deep economic troubles make it more urgent, not less, to take on expensive projects such as health care and education reform."

It should be interesting to see exactly what issue will spark the first faceoff between Bayh's crew and other Senate Democrats, Nancy Pelosi, or the White House. Whatever it is, it sure will be fun to watch.

http://news.aol.com/political-machine/2009/03/18/bayhs-new-gang-of-15-may-put-brakes-on-obama-agenda/

[babylonsister]

1. Forget Lieberman, put Bayh's name up there. He's inspiring this. nt

[QueenOfCalifornia]

2. Yes... you are right

But Lieberman is in there... What a fucking surprise.

[leftstreet]

3. And he claims Rahm will be their 'ally in the Whitehouse'

Great

:eyes:

[babylonsister]

6. Ha! Go, the WH, F&*k Lieberman. nt

[B o d i]

4. At least Bayh and Lieberman are being consistent. They did so much to keep Bush's spending in check.

Oh, wait.... nevermind... I'm thinking of an alternate universe.

[QueenOfCalifornia]

5. LOL!

Oh wait... Sarcasm is a lost art here. :)

[B o d i]

8. This seems like a good time to remind DUers of Evan Bayh's wife

and her connection to the BFEE.

The WellPoint Connection http://stateofthedivision.blogspot.com/2006/12/wellpoint-connection-bayh-bush-hubbard.html

[QueenOfCalifornia]

12. Don't do that!

Someone's beautiful mind might get caught in the battle.

[BlooInBloo]

7. Lieberman is not a Democrat.

[espiral]

9. Never truly was, either.

Someday, they'll send his traitorous ass packing back home to Patheticut...

[QueenOfCalifornia]

11. I want evidence

I mean just when did he go off the tracks?

:rofl:

[LeftishBrit]

15. When was he ever on them?

He was elected in 1988 by running to the RIGHT of the Republican incumbent.

[Name removed]

10. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Vinca]

13. I am so pissed off about this I can barely speak.

We work our asses off and drain our pocketbooks to get a fucking Democratic majority in both Houses and the White House and what happens? Fifteen fucking Democrats turn themselves into Republicans. My new senator, Jeanne Shaheen, is among this group and I've been composing a letter to her in my head all night. Apparently this group plans to oppose health care reform because we don't have enough money. Thanks for the death sentence, assholes. (Sorry - I'm usually not this riled up in the morning. I should go back to bed and stay there today.)

[espiral]

16. re:

That is typical, though- most Democrats (who run for office)
tend to be lame compromisers who would still be considered
clearly rightist by nearly any other country's standards.
Anyone with the slightest hint of socialist leanings is run
out on the rails before ever even being able to run for
election. The US system is so badly corrupted, and plagued by
such endless two-party gridlock, it is almost darkly comical.
Popular democracy is a fool's game. The US knows nothing of
progressivism or real social justice. What else is new; and
why trust the system at all?

[alarimer]

14. They're called DINOs

Their only idea is to be obstructionists.

[Hugabear]

17. Bunch of fucking traitors. We don't need Democrats like these.

I suppose there's not a chance in hell of a true progressive Democrat beating these guys, since they're probably in very conservative districts. Doesn't mean I have to like them at all.

[no name no slogan]

18. I won't stand for you calling Joe a "moderate Democrat"

Holy Joe is an Independent. He caucuses with the Dems, but he's no longer a Dem.

[lonestarnot]

19. Tell them to shove it!

The DNC needs to make abundantly clear to the blue dog Democrats they
need to toe the line, support the president, or not expect any funding
from the national committee. They are traitors to the Democratic party
and what our party stands for. They are going to weaken our success in
making the changes we need, and ensuring the Republicans never again
have the power to damage this country beyond belief. I will never send
another dime to the national party until it has a long-term strategy to
place progressive candidates in every race (as Dr. Dean successfully
managed) and put the squeeze on these traitors. The bi-partisan party of
the WASHINGTON party needs to be extinct.

[NaturalHigh]

20. "The group is sending a message to the White House...

to not expect them to rubber stamp every proposal sent down Pennsylvania Avenue, particularly when it comes to spending..."

Is that really such a bad thing? It doesn't exactly sound like high treason to me, particularly since the government has been spending all the money it can print (and more) for the last eight years.