Blue Dog Dems Rake in Health Care Contributions, Protest Exclusion from Debate

[Joanne98]

On the same day that President Obama met with a number of health care organizations, a group of 45 conservative Democrats sent an angry letter to three House committees protesting the secrecy around the production of health care legislation in the House. The New York Times reports that this large group of Blue Dog Democrats is “‘increasingly troubled’ by their exclusion from the bill-writing process.” The Blue Dogs largely represent more conservative-leaning districts and take positions that are often favorable to industry. They are also big fundraisers, with their coalition PAC raking in large amounts from corporate PACs.

The Blue Dog PAC pulled in $2.26 million in PAC contributions during the 2008 election cycle. Approximately eighteen percent of that amount — $410,300 — came from PACs connected to the health sector. During the 2008 cycle, individuals members of the Blue Dog Coalition raised a combined $6.24 million from the health sector. The average contribution to a Blue Dog Democrat in the 2008 election cycle was slightly higher — $122,370 — than the average contribution to a Democratic lawmaker — $116,748.

http://blog.sunlightfoundation.com/2009/05/12/blue-dog-dems-rake-in-health-care-contributions-protest-exclusion-from-debate/

[47of74]

1. Tell 'em to pound sand if they don't like it

They've made their position clear as to who's side they are on, so if they don't like it they can go pound sand as far as I am concerned.

[ShortnFiery]

2. Keep those corporate loving, union bashing, Blue Dog Dems in their cages.

Amen! :evilgrin:

[RaleighNCDUer]

3. They are afraid the corporations are underrepresented in the discussion?

WTF?

[Proud Liberal Dem]

4. Interesting

but if the "Blue Dogs" feel like they're being cut out, then I feel a whole lot better about our prospects for REAL health care reform.