Blue Dog blues

By David Kaiser, Editor

Filed Under Congress, Healthcare, Races 2010, Races 2012 on Nov 19 

Well it’s not just the Republicans eating their young when it comes to moderates, as apparently the Democrats feel the same way about their own moderate wing, the “Blue Dog” Democrats. Here’s the intro to a recent post on Democrats.com:

I don’t know about you, but I’ve had it with “Blue Dog” Democrats.

They claim to be “fiscal conservatives,” but they voted for George Bush’s trillion-dollar tax cuts for the rich, which turned President Clinton’s $6 trillion projected surplus into Bush’s $5 trillion added debt.

They voted for Bush’s trillion-dollar invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq, and spend billions more every month getting our soldiers killed to protect dictators.

And now they’re blocking healthcare reform that would save billions for taxpayers and patients.

Are you kidding me?

Stupid is as stupid does, and the Democrats who think that this is a good idea are pretty stupid. Both parties want to marginalize the middle, but its risky, because both parties need the middle.

Liberals and conservatives can crow all they want about RINOs and Blue Dogs, but in the end, if they take moderates for granted, it can be a losing proposition. Where the middle votes, be it moderate Democrats and Republicans or independents, is where elections go.

So go head Donkeys and Elephants. Marginalize away.

We’ll be watching.

Comments

  • Brian H

    AT least she was cute…..

  • Brian H

    The question is do conservatives prefer to be completely out of the process of shaping policy. I am far from a RINO but I recognize that numbers matter in politics. David is right (I hate those words). It’s not about trying to make other people moderate their positions, it’s about recognizing that political power is a numbers game. The Libs, as David said, better recognize that reality as well or they will self-destruct like the GOP has done.

    • Red State Eddio

      That’s what I am trying to articulate through all these comments. Conservatives need to sharpen their pencils and articulate a clear and compelling vision of the future based on freedom, limited govt, fiscal responsibility, and energy independence and innovation. Rumors abound from Contract w/America 2, First Principles, etc – I don’t care what it’s called, just that it speaks out the main issues clearly and compellingly. Do that, and most moderates will come along because it is COMMON SENSE American principles at work. This was Reagan’s forte.

      Moderates will never lead nor get conservatives to come along with their agenda (see McCain, John for exhibit A); but moderates will join conservatives who can communicate clear and well that vision that enfolds most of their own values, even if a few of those values they may not embrace. That’s the true nature of being a successful big tent.

      (The Dede Scozza-affair this is not; that was clearly a liberal-misfit in ‘R’ clothing)

      Look, let’s be honest: it takes a brain to be a conservative. Any old shmuck can be a liberal, because it requires no thinking. All you do it feel, feel, feel your way to enslavement and bankruptcy. But it takes brains to think beyond impulse reasoning, and because it does, it takes people who can communicate it well to the masses who need to hear it (because they may not intrinsically think that way). When that fails to happen, people drift to their baser impulses, which for a segment of the population means a liberal-drift. It’s not that they consciously love it; they just don’t know better. Conservatives have a public duty to communicate conservative values well, for the sake of the country.

      This was arguably the biggest fault of GWB – an inability to articulate well that guiding vision and philosophy. His policies did not reflect it, and he could not communicate it well at all.

      In that vacuum, people drifted left, and as a result, we have what we have politically, not to mention the punditry declaring the ‘end of conservatism’. They picked up the trend, but misread the cause. It was not the end of conservatism, but the absence of it spoken well in the public marketplace by leaders who truly embraced it.

      Forge a powerful vision of forward-thinking conservatism, and most moderates will flock in droves. But they will never lead the way.

      (Sorry DK, and all of the members of the Blue Rhino Club.)

      • JE

        “It takes a brain to be a conservative”????
        HAHAHAHAHA!!!! That’s funny. No, a brain would make you think for yourself and to think out the results of your policy decisions. Neocons and the various conservative leaders dujour have shown little brains. They, like the libs, have shown only an insatiable desire for power. This entire argument is sad as it is only an argument for which party gets to win…and as long as it is all about parties winning, the american people continue to lose. Your freedoms have been sucked away by multiple administrations under both parties.
        A brain would make you seek another way, not blind loyalty to an ideology that has NO leaders…only actors trying to convince you they are on your side.

        • Red State Eddio

          Your cynicism is well observed, JE.

          Tell you what – you go start your independent party of arrogant purity, and I’ll keep working for change from within. Let’s catch up in 3 years and see who’s able to make headway against the Disaster in DC. Deal?

          • Brian H

            Red. I could not agree you more. Your repsonse to my preivious comment was dead on. I appreciate your thoughtfulness.

            As you also said, “I’ll keep working for change from within”, is exactly right. The fantasy of third parties has become cliche. When the GOP fails to live up to their own principles we must work from within to refocus the message and agenda.

          • JE

            Sorry you took it that way. What i am pointing out is that to say one group has brains and one doesnt is not only arrogant, it ignores the complexity of issues. I was all for iraq and afghanistan, but in restrospect i question the wisdom of those decisions. Was it conservative to invade iraq? If it was to stop the evil of saddam, why are we not in darfur? If it was because of the threat to america why have we not invaded north korea and deposed their chia pet ruler? Conservatives used to want strong defense but now we are becoming more of an empire than a republic. Empires never end well. We are broke, yet we have military bases all over the world.
            Guess i am just not as ‘conservative’ as i used to be. Didnt mean to offend or sound cynical…i just believe both sides need to use their ‘brains’.

          • JE

            Oh, and the disaster that is DC…at what point do you accept that it is not fixable? The similarities between America’s current situation and the fall of the USSR are interesting. Several russian scholars are sitting back laughing at our country as they watch history repeat itself. There have been no (zero) conservatives step up and discuss how to correct the course, they just talk about how to slow the destruction.
            And when ron paul talks about ending the fed he gets laughed at. There are no conservatives left in the republican party. “Work from within to fix it”? The definition of insanity is to keep doing the same thing and expecting a different result. Thats what got us here. So insult me all you want, i will go with ‘give me liberty or give me death’ over the pragmatism leads only to slavery.

            • Red State Eddio

              JE – I actually agree with some of your points.

              1. Bush was a lousy conservative. In fact, if he is the face of new conservatism, I will join you in that third party. While he did some things right (SC justices), he did some other things lousy (no fisal restraint for 8 years). As to the war, while not enthusiastic about it at all (I mean Iraq – Afghanistan was very legit, but that’s a whole differen topic), once we were in, I’m not making a second mistake (and bolting prematurely) to top off the first. I found it ironically disturbing that a man who stated we’d do no nation building went in under a “democracy for the world” banner and did just that. No arguments here. Strong defense does not mean world’s policeman. While tempting, the price tag is too high.

              2. My brain comment has to do with the disturbing way in which Obama was elected. It was a total emotion move, like that sexy sports car that you just want but know you can’t afford. People fell for it hook, line, and stinker. My point was that if people just used their brain for a brief bit and analyzed the data, you’d realize this man had an extreme background, associations, and agenda – yet people were so mermerized by emotional factors, it’s like they turned their brains off. Now people are waking up to the cold light of morning-after reality, and discovering the poor choice they made. The only question is how much damage will be done before any healthy corrections can be made.

              3. True conservatism is tough. It does not sound good at first glance. It’s like your doctor giving you the bad news about your health, and what needs to happen. A bed-side manner helps to deliver it. Most people do not like the statements “your govt will not do that for you”, or “you’ll just need to work through that consequence on your own”. It sounds like you’re cruel, callous, and just plain selfishly mean – all words used to describe R’s in the past by the very ‘compassionate’ D’s. But in many contexts, that is the best remedy. But can it be communicated in a way where we all get it? That’s where the communication factor becomes huge, and where GWB failed the most (probably because he didn’t get it himself).

              But true conservatism won’t just slow the train of destruction down – it will offer a different course. If not, then it’s not true conservatism. That’s why we need to get it right in 2010 and 2012. Because our margin of error is smaller. That bleeds into your question about whether it’s too late. I just don’t know yet.

              But I will tell you this – God convicted me recently that I am spending more time complaining about the disaster than praying for divine intervention to stop it and mercifully keep us from the edge of the cliff. So that is what I am doing today while the Senate is in session. We need divine help to make sure we don’t drive over the cliff.

              • JE

                Thank you, RSE. I agree with all that you have said here. It is work to elaborate our ideas and thoughts and not just to throw out slogans and platitudes. I think you and i are just at different places in the journey. God has convicted me that i have paid too much attention to politics in the past and need to focus more on Him, so i join you in prayer for the mess. My problems with the political parties goes to loyalties, and mine must first be to God. Above party and yes, above country. The more i study, the more i realize that truly following my faith means my time is better spent helping the church, the poor (not the politicized group, but the truly poor…go look at africa, etc) and individually trying to do what scripture teaches than to working to fix a political party (or starting a 3rd, 4th, whatever)…and it is why i spend alot less time online than i used to and plan to decrease it still more.
                God bless you and whatever path he leads you towards.

  • Hal

    I hate that we have to be “homoginized” instead of standing on principals.

    • David Kaiser, Editor

      Hal, no you said you have to be “homogenized”, but be aware of the consequences if you shove moderates aside.

      I have no aspirations that I can get staunch conservatives to change their mind, but I will make them aware of what could happen if they are not open to working with moderates.

      The result? More Presidents like Obama. The middle supported the left this cycle, and if the GOP wants to win, they need to at least play nice with moderates.

  • Brian H

    By the way. Thanks Kaiser for the honest handicapping of political realities.

    • David Kaiser, Editor

      Brian agreeing with me this much lately makes me wonder if this who “2012″ end of the world thing may have some traction after all…

      • Brian H

        HAHAHA!!!! Now that you mention it…….Lets just hope were not dependent on John Cusac to save us all.

  • Brian H

    Once again. I am in agreement with Kaiser. Altough I am not a “moderate” and proudly support conservative candidates, I also understand the fact that if every single conservative voter in the nation voted for the conservative candidate at best we would garner 40% of the vote….Not enough to win an election. The Independents are the ones who swing elections and my side, and David’s, needs not throw them away if we ever desire to help formulate policy. Being completely out of power is not a badge of honor.

  • Cheryl

    Michelle Bachman is someone to watch over the next few years.

    Can you picture Glenn meeting these communist dignitaries overseas? No bowing going on, that’s for sure.

  • http://twitter.com/theatomicmom East of Eden

    For me, at least, and this is nothing personal to anyone here, I see the moderates as people who lack principles. I don’t do wishy-washy, because most of the time Washington wishy-washy doesn’t get us anything good.

    • David Kaiser, Editor

      When have I been wishy-washy? And I don’t take it personally at all Eden, I just don’t get why people can’t understand that others may have different opinions.

      Just because we don’t agree on everything, doesn’t make me wishy-washy or unprincipled.

      Now there may be some out there that are, but there are plenty who are not.

      It is unfortunate, and trust me EoE, you are far from the first person to express this opinion, but it makes moderates feel that all conservatives are inflexible, holier-than-thou zealots, who won’t listen to anyone’s opinion that does not match their own.

    • http://twitter.com/theatomicmom East of Eden

      You Kaiser have never been wishy-washy…but politicans have and are. You’ve always stated your opinion very clearly and I appreciate it actually. I understand the difference of opinion…those are ok, really. I just ask for the same courtesy from the other side. You have always been fair too.

      I am willing to listen to all sides, but when it comes down to it, I’m not going to abandon my principles for anyone or thing. I just see the world in shades of black and white, right and wrong…

      Anyway…interesting to say the least…we will see as events and legislation unfolds.

      • David Kaiser, Editor

        Thank you muchly!

  • http://conservativetruthseeker.blogspot.com/ Neil Brathwaite

    Three Party System?

    Republicans

    Democrats

    Blue-RINO’s – Combining forces should make them unstoppable! (Who will be their leader RSE?)

    • David Kaiser, Editor

      Nice. We even already have an animal symbol!

      Donkeys, elephants and now blue rinos!

      • http://conservativetruthseeker.blogspot.com/ Neil Braithwaite

        Hey David – Know and graphic buddies that could put together a “Blue-RINO” for everyone to see on PD?

        • David Kaiser, Editor

          How’s this? :)

          Blue RINOs

          • http://conservativetruthseeker.blogspot.com/ Neil Braithwaite

            That’s it!!! A blue-RINO with 3 legs…

            • Gary Russell

              ” I shall call him … Tripod! “

    • Red State Eddio

      Ha! Just because I tolerate moderates doesn’t mean I plan to be one or lead one.

      Moderates are like that cute girl you knew in college who’d flirt with you one day, then act like you’re white trash the next. Then repeat the cycle till you’re exhausted and broke.

      • David Kaiser, Editor

        RSE – How did you know my college girlfriend?!?

        • Red State Eddio

          Because she was probably my girlfriend too!! Ha-ha!

  • Red State Eddio

    I thought the Blue Dogs were not a force until 2006. By then, Bush’s policies were already out the door, and Afghan & Iraq were more on the surge and the stabilizing of both.

    Not only stupid, but factually inaccurate.

    My position is that moderates will never lead, but they will tag along with the person most representing them. So it does the R’s good not to alienate them, but not allow them to run the agenda either.

    • David Kaiser, Editor

      They formed in the mid 1990s, but became more prominent in the mid 2000s. 2006 was a breakout year for them, but not their first being relevant.

      • Brian H

        Kaiser is right. Prior to the 1990′s they were known as “Reagan” Democtrats.