New group buys TV ads to help endangered Blue Dog Democrats

[alp227]

Dan Eggen, Washington Post "Influence Industry" columnist, 9/13/12

Pity the poor Blue Dog. The ranks of self-proclaimed conservative Democrats have been decimated in recent years, victims of increasing polarization in Washington and the sweeping Republican takeover of the House in 2010.

But a new advocacy group has popped up this year with hopes of bolstering the remaining Blue Dogs and perhaps even helping a few new centrist lawmakers win election to Congress.

The nonprofit group, called Center Forward, has poured nearly $4 million into broadcast commercials aimed at helping conservative House Democrats keep their seats. Unlike previous groups that have focused solely on Democrats, Center Forward has also given a boost to several Republican moderates in its ad buys as well.

Cori Smith, a former longtime Capitol Hill aide who serves as the group’s executive director, said Center Forward is aimed at supporting lawmakers who “work together in a commonsense and bipartisan fashion to get things done.”

full: http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/the-influence-industry-new-group-buys-tv-ads-to-help-endangered-blue-dog-democrats/2012/09/12/d27e54ac-fcf5-11e1-b153-218509a954e1_story.html

[longship]

1. I don't care what color dog. I want Dems to win.

It is simple calculus. Dems have a majority in the House, Dems get to choose:

* The Speaker (in line for Presidency)
* Committee chairpersons
* The legislative agenda
* Rules and Means!!!!

Now, if you think Blue Dogs who are on the Dem ballot in their district are evil, why don't you support the tea bagger opponent? And then, get the fuck off of DU.

I don't like Blue Dog politics anymore than any progressive. I am happy that they are diminished in power -- I hope it's true. But we need to support all Democrats so that we can gain the largest majority in both sides of Congress.

Maybe that way we might not have ~800 filibusters in the Senate and 34 repeal Obamacare votes in the House these next four years. Maybe we could manage to get a few of those all important judge appointments through the Senate, like maybe a couple of Supremes?

Some people here are silly. They ignore the bigger picture and look only at political idiological purity. I think they are confused. This isn't the Republican Party.

I support all nominated Democrats. And, BTW, Senator Nelson is going to win in FL. Good for him!