Evan Bayh Forming Conservative "Blue Dog" Caucus In Senate

Via Open Left, Roll Call reports:

Bayh, who has spoken with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) about his initiative, said he is trying to create a faction of moderate Senators who will gather on a weekly basis ahead of the usual Tuesday Democratic Caucus meetings.

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.).

Steve Benen adds:

In the House, the Blue Dogs are not only overly cozy with corporate lobbyists, this is a coalition reluctant to embrace a progressive vision on issues like climate change, and committed to a financial plan focused on spending reductions and balanced budgets -- precisely when the federal government needs to be doing the opposite.

That Bayh wants a similar group working in the Senate is discouraging, to put it mildly.

Comments

[tecumseh80]

Bayh is doing this to gain some type of power. He has no speaking ability, cannot inspire anyone, is not popular in the party, and on and on. He is upset for not being picked by Obama - he was not truly even considered. He wants power and is bringing together those who also have no power. Webb will not touch this group - just watch.

Here in IN, the few liberals there are completely have no use for Bayh. He completely does not get it. He thinks politics is pandering - thus why he advocates for that center-right position. What he should do is make the argument and move people to our side. For instance, he is forming this stupid little group instead of tearing down his colleagues doors to get the auto bailout. If that does not come through, then IN collapses - not as bad as MI, but it is not pretty. South Bend - 15% unemployment. Ft. Wayne - 20% unemployment. Indianapolis - 12% unemployment. Kokomo - 45% unemployment. That does not include all the machine shop and service jobs that will also be lost. Bayh does not get it. He could actually seek to save his state - instead he seeks to impress his peers. Bah to him...he is a disgrace to his father.

[ECBA88]

Okay, this is criticism of him I'll accept. See how well it works when we start from an openminded frame of mind and then bring useful background information into the discussion?

[helenwheels]

We really need to clean house to get rid of the DINOs. I hope Obama has a plan for that.

[lug44]

Good to know my impression of Bayh as disappointing status quo politician was correct. Just what we need, another caucus to hold up health care reform and/or progressive environmental policy. But luckily I think shadow8 is correct: his lack of personality will preclude national office, unless he crosses party lines.

[Yermammy]

Big pharm will be making these obstructionists rich. And Big Farm. There's good money in being an @sshole to the little guy. Blue Dogs wrote the book on it (and the rethugs wrote the preface).

[Bystander]

Very encouraging! You go, Evan!

[tcagle]

Blue dogs with red necks.

[jchflorida]

They are irrelevant

[Yermammy]

At a time when Barack needs full support for spending like there's no tomorrow, the blue scu mbag dogs are forming a resistance group to block him. Why do we even need rethugs when there's blue DINO dogs around?

[Querent]

Well, at least this is going to clarify the list of Democratic Senators who need to be primaried next time around, huh? High on the list should be Ken Salazar of Colorado, a Democrat in name only who never saw a budget cut he didn't like. He'll be up for re-election in 2010. Colorado Democrats should start looking for a progressive primary opponent now.

[chanticorae]

and this is why it was utter ridiculous to even consider him for the vp spot. this is so upsetting. if you're going to form a separate caucus you might as well form a separate party. why pretend?

[SirHenryClinton]

Dear Senator Bayh, keep running your mouth. DFA and others will be taking notes. We'll be very happy to remind the voters of your DINO (Democrat in name only) possitions when you come up for reelection. We have yet begun to fight.

[Yermammy]

He's a good reason that the ACTBLUE website was formed. To vote people like him OUT.

[Kiba]

Exactly, there are tremendous resources available to support progressive candidates at every level.

[Coinyer101]

even though i'm liberal lefty i would never consider joining democrat party. this is why. they are already dividing the party and progressives will be getting the boot,soon. i've been seeing this coming for a few weeks,now. typical 'eat-ur-own', 'politics of the past'.

[Shadow08]

So, some pre-inauguration wrangling and some senate posturing has given you the a acumen to pre-judge the next 4 years. Given that, thanks for not joining our party, who needs you. You're far to uninformed to do anyone any good.

[davidly]

Way to reach out. Very encouraging.

[ErnestineBass]

Hillary Clinton as SoS and Fedboy Geithner as Treasury Secretary.

I rest my case.

[Coinyer101]

folks like YOU are exactly why i'm an independent.

[Plus15]

First named supporter of the Dirty "Blue Dogs" is Harry Reid. Whose behavior along with Pelosi as the Democratic leaders during the last two years was pathetic and shameful. Actually in Websters Dictionary next to the word "pathetic" is a picture of Harry Reid.

So the Democratic Party's brilliant candidate Barack Obama won the Presidency by a huge vote and Evan Bayh a continually failed and rejected seeker of the nomination has decided to lead the internal Democratic opposition to the Obama administration and the American citizens wishes.

Talk about an empty suit with a pretty face, thank God Obama picked Biden. I wonder how seriously McCain considered Bayh, I'm sure his name came up. The pretty look of a Hollywood prototype cast Presidential candidate is the only thing Bayh has had going for him in his entire political career. That's why you only hear or see his name pop up every four years. Bayh is the perfect L.L.Bean or Ralph Lauren model for their Presidential Wear line of clothes.

This is Bayh's last gasp or grasp for political power because by the time Obama's presidency is over the aging Bayh won't look so picture perfect..

[Dave01]

Pretty face? Are you kidding? Pretty he is NOT!!!!!!!

[ECBA88]

Nobody has said that the Blue Dogs will work against the wishes of the Democratic Party, and I honestly don't see the problem with having someone around to remind the Senate how much deficit spending they're doing and make some effort to control it. After all this talk of coalition building, bipartisanship and mutual understanding, it becomes clear that most people who share my political views are also completely unwilling to accept the possible validity of alternative viewpoints or compromise with others. Everyone bitching on this thread gives liberalism a bad name. Look it up in the dictionary.

[killmenow]

It's the pretense of alternative viewpoints and compromise. It's actually just more overt deal making with corporate business interests.

[raddick]

Every time someone says our constitution is shredded, I wonder which planet or country they're living in? Mars, Cuba, Zimbabwe? I mean this country is still blessed in so many ways. The fact that leftist loony hicks that populate this site have so much time on their hands is a testament to the abundance of leisure and financial resources available to them. The constitution is shredded but there is still freedom of speech to spout all this crap. (I do appreciate this). George Bush was the perfect president for this country. Europeans have always thought Americans in general are fools with a "stupidifying" educational system. You all need an education.

[HumeSkeptic]

This tr0ll must have been in a coma for 8 years. It's barely up now.

[helenwheels]

It sounds more delusional than most. Is the quality of tr0lls up here plummeting? I mean they have always been stupid and eccentr!c, but now they seem batsh!t insane, to boot.

[Coinyer101]

George Bush was the perfect president for this country? people like you are why people around the world think we're ALL stoopid. if you left, our average IQ would raise 30 points.

[helenwheels]

I think you win for most r.e.t.a.r.d.e.d comment of the day and that's really saying something, considering how many i.d.i.o.t.i.c. trolls are up here.

[Querent]

Good call, helen.

[esgabel]

Why are you reading this site? Too much time on your hands?

[HumeSkeptic]

Republican Lite. These are the guys who made me quit the party and become independent.
.

[Yermammy]

I know the feeling brudder. ActBlue is in place just to fight people like what this fool is trying to get together. Big difference in acting "blue" (Democrats) and being a DOG. Expect this lobby money taking traitors to fight every spending bill Barack would need. DINO's in the worst sense of the word.

[killmenow]

I am checking out ActBlue. Thanks for the tip.

[naughtYmike]

I knew this man was a fake Dem a long time ago.

[GeorgeP922]

Evan Bayh is a total fraud.

First of all, Third Way is a shill group started by Mark Penn (whom Evan bayh has strong affection for).

I commend Bayh for doing this, as Democrats we wouldn't function without internal enemies, as and far as they go I would rather have this creampuff replace the war mongering hate machine known as Lieberman.

As Democrats, removing Bayh via a humiliating defeat in his next primary should be a top priority.

[partyofone]

Sounds like more organizing of a Clinton shadow government

[Shadow08]

Yeah, that's it!

[oh brother, here they come]

[killmenow]

How can Bayh be removed if he represents a much more conservative constituency? Indiana ain't an entirely HuffPo citizenry, ya know, and the rest of us don't get to vote for or against him.

[ECBA88]

As a temporary resident of Indiana, I can tell you guys to be happy we have any Democrats at all from here. We scratched out a win here for Obama due to superior organizing, plenty of advertising, and half the voters being unable to believe the other half actually wanted Sarah Palin to lead them. There are progressives here, but at the statewide level, a moderate Democrat isn't terrible. Of course, I'm sure there's a better one than Bayh around, but in this case I think he's doing exactly what the majority of his constituency would prefer. And that's his job, right?

Or do you all just think he was elected to agree with you and do whatever the rest of his party tells him to?