Populist Caucus To Form In House: Braley

The fierce populist streak that has been coursing through America will soon have an official voice on Capitol Hill: the Populist Caucus.

Rep. Bruce Braley, an Iowa Democrat, will officially announce the formation of the caucus later this week, with 21 founding members -- all Democrats. The initial purpose will be to influence legislation from within the Democratic caucus, but Braley did not rule out opening the group to Republicans.

Braley said that the caucus will give voice to the populist anger created by the plummeting economy and opaque bank bailout.

"As someone who has been out holding town hall meetings and getting a faceful of that populist rage, I know that it is real, it is a force that needs to be dealt with, and it needs to be given a voice," said Braley.

It won't be all pitchforks, though, Braley said. "We want to give voice to those cries and at the same time work constructively with other individuals in Congress to craft policies that are going to respond to those concerns."

The Populist Caucus will make its first major play by advocating for the inclusion of a "Buy American" provision in the stimulus package. Fair trade, healthcare and middle-class tax policy will also dominate the caucus' agenda, said Braley, a sophomore member.

The founding membership includes folks from a broad swath of the political spectrum, including Reps. Michael Arcuri (D-NY); Pete DeFazio (D-OR); Betty Sutton (D-OH); Leonard Boswell (D-IA); Steve Cohen (D-TN); Joe Courtney (D-CT); Keith Ellison (D-MN); Bob Filner (D-CA); Phil Hare (D-IL); Mazie Hirono (D-HI); Hank Johnson (D-GA); Steve Kagan (D-WI); David Loebsack (D-IA); Eric Massa (D-NY); Linda Sanchez (D-CA); Jan Schakowsky (D-IL); Carol Shea-Porter (D-NH); Peter Welch (D-VT); and John Yarmuth (D-KY).

Comments

[thaneb]

Populism can get out of hand. Case in point: several aspects of Huey Long's tenure.

[GeorgeP922]

As apposed to corporatism?

You do realze that Democrats raise money SPECIFICALLY to get the BlueDogs and DLC out of congress?

I will be glad to donate for the first time in SUPPORT of a caucus.

[pfrogger]

sorry to inform you that the politicians in this caucus are not giving up corporatism.
Politicians have and always will be beholden to their corporate masters. That will never change - case in point: history.

Populism's is seriously flawed: ie. slavery, segregation, Palin.
Any questions?

[claudiam]

Good luck to you. It is time that we hear other voices other than the rhetoric that the Repubs are able to get out there. I am outraged; that is why I try to do as much commenting on articles like this. claudiatucsonaz

[ReesieKitty]

I think this is a positive sign. If people are unhappy with Pelosi and Reid and the way they've used - or not used- their supposed political clout, then a new subgroup with new ideas will be a good thing. There are people out there still interested in crafting good, effective public policy. I for one am glad they still want to TRY. If they do nothing, you get mad about that. If they act, you mock them. I think trying something is better than nothing!

[Lady Rose]

Rather then "buy American" - which sounds great, but actually hurts us in the long run since our economy is now so global - we should focus on "Made By Americans"

We need to create things and make things that are useful and needed, and will be bought globally.

[suekzoo]

The "Buy American" provision is a joke. We don't make anything here anymore.

[GeorgeP922]

Then move to China, unlike the republicans we want America to suceed.

Funny how the Republicans are now AGAINST production in America for politics.

Why? More American manufacturing means more Labor, means more unions, means hundreds of thousands of union members who witness the Republican war against their existance are gonna be mad.

Republicans, keep digging your hole, I got plenty of shovels to pass out.

[Reaniel]

I disagree. It's pointless to put in something like this in the provision when there are so little we use everyday that's actually "Made in USA".

Unless you change that from the bottom up, having a provision like that is just sounding foolish.

[RadCenter]

We're still exporting about $1 trillion worth of products per year. That puts us in third place for exports. Despite the best efforts of the deregulate-and-outsource crowd, we do still make a lot of products. Don't believe the lies.

[PATina]

I'm tired of these 'separate' Democratic caucuses (Blue Dogs, DLC).... why not start a NEW PARTY !!!!

[nicholasjh1]

Maybe Obama is directing them to do this in order to achieve that goal.

[PATina]

And maybe he's not. Pure speculation. Question.... why do some of you think that Obama is behind EVERYTHING any Democrat does????

[GeorgeP922]

PAT, the difference here is this is not a renegade/rebelious party.

The DLC and Blue Dogs have repeatedly brought down the Democratic Party in votes and campaigns.
Capitulation is a required skill for their likes.

I agree, I would rather we operate with a unity approach the Republicans are so good at, but I am beyond hoping the Democrats learn to put ego's behind party (only republican NOT to fall in line was John McCain years ago) and reeleciton chances.

So my point is, as long as there are Democrats that want to be more right wing, or left wing, they will caucus.

In this case, a caucus that is FOR THE PEOPLE and not for the Releection campaign is refreshing.

[PATina]

I got you... but maybe they should be a renegade party???

Anyway.... I think w/ all these different caucuses... the Democratic party is showing signs of multiple personality disorder.... they don't know WHO they are anymore.

I'd much rather have multiple parties.

[Chavez08]

You GO, BOYEEEEEZZ!!

[GeorgeP922]

THANK GOD and SCIENCE for this.

Take that you mouthbreater knuckle Dragging BlueDogs and DLC'ers.

and a little uppercut to the Republicans you guys kiss up to!

We FINALLY have a caucus ROOTED in our party values, instead of rooted in obstucting our values.

What is Evan Bayh's home address, I want to send him a box of kleenex tissues.

[DosGatos2]

While I am a little worried about this Buy American thing, I think the general idea is a good one. The perspective of regular people just did not matter for many, many years.

[Jacqueline3]

My first car was a Toyota Camry, boy I loved that car. At 235,000 miles, I listened to some idiot and sold it. I got a Ford Mercury and I am telling you, I've put more money in it than the car is worth! If the US made good cars, I would buy it. But, for now, I am sticking to Toyota and I plan on buying another Camry.

[Genmaicha]

That's the thing American companies are going to have to start making cars that can be competitive on a quality level with those form Japan. My honda also has over 200,000 miles and has given very little trouble over it's life. I just remember what my parents and my brother right now are going through with their American made lemons and how little trouble in comparison we've had with Japanese cars. Nobody wants to be stuck on the side of the road calling AAA.

[nicholasjh1]

I've never had a problem with a domestic car. Are you sure you don't just forget to change the oil?

[pfrogger]

I don't think oil is the problem, it's the American car makers - specifically their management.
That's why the extended warranty on an American car, in the same class as a foreign car, is always more expensive than the foreign car's extended warranty.
In general Honda and other foreign makers make superior, ie more reliable, cars. Check out consumer reports or some other objective review on reliability.

[MED1025]

Who gets to decide what cause the mob rallies for?

[Huck0212]

Iowans, the people that brought you President Obama

[macweenie]

The strongest voices in the mob.

[Reed210]

The Buy American Provision might be the worst idea congress has had this year. It might as well be the Smoot-Hawley tariff, which help send us spirling into the Great Depression. Perhaps this will be the anvil that breaks the back of the world economy and undoes $1.5 trillion in stimulus.

[Steven Mikulencak]

Yes, a dozen or so people getting together is one heck of an anvil.

[Audrey704]

I try to buy in the county I live in so the taxes I pay enrich my local tax base. I try to buy from my State what I can for the same reasons. And i try to buy American made products whenever possible even if it costs a little bit more because it keeps Americans employed... It is common sense.

[GeorgeP922]

I already started doing it, tel your republican friends there is a liberal elitist on Huff Po named George.

And that leeeebral elitist stopped buying French Pinot Noir wine last August, and switched to Californian Pinot Noirs.

Do you know that I got to spend 2x as much to get drunk?

But I pride myself in keeping industry (especially delicious ones) in OUR country.

I LOVE how the Democrats are reinventing nationalism into something positive and something that is not owned by conservative extremists anymore.

Oh, only if Sam Walton were alive to see his company as a tool of Chinese communism, and DEMOCRATS grabbing the Buy American mantle again.

[macweenie]

I've been a lifelong Democrat as is my father, and we both try to buy American made if at all possible. Not that it often is.

Now if you weren't such an idiot you might realize that supporting your OWN economy isn't about Democrats and Rethuglicans - it's about your own financial survival.

[ThePeacemakers]

Probably should work on "Hire American" first if it's all about "American".

[pfrogger]

Thank you, I commented on this before I read your comment.
We are being led by morons who don't learn from past mistakes. This "Buy America" nonsense will only prolong the recession and cause more damage than Smoot ever did because we American businesses are so heavily involved in international trade currently than compared to 1930.