ConservaDems: Maddow Digs Into The New "Centrist" Caucus (VIDEO)

Via Media Monitor Saba K-W, Rachel Maddow spent some time last night documenting the phenomenon of "conservadems," a small group of Democratic lawmakers (apparently led by Sen. Evan Bayh of Indiana), whose general aim, as Maddow puts it, is "torpedoing their party's own agenda."

[WATCH.]

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The item picks up where Matt Yglesias left off last night:

It's been known for a while now that Senator Evan Bayh (D-IN) has been planning to form a caucus of "moderate" Senate Democrats hoping to soak up special interest cash in exchange for blocking the progressive agenda. I'm told he more formally announced the formation of this group this morning, on Morning Joe, to acclaim from Joe Scarborough and Pat Buchanan. It's nice to see that Bayh isn't even pretending that what he's advancing is some alternative vision of progressive change--it's something he expects, rightly, die-hard rightwingers to find pleasant. The hilarious catch, however, is that when Bayh was asked to name the members of his new Obstruction Caucus he couldn't name them all. Apparently "three or four" members of the group are part of a Chickenshit Subcaucus who want to block the change America needs but don't want to be publicly identified as belonging to the group!

Think about it, though? If you were way into "hyper-timid incrementalist bullshit" ... I mean, SO IN LOVE with "hyper-timid incrementalist bullshit" that you wanted to MARRY "hyper-timid incrementalist bullshit," you'd still want to keep your own last name. RIGHT KAY HAGAN AND CLAIRE MCCASKILL?

Basically, their agenda is this: 1) Generically restrict spending, not through a targeted, line-by-line approach, but through loudly whining about it, 2) Water down environmental policy, so that everyone can say they did something that looked pretty but that was ultimately ineffective, 3) ensure that health care reform does not go through in the budget reconciliation process -- that way, they can all pretend to vote for it whilst ensuring it gets filibustered by the GOP. They'll be able to clown to their constituents, who lack health care, that they tried, without actually having to try. SUCH BRAVERY, these people! Anyway, Rachel would like your help in making sure that everyone knows the names of this legislative clique.

MADDOW: Three or four others we are putting in witness protection program who don't want to be publicly identified yet. There are other Democratic Senators who are secretly against the President's agenda and want to work against it but don't want to be seen working against it? That seems cowardly and it seems like something we ought to be able to surmount through the magic of people ratting you out. We appeal for tips. Who is not on that list but is going to these meetings, sides against Obama but secretly? Anybody know? Disgruntled staffers? Anyone. [e-mail]. We await word.

Now, naturally, were this Bayh brand of centrism a vital sort of sense-making, gap-bridging, coterie of folks who were shrewdly coming up with ways for both parties to come to terms on effective policy, I'd say, "Bravo fellows!" But if they were doing that, they'd probably all come clean about it, anyway. What we know, however, from the Curious Case of Benjamin Nelson, is that the members of Bayh's Quisling Quorum are likely to be policy nincompoops.

Anyway, march on, Evan Bayh, wearing your Red Badge Of Whatever It Is You Think You're Doing!

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Comments

[sixx]

02:24 PM on 03/26/2009

Bayh and the others may have blemished the canine species, but surely they may be called Yellow Dogs.

[Barbara Arcure]

01:45 PM on 03/31/2009

It is time to send Bayh and the CONSERVADEMS a message!

www.thepetitionsite.com/1/conservadems-you-should-be-replaced

[pfeifferpack]

09:35 AM on 03/26/2009

President Obama was not elected on a conservative platform. The budget he and his team crafted is the entire platform he laid out in the election....the REASON he was elected.

These legislators are merely seeking to be reelected in States that tend to lean conservative, national good be damned. By putting self interest over the Nations (through the election) expressed desires they should be defeated in primaries and replaced.

In the 90's that version of this group cut the legs off of Clinton and the public saw his grand plans compromised or scrapped....the result was a change in the power ratio in the mid-term election. The same will happen here (and lead to a one term Obama administration to the detriment of the national good).

Lessons are also to be found in the 1930's when the conservative movement put a roadblock to FDR's recovery plans and kept us in the depression a good 2 years beyond necessary. You can chart that by seeing the rise until those "conservative measures" were put in place and then the economy began to fail once more until FDR got back on track. We don't have time for this sort of "me first" politics.

This is a cut to the very heart of the stated goals of this new President and it will scuttle the entire agenda the American public resoundingly endorsed by their votes.

Kathleen

[TIRM]

03:02 PM on 03/28/2009

We are not a nation of one idea, of one solution, of one thought. We are a nation of many, with many different concerns, ideas and solutions. We have seen the thought of one in the many failed solcialist countries of the world, for as long as we travel down that path you will eventually find yourself with no voice either.

You should be wary of the pendulumn that swings to far to quickly, as it will most suredly smack you quite hard on the way back.

[Clayton139]

05:19 PM on 03/25/2009

To all the NEW ConservaDEM’s for what reason ? The same as the GOP-Republicans !

Sen. Evan Bayh is all about the MONEY, Pay To Play and HIS Lobbyist !
http://firedoglake.com/2009/03/24/hamsher-on-maddow-pushing-back-at-conservadems/#more-38329

[cybersense]

12:35 PM on 03/21/2009

You know, I thought the dems had some people already in the center - now they want a name? Do they not see how that harmed the Republican party? Interfighting makes a team fall apart.

Why on earth?

[PhilipTaylor]

12:21 AM on 03/21/2009

We did not see Bayh at the RNC or the Conservative RUSH conference! Why?

Why support these people NEXT TIME AROUND?

Maybe they should be part of the PARTY OF "NO"!

[Barbara Arcure]

02:21 AM on 03/21/2009

I agree! We have over 47 million people without health insurance and now that we have a chance to do the right thing 15 to 19 supposed democrats want to hand republicans the ability to filibuster? I guess they don't care about the MILLIONS of UNINSURED people since THEY have health insurance! They also want to restrict the federal spending and water down the president's energy agenda. Guess what? It has been 60 day and it is way to early to show your wimpy side. Or is it just that you on are on someone's payroll or don't know how to change? MILLIONS of us voted for OBAMA for CHANGE. Not just 60 days of change. Lets get these jerks out of there! If you agree please put them on notice by calling them and by signing this petition and by voting them out if they don't get the message!

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/conservadems-you-should-be-replaced

[snesich]

01:33 PM on 03/20/2009

Evan Bayh is turning out to be particularly obnoxious and disloyal. Thank goodness he wasn't chosen as Obama's vice presidential running mate.

Why is Bayh pursuing Republican-lite policies? Can't he see the changes going on in America and in Indiana---a state that voted for a liberal Democrat in 2008 for president, the first time in 44 years!?!?!

I wonder how Evan's father, Birch Bayh, a truly great senator with truly progressive ideas, is feeling, watching is son as he attempts to turn the Democratic Party into a corporate favor machine?

[Barbara Arcure]

11:12 PM on 03/20/2009

I agree! We have over 47 million people without health insurance and now that we have a chance to do the right thing 15 to 19 supposed democrats want to hand republicans the ability to filibuster? I guess they don't care about the MILLIONS of UNINSURED people since THEY have health insurance! They also want to restrict the federal spending and water down the president's energy agenda. Guess what? It has been 59 day and it is way to early to show your wimpy side. Or is it just that you on are on someone's payroll or don't know how to change? MILLIONS of us voted for OBAMA for CHANGE. Not just 59 days of change. Lets get these jerks out of there! If you agree please put them on notice by calling them and by signing this petition and by voting them out if they don't get the message!

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/conservadems-you-should-be-replaced

[Marshall Lucky]

11:48 AM on 03/20/2009

Primary them!

[cinesimon]

10:14 AM on 03/20/2009

I have a feeling the conservative caucus is something Obama himself either suggested, or at least fully supports.
What better way to present a party for all Americans - accept for those that embrace class and cultural intolerance.

[MocksNix]

05:29 AM on 03/20/2009

The Democrat Party is, and always has been, a moderate party. Progressives are simply a minority of leftist zealots.

[cinesimon]

10:10 AM on 03/20/2009

Congratulations - you win the most uninformed UG UG comment of the day!

Being Progressive/liberal has NOTHING to do with 'lefty-ism', apart from in the minds of those wingnuts who choose think in strictly black and whit terms.

[Peaceisnecessary]

03:48 AM on 03/20/2009

Bayh must really be a member of the GOP disguise as a Democrat. These type of politicians are the most dangerous. I am ready to donate to his Democratic opponent's campaign at the next election. He is a snake. Thanks Rachael for pointing this out.

[Barbara Arcure]

04:46 AM on 03/20/2009

I agree! We have over 47 million people without health insurance and now that we have a chance to do the right thing 15 to 19 supposed democrats want to hand republicans the ability to filibuster? I guess they don't care about the MILLIONS of UNINSURED people since THEY have health insurance! They also want to restrict the federal spending and water down the president's energy agenda. Guess what? It has been 59 day and it is way to early to show your wimpy side. Or is it just that you on are on someone's payroll or don't know how to change? MILLIONS of us voted for OBAMA for CHANGE. Not just 59 days of change. Lets get these jerks out of there! If you agree please put them on notice by calling them and by signing this petition and by voting them out if they don't get the message!

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/conservadems-you-should-be-replaced

[ankae]

07:53 AM on 03/20/2009

The one name I am suprised at is Claire Mcckaskil

[Joeyjackal]

01:44 AM on 03/20/2009

Here is the contributed text of a petition I signed to Evan Bayh:
I and many other progressives like myself have worked tirelessly on behalf of the Democrats during this long period that saw our country so injured by the perfect storm of a conservative Republican judiciary, presidency and legislature. Now, you and some other senators almost unbelievably sound as if you are prepared to act against the clear majorities of both 2006 and 2008 that voted Democratic to advance meaningful measures on issues just like health care and climate change. I suggest some re-examination of your loyalty to voters much less your party. Moving to weaken your own popular and intelligent president's agenda and legislation is so corrosive to supporters of the Democratic brand, many newly so. It fosters nothing but cynicism in most and glee among the Republicans. It ought to be clear by now how the public feels on those long-debated questions. The enthusiasm for Obama is a reflection of that. I can promise you that even out-of-state with a cell phone and another state's voter lists, I shall remember the members of your embryonic caucus during primary season next time around and work just as tirelessly to provide progressive Democrats elsewhere of alternatives to milquetoast incumbents.

I'll be looking for other similar opportunities with other caucus members depending on their actions.

[obamagal]

02:03 AM on 03/20/2009

Outstanding.

[nomobull]

02:20 AM on 03/20/2009

GET EM

[FlamingLibrul]

12:08 AM on 03/20/2009

I'm very surprised to see Claire McCaskill's name in the mix with the Benedict Arnolds of the Dem party. She's had me clapping along, with her zinging criticisms of the Wall Street bankers and their fleecing of the American tax-payer. In any case, Evan Bayh is pulling a "Lieberman," but of course the DNC will do nothing about it, and the obstructionists will be allowed to carry on.

We need a new watchdog group; one that ferrets out every contribution any member of Congress gets from various Special Interest Groups. Have nice little charts made out, with graphs and lines, showing the patterns of contributions, and the directions in which votes are cast for major bills and amendments. I would imagine it might cause some of these "Public Servants" to rethink some of their more selfish political decisions.

[Edward Rotchford]

11:45 PM on 03/19/2009

"I think this could be good for the President and the Democratic
Party - in Obama terms, call it a "down payment on the future" - a
down payment to assure us of a Democratic House and Senate."...

http://www.generationxydemocrat.blogspot.com/

[Cedman]

07:40 PM on 03/19/2009

This is a beautiful thing! Let me explain what is really going on.

During the stimulus debate the key votes came from 3 moderate republicans as the majority of republicans stood there with there arms folded saying no. The Obama administration countered by accusing them of taking their orders from Limbaugh who only wants him to fail. In doing so, Obama told the GOP that as lng as they want to take this approach they will be considered irrelevant. With the emergence of this conservative democratic caucus the debate now takes place within the party and the GOP is left outside with the face pressed against the glass with no role to play as long they obstruct. However, they can work with the conservative Dems if they want to play BUT, it will be DEMOCRATS that will control the "conservative" point of view.....MASTERSTROKE!

[Papago12]

07:58 PM on 03/19/2009

I like that...thanks Cedman

[Tanyars5]

08:03 PM on 03/19/2009

interesting theory you have..........We will know the truth once Obama trys to get some important legislation passed. The truth will come out.
Unbelieveable !!!!

[mredder4]

07:36 PM on 03/19/2009

Call me stupid, but aren't politicians elected to serve their constituents and not their party? I'd expect these representatives and senators to do what they feel is right for the people who voted them into office, and unfortunately for some Democrats, that doesn't always mean doing what more progressive leaders might want.

It's also insulting that after years of ridiculing the GOP for the lock-step voting patterns of its members that Democrats are getting up in arms over members of their party that will not do the same thing. Pick one or the other, but don't settle for an existence of hypocrisy.

If Democrats were smart, they would be governing from a center-left position instead of trying to tack a hard course directly left. Progress is inevitable, but most if it is attained slowly and steadily.

[TheBaffler]

10:33 PM on 03/19/2009

Turning hard left is exactly what this country needs to get out of the mess created by the far right. No more ineffectual half-measures.

[Barbara Arcure]

11:49 PM on 03/19/2009

I agree! We have over 47 million people without health insurance and now that we have a chance to do the right thing 15 to 19 supposed democrats want to hand republicans the ability to filibuster? I guess they don't care about the MILLIONS of UNINSURED people since THEY have health insurance! They also want to restrict the federal spending and water down the president's energy agenda. Guess what? It has been 59 day and it is way to early to show your wimpy side. Or is it just that you on are on someone's payroll or don't know how to change? MILLIONS of us voted for OBAMA for CHANGE. Not just 59 days of change. Lets get these jerks out of there! If you agree please put them on notice by calling them and by signing this petition and by voting them out if they don't get the message!

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/conservadems-you-should-be-replaced

[WorkingClass]

12:00 AM on 03/20/2009

Pogo said "moderation is a good thing, if you don't over do it" You propose we abandon our country to the Conservatives in the name of what? Moderation? Conservatives are not "moderate". Do you want health care reform or are you happy with the status quo? Which is it? Which side are you on? The proud centrists are a lumpen mass of dead weight in the Democratic party.