It's Time to Spay and Neuter the Blue Dogs on Health Care

As the most sweeping reforms ever of our tattered health care system wind their way through Congress the majority of Americans who support these desperately needed measures must understand that failure at this crucial point will not only be a disaster for the nation, but also for the Democratic Party. The Democratic leadership, including President Barack Obama, must make it clear to the so-called Blue Dogs in both chambers that they better not obstruct, water down, or block health care reform this time around or there will be hell to pay. So far President Obama and Democratic Congressional leaders have shown they have learned from Bill Clinton's mistakes sixteen years ago and they seem determined not to repeat them. But the wild card is the Blue Dog coalition that loved spending lavishly on the Iraq war only to rediscover the evil of budget deficits as soon as Obama was elected. The Blue Dogs ought to be discredited for their Republican-lite politics and they certainly must be prevented from torpedoing health care reform. The fates of the Obama presidency and the Democratic Party are at stake. And the Republican know this.

There has been a lot of bogus analysis of why Clinton failed in his attempt to push through health care reform (the issue he had run on in 1992). This failure was so gigantic it has provided ample ground for multiple and conflicting autopsies. But the main reason, in my view, Clinton failed -- in addition to the enormous amount of money the insurance and pharmaceutical corporations spent blocking it -- is that he did not involve the public in a series effort to counter the predictable corporate/right-wing onslaught and he did not tame the Blue Dogs.

The Democratic leadership at that time apparently believed that by capitulating to the Republican-Blue Dog agenda on "free trade" (NAFTA), and screwing over labor unions, one of the key Democratic constituencies, the GOP and their Blue Dog brethren would cooperate on health care reform. It was a monumental error in judgment that cost the Democratic Party dearly. Health care reform was just as popular among the public then as it is today. The Democrats showed the country that even with majorities in both houses of Congress and the presidency they could not deliver largely due to Blue Dog obstructionism. All the Democrats had to show for their efforts going into the 1994 midterm elections was a very pissed off labor movement and a failed attempt to help working people attain affordable health care. On election day Democrats stayed home and the Newt Gingrich "revolution" seized Washington launching a fourteen-year period of misrule the consequences of which we are still dealing with today.

Ironically, in the 1980s, the Democratic Party had sustained itself better than during the Clinton years because it was forced to mobilize against the administrations of Reagan and Bush the Elder. In the 1990s, once the Blue Dogs and their champion Bill Clinton was in power the Democratic Party experienced a precipitous decline in power and influence nationally, which paved the way for the Tom DeLay/George W. Bush years. These historical facts are why I was so relieved and gratified when Obama successfully sidelined the Clintons in the 2008 marathon primaries.

Which brings us back to the Blue Dogs and the current health care bills. The Blue Dogs must be tamed, trained, and neutered. We can count on the president to deploy his oratorical and political talents, and to draw upon his immense popularity with the American people, to get these health care bills passed. But the health insurance and pharmaceutical corporations are already putting the squeeze on their Blue Dog allies to block these efforts. If they succeed, Obama and the real Democrats are going to suffer in the next midterm election just as Clinton did in 1994, not because they tried to do too much, but because they did too little.

The stakes couldn't be higher for President Obama. He derailed the Clinton-Blue Dog freight train in 2008. But if the Blue Dogs jump up on their hind legs and bite the hand that feeds them it will be a sign that the Clinton restoration that Obama worked so hard to stop has succeeded anyway. This outcome will give the Republicans just the jolt they need.

Comments

[Brittanicus]

CHOOSING THE USUAL PROFITING INSURANCE COMPANY, OR CHOOSING GOVERNMENT PLAN SHOULD BE UP TO AMERICANS?
The deciding factor in implementing health care for everybody--LEGALLY--in America, is the Publics voice? Those who want to just follow the same old road, can do so with the profit taking commercial insurance. Those who would be satisfied with a government run health care program, can now start demanding it from the lawmakers. Those who see a Universal health care system, similar to most developed countries in Europe, should start informing every Representative and Senate politician starting today. Rationing in places like England, was caused by the major impact of uncontrolled immigration. I see--THE RATS--are coming out of the woodwork, using propaganda and downright lies about government run medical care?

The Special interest lobby, status quo have very wealthy fingers in the pie and do not want Health care for everybody? It's a trillion dollar business like Cancer treatments. The pharmaceutical companies, AMA and others have very much to lose? Even many corrupt politicians are stockholders in this behemoth money machine. Most American working class can do--without-- high premiums, pre-existing condition clauses. deductibles, co-pays that is representative of the wealthy medical care insurers. Whatever pertains to your family, you should start ruffling the indifferent feathers of the people in Washington at 202-224-3121 Just like illegal immigration , we cannot afford anymore to subsidize the business that hire them or the millions of illegal families.

[Joseph A. Palermo - Huffpost Blogger]

Killing Health Care Reform -- Blue Doggie Style

[Chaimirija]

20081109
If a new healthcare policy will require insurance companies to accept everyone, regardless of preexisting conditions, these companies want the government to require every American to buy coverage, or suffer a tax penalty. The board of the America's Health Insurance Plans endorsed such an arrangement this week, offering support to an impending change from the current system.

The president of the group said:

We're going to provide all the technical background that we have assembled, all the experience we've assembled at the state level, and we're going to work very hard with members of Congress on both sides of the aisle. We want to make sure that whatever reforms are advanced, no one falls through the cracks.

[Francesca1214]

I want to thank you, Professor, for organizing my thoughts and putting them down on paper for me. It saves me a great deal of time. I'm glad that someone provided a list of so-called Blue Dog Democrats on this comment site. I now have one more person to annoy with my emails. Also, I regularly write to the president and remind him why I voted for him and what he can do to assure that he will receive my vote the next time around (or what he can do to guarantee losing that vote). Keep up the wonderful posts.

[Joseph A. Palermo - Huffpost Blogger]

Thank you, keep reading and commenting I really appreciate the feedback

[Emerald1943]

Thanks, Professor, for another great and timely article!

There have been few issues that are any more critical than the health care reform. We cannot let this legislation be watered down or worse, defeated by these self-serving politicians. We must keep up the pressure!

[ukstevePSCA]

Dont forget that many of the 'Blue Dogs' dont reveal themselves until after theyve been elected.
Its something of a stealth mission for them
They run as genuine Democrats and take genuine Democratic money and votes, all the while positioning themselves as the power elite Republican Centre and with their hands out for the REAL money once theyve taken their seats
Kaching!!!!

[fixitfakeitcreateit]

I believe we have to mobilize the midwest democrats where most of these Blue Dogs come from. Evan Bayh has to be push by progressives because he hopes to run in 2016. If we canj get Sen. Bayh to fold then we will get the reform we deserve.

[Emerald1943]

What about this issue do these people not understand? Single payer got thrown under the bus before we ever started. Now 76% of the American people want at least a public option. The blue dogs are determined to undermine the entire reform.

We know what the problem is.....huge campaign donations! I'm afraid we will never have significant reform until we have campaign finance reform. These guys are lining their pockets at the expense of the health of all of us!

Shame on the blue dogs! Shame, shame, shame!!!

[tompoe]

The Blue Dogs hold the view that the miserable failure of the free market did not happen. Their days are numbered, as America does not tolerate corporate welfare. The Party of Corporate Welfare, announced September 19, 2008, when Paulson demanded entitlement for Bush's $1 trillion dollar going away present for his cronies, will not be back, in spite of the Blue Dogs and their betrayal to America.

[Emerald1943]

Don't count on it! They can wreck the President's agenda and make him look just bad enough to lose the next election. At least, the rethugs don't have a really viable candidate at this point, just the usual bunch of right-wing loonies! But I never underestimate them.

[K.J. Dwyer - Huffpost Blogger]

Joe,

You mentioned the money spent by the Health Care Industry during the defeat of the Clinton Health Care Reform in 1992. It was over $100 million.

Now, the Industry is spending upwards of $1.4 million PER DAY to defeat any possibilty of a public option in Health Care. Given that this issue will not be settled in 100 days, I shudder to think what the final tally will be.

http://edschultz.invisionzone.com/index.php?showtopic=50967

It's obscene that an industry who regularly denies or charges outrageous co-pays for treatment to its existing clients, excludes another 50 million people from even getting coverage and, if left unchecked, threatens to bankrupt the economy with out-of-control hikes in health care costs is spending this kind of money to continue driving us off the cliff.

I agree with everything you've said about neutering the Blue Dogs, but the money being spent by the Insurance Industry needs to be better highlighted. This should be a source of tremendous rage for every American who has either no or inadequate health insurance.

[Emerald1943]

You are absolutely correct!

Campaign finance reform is not a particularly s e x y subject for the average American with a very short attention span. It certainly cannot compete with the some movie star's DUI or who's going to win "Idol"! The American people are going to have to demand reform and not let up until we get it!

I am hoping that this fiasco of the health care reform will wake up the American people to the corruption that is rampant in our Congress! Lobbyists have unfettered access to our lawmakers. The rest of us must stand on the steps of the Capital with our signs and banners! The lobbyists have very, very deep pockets, and all we have is our vote. Unless we get involved and put the hammer down on these politicians, we will never see the legislation we so desperately need!

Also, I applaud Ms. Huffington for starting the "Lobby Blog" on the HuffPost. This will help to bring attention to the issue. I encourage everyone to read it and participate!

[fixitfakeitcreateit]

If we want health care reform and if we want to lower health care cost BAN health care TV advertising. Also BAN lobbying- 1.4 Million /day thats where are premiums are going becasue it sure isnt going to improved care. While we are at it BAN prescription drug advertising.

[marxmarv]

"Your premiums are paying for that."

[Joseph A. Palermo - Huffpost Blogger]

Thank you KJ for the link and the info and the comment - I really appreciate it -- you are absolutely correct! I always wanted a running text line whenever any politician appears on TV telling viewers who his or her biggest donors are.

[lm945]

Here is a list of the Blue Dog Democrats.

It needs to be made clear to each and every one of them, if they don't support health care reform, they will soon be out of a job.

Altmire, Jason (PA-04)
Arcuri, Mike (NY-24)
Baca, Joe (CA-43)
Barrow, John (GA-12)
Berry, Marion (AR-01)
Bishop, Sanford (GA-02)
Boren, Dan (OK-02)
Boswell, Leonard (IA-03)
Boyd, Allen (FL-02)
Bright, Bobby (AL-02)
Cardoza, Dennis (CA-18)
Carney, Christopher (PA-10)
Chandler, Ben (KY-06)
Childers, Travis (MS-01)
Cooper, Jim (TN-05)
Costa, Jim (CA-20)
Cuellar, Henry (TX-28)
Dahlkemper, Kathy (PA-03)
Davis, Lincoln (TN-04)
Donnelly, Joe (IN-02)
Ellsworth, Brad (IN-08)
Giffords, Gabrielle (AZ-08)
Gordon, Bart (TN-06)
Griffith, Parker (AL-05)
Harman, Jane (CA-36)
Herseth Sandlin, Stephanie (SD)
Hill, Baron (IN-09)
Holden, Tim (PA-17)
Kratovil, Jr., Frank (MD-01)
McIntyre, Mike (NC-07)
Marshall, Jim (GA-03)
Matheson, Jim (UT-02)
Melancon, Charlie (LA-03)
Michaud, Mike (ME-02)
Minnick, Walt (ID-01)
Mitchell, Harry (AZ-05)
Moore, Dennis (KS-03)
Murphy, Patrick (PA-08)
Nye, Glenn (VA-02)
Peterson, Collin (MN-07)
Pomeroy, Earl (ND)
Ross, Mike (AR-04)
Salazar, John (CO-03)
Sanchez, Loretta (CA-47)
Schiff, Adam (CA-29)
Scott, David (GA-13)
Shuler, Heath (NC-11)
Space, Zack (OH-18)
Tanner, John (TN-08)
Taylor, Gene (MS-04)
Thompson, Mike (CA-01)
Wilson, Charles (OH-06)

[Emerald1943]

Thanks for that! Every single one of them should be ashamed of themselves!

Where were these guys when Bush was driving our country off a cliff??

[macweenie]

Running on the hamster wheel that powered the bus.

[Joseph A. Palermo - Huffpost Blogger]

Thank you lm945 for providing this useful list -- I think this list might appear in a future blog of mine!

[Joseph A. Palermo - Huffpost Blogger]

I'm also curious where I might go to get a list of those Blue Doggies?

[hrholmes]

I keep hearing about blue dogs without a single named reference as to who the hell the actually are. Is thei the big C street conspiracy gang or what?

[SteamRanger]

The Blue Dogs are the biggest scam to come out of the past couple of elections. Leave it to Republicans to create these Blue Dog sleepers to run in opposition to their own party members in losing districts. It's just another way for them to steal elections.

[BethS]

Blue Dogs do respond to pressure. Along with voicing our displeasure on multiple blogs, having discussions with those of a like mind, and complaining, start a letter, email, call campaign. I know that it works-we in Indiana are constantly letting our Blue Dog, Evan Bayh know he is not Senator for life and what worked for him before does not work now!

[Philip Combs]

This is it for Obama.

Fish or cut bait dude.

If you can't big foot the gotdamned 'Blue Dogs' then you no longer deserve our support and....

...you won't get it.

That's the way politics works pal. So better get Rahmbo down to the hill and make them doggies some offers they can't refuse.

Dig?

[BethS]

Our president is a man of patience, civility, and strategy. Your suggestions are based on your character, not his observable one.

[WorkingClass]

If Obama fails to deliver meaningful health care reform he will be a failure, irregardless of his character.

[dawnec1957]

I canvassed hard in a red state (I live in Missouri and not in the more popular St Louis or KC, I live smack in the middle.)

And to tell you the truth Philip Combs, I COULD NOT AGREE MORE! I did not miss one speech or rally that was aired on the internet of Sen Obama. I spent 6 days out of 7 knocking door to door. I went to see him in Columbia at a huge Rally that was great.......But this is WHY I canvassed for him. I wanted SINGLE PAYER. If President Obama cannot manage to get a very strong Public Option thru Congress with having the MAJORITY IN BOTH, he will lose my support.

I am already a bit peeved he isn;t going after those who tortured, spied on us, lied to us, and went into an illegal war on trumpted up chargers by invading a soverein nation....

[Dr. Sam]

I am more inclined to see these so-called "blue dog" Democrats more in terms of their dog than blue attributes. They are sabotaging the Democratic agenda and loving it. If they continue to do so, are they really Democrats? Bush and the Republicans got through their agenda; what is so frightening about Obama and Democrats getting through their own agenda. I thought the last federal elections would have settled all that.