The 110th congress saw the most obstruction in history, literally. The Republican minority in the Senate forced cloture votes well over 100 times, shattering the previous high mark of 61. Now that Democrats are likely within reach of 60 votes on major progressive priorities like establishing a universal health care system and capping CO2 emissions, Senator Bayh is determined to sabotage his party.
Sen. Evan Bayh (D-Ind.) is trying to mobilize moderate Democratic Senators to form a group based loosely on the House Blue Dog Coalition.
"I think we have a wonderful opportunity to break the gridlock that has existed in Washington for too long," Bayh said in an interview. "We need to do that in practical ways that will solve problems. The place that will be most important in striking that right balance will be in theSenate."
As critical as I've been of the Myth of 60, I do recognize that breaking gridlock in the Senate is chiefly a matter of overcoming the filibuster, and that's done by unifying a bloc of 60 votes on questions of cloture. Following the 2008 elections, Senate Democrats are closer to being able to make that a working reality just among themselves than they have been in decades, and here comes Evan Bayh, declaring that the message of the 2008 results is that it's time to fracture the largest Senate Democratic Caucus since 1970s and become a thumb-sucking holdout instead.
If Senate Majority Leader Reid had just an ounce of integrity he would at least make an attempt to prevent the formal fracturing of his caucus. This is not the case:
"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."
Steve Benen explains why this is so dangerous at a time when economists of all stripes are in agreement that a major spending package is needed. He writes:
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.
Unfortunately, given the politics of the Hoosier state, the odds of electing a better Democrat are quite low. Indiana is rated R+7 on the Cook political index. Bayh is incredibly popular in the state, especially for a Democrat. The most recent numbers I've seen have his approve/disapprove at 58/32. It is highly unlikely that Bayh will face a significant primary challenge in 2010.
In some ways, having Bayh in the seat is worse than having a Republican. Not only does he seem poised to move even further to the right, but he also provides incredible cover for Senate Republicans whose legislative strategy has been reduced to gumming up the works at every opportunity. It will be hard for Senate Democrats to place the blame squarely on obstructionist Republicans if a group of worthless conservative Democrats led by Senator Bayh is helping them get to 40 on major issue after major issue.
Originally posted at The Seminal.
Follow Josh Nelson on Twitter: www.twitter.com/josh_nelson
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And the idea that this guy is a "Republica
Many Democrats here wouldn't past muster as anything but dyed-in-th
Bayh presents himself as moderate, but he's more of a neoliberal conservati
Oh, no, wait, they haven't. THAT'S THE WHOLE POINT OF THE ARTICLE! The Republican
Thinking Hillary would be so petty shows really doesn't do her justice. Why would she oppose Obama's policies when they are more or less the same from hers. The bigger argument is how progressiv
Politician
The Republican
This is where the media is supposed to be hammering away at Evan and the Republican
the next Joe Liebermann
Thank goodness this guy wasn't chosen for Vice President! Not only would he beat a heartbeat away, it would have also probably meant another Senate seat for the Republican
Since being governor, Bayh has tried to make the least amount of waves. Now, in a time of need, for change and leadership
Questionin
There are more Blue Dog Democrats and independen
Deal with it.
"Maybe we want checks on spending, even if spending is what will get us out of the economic hole."
Your argument seems to be that you might want 'checks' on what you agree will save our economy. That's reactionar
And you write that Blue Dogs are the voice of "moderatio
People are "dealing" with Bayh and his obviously self-aggra
Like Shelby, Vitter, Sanford, Sessions before him, Bayh is trying to claim a bit of attention for himself before he gets relegated to the back bench.
He might not lose in IN, but he's not trying to solve our real problems.
Sorry if that offends the radicals, but some of us who believe in progressiv
Nothing better than seeing the pro-bush segment of our party disappear.
And this spin filled lie of a comment is glorious proof of that.
These people tried to destroy the Democratic party for years, and failed every single year.
And now, terms like Bush-Dog and DLC and Mark Penn are household names.
We need to know who are their campaign contributo
We need to know how and whose interests are they protecting when they vote for or against any particular bill.
Seriously though... that's why people like Evan Bayh... and other DLC/Blue Dog Dems need their own party (actually.
It's ridiculous to me that people will sign on as Democrats.
Dont forget, people try and wash it, but the fight was between the DLC and the DNC for a while.
It almost seemed that was the DLC's goal, to destroy and wrest power from the DNC.
When the Dem primaries ended this year, the DLC stopped attacking and seemed to dissapear.
Now they are back, and now we have to deal with them.
Also to any political newbies, remember a euphism started by several bloggers from this site 2 years ago is to never refer to the "Blue Dog" club as Blue Dog, we always try to refer to them as Bush Dog Demcorats.
And now it sticks, because all they want to do is extend and protect Bush's legacy.
Can we do something collective
Career politician
And since when did you pay federal taxes every month?
http://www
Also, a classic Report from right here on Huff Post that was largely ignored by the media and the DNC (who would want to admit the schemes at the DNC that pulled money right out of the DNC couffers):
http://www