Blue Dog Democrats take popular, moderate-to-conservative positions in their districts, but back in Washington they play games and often side with the liberal Democratic leadership. Once in a while, some of them vote with the Republicans. But somehow enough of them stick with their party and the Democrats win. The domestic drilling issue is a good example. Lots of them say they support the concept, but because their leadership blocks legislative action, the Blue Dogs bark, but don’t vote. There is a way under the House rules, however, to force a vote. It’s called a “discharge petition” and requires 218 signatures. Getting to that number of signatures would forces a vote on The American Energy Act, Republican-backed legislation bottled up in committee by Speaker Pelosi. Yesterday House Republican leader John Boehner challenged the Democrats to put up or shut up when comes to easing pain at the pump. He urged those who say they support more drilling to sign the Republican-sponsored discharge petition. Boehner said this yesterday: