We see it every day in Congress. Lawmakers take popular positions back in their districts but somehow gridlock prevails in Washington. This pattern produced the “I hate Congress but love my Congressman” phenomenon. No group does this more effectively or consistently than the congressional “Blue Dog” coalition, a group of self-styled “moderate to conservative” House Democrats that have found a comfortable home in the liberal kennel. Many Blue Dogs represent districts won by President Bush in 2000 and 2004. So as Democrats many often find themselves in tight races because they represent many conservative constituents. Back home, these “reasonable,” middle-of-the-road lawmakers stand for spending constraint, lower taxes and bipartisanship. But in Washington, their voting records are more murky and strategic. Blue Dogs would become extinct in a parliamentary system. But in the United States they thrive. Their liberal Democratic leadership in the House can ignore popular will on an issue like expanded drilling and adjourn for a five-week vacation. How do the Blue Dogs explain it? Those that need to buck the party leadership do so, and tell the folks back home “they tried.” It’s all part of an intricate legislative dance in Washington. Speaker Pelosi takes the national heat – because her San Francisco district is one of the few where a majority actually opposes offshore drilling – while more vulnerable Democrats position themselves with the majority in America. But despite the “dogs” best efforts, Speaker Pelosi somehow always wins. Politico‘s Martin Kady II and Patrick O’Connor outline the Democratic strategy whey it comes to energy:
What’s the end game? Kady and O’Connor write this:
And you wonder why politics produces cynicism?
