The Politico reports on the refusal of some moderate Democrats to make required donations to the party’s campaign committee:
A large group of “Blue Dog” Democrats has refused to give money to the party’s campaign committee so far this cycle, underscoring simmering tension inside the Caucus and concerns about the caustic language of at least one anti-war Democrat. According to a review of Federal Election Commission records, 15 Blue Dogs have given no money to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee as of Sept. 30, despite heavy pressure from party leaders. Rep. Sanford D. Bishop Jr. (D-Ga.), one of the 15, said he had donated on Oct. 1, but his staff would not say how much the congressman gave to the DCCC.
Angry Blue Dogs are angry at anti-war Democrat Lynn Woolsey and her encouragement of primary challenges to some or all of them:
“What [Woolsey] said was reprehensible,” said one Blue Dog who has so far declined to hand over any money to the campaign committee. A Democratic strategist with strong ties to the Blue Dogs said the Woolsey incident is being seized upon by some conservative Democrats, even those who don’t yet have an opponent, as an excuse not to give to the party committee. “Some of these Blue Dogs are saying, ‘If I have to defend myself in a primary, the DCCC is just going to have to wait,'” said the strategist.
It was noted here at the time of Woolsey’s comments and her subsequent lame non-apology that this was likely to cause trouble in the Democratic caucus. The fights over FISA,SCHIP, and other issues are also pitting moderate Democrats against liberals and the Netroots. It would be no surprise if the tension continues to increase in the runup to the 2008 election.
