Blue Dogs and Olympia

The Blue Dogs are a group of conservative Democrats that have won election in districts that tilt Republican. In this time of extreme right and extreme left in Washington they are an endangered species and the last election made them more of one.

Blue Dogs caucus with Democrats but in order to remain viable in their own district they vote as much Republican as Democrat and force watering down of bills their Democratic party seeks.

I am a moderate and I want moderates in office. But from a legislative standpoint having to serve a too conservative Democrat to get a bill passed makes your legislation you pass not as successful as those who voted for you in the first place wished. See health care and financial reform.

And in this polarized climate they lose in the close election back home anyway. A Blue Dog Democrat is an endangered species. They walk a line that is too small and trying to please everybody they please nobody.

Olympia Snowe one of the infamous Rhino's by conservative standards is going to face a primary challenge in Maine. My guess is she will survive it as Maine is not as radical as some states but in two years it could be. The primary system allows for small groups of energized voters to unseat candidates that will be stronger in the general election....see Christine O'donnell.

Orrin Hatch is another candidate who will face a primary challenge. When Orrin Hatch is not conservative enough I am not sure what one can do.

Olympia Snowe even if she wins reelection is going to be in such a minority in her own party that she will lose more and more power. Her only chance to remain a viable important Senator will be to flip to the Democratic side. So much for that Republican big tent that Ronald Reagan talked about.