Indeed, the way the Blue Dogs flex their muscle may become one of the defining issues of the Obama administration's opening months. If they are inclined to wrangle with Nancy Pelosi and the more liberal contingent in the Democratic Party, they will drive policy, especially as a check on spending. "Ideally the White House will see things our way, so they will present legislation on the Hill that we find acceptable," Mr. Cooper says. "If they stray too much from that or if a certain part of Congress strays too much from that, then we may have to object."
So far, however, the Blue Dogs seem to believe that Barack Obama is one of them, a fiscal reformer, and their last best hope for true change on entitlement spending and economic responsibility. Mr. Obama has announced he will convene a fiscal responsibility summit in February to bring together Blue Dogs and other folks to discuss the long-term problems of the economy, including entitlement spending. "We've kicked this can down the road and now we are at the end of the road," the president-elect told the Washington Post this week.
The WSJ piece seems to contradict what House Speaker Nancy Pelosi wanted:
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-San Francisco, has made clear that she expects the White House to work directly with her office on big initiatives rather than cut side deals with fiscally conservative Blue Dog Democrats or Republicans, as President Bill Clinton did during his presidency. D-San Francisco, has made clear that she expects the White House to work directly with her office on big initiatives rather than cut side deals with fiscally conservative Blue Dog Democrats or Republicans, as President Bill Clinton did during his presidency.
Is Obama leaning toward becoming a Blue Dog, was he a Blue Dog incognito, is he playing the Blue Dogs as some suggested?
List of who they are and here in Ohio we have one, Zack Space...
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