General Discussion

wyldwolf

(43,891 posts)

33. I used to thrive on discussions like this, now they just make me weary...

Thu Jan 3, 2013, 03:13 PM

Jan 2013

I'll give you my own opinion, an evolving one, as it stands right now. Take it for what it's worth. I already have a head ache in anticipation...

1. If there is any kind of 'civil war' in the Democratic party, the progressives will be the one painted as the crazies. I'm not saying progressives are crazy but I'm saying they - we - whoever - will be the ones perceived as unbending and ideologically rigid like the tea party on the right.

2. I've been considered many things on DU - centrist, conservative - but to the average Republican, I'm a socialist. Apply that to entire Democratic party as you consider this issue. To the outside, the opposition, the unlearned novice politico (voters), we're all socialists.

3. Some bluedogs are such out of political necessity. Same with Third Way dems (not the same.) I'd rather have a Democrat who votes conservative on fiscal issues and liberal on social issues than a Republican who votes conservative on all issues.

4. I know a little bit about Democratic party history from Wilson on but I'm by no means an expert. But this has been on ongoing conflict since forever. FDR was viciously attacked from the left and right. Truman was opposed by left and right factions of the party in his re-election campaign. Liberals threatened to revolt when JFK picked LBJ as his running mate. And so on and so fourth. Every election has some kind of similar conflict.

So keep this in mind - these inner-party squabbles may be important to us and fascinating to argue about, but that has almost always been the case and outsiders see very little meaningful difference in Progressives/liberals, Blue Dogs, Third Wayers, etc.

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How do we make peace with Blue Dogs without giving them their way? [View all] Taverner Jan 2013 OP

I consider myself donco Jan 2013 #1

How do you describe them? leftstreet Jan 2013 #2

Why do you consider yourself a blue dog? Sekhmets Daughter Jan 2013 #3

I dont donco Jan 2013 #10

Do you "not believe in abortions" or do you not believe in abortions being legal? Taverner Jan 2013 #12

I do donco Jan 2013 #30

This message was self-deleted by its author Sekhmets Daughter Jan 2013 #47

I would rather women give children up for adoption rather than abort, except in cases where the bluestate10 Jan 2013 #62

There's the catch Taverner Jan 2013 #63

Looks to me like you aren't really a blue dog Taverner Jan 2013 #6

Get your facts right Bucky Jan 2013 #20

I can somewhat agree with you on most of those, but not Iraq Taverner Jan 2013 #28

"very pro business"? I agree if you mean pro-big-business and pro-business in foreign countries. AnotherMcIntosh Jan 2013 #37

Blue Dogs are all over the place. Ikonoklast Jan 2013 #4

Are they even a factor any more? vi5 Jan 2013 #5

They're not Glitterati Jan 2013 #11

What about the New Democrat Colation? Taverner Jan 2013 #13

It simply doesn't matter Glitterati Jan 2013 #18

Name a powerful blue dog in the House cali Jan 2013 #7

I hope you're right Taverner Jan 2013 #8

OK, let's take Lois Capps, who used to be my MineralMan Jan 2013 #21

No need for me to. I'm a gerrymandered voter now. My votes don't count anymore. mmonk Jan 2013 #9

You know, here's the thing about Blue Dogs. MineralMan Jan 2013 #14

Yes, but think about the a$$holes we've had in the past... Taverner Jan 2013 #16

You know, you aren't really saying anything at all. MineralMan Jan 2013 #34

Great post. The purists make me physically ill. They can't see anything but their logic. bluestate10 Jan 2013 #65

Well, the thing is that the person asking the question self-identifies MineralMan Jan 2013 #66

They're pretty much gone, aren't they? Recursion Jan 2013 #15

Although Kent Conrad(DINO ND), was in the Senate, he is a good example of a Blue Dog. RC Jan 2013 #17

Start by learning to listen & stop insulting those who don't agree with you. Neither you nor anyone jody Jan 2013 #19

Oh I listen. But no matter how many blue dogs say the sun is green... Taverner Jan 2013 #24

See my edit change after your post. IMO color of any object is a useless example because some people jody Jan 2013 #29

The Blue Dogs have done almost as much damage as the GOP Taverner Jan 2013 #31

It seems unlikely you will find anyone that agrees with all your opinions and that's all they are. jody Jan 2013 #35

Besides, "giving them their way" has hurt us in the past. IWR anyone? Taverner Jan 2013 #27

OP sought general answers for a path to "peace". No scientist would attempt to use special cases jody Jan 2013 #32

Want me to be specific? NO HAWKS!!! Taverner Jan 2013 #40

Define Hawk? nt jody Jan 2013 #44

Empire. For or against? Taverner Jan 2013 #53

Whip? Cat-o-ninetails? NV Whino Jan 2013 #22

How they handle gun control legislation will be interesting to see NickB79 Jan 2013 #23

To be honest, I think there is less of a gun divide than we think Taverner Jan 2013 #26

Depends on the regulation derby378 Jan 2013 #36

Anybody that will vote the Democratic way in the Congress is fine with me. nt bemildred Jan 2013 #25

I used to thrive on discussions like this, now they just make me weary... wyldwolf Jan 2013 #33

Good assesment nt Taverner Jan 2013 #42

Vote them out in the primaries Blecht Jan 2013 #38

Who's "we," Taverner? MineralMan Jan 2013 #39

The best way regjoe Jan 2013 #41

Make it clear that they can come along for the ride for progress, civil liberties, economic TheKentuckian Jan 2013 #43

Do you support ALL civil liberties or just some? nt jody Jan 2013 #45

Yeah - we can't deny people's liberties to deny other people's liberties - that would be wrong! Taverner Jan 2013 #48

Taverner you changed #45 from "civil liberties" to "liberties". Was that because you aren't able to jody Jan 2013 #51

It's because adding civil twice would exceed the character count Taverner Jan 2013 #52

All of course. No 2nd carve out here. TheKentuckian Jan 2013 #55

Understand, some people don't know or ignore that the 2nd Amendment is a civil right. nt jody Jan 2013 #58

If you figure it out, let me know. nt LWolf Jan 2013 #46

Ne-go-ti-ate. Com-pro-mise. Hekate Jan 2013 #49

Problem is in the past the Blue Dogs took a vanguard approach Taverner Jan 2013 #50

Blue Dogs are REPUBLICANS! You don't be nice B Calm Jan 2013 #54

Bullshit!!! If they were republicans, it would be easier for them to simply join that party. They bluestate10 Jan 2013 #67

Thanks for pointing out B Calm Jan 2013 #71

Palm Beach Post : Patrick Murphy B Calm Jan 2013 #73

I don't know. Here's my Dem Congressman on the Fiscal Cliff Bill: neverforget Jan 2013 #56

I was actually thinking about this today marlakay Jan 2013 #57

Do what the GOPee does, and don't give them committee chairs or memberships unless they toe the line Erose999 Jan 2013 #59

By realizing that they are democrats too and come from districts where it would easier for them to bluestate10 Jan 2013 #60

True - most blue dogs have finally come to their senses on marriage equality Taverner Jan 2013 #61

I don't know of any blue dog democrats that are engaged with republicans is the war on women. bluestate10 Jan 2013 #69

You've lost a part of consideration of the issue. Chan790 Jan 2013 #64

The old Nader 2000 in Florida logic. I say B U L L S H I T !!!!!!!! bluestate10 Jan 2013 #68

"Also, your argument is an argument towards regional parties. That's a loser every time." bluestate10 Jan 2013 #70

k butterfly77 Jan 2013 #72