Gene Taylor (D-MS)
If you were deceiving yourself that the Blue Dogs would pay some penalty for going off the reservation on the climate change bill, you can stop now:
President Obama said Sunday that he is sympathetic to the House Democrats who voted against his energy bill Friday, even though they nearly cost him his first major legislative defeat since coming into office.
In an interview Sunday with a handful of reporters, Obama said he understands that the 44 Democrats who joined Republicans in voting against the so-called "cap-and-trade" bill have reelection to worry about.
The transcript of the interview was provided by the White House.
The president, joined by Energy Secretary Steven Chu and White House coordinator of energy and climate policy Carol Browner, said "those 44 Democrats are sensitive to the immediate political climate of uncertainty around this issue."
"They’ve got to run every two years, and I completely understand that," Obama said.
Mike Allen echoes the same refrain:
But the all-hands-on-deck effort to protect politically vulnerable Democrats by corralling the minimum number of votes to pass the bill, 219-212, proves that there are limits to President Barack Obama’s ability to use his popularity to push through his legislative agenda.
Tom Perriello wanted to vote against the bill as an act of conscience. He had his arm twisted and wound up voting yes, giving cover to Blue Dogs like Gene Taylor so they could vote "no."
Gene Taylor is utterly and completely safe. He won 74.6% of the vote in 2008, and 79.8% in 2006. He’s beloved.
Periello, on the other hand, was a photo finish at 50.1% to Virgil Goode’s 49.8%.
Whatever this is about, it ain’t about protecting "vulnerable" Blue Dogs at risk of losing their seats.
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arrrghhh!
What’s the makeup of Taylor’s district? And just another of Obama’s efforts at worrying about being “centrist”. Which is the stupidest term I’ve ever heard.
and we know for damn sure it’s not about protecting the climate either.
It’s about Blue Dogs being able to take campaign contributions from energy companies to the detriment of their constituents’ vulnerable planet, and then ask their constituents to believe they give a shit.
i still think that hansen’s proposal makes the most sense – for the climate and politically (for the voters, not contributors like big coal).
carbon tax and 100% dividend.
i highly recommend hansen’s prepared statement before the house ways and means committee (feb hearing) for the main points. it’s not long and is an easy read:
http://www.columbia.edu/~jeh1/…..dMeans.pdf
This Cap and Trade Bill is the biggest hoax ever… All this bill amounts to is another way to tax workers. All you Democrats know how to do is spend money… If you ran a business like this you would not last even 3 months.
Once again Obama lied thru his teeth when he said that 95% of us would not see any tax increases of any kind. This guy is a left wing radical who is out there on the fringe of mainstream society. I can’t believe there are so many dumb asses in the U.S. that voted for this thug.
Taylor’s in an R+20 district, but he’s a thorough Blue Dog and the “D” after his name does not affect him one bit. He’s been in office since ‘89 and his approval ratings are sky high. Even *I* would not take Gene Taylor on in that district, you’d lose. He is not one bit at risk.
Perriello, on the other hand, is at the very top of the GOP target list in 2010.
Blue Dogs = Betrayer of our party’s principles. Priamry their asses!!
As opposed to George Bush, TARP I, the superbly managed wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, no-bid defense contracts, the Medicare Prescription bill and other acts of supreme fiscal responsibility?
I think the cap & bailout bill is a waste too, but if you’re claiming some sort of moral high ground, how about providing a link to anything that shows you made the same critique of Bush administration?
We like to protect our commenters and wouldn’t want anyone to take you apart for being a flame-throwing hypocrite.
i’d love to canvass on carbon tax and 100% dividend because i think i could persuade independents who hate taxes.
Betcha Gene Taylor brings in some sweet energy-producer cash for the Dtrip, though. Wouldn’t want to endanger his credibility with his paymasters by asking him to vote with his president for the “energy tax.”
Is that you mother?
“Whatever this is about, it ain’t about protecting “vulnerable” Blue Dogs at risk of losing their seats.”
It is about protecting their donors and their donors’ money.
Well there ya go. Steny and Rahm probably made the decision that the cash spigot protection was far more important (especially for one of their long serving buddies) than it is to protect a freshman’s seat no matter how important it appears to be on the surface.
Gene Taylor is safe for the rest of his life. In Mississippi all you have to do is get elected the first time and that’s it. People vote for the person who has already won – seem to think if he won once he must be good. Strange thinking but that’s the way it is
I am the only starting to see Obama’s ability to lead his party is marginal but we will know for sure what kind of leadership qualities he possesses by the beginning of Nov.
Obama’s not a leader, he’s a negotiator.
And Periello will take a beating over this here.
In an interview Sunday with a handful of reporters, Obama said he understands that the 44 Democrats who joined Republicans in voting against the so-called “cap-and-trade” bill have reelection to worry about.
Oh brother. Yeh, guess he’ll be real sympathetic to the POOR POOR Blue Dogs when his healthcare plan doesn’t pass.
It’s the same way in tiny Delaware. It doesn’t matter what your party, once you’re in, you’re in forever.
My son lives in Periello’s district and was happy to see him knock out Goode. Tom P. needs us at his back. Maybe it won’t be till 2010 when the D’s win more seats (if the administration doesn’t cave completely and lose everything), that the Blue Dogs can be told to get lost.
Exactly my point — Taylor is not at risk, so his vote must have other value, probably to his donors who also pony up for the DCCC, or he passes donor money to his PAC along to other incumbents.
It’s about the money, not about his re-election, which is assured.
The “Blue Dogs” don’t need to be protected, they need to be primaried. It’s a shame that they somehow think that they are doing anything other than protecting their jobs and their contributors. I wonder how many of them have appointment calendars filled with time for lobbyists, sycophants and unabashed shills for Big Bidness, but not anything that relates to the welfare of America.
Blue Dogs? More like Yellow Rats.
When will you people realize that 0bama is the director of the Kabuki Theater? He is George W. 0bama. He ain’t no liberal. I just read how GE (NBC….MSNBC) go preferentile treatment with the bailout. ( http://www.washingtonpost.com/…..id=topnews )
Did you ever question why 0bama, a supposed liberal, was worshipped by NBC, MSNBC and Hillary was trashed by the GE people…even though they supposedly had the same views? DID YOU EVER WONDER about who 0bama really is? Does the phrase, “I told you so” have any resonance NOW?
You do a great disservice to rats everywhere by suggesting they are analogous to Blue Dogs.
Rezko!1!11!!1!
Cheney Worried That Iraq Withdrawal Will ‘Waste’ The Sacrifice By U.S. Troops
who the fuck is YOU people?
Interesting fact on “State of Belief” (Weldon Gaddy) last night. Mike McIntyre (D-NC) is a friend (if not a member) of the C Street prayer group that has been labeled “The Family”. There are a few other token Democrats to give “The Family” bipartisan cover.
Explain some things?
What interests are being stepped on in VA-5?
You people are the ones who pushed 0bama on this world. If the shoe fits, wear it. If you didn’t fall in line for 0bama, don’t feel slighted. I just remember the time when 0bama was being hailed as “The One” and I am still ticked at that. “You people” were on a pedestal until you tipped over for “the One”. I always read Firedoglake faithfully until the Obama people took over and rammed their rhetoric down our throats. And now, what do we have? It seems obvious that this country has been had.
not me, I still have hope that people are beginning to see the light, and will route around the obstacle of the Democratic Party en route to much needed social change.
Sounds like bullshit to me. The people here have been bitching and moaning about Obama non-stop. As far as a “supposed liberal”, that’s what the republicans said, not him.
if only.
the ‘bitching & moaning’ takes place largely within the framework of the 2-party duopoly, and does not extend to a critique of the Democrats as a legitimate ‘opposition’ party.
Gene Taylor looks like Kenneth the Page from The Office.
Obama “worshipped” by the same networks that ignored all but the most harmless tidbits about the horrorshow that is John McCain’s life and history? I don’t think so.
The bill passed. What more did you expect? Want a jellybean? Heh.
After the Senate has had their say on energy there will be a big reappraisal and for some there may be a tough vote ahead.
Could a Blue Dog Dem or Lib Repub vote for a bill with both Cap & Trade AND Drill Baby Drill in it?
Yes, a big reappraisal must be made at that time.
Why can’t he (and others) just claim victory and cheer along with the Baghdad Iraqis who are already celebrating freedom. Other parts of Iraq will participate soon and indeed there may be goodwill towards Americans even before we complete our exit.