Who exactly are the Blue Dogs trying to appease?

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Blue Dog Democrats got elected to office on the strength of progressive party activists and union members walking, phone banking, and contributing money and material to their campaigns (often suppressing their concerns over supporting a Democrat who self-identifies as "conservative"). You don't show gratitude to your supporters by biting the hand that feeds you.

Do the Blue Dogs really believe that defying their Democratic Party leadership will ingratiate them with their Democratic Party progressive base, or somehow miraculously insulate them from having to face a Republican Party challenger in the next election? "Illogical," as Spock would say. "Delusional," I would argue. Blue Dogs are quickly becoming isolated, the cheese that stands alone.

The Blue Dogs Are The Target From All Sides:

And it couldn't happen to a better group. They've got Olbermann blasting them for being bought and sold by the health insurance industry.

Then there's the thanks they get for enabling the Republicans in weakening the public option and holding up the process of reform in Energy and Commerce:

Taking aim at the suddenly pivotal Blue Dog Democrats in Congress – whom he termed "Lap dogs" for Pelosi – [Michael Steele] blasted the conservatives in Obama’s party for highlighting some of their right-leaning positions while not having "the cojones to stand up and support the American people."

"So don’t pretend anymore, because we’re calling ya out," Steele said to the Blue Dogs. "We’re in your districts. I’m looking right at ya and I’m telling ya, we’re coming after ya."

The tough-talk drew some of his loudest applause and even a few hoots.

Makes you kind of wonder who exactly it is the Blue Dogs are trying to appease. It doesn't appear to be working, either way. Because they're also now the target of OFA, Obama's former campaign arm.

OFA has been organizing canvasses and phone banks since early spring, but their strategy has changed dramatically during the last couple of weeks, becoming more pointed: they are organizing canvassing drives and phone banks that specifically target the districts of the Blue Dog Democrats who have been reluctant to support Obama's health care reform. Volunteers are organizing and manning phone banks to call Blue Dogs in other districts or states, and some volunteers are even driving into Blue Dog districts to lend a hand….

Both political parties are also targeting Blue Dog districts with dueling town halls, petition drives, phone calls, and even high priced television ads. The Republican National Committee is spending millions on attack ads in Blue Dog districts. OFA announced last week that it would be expanding its health care ads in Blue Dog districts. The Democratic ads are aimed not at attacking Blue Dogs, but rather at drumming up support for health care reform.

MoveOn is taking them on as well, and reminding them of the promises they made and the favors they owe from the 2008 election.

I have said it before Blue Dogs, this is your "Profiles in Courage" moment, your rendevouz with destiny. Are you going to stand with the American people who elected you to office on a mandate of "change we can believe in," or are you going to defy your party and your president and stand with the K Street lobbyists and special interests who finance your campaigns and defend the status quo? You should not be conflicted about this choice. It is an easy choice to make if your commitment is to doing the right thing for the American people, putting aside your own personal interests.