Writing in today’s Wall Street Journal, Grover Norquist points out that the supposedly centrist House Democrats (including Heath Shuler) always seem to go along with Nancy Pelosi on the really big issues. Here is his letter:
Show Me the Blue Dogs in Congress
The article “Liberal Democrats Turn on One of Party’s ‘Blue Dogs’ ” (Campaign ’08, Aug. 18) states that there are 49 “Blue Dogs” in the House of Representatives. The term is used to imply that they don’t march in lockstep with the national liberal Democratic leadership. Really? Only two Blue Dogs — Rep. Dan Boren (D., Tenn.) and Rep. Gene Taylor (D., Miss.) — voted against the union bosses’ demands for “card check,” which would end private ballots for unionization. Every single Blue Dog has voted for higher taxes in the past 18 months. Every single Blue Dog voted to make Nancy Pelosi the speaker, thus empowering every hard-left committee chairman. Not a single Blue Dog has defied Ms. Pelosi and signed the discharge petition to allow a vote banning the so-called “Hush Rush” or Fairness Doctrine that would effectively muzzle conservative talk radio. No independence. No mavericks here. All branded and hogtied.
They haven’t cast any important votes that discomfort the union bosses, the trial lawyers or the big-city political machines. Nor, the smart (union) money is betting, will they.
Grover G. Norquist
President
Americans for Tax Reform
Washington
