Are Blue Dogs a solution — or part of larger problem?

Pignanelli: "A complete waste of skin" is how a veteran Washington, D.C., insider describes members of Congress who are conservative Democrats from the West and liberal Republicans from the East. He concludes these representatives must take certain positions to satisfy constituents that inhibit their effectiveness with party colleagues. Congressman Jim Matheson has disabled this curse and successfully participates in federal policy deliberations as co-chairman of the "Blue Dog Coalition."

Geographically distributed from Maine to Hawaii, 35 Democratic congressmen/women meet every Wednesday morning as Blue Dog Democrats to develop moderate and pragmatic solutions to national problems. More importantly, Blue Dogs build the necessary alliances with Republicans to impact legislation. They are not the Clintonian-flavored "New Democrats" (liberal on social issues/centrist on economic matters) but are conservative on fiscal affairs and most maintain anti-gun control, pro-defense and pro-life voting records. Although there are differences (i.e., labor and free-trade issues), the Blue Dogs stick together. "We are the most cohesive caucus in Congress today," observes Matheson. Consequently, the Blue Dogs are often the swing votes on important legislative items and can mediate compromises between the political extremes.

Political pundits have noticed this emergence of power.

Conservative organizations, frustrated with irresponsible Federal budgetary practices, heap praise upon Blue Dog proposals. The Heritage Foundation (whose members, it is rumored, are not allowed to use their left hand or make left-hand turns) complimented the Blue Dogs for articulating a "strong, serious proposal to restrain runaway spending." Even that mercenary of the far right, Paul Weyrich (chairman of the Free Congress Foundation) was forced to endorse common-sense suggestions from these practical Democrats. The Blue Dogs are demanding audits of government agencies, a mandatory roll call vote on legislation exceeding $50 million and elimination of the automatic increases to the national debt without accountability.

Left-wing groups are worried about the Blue Dog influence. Web sites and PACs have been established with the sole purpose to defeat these "problem children" Democrats in primary elections. Obviously, the Blue Dogs are a constant source of irritation to House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi. However, she still courts the mavericks because she needs their votes and campaign assistance. The Blue Dog PAC raises over $1 million every election cycle to help compatriots.