The perils of being a black ‘Blue Dog’
A good piece by McClatchy Newspapers on two Georgia congressmen and the health care debate:
For Reps. Sanford Bishop and David Scott, it hasn’t been easy lately being Congress’ only black “Blue Dogs.”
With the emotional debate raging over revamping the nation’s health care system, Scott and Bishop — both Georgia lawmakers and members of the moderate Blue Dog Democrats as well as the liberal Congressional Black Caucus — have gotten earfuls from constituents in their politically mixed, racially diverse, urban-rural districts.
The more conservative, mostly white, residents of their districts complain about the price of President Barack Obama’s health care proposals — an estimated $900 billion over 10 years — while the more liberal, mostly black, residents argue that health care can’t be fixed without a strong “public option” alternative to private health insurance.
“I’m damned if I do, damned if I don’t,” Bishop said. “Half my district wants it, half doesn’t.”
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8 comments Add your comment
RebelWithoutAPause
September 19th, 2009
11:30 am
I am in Rep. Bishop’s district and I am one who doesn’t want Obama’s health care bill to pass. I am also one who will vote for his opponent because he is too liberal for the 2nd district. He needs to go.
Southern confederated Taliban GOP have lost it
September 19th, 2009
12:01 pm
Jim Marshall is a blue dog but if he’s not going to vote for the public option he is going to have only one option find another job. because we are going to make sure he is unemployed, can’t hide this time. look who keeping you in office in the 8Th. you won buy only a few votes last time . I will not vote for him and will ask other to do the same if he is going to be a 007 republican. let them win next time!!
Southern confederated Taliban GOP have lost it
September 19th, 2009
12:09 pm
Rebelwithoutacause you did not vote for him last time. there are very very few independent voter in south Georgia so Rep. bishop don’t worry the same people will be with you this time!! you will win again, watch and see!!!
Health Care Debate Makes Life Hard for Black ‘Blue Dogs’ in Georgia | The Moderate Voice
September 19th, 2009
12:25 pm
[...] Via Jim Galloway. [...]
Keith
September 19th, 2009
2:05 pm
Southern boy, what you need to realize is that Jim Marshall’s district is majority conservative and he is smart enough to know that if he votes FOR a public office he will be defeated in 2010 by a Republican. The only thing keeping him in office are the independents and Republicans who don’t believe in kicking out an incumbent unless he screws up badly… voting FOR a government run program will cause those voters to pull the plug. There are not enough progressives, liberals, lefties in his district to keep him in office. But it may not matter … after redistricting that district will be so changed in 2011 that Marshall will be a goner anyway.
jconservative
September 19th, 2009
3:00 pm
Keith – “after redistricting that district will be so changed in 2011 that Marshall will be a goner anyway.”
Excellent point. But not so fast on the redistricting of Jim Marshall out of a job. IF, & I repeat IF, I remember correctly the DOJ must approve Georgia’s redistricting plan. And the Demoscrats are in charge of the DOJ.
Chris Mathews is covered in his own spittle
September 20th, 2009
3:44 pm
Sanford is my rep. The man is a LIAR and all those in his office lie. If you give any of his offices a call and ask how will the Congressman will vote and you identify yourself as a conseervative, the answers is always ” He hasn’t made his mind up.” If your wife or friend calls and tell the snot nosed staffer that they are a democrat, then you get the true answer. He has voted to Cap and Tax, some of the measures that have already pass the house vis-a-vis health care, have his stamp of approval too. SANFORD BISHOP IS NOT A BLUE DOG. The media just tells us he his. Look at his record and more importantly look at where he gets his money. Hey, Jumbo G, do a “journalism” and you will find that he is currently under investigation for Campaign fraud.
Southern confederated Taliban GOP have lost it and will do any and every thing to regain power
September 20th, 2009
6:17 pm
Democrat in the 2nd , 4th, and 8th vote for a health bill. The people who voted you in will keep you. the party of lost in space want to keep the failed policy of the last eight years. what have the taliban southern GOP done for the country? killed her. They had 9-11 on there watch they spent all the money and gave it to the rich and corporate America lied about the war now they say trust me. we were fool once but want be a fool twice. There are thirty solid blue state who need the backward southern Taliban GOP or states.