Open Thread

Yeah, yeah, I know. No one comments on threads about other people’s representatives. Well…I’m going for a ride in the car…maybe take a peak at a dreary and overcast Chesapeake Bay. The Allen Boyd piece is cross-posted over Taylor Marsh’s blog, where I will kind of be substitute/guest blogging next week. I’m still trying to figure out all the administrative tools and whatnot. I met Taylor at Yearly Kos and she’s super cool. You should check out her radio show and her blog.

Natasha did her Bush Dog profile on Collin Peterson. Check it out.

Matt Stoller explains what we’re trying to do with this Bush Dog campaign.

The first step in stopping this behavior is to identify the people engaging in it and offer up criticism. There are a few reasons for this. One, many of these members feel no pressure to vote correctly or uphold progressive values. Criticism is the signal they are relying on to let them know when they err. Two, some of these members may need to face a primary challenge, and it’s useful for potential primary challengers to know that there is criticism of these members. Three, other members considering joining the Bush Dog caucus may be dissuaded if they know there will be criticism. Four, candidates running for office will finally have a signal on how they should talk about being good Democrats that are willing to take tough votes.

So, it’s really about you, even if these reps are not your reps.

Author: BooMan

Martin Longman a contributing editor at the Washington Monthly. He is also the founder of Booman Tribune and Progress Pond. He has a degree in philosophy from Western Michigan University.