GOP to hound pro-stimulus Blue Dogs

Washington Times ^ | Feb 18, 2009 | S.A. Miller

[Jim Robinson]

The handful of the House's Blue Dog Democrats who switched their votes from "no" to "yes" on the huge economic stimulus are working overtime this week in their conservative-leaning districts to explain the change of heart.

None more so than freshman Rep. Frank Kratovil Jr., whose reversal on President Obama's $787 billion bill secured him a top spot on the Republican Party's list of vulnerable Democrats targeted for defeat in 2010.

Fending off criticism that the Democrat-led Congress loaded the bill with unnecessary spending, Mr. Kratovil will be out every day of this week's holiday break touring his sprawling Maryland district and touting success in trimming frivolous programs from the package and highlighting the jobs it´s estimated to produce.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PREY: Maryland freshman Rep. Frank Kratovil Jr., a member of the Democrats' conservative Blue Dog coalition, is seen as a likely target for Republicans for switching his stimulus vote.

"Although this bill is still far from perfect, in a crisis of this magnitude we can't afford to let the perfect be the enemy of the necessary," Mr. Kratovil said after the vote switch Friday.

Similar explanations are being offered by each of the five Democrats who voted against the original $819 billion House bill in late January but supported final passage of the $787 billion version negotiated with the Senate.

"Congress has done its part to provide desperately needed funds," said Rep. Brad Ellsworth of Indiana, a Blue Dog Democrat who switched his vote. "Now it is up to state and local officials throughout Indiana and this country to ensure these dollars are spent wisely."

They also are citing the bipartisan negotiations that shaped the final bill, although only three Republicans in Congress supported the legislation. Many Republican governors, mayors and state lawmakers supported the measure.

[txnativegop]

Is this guy really vulnerable?

[Just mythoughts]

"Although this bill is still far from perfect, in a crisis of this magnitude we can't afford to let the perfect be the enemy of the necessary," Mr. Kratovil said after the vote switch Friday.

I have to wonder if this 'sage' comment is part of the liberal talking points to be used by the faux conservatives old Raham selected to present for replacement of RHINO wallowing representatives.

[scooby321]

yeah

[Crimson Elephant]

FINALLY someone gets it. The key to attacking is to go after the dems in conservative or moderate/right districts who voted for this and go after them on talk radio, local message boards, TV, grassroots door to door.

It is time to get streetwise and stop acting like country clubers.

[Rosemont]

They are “Blue Dogs” when campaigning and Pelosi’s poodles when in Congress.

[eleni121]

This is so laughable. Dems are dems...they ran as fiscal conservatives (and some on values) because Bush caved on holding the line to defeat limp wristed RINOS and now they show their true colors - the red of SOCIALISM.

What could be funnier than that? Except maybe RINOS voting for this obomanation.

[Night Hides Not]

Putting it another way, let’s pick off the “low hanging fruit” first. A much better way to use your resources.

[Maceman]

"Although this bill is still far from perfect, in a crisis of this magnitude we can't afford to let the perfect be the enemy of the necessary," Mr. Kratovil said after the vote switch Friday.

Whatever happened to "First, do no harm"? Or is that only for doctors?

[stockpirate]

Obamanoids will just send in the freshly refunded ACORN to register ‘new’ voters and 145% of the local population will turn out and vote for the socialist.

[Jim Robinson]

I don’t know. Coincidentally, we visited this guy when we went to DC. At first he seemed fairly friendly, open and reasonable, but when we got serious about the prospect of defeating Obama’s socialist bill, he got all shifty-eyed and shuffle-footed, then started making excuses for ending our meeting. He might be approachable, but I think he fears his party comrades much more than he fears us.

[meandog]

Other vulnerable blue curs:
Sen. Jim Webb (2012)
Rep. Glenn Nye (Va. 2)
Rep. Tom Perriello (Va. 5)
Rep. Rick Boucher (Va. 9)

[Nonstatist]

Is this guy really vulnerable?

Oh yea. The district had a Republican RINO for over a dozen years, but could probably sustain a conservative without problem. Its a district similar to Bartletts in western maryland.

[JZelle]

Is this guy really vulnerable?

Kratovil is the guy that beat out conservative Andy Harris in a conservative leaning district. I thought conservatives that stay true to their conservative principles win, especially in conservative leaning districts. Hopefully this district will correct the mistake they made.

Here's the WashTime's endorsement of Harris:

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/nov/03/andy-harris-for-congress/

[aureliusss]

I believe it’s “don’t make the perfect the enemy of the good,” and there was nothing necessary or good about this bill.

[Rumplemeyer]

Excellent idea.

[kcvl]

In preparing the House to accept a final bill that may end up far different than the one they passed – and that Democratic leaders have forcefully defended -- Obama called on Democrats to “not let the perfect be the enemy of the absolutely necessary.”

[kcvl]

On February 7, Barak Obama, speaking of the proposed economic stimulus package, said, "Legislation of such magnitude deserves the scrutiny that it's received over the last month, and it will receive more in the days to come. But we can't afford to make perfect the enemy of the absolutely necessary" .

[PGalt]

Thanks for your assessment and visit, Jim.

The escape-hatch quote for the philosophically impaired ‘rats & rinos from Barry Zero. Thanks kcvl.

[csmusaret]

I heard a commercial criticizing Larry Kissell(D) NC, and it was paid for by the Republican Congressional Election Committee or something like that. Considering this guy has only been in Congress a month, I was surprised that the GOP was so proactive. They must be wimming in cash.