Bayh's New Gang of 15 May Put Brakes on Obama Agenda

It's temporarily called something like "The Practical Caucus."

Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., announced on MCNBC's "Morning Joe" this morning that he has formed a gang of 15 Democrats - yes, Democrats - in the Senate to essentially try to keep President Obama in check. The group is sending a message to the White House to not expect them to rubber stamp every proposal sent down Pennsylvania Avenue, particularly when it comes to spending, and that maybe Obama is trying to do too much, too fast. And since it takes 60 votes to get much done in the Senate, this group could be critical and essentially control the outcome of many pieces of legislation in the Senate.

"We're coalescing in a group to try to focus on making changes the American people need but to make sure they're done in a practical way that will actually work," Bayh said of his group of "moderate" Democrats. "We are not ideologues. We are pragmatic. We are not strident partisans. We care about our country more than our party."

While there's 12 names on the press release announcing the caucus, Bayh joked that "there are three or four others we're putting in the witness protection program who will attend meetings who don't want to be publicly identified yet."

Members include Sens. Ben Nelson of Nebraska, Tom Carper of Delaware, Kent Conrad of North Dakota, and Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas. Bayh, who at one time was thought to be picked as Obama's running mate, even called Obama's chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, to give him the heads up. Known for having a temper, Emanuel's response was actually far from hot-headed; he even asked to come to the gang's first meeting.

"I think we have an ally in the White House who's going to help us strike the right balance," Bayh said.

Scarborough, laughing, said: "He was measuring you out for political body bags. Expect a dead fish on your doorstep."




Bayh: "I haven't received a mackerel at my house yet, Joe. Maybe they'll deliver it to yours by mistake."

Others joked that Harry Reid would move Bayh's suite into the Capitol parking lot.

Trying to maintain some sense of seriousness, Bayh said his group could be Obama and Reid's "best friend" - but it could also very well be just the opposite. The group could hold tremendous power.

From Politico:

"There is rising doubt among Democrats - particularly moderates already concerned about the big costs and deficits called for in Obama's budget - that either Obama or Washington have enough bandwidth this year to stimulate the economy, overhaul the failed financial sector and move on to a far-reaching domestic agenda. ...several lawmakers made clear that they have trouble with Obama's logic that deep economic troubles make it more urgent, not less, to take on expensive projects such as health care and education reform."

It should be interesting to see exactly what issue will spark the first faceoff between Bayh's crew and other Senate Democrats, Nancy Pelosi, or the White House. Whatever it is, it sure will be fun to watch.