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Bill Clinton Meets With Congressional 'Blue Dogs'

1 year ago
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The Blue Dog Coalition, made up of centrist House Democrats, is meeting with former president Bill Clinton as it charts a course forward after seeing its ranks thinned following November's election.

Clinton, who became known for his rapport with Republicans after his party took a hit during his first midterm election, is addressing the group Monday in New York, The Wall Street Journal reported.

The Blue Dogs hope to be integral to any deals forged between Democrats and Republicans on key issues like the deficit and the economy -- especially as President Obama moves toward the center now that the GOP is in charge of the House.

"The Blue Dogs are working to find ways to bring people together to develop middle-of-the-road, common-sense solutions to our nation's biggest challenges," Blue Dog leader Rep. Mike Ross (D-Ark.) told the Journal. "If we have any hope of doing what the American people sent us here to do – create jobs, pay down the debt and put our economy back on a fiscally sustainable path – both Republicans and Democrats must begin to work together."

Ross praised Clinton's "proven record of success working with members of both parties."

The Blue Dogs saw their influence slip after more than half of their members lost reelection bids or retired.

The 26-member coalition may have its work cut out just in dealing with is own party. Blue Dog Rep. Heath Shuler (D-N.C.) told MSNBC Monday there is "no communication" between his group and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.

Shuler, who challenged Pelosi for the top Democratic leadership post, suggested that Blue Dogs feel shut out from House leaders, The Hill first reported.

"There has been really no communication whatsoever," Shuler said. "We still do not have any connection between the Blue Dogs and leadership."

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32 Comments

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uscchipgb

Bill Clinton went kicking and screaming towards the center because he wanted to be a two term president. Obama is headed the same way for the same reason. Unfortunately Bill Clinton's legacy will always be tied to his extramarital affairs to many Americans. America is mostly a center nation, but our two major parties keep sliding further and further from each other and away from the middle. Each party has its own ardent base of supporters, leaving most of us to pick what we perceive as our own lesser of two evils. It is truly odd that we can not develope a true center party. Maybe, it's because we can't develope a common definition of center. I think I know what center is and so do many of you, but we could probably not come to common ground on many, many issues. Thus control by far left/far right factions of our nation.

February 08 2011 at 2:50 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
nikofb24

The only way true unification can happen is if there are more compromises between parties. When you set aside all the talk about what party you represent, you reach similar ground and that is being American. Both parties bring different benefits to the table and it is acceptable to have views from both parties, not just one. Being narrow minded is why there is so much conflict between parties and ultimately our nation. Clinton was effective in incorporating opinions from both sides, not just democratic views.

February 08 2011 at 2:21 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
mestevens32

Bill Clinton is the one who can get both parties focused on issues that the citizens expect our elected officials to deal with. He knows how to wisely compromise in order to move forward.

I have utmost faith in this man's intelligence, experience and uplifting personality. When he walks in he lights up the room and people listen to him.
I and millions of people world-wide love this man who has done so much for our country. GO, BILL, GO. WHETHER FRIEND OR FOE, YOU CAN DEAL, WE KNOW.

February 08 2011 at 12:51 AM Report abuse -3 rate up rate down Reply
garyharlow

Our democratically controlled Congress has had the power to stop this war at any time, everyone wants to blame Obama for continuing this war, but the Congress can stop it simply by choosing not to fund it and bringing our troops home we are spending way too much money that we do not have and they expect us to pay for it with taxes tell Mr. Clinton take care of this problem, and repeal NAFTA so jobs will quit leaving this country than he deserves praise

February 08 2011 at 12:21 AM Report abuse +3 rate up rate down Reply
justfred68

Blue Dog Democrats are just Republicans running as Democrats in conservative districts, these Republicans thinly desguised as conservative Democrats should all be primaried and defeated and replaced by REAL Democrats or REAL Republicans, at least this way thier constituents know who they have actually elected and know how these representatives will actually vote on issues that will affect the country and thier lives and the lives of thier community.

February 07 2011 at 11:58 PM Report abuse -3 rate up rate down Reply
hdvh56

Clintons legacy,Nafta and Gatt.I hope the money was worth it.How does he live with himself?

February 07 2011 at 11:03 PM Report abuse +7 rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to hdvh56's comment
Margaret

NAFTA was formed under Bush Sr., Clinton only signed it into law after it passed both houses the year before. Nice try.

February 07 2011 at 11:54 PM Report abuse -8 rate up rate down Reply
arab061

President Clinton should get out of politics. He is a has been and should be gentleman enough to get out. Example President Bush.

February 07 2011 at 10:49 PM Report abuse +11 rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to arab061's comment
madlyfem

You wish. Most everyone loves Bill Clinton. The world loves Bill Clinton. Everywhere he goes, people cheer him and run to touch him. He gets standing ovations wherever he goes. Everyone wants to hear his opinion, and hangs on every word. Bill Clinton is every man's President, everywhere. Nobody cares what George W Bush has to say, nor what anyone in his administration has to say. Nobody cares what they do, or where they go.

February 08 2011 at 2:31 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Peter

The health care bill is like dinner at a four star restaurant. The food and wine are delicious -- and then the waiter presents the check. Obama cynically timed the phase-in of the law so that people will enjoy the benefits before the 2012 Presidential election. The taxes to pay for all of this come due afterward.

It is amazing that people buy into this nonsense. The two biggest government entitlements are going broke. Both have cost far more than the government projected in its wildest dreams. Yet, they believe that, somehow, this entitlement will be different!

February 07 2011 at 10:47 PM Report abuse +17 rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Peter's comment
STEVE

Healthcare reform will help over 30 million people get healthcare insurance
that couldn't get it before, because of preconditions (& really need insurance)
or couldn't afford it, but it will be affordable. Healthcare reform will actually save the government billions of dollars, according to bipartisan commission.

February 08 2011 at 12:25 AM Report abuse -3 rate up rate down Reply
Michael

If bipartisanship is good, why are Democrat leaders shunning centrist colleagues in their own party?

February 07 2011 at 10:46 PM Report abuse +18 rate up rate down Reply
bikerpoizun

'Ross praised Clinton's "proven record of success working with members of both parties."'
The proven record of compromising with republicans to send all US manufacturing jobs to China and repealing regulations that prevented Wall Street from raping the country? That record?

February 07 2011 at 9:58 PM Report abuse -8 rate up rate down Reply
2 replies to bikerpoizun's comment
cofassio

Foolish comment considering that the total number of manufacturing jobs in America increased over Clinton's two terms (1/93-1/01). Try checking actual BLS figures

February 07 2011 at 10:58 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
John Vilvens

Clinton forced banks to loan money to people who could not pay it back. He end the Glass seagal act and this created jobs as constructions increased. This caused the melt down we are in. Bush spent to much also. But 3 times he tried to investage Fannie and Freddie and the democrats stopped him. 165 million in lawyer fees payed by the government for civil cases against Fannie and Freddie executives.

February 08 2011 at 7:00 AM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply

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