The Blue Dogs seem to be a "wave election" phenomenon. After big gains in 2006 and 2008, the ranks of Democrats swelled and Blue Dogs came in to prominence. Now, I have nothing against a big tent in the Democratic party, but the Blue Dogs seem to have a habit of obstructing or watering-down Democratic legislation. Perhaps Blue Dogs believe this is a center-right nation, and coming from conservative districts they felt it was in their best interests to push the Democratic party to the right.
But did the strategy work? It seems that when the "Democratic brand" goes sour that Blue Dogs take a bloodbath at the polls. If the nation truly is turning center-right in 2010, shouldn't the Blue Dogs have retained more seats? It is something for both Blue Dogs and the Democratic establishment to ponder after 2010.
I'm not blaming Blue Dogs for 2010, but rather I wish the Dems didn't cater as much to them. The Dems have problems with messaging, and the economy doomed Dems in 2010.
numbers below the fold.
Here is the current Blue Dog scorecard as of Election Night Thread #28
The list of Blue Dogs comes from The Blue Dog Coalition: 15 Years of Leadership membership page:
Blue Dog Leadership Team
Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (SD) , Blue Dog Co-Chair for Administration
Rep. Baron Hill (IN-09) , Blue Dog Co-Chair for Policy
Rep. Jim Matheson (UT-02), Blue Dog Co-Chair for Communications
Rep. Heath Shuler (NC-11), Blue Dog Whip
Blue Dog Members
Altmire, Jason (PA-04)
Arcuri, Mike (NY-24)
Baca, Joe (CA-43)
Barrow, John (GA-12)
Berry, Marion (AR-01)
Bishop, Sanford (GA-02)
Boren, Dan (OK-02)
Boswell, Leonard (IA-03)
Boyd, Allen (FL-02)
Bright, Bobby (AL-02)
Cardoza, Dennis (CA-18)
Carney, Christopher (PA-10)
Chandler, Ben (KY-06)
Childers, Travis (MS-01)
Cooper, Jim (TN-05)
Costa, Jim (CA-20)
Cuellar, Henry (TX-28)
Dahlkemper, Kathy (PA-03)
Davis, Lincoln (TN-04)
Donnelly, Joe (IN-02)
Ellsworth, Brad (IN-08)
Giffords, Gabrielle (AZ-08)
Gordon, Bart (TN-06)
Harman, Jane (CA-36)
Herseth Sandlin, Stephanie (SD)
Hill, Baron (IN-09)
Holden, Tim (PA-17)
Kratovil, Jr., Frank (MD-01)
McIntyre, Mike (NC-07)
Markey, Betsy (CO-04)
Marshall, Jim (GA-08)
Matheson, Jim (UT-02)
Melancon, Charlie (LA-03)
Michaud, Mike (ME-02)
Minnick, Walt (ID-01)
Mitchell, Harry (AZ-05)
Moore, Dennis (KS-03)
Murphy, Patrick (PA-08)
Murphy, Scott (NY-20)
Nye, Glenn (VA-02)
Peterson, Collin (MN-07)
Pomeroy, Earl (ND)
Ross, Mike (AR-04)
Salazar, John (CO-03)
Sanchez, Loretta (CA-47)
Schiff, Adam (CA-29)
Schrader, Kurt (OR-05)
Scott, David (GA-13)
Shuler, Heath (NC-11)
Space, Zack (OH-18)
Tanner, John (TN-08)
Taylor, Gene (MS-04)
Thompson, Mike (CA-01)
Wilson, Charles (OH-06)
26 of 54 gone (48%) with the west still to report.
UPDATE: Bishop, Sanford (GA-02) now ahead but undecided (was marked as a loss). Some good news.
UPDATE 2: Minnick, Walt (ID-01) gone. Going to bed 2am PST.