Mon
Dec 14 2009
11:42 am
Breaking: Another Blue Dog drops out of Tennessee Congressional race
By: R. Neal

Kleinheider has the scoop.

What are they seeing in the tea leaves? A generation of GOP domination in Tennessee after 2010 pushback and redistricting?

P.S. DailyKos and Firedoglake are racking up a pretty good record of helping elect Republicans in Tennessee. Thanks for all the help!

UPDATE: See what I mean? Here's an idea. Walk a mile in our shoes. On the tightrope. Then get back to us.

UPDATE: TNDP Chair Chip Forrester:

“We have many good Democratic leaders in the district who would serve that area well in Congress. Bart has won that district handily in the past and received nearly 75 percent of the vote last time around. Gov. Bredesen, for example, won the district with 67 percent of the vote in 2006. Voters in the district have a middle of the road mindset and vote for leaders who understand that philosophy. That is why voters continually sent Congressman Gordon back to Washington to represent their interests. I am confident the congressional seat will remain in Democratic hands for years to come.”
Topics:
LeftWingCracker's picture

Well, the point is simple:

Submitted by LeftWingCracker on Mon, 2009/12/14 - 2:53pm.

Well, the point is simple: why bother if all it gets you is two more years and then redistricted out?

This sends the message that the state House Democratic Caucus is going to get rolled in the 2010 elections and the GOP will control our politics for the next decade or so.  This is the result of our legislators not moving our message forward and just hunkering in the bunker. 

We could have built a bench if the Democrats in the Legislature hadn't thought they were going to rule in perpetuity, if they had allowed election of statewide officers like AG, Secretary of State and Comptroller.  No, they wanted control of EVERYTHING, and soon they'll have control of NOTHING, and we will suffer as a state because of it.

sugarfatpie's picture

Also, I can see the sense in

Submitted by sugarfatpie on Mon, 2009/12/14 - 3:41pm.

Also, I can see the sense in the point that a smaller Blue Dog caucus is actually a good thing nationally.

-Sugarfatpie (AKA Alex Pulsipher) "X-Rays are a hoax."-Lord Kelvin

gonzone's picture

Agreed

Submitted by gonzone on Tue, 2009/12/15 - 2:42pm.

I see the Blue Dogs going away as the final phase of the transition started many years ago with the passage of the Civil Rights Act.  Blue Dogs are really not much use in my view (I know, I know, I'm taking the Ralph Nader angle).  But this was going to happen sooner or later so I choose now and get it over with.  In Tennessee it has become evident to me that we must start fresh and build a bench of true progressives.  If such can't get elected, then the people here get what they deserve (or the majority do).

 

Bye, bye Blue Dogs.  Don't let the screen door hit ya'!

 

"If ignorance is bliss, why aren't more people happy?"

Andy Axel's picture

Well, the point is simple:

Submitted by Andy Axel on Mon, 2009/12/14 - 10:13pm.

Well, the point is simple: why bother if all it gets you is two more years and then redistricted out?

One word:  Incumbency.  It's still a huge advantage, even with shifts in districts.  The odds of defeating a sitting incumbent are something like 35:1 against.  

But these guys appear to want to believe what Tuke and Sasser and Bredesen have been saying for about a decade:  "This is a Republican state."  Even though, you know, it hasn't been.  Up until recently, anyway.

____________________________

Calling to the underworld. Come out of the cupboard, you boys and girls.

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