NOTE: I have come into possession of a letter written by the Blue Dogs to Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Hoyer dated July 9; regarding Healthcare. It is linked here. This is a PDF doc as well, and may take a moment to load. This letter is why it is urgent for those of you in Blue Dog districts to contact them immediately!

Hi folks! Bet a lot of you thought a “Blue Dog” was that hound in one of those cartoon shows in the 50″s, right? Today, “Blue Dogs” have a different meaning. They are a Democratic coalition of approximately 52 moderate-to-conservative Democrats formed in 1995. They promote fiscal conservatism and accountability. Their goal, according to their webpage, found here; is to “represent the center of the House of Representatives and appeal to the mainstream values of the American public.”

“Blue Dog Coalition proposals have served as middle-ground markers which laid the foundation for the bipartisanship necessary to bring about fundamental reforms, and helped set into law policies reflecting the “common sense, conservative compassion” so often attached to the group’s efforts.”

The Blue Dogs are descendants of the now-defunct group known as the Boll-Weevils. And you are asking me now, “why does this matter to me?”

It matters, because in the debate on healthcare now before Congress; the Blue Dogs should be targeted for contact because of their doubts regarding how the “public option” plan would and should operate. Arkansas Democrat Mike Ross, who is a leading negotiator on heathcare for the Blue Dog team; met with White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel July 8 to go over their concerns.

“The message to him (Mr. Emanuel) was the same as to the leadership — that we could not support the current bill,” Ross said.

And for those of you who thought this debate by the Senate and House leadership is defunct, wrong again. Here is a link of live, streaming video beginning at 9am-9pm; courtesy of Senator Chris Dodd’s website.

So guys, here is the most accurate list of “Blue Dogs” we have right now. If you see one in your district or state; please phone. Here is a link to contact information. For now, I believe it is more important to call. In my experience, letters can take up to months to be seen and responded to. And faxes, while having some value; don’t offer a chance for interaction.

For those of you wishing to contact Congress, link to phone numbers, faxes & e-mails is here. To get further information including all their offices, click on their name.

Thanks for all those participating. Together, again, We the People will have the opportunity to voice to our representatives the changes we do or do not wish to see; and have our voices heard.

Sources:

Wikipedia, Blue Dog Coalition, CNN: Politics.com, Blue Dogs Barking Again,