Blue Dogs bite back against Waxman

Blue Dog Democrats are supporting Rep. John Dingle D-Mich against Rep. Henry Waxman's D-Calif bid for the chairmanship for the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

In the opening days of a Progressive juggernaut, Conservatives and Republicans have been scurrying in chaos just trying not to be steamrolled. After stinging defeats in the House and Senate, the Republicans are just trying to regroup. However amid the frenzy of hyper-liberal appointments, there is one group calling for moderation in the leadership of the Left and that is the Blue Dog caucus. The Blue Dogs are a group of moderate 49 conservative and moderate Democrats in the House who are ardent fiscal conservatives, moderate social conservatives, and fairly hawkish. Possible allies for Republicans on the Hill in this almost filibuster proof Congressional environment. One prime example is the Blue Dog support for 82-year-old Rep. John Dingle D-Mich. to maintain chairmanship of the House Energy and Commerce Committee against Rep. Henry Waxman D-Calif. Although Dingle does not caucus with the Blue Dogs, he is considered, by most, to be a moderate voice where environmental and regulation issues are concerned. Throughout the years, he has steadfastly protected blue-collar workers and the automotive industry against overt and extreme regulatory legislation and is among the last of the Reagan style Democrats in Congress. Waxman’s challenge for the chairmanship is not sending a good signal to the moderate Democrats or Republicans. His is considered the leader of the Far Left environmental movement within the House and has supported many bills that tend to over regulate manufacturing industries. With backing from the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, the tone is being set in the House for a strong Progressive slant with not much room for compromise.