While congressional liberals more often than not are coasting to re-election, members of the “Blue Dog Coalition” of conservative Democrats in the House of Representatives are being picked off left and right tonight.
As the results trickle in, let’s chronicle the fate of the Blue Dogs:
Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (SD), Blue Dog Co-Chair for Administration — LOST
Rep. Baron Hill (IN-09), Blue Dog Co-Chair for Policy — LOST
Rep. Jim Matheson (UT-02), Blue Dog Co-Chair for Communications — RE-ELECTED
Rep. Heath Shuler (NC-11), Blue Dog Whip — RE-ELECTED
Blue Dog Members
Altmire, Jason (PA-04) — RE-ELECTED
Arcuri, Mike (NY-24) — LOST
Baca, Joe (CA-43) — RE-ELECTED
Barrow, John (GA-12) — RE-ELECTED
Berry, Marion (AR-01) — RETIRED
Bishop, Sanford (GA-02) —
Boren, Dan (OK-02) — RE-ELECTED
Boswell, Leonard (IA-03) — RE-ELECTED
Boyd, Allen (FL-02) — LOST
Bright, Bobby (AL-02) — LOST
Cardoza, Dennis (CA-18) — RE-ELECTED
Carney, Christopher (PA-10) — LOST
Chandler, Ben (KY-06) –
Childers, Travis (MS-01) — LOST
Cooper, Jim (TN-05) — RE-ELECTED
Costa, Jim (CA-20) –
Cuellar, Henry (TX-28) — RE-ELECTED
Dahlkemper, Kathy (PA-03) — LOST
Davis, Lincoln (TN-04) — LOST
Donnelly, Joe (IN-02) — RE-ELECTED
Ellsworth, Brad (IN-08) — LOST (Senate Bid)
Giffords, Gabrielle (AZ-08)
Gordon, Bart (TN-06) — RETIRING
Harman, Jane (CA-36) — RE-ELECTED
Holden, Tim (PA-17) — RE-ELECTED
Kratovil, Jr., Frank (MD-01) — LOST
McIntyre, Mike (NC-07) — RE-ELECTED
Markey, Betsy (CO-04) — LOST
Marshall, Jim (GA-08) — LOST
Melancon, Charlie (LA-03) — RETIRING
Michaud, Mike (ME-02) — RE-ELECTED
Minnick, Walt (ID-01) — LOST
Mitchell, Harry (AZ-05) — LOST
Moore, Dennis (KS-03) — RETIRING
Murphy, Patrick (PA-08) — LOST
Murphy, Scott (NY-20) — LOST
Nye, Glenn (VA-02) — LOST
Peterson, Collin (MN-07) — RE-ELECTED
Pomeroy, Earl (ND) — LOST
Ross, Mike (AR-04) — RE-ELECTED
Salazar, John (CO-03) — LOST
Sanchez, Loretta (CA-47) — RE-ELECTED
Schiff, Adam (CA-29) — RE-ELECTED
Schrader, Kurt (OR-05) — RE-ELECTED
Scott, David (GA-13) — RE-ELECTED
Space, Zack (OH-18) — LOST
Tanner, John (TN-08) — RETIRING
Taylor, Gene (MS-04) — LOST
Thompson, Mike (CA-01) — RE-ELECTED
Wilson, Charles (OH-06) — LOST
After the election, we can expect the Blue Dogs to say what they always say, regardless of the outcome: “You see? The Democratic Party should select and groom more conservative candidates to run for office!” They’ll say it this time around, but they won’t be able to say it with credibility. There is a much higher rate of loss among Blue Dogs than among congressional liberals. The simple strategy of “more Democrats” (read as “more conservative Democrats”) just didn’t work. Progressive ideals were sacrificed for short-term victories that were not sustained. The Democratic Party’s sustained strength is in its solid, continuing liberal base.
i disagree with your conclusion – the Democrats were spanked hard by the crazies on the right. Should be an (un)interesting next few years. Austerity here we come (only more quickly).
Correction – right wing Democrats were spanked by crazies on the right, which only proves how much they are crazies.
Liberal Democrats generally did well, with many fewer losses.
Stupack of MI is gone — he retired but did a lot of damage to the health care cause and women’s rights and was replaced by a republican– Blanch Lincoln (Senate) also lost. Not sure if blue dogs lost ore often but their “REPUBLICAN-LIKE” stance did not protect them in general
Good point. The Republicans, not surprisingly, want to vote for Republicans! Blue Dogs are not more electable than progressive Democrats. They’re more easily dispatched with, because they don’t put up a fight.