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Alabama Blue Dog Bobby Bright, Asked Whether He'll Stay A Democrat: Merry Christmas
Rep. Bobby Bright (D-AL).
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Earlier today I asked the office of Rep. Bobby Bright (D-AL), now the only remaining conservative Democrat from a McCain district in Alabama, whether he could end up following in the footsteps of Rep. Parker Griffith and leaving the Democratic Party -- and I received a very inconclusive answer.
Bright has a lot in common with Griffith, who announced his party switch earlier today: Both are freshmen from districts that voted heavily for John McCain in 2008; they each won their races very narrowly; and both have voted against the big-ticket items of the Democratic agenda this year. So I asked what Bright's thoughts were on Griffith, whether he was committed to staying with the Democrats, and what his overall concerns might be about the political situation in Congress.
His spokesman just sent me back this statement from the Congressman: "In this season of great promise, we should focus on that which draws us together: faith, family, and service. These are not partisan values and as I have said many times, we are stronger as people, communities, and as a nation when we seek common ground rather than focusing on what divides us. I hope, for a few days at least, we can put politics aside and focus on the true joys of the Christmas season."
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cwnidog
December 22, 2009 6:56 PM
Short form - he's thinking about it.
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Bushie
December 22, 2009 7:05 PM
This shows the intelligence level of our selected Congresscritters. Going from a majority party, even as poorly led as the DINO's are, to a minority party of automatons, even it they pick up a score of seat is brainless. Unless Griffith and subsequent roll overs get gigantic contributions to their Swiss bank account they're truly gits. Better a subversive in power than a git out of power.
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MNPundit
December 22, 2009 7:49 PM in reply to Bushie
This is America. We don't use words like gits here. Just say the American equivalent, bastard.
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Mr.E.
December 22, 2009 8:11 PM in reply to MNPundit
My vote's with git. Cheney is an unrepentant bastard. Lieberman is working for the title, but his pathos makes him more of just a putz. But someone who voluntarily gives up their best access to power, knowing they're likely to get primaried in the next election anyway. Yup, that's a git. Like the guy who uses up the toilet paper during a bout of diarrhea, but doesn't replace it, only to be back on the throne 15 minutes later, debating whether 'tis better to use his hand or his underwear.
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lousgirl84
December 23, 2009 9:33 AM in reply to Mr.E.
LOL.
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MNPundit
December 23, 2009 7:45 PM in reply to Mr.E.
No. Git -- > from Get --> from Beget (i.e. illegitimately). That's all it means so use the right term.
But then I hate creeping Britishisms--you should my rants against queueueue.
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roxsteady
December 22, 2009 7:13 PM
Good riddance! Now if we could just get the other fake ass Dems known as blue dogs to get the hell out of the party!
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JohnMcCSF
December 22, 2009 7:28 PM
I thought Kleefeld was Jewish
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Delia
December 22, 2009 7:38 PM
It's not such a dumb answer. He's watching to see how the dust settles after Griffith's adventure and meanwhile he doesn't want to burn any bridges.
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pdxer
December 22, 2009 8:36 PM
I hope someone at the DCCC is reading this and figures out it might be a bad idea to funnel money to this guy's campaign.
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Signalman
December 22, 2009 9:42 PM
Alabama is deep, deep red. The only way a Democrat gets elected in that state is to run far to the right.
Ah growed up thair, so ah knows whut ah'm talkin' 'bout.
/redneck
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benintn
December 22, 2009 10:03 PM
This is the email equivalent of "Bless your heart". It's a nice way of saying STFU...
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cynholt
December 22, 2009 10:17 PM
Bobby Bright is a Blue Dog. And like all Blue Dogs, he's an unprincipled politician without an ounce of party loyalty who'll sell himself to the highest bidder. He's a money-grubbing whore who will put on the knee pads for anyone who reeks the most of money.
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Just me again
December 23, 2009 8:44 AM in reply to cynholt
Sounds like a perfect description of Chris Dodd to me. And it ain't too far off the mark when you think about Obama's relationship with Wall Street either.
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lousgirl84
December 23, 2009 9:34 AM in reply to Just me again
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...................
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Philibusted
December 23, 2009 9:57 AM in reply to cynholt
I've never commented before, but when I read this comment, I really felt the need to respond. So, I apologize if this seems patronizing - but it really touches on one of my major pet peeves, particularly regarding American politics.
"Party loyalty" is not necessarily a positive trait. Consider the current Republican obstructionist agenda; it is a perfect example of party loyalty superseding moral principles, 'Christian' ethics and loyalty to the American people across the entire social strata. (Either that, or just plain ol' slothfulness.)
We probably want the same things, but I feel that our social desires should be tempered by knowledge. Blind party loyalty will not create a better America, no matter what party an elected official belongs to.
Sorry and thank you.
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lousgirl84
December 23, 2009 9:35 AM
This guy really should be a rethug. He's so ugly and all republicans are really really ugly. It's all that bad blood they have running through their veins.
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Pintop
December 23, 2009 12:04 PM
There is an interesting story here, but TPM goes for trolling the Blue Dog.
According to SUSA there's now a 13 point Presidential job approval difference between northern and southern Alabama. The Black vote is the poison pill for the GOP Southern House Strategy.
There's some dynamic at play when these seats start to approach 25-30% African American that isn't explained by a simple PVI number.
My guess is 2010 GOP southern wins will come from Appalachian districts like Griffith's and not Black Belt seats.
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