Open Left Seeks to Meddle With Ohio Representatives
I wasn't around the blogs during last years primary mess but I'm still learning to hate the national blogs. Matt Stoller, Chris Bowers, and the other members of Open Left have decided to launch a campaign against the following Democratic members of the House of Representatives that they've dubbed the "Bush Dogs", a play on the Blue Dogs.
- Jason Altmire, PA-04
- Brian Baird, WA-03
- John Barrow, GA-12
- Melissa Bean, IL-08
- Dan Boren, OK-02
- Leonard Boswell, IA-03
- Alan Boyd, FL-02
- Chris Carney, PA-10
- Ben Chandler, KY-06
- Jim Cooper, TN-05
- Jim Costa, CA-20
- Bud Cramer, AL-05
- Henry Cuellar, TX-28
- Lamar Davis, TN-04
- Joe Donnelly, IN-02
- Chet Edwards, TX-17
- Brad Ellsworth, IN-08
- Bob Etheridge, NC-02
- Bart Gordon, TN-06
- Stephanie Herseth, SD-AL
- Baron Hill, IN-09
- Nick Lampson, TX-22
- Dan Lipinski, IL-03
- Jim Marshall, GA-08
- Jim Matheson, UT-02
- Mike McIntyre, NC-07
- Charlie Melancon, LA-03
- Colin Peterson, MN-07
- Earl Pomeroy, ND-AL
- Ciro Rodriguez, TX-23
- Mike Ross, AR-04
- John Salazar, CO-03
- Heath Shuler, NC-11
- Vic Snyder, AR-02
- Zack Space, OH-18
- John Tanner, TN-08
- Gene Taylor, MS-04
- Tim Walz, MN-01
- Charlie Wilson, OH-06
As you can see the list includes two Ohio Rep.'s, Zack Space and Charlie Wilson.
Now it's one thing for people who know the district to complain, it's another for someone that knows absolutely nothing to start meddling around. Sure Space and Wilson haven't always voted the way we've wanted but have they looked at their districts? Space's is set to be one of the most competitive in the nation next year the way it is, a Democratic revolt will surely lead to the district falling into Republican hands. Space has also done an exemplary job of handling other issues that are just as important, though not as headline grabbing.
As for Wilson I'll be the first to admit that I've had my complaints. I'll also go on to tell you that he and his staff have done an excellent job of handling those complaints. I'm proud to call him my Representative and I don't much like these outsiders shoving their way into my turf.
So that said, would you consider joining me in donating to Space and Wilson's reelection campaigns in an effort to show Open Left just what you think of their plans?
Donate: http://www.actblue.com/page/leftofohio
Source: Open Left:: Step One in The Bush Dog Campaign: Creating a Public Record
18 comments:
Good for you, David. I feel exactly the same way - it drives me NUTS when this kind of thing happens. That's not to say that people like Stoller or Bowers lack any intelligent input for states' residents to consider in regard to how representatives perform their jobs. But labeling like they do, painting these brushstrokes and working to influence people - many of whom will have no connection to any of the names on that list, except to have seen them on that list, is no service I've asked for or desire.
Exactly, it would be different they were going after just one or two people. Instead they pick a wide range of people where they know very little about each individual circumstance.
Why don't you do a positive profile of Space and/or Wilson? We're not 'going after' either, or both. We're doing research, and would prefer if it came from people who know what they are talking about.
So then calling them "Bush Dogs" is a compliment? Don't throw around words like that until after you've done your research.
Matt, many of us recognize your name and know you've been around a long time, working harder and longer certainly than me.
Did you know about this particular blog? I've been featuring David's original, primary source work for at least a couple of months (among others) on my blog because he's doing exactly what you say you're interested in: research, and he's a person who knows what he's talking about, or, at a minimum, has an opinion about Space and Wilson based on first-hand experience and exposure to them.
So come on - if you need what David and others like him in Ohio know, here he is. BlogNetNews isn't well-liked by everyone, but it does have a search engine for something like 90 Ohio blogs. All you have to do is spend 1-10 minutes inserting "space" and Wilson" and seeing what comes up. I know when I'm prepping for a regional political roundtable, I always, always check there.
David is earnest, he's earned a lot of respect in the Ohio blogs, especially for someone so young and he is exactly the kind of blogger I would think would be encouraged to engage.
So engage him, hm? :)
Regardless of where a person lives, how their representatives vote on issue such as civil rights, habeas corpus, and most importantly our nation going (or staying) at war is something that effects every American.
I don't see how the Open Left campaign against this representatives (and yes, the only Democrat in my state is one of them) who are selling out the Democratic party is something that can be seen as offensive. What a horribly stupid time to get into a "turf war," huh?
The lack of vision displayed in this post is what has held the Democratic Party back for two decades. We've got to be bigger than this.
David, I'd suggest that: 1) you read the important national blogs and 2) respond to the specific blog if you feel they are off track and that there is justification for the votes of a particular candidate.
You're looking at things from the point of view of an Ohioan and that can be important for Matt and others to know. On a national level, there is enormous frustration right now with spineless Democrats who support Bush on very important issues (such as the war and warrantless surveillance). That applies even to some Ohioans such as myself.
@Matt
Sorry, I was about to leave when I wrote that first reply. While I could have said it better I stand by my words. Research first, list and name calling second. By publishing your list of "Bush Dogs" before the research is done you've effectively declared them all guilty by association.
@Jason The
Is it the responsibility of a Representative to represent the entire country? I always thought they were just supposed to represent their constituents.
If it's this local approach that really holding us back than it's lasted a lot more than two decades.
@Lynne
I do read the national blogs. I've been following this whole "Bush Dog" thing since the start but I've wanted to see the direction that they took it before I said anything.
As for the second issue you mention, I fully intend to write the two local profiles that Matt suggested in his comment explaining why I think this campaign is wrong in either case. It may take a little while though as I have a busy day tomorrow.
"Individual circumstances"?!?
Zack Space and Charlie Wilson just voted to help Bush unconstitutionally spy on me here in NY. Earlier, they voted to keep funding the war which is killing New Yorkers.
This isn't guilt by association, this is *guilt*.
You have no damn business telling the rest of the country to leave your "candidates" alone.
One of Stoller & Bowers's stated goals is to figure out which of these people are "redeemable" -- can be convinced of the error of their ways -- and which ones aren't. Please do try to convince the rest of the country that these are redeemable people. And call them yourself.
The profile for Tim Walz was fairly convincing, showing that he is just confused about a few issues. The profile for Jim Marshall shows that he's hopeless, but also likely to be the best we can get in a deeply right-wing district. Et cetera.
Please compare OpenLeft's analysis, which is based on their reprehensible votes, and calls very mildly for research as a response -- to your own pathetic cheerleading, which gives *zero* information about them and calls for people to *send them money*!
Anonymous is right and mysterious. Defend your statements and tell us why they voted the way they did. They both won with 60%+ of the vote in '06, Wilson is in a district that leans dem (PVI wise) and you're telling us that the people of Ohio are wanting to have their phone calls tapped, emails read, soldiers put in harms way? If so there must be a reason, I would just like to know what that is, I'm not saying run someone against them, or root for a Republican to beat them, I just want to know what justifies these votes.
Also you mention in your response to jason that representatives only represent their district, implying that those of us outside of the districts should mind our own business. But whereas you can only live in one district, no more than one of these Reps can be yours, so you can only really discuss Wilson as he is your representative, any discussion of Space would be you shoving your way onto someone else's turf as an outsider.
@anonymous
I've already contacted Wilson about his FISA vote. You can read his response here. He admitted that he didn't like the bill but decided that he'd rather vote for it as a temporary solution rather than let the entire program expire. Just to emphasize the point here it is in his words:
“The bill I supported was passed on Friday night. Unfortunately that was not the bill that the Senate passed. The version left on the table was unsatisfactory, but it was better than leaving the American people unprotected for the next few months. The legislation that ultimately passed both the Senate and the House, the version that I voted for, is a temporary solution and I’m confident we’ll revisit this issue when Congress returns in September. Again, this was not my choice of bills but to leave America unprotected was not an option." --Charlie Wilson
@ Craig41
It's true that Space isn't my Rep. but I am familiar with his district. I cover his activities along with Wilson's because there's a lack of bloggers in Southeastern Ohio.
I hope I answered part of your question in my reply to anonymous. As for Iraq both Space and Wilson are now on the record supporting a different direction despite their past votes against withdrawal.
Again I want to point out that these Reps. have cast a lot more than two votes during the last few months and judging them by such a small fraction of their work is the kind of crap I expect from Republicans, not fellow Democrats.
(reposted, I should spell check before clicking)
I agree that judging someone off of a very small percentage of their voting history is wrong, but I don't think anyone is judging anyone yet. That's why they want to see profiles, let us know what these guys are about, and tell us about the districts involved. There are reasons that all of these people cast the votes they did, but are they all justified reasons, that's what people want to look at.
Also, you shouldn't say something like "judging them by such a small fraction of their work is the kind of crap I expect from Republicans, not fellow Democrats" one post below linking to your own post in which you say "I'm not asking you to like the vote. I just urge you to wait until you see what's being planned in 6 months before you pass judgement on these people." I think we've all waited through enough 6 month periods and we keep seeing the same lack of action. The time for waiting to see what happens is past, we can't afford to watch the Constitution thrown under a bus for political posturing anymore. That's what Space and Wilson voted for, multiple times, that's why they are Bush Dogs. If they shouldn't be, just explain to me why.
A rep from my state is on the list too (Jim Matheson, UT-02), I'd like to see Matheson stand up for progressive legislation, but he's in a very red district. Does that give him a pass on these votes, not in my opinion. At a certain point voting for legislation just to ensure re-election isn't a noble cause, especially when the civil rights of the citizens of this country are at stake. I personally don't think this will be corrected in 6 months, and the reason is simple, 6 months from now Bush will threaten to veto any bill that resembles the better version of the FISA bill, and the Bush Dogs (Space and Wilson included) will be left with the same decision, pass a bad bill, or leave the country unprotected. From their actions to this point, what reason do we have to believe they will do anything differently?
@ Craig41
I think I answered your question in a reply to your comment on the other post and in the newest post, if not let me know.
There are no other issues which are even close to being as important as the war and impeachment. You have been blinded by partisan considerations into supporting Republicans posing as Democrats.
"Bush Dogs" is too nice of an expression for anyone who betrays our troops and our country by supporting the illegal and unAmerican war in Iraq.
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