South Dakota Democratic political consultant calls out Herseth Sandlin’s group
South Dakota Political consultant Steve Hildebrand has never been a huge fan on Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth Sandlin. Waaaay back in 2004, when he was working for the Tom Daschle campaign, he demanded his donation back from Herseth because of a position she took against gay marriage. Openly gay himself, he tended not to agree with her position.
Fast forward to today, as recently written in the Huffington report, coming off of his stint as Obama’s Deputy campaign manager he takes aim again at Herseth Sandlin, albeit indirectly, as he pens a missive against the group she helps co-chair, the Blue Dog Democrats:
There is a debate going on in Washington right now as to whether or not the so-called Blue Dog Democrats are holding up critically important issues that face our nation. Nearly 50 million Americans live without health insurance coverage. Climate change is real and affecting our lives every day. Civil rights for millions of LGBT Americans may make no progress in this Democratic-controlled Congress because of opposition by some Blue Dogs.
I’ve spent the last 22 years of my life working to help elect Democrats to federal and state offices. With very large Democratic majorities in the House and Senate, along with a Democratic president, now is the time to make good on the promises Democrats have made to the American people.
and…
I recently heard one Blue Dog ask “what do we have to do to get the Democrats off our back?” Seems pretty easy: Start acting like Democrats. Your Blue Dog label is a shield you hide behind, not a place where leadership is shown.
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Comments
the “blue dogs” are mostly liberals who are too scared to vote their convictions and have to hide behind the dog label because they are more worried about their re-election.
This is what happens when a party has control of everything. Those within the party flex their muscles and start acting independently. Same thing happened to the Republicans. It’s a good thing. If every Dem was lock-step in line we’d go to hell in a handbasket.
Steve Hildebrand wouldn’t have expected Tom Daschle to come out as pro-choice in the early 80’s.
Funny how people hold others to different standards.
I would like to see John Thune come out against farm subsidies and other socialized farm practices in SD but I’m not going to hold my breath.
I see Herseth clinging tight to the blue dog shield over the next year hoping to ride this cycle out.
Interesting you should bring up Hildebrand. I was just thinking how laughably ironic it is that the Democrat talking-points are whining about “operatives” and “interest groups” showing up health-care meetings when that sort of thing is Hildebrand’s signature strategy (South Dakotans/Americans United for —- fill in the blank). Wow.
As for this thing with Herseth…having Hildebrand rail against her outta be a badge of honor.
Think about it. Herseth can actually represent a majority of SD instead of just liberals, and she will have nothing to lose, ’cause where are the Dems gonna go?? No one will have the balls to “primary” her.
Before an elitist lib who is looking to divert the discussion does it…I need to correct my spelling…it is “oughtta.”
When in the minority, Democrats called Republicans who bucked the party line leaders. Now, democrats are in the majority and their members aren’t buying the entire party agenda. Hildebrand is taking the same type of stance he critisized Republicans for when they controlled both chambers of Congress from 2003-2007.
Governing is tougher than being in the minority. The Democrats are over-reaching and trying to ram through an agenda that the country doesn’t want. Support for healthcare reform is being mistakened as support for the Democrats plan. That is not accurate. I support healthcare reform, but oppose the current legislation. It is time to hit the reset button on the current bills.
I applaud the Blue Dogs for their concerns and opposition to a government takeover of healthcare. Health decisions should be made by a patient, their doctor, and a family member where applicable, not a government bureaucrat. To control healthcare costs, the government will ration care which creates waiting lines. When your spouse, parent, sibling, or grandparent is sick, you want them to get the best care possible. When asked if he would particpate in the same govnerment rationing program he is proposing even the president said he wanted the best care for his family.
It is time to hit the reset button on the current bills and look for a bi-partisan solution that more than just one or two republicans can support. The president campaigned on a promise of post-partisanship saying the old way of operating is over. It is time to make good on that promise.
I appreciate for whatever reason Herseth Sandlin has helped slow the madness down. Maybe she is listening to her constituents!! That would be part of her job. I can guarantee that she has received many calls, emails etc. regarding the health care issue. Most Americans are appalled by it and know that there are better ways to fix what needs to be fixed than what Pres. Obama is trying to do. Also, the scare tactics that Pres. Obama is using is not sitting well with most of us in South Dakota– this ain’t Chicago. I think Ms. Herseth- Sandlin is perhaps a little sharper than Mr. Hildebrand thinks.
So much for some of the Dems claiming the Reps need to have a big tent. Seems Hildebrand prefers a small pup tent when it comes to his party. Hypocrite!