Blue Dog Democrats are a group of 44 non-centrist, right wing house members who often defy the progressives and centrists within their own party. The Blue Dogs are a coalition of like-minded Democrats who seek to promote anti-middle class tax policies which protect the corporate elites. Many members come from populist districts, where mainstream Democrats would win if they just held true to populist principles. Image File history File links Bdoglogo. ...

The term is a reference to the "Blue Dog" paintings of Cajun artist George Rodrigue of Lafayette, Louisiana; the original members of the coalition would regularly meet in the offices of Louisiana representatives Billy Tauzin and Jimmy Hayes, both of whom had Rodrigue's paintings on their walls (and both of whom later switched to the Republican Party). It may also be meant as an ironic counterpoint to the traditional "Yellow Dog" label, which is applied to those Southern Democrats said to be so loyal to the party that they would vote for a yellow dog before voting for a Republican. The Cajuns are an ethnic group mainly living in Louisiana, consisting of the descendants of Acadian exiles and peoples of other ethnicities with whom the Acadians eventually intermarried on the semitropical frontier. ... George Rodrigue (b. ... Lafayette is a city on the Vermilion River in Lafayette Parish, in the U.S. state of Louisiana. ... Wilbert Joseph Tauzin (born June 14, American politician of Cajun descent, was a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1980-2004, representing the 3rd District of Louisiana. ... James Allison Jimmy Hayes (b. ... The Republican Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States of America, along with the Democratic Party. ... Yellow Dog Democrats are voters in the southern region of the United States who consistently vote for Democratic candidates in the late 19th and early 21st centuries because of lingering resentment against the Republicans dating back to the Civil War and Reconstruction period. ...

The Blue Dog Coalition was formed in 1994 during the 104th Congress to give more conservative members from the Democratic party a unified voice. The Blue Dogs are viewed by some as a continuation of the socially conservative wing of the Democratic party rejected during the presidencies of Lyndon Johnson and Harry S. Truman, two Presidents who were staunchly progressive on social issues. Year 1994 (MCMXCIV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display full 1994 Gregorian calendar). ... // Elections for the 104th United States Congress were held on November 8, 1994. ... Lyndon Baines Johnson (August 27, 1908–January 22, 1973), often referred to as LBJ, was an American politician. ... Harry S. Truman (May 8, 1884 – December 26, 1972) was the thirty-third President of the United States (1945–1953); as Vice President, he succeeded to the office upon the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt. ...

The coalition was notably successful in a special election of February 2004 in Kentucky to fill a vacant seat in the House of Representatives. They were also successful in the November 2004 elections, when three of the five races in which a Democrat won a formerly Republican House seat were won by Blue Dog Democrats. Freshman Blue Dogs in the House are sometimes known as Blue Pups. Official language(s) English[1] Capital Frankfort Largest city Louisville Area  Ranked 37th  - Total 40,444 sq mi (104,749 km²)  - Width 140 miles (225 km)  - Length 379 miles (610 km)  - % water 1. ...

List of Blue Dog Coalition members

• Mike Arcuri (New York)
• Joe Baca (California)
• John Barrow (Georgia)
• Melissa Bean (Illinois)
• Marion Berry (Arkansas)
• Sanford Bishop (Georgia)
• Dan Boren (Oklahoma)
• Leonard Boswell (Iowa)
• Allen Boyd (Florida), Blue Dog Co-Chair for Administration
• Dennis Cardoza (California)
• Christopher Carney (Pennsylvania)
• Ben Chandler (Kentucky)
• Jim Cooper (Tennessee)
• Jim Costa (California)
• Bud Cramer (Alabama)
• Lincoln Davis (Tennessee)
• Joe Donnelly (Indiana)
• Brad Ellsworth (Indiana)
• Gabrielle Giffords (Arizona)
• Kirsten Gillibrand (New York)
• Bart Gordon (Tennessee)
• Jane Harman (California)
• Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (South Dakota), Blue Dog Whip
• Baron Hill (Indiana)
• Tim Holden (Pennsylvania)
• Steve Israel (New York)
• Nick Lampson (Texas)
• Tim Mahoney (Florida)
• Jim Marshall (Georgia)
• Jim Matheson (Utah)
• Mike McIntyre (North Carolina)
• Charlie Melancon (Louisiana)
• Mike Michaud (Maine)
• Dennis Moore (Kansas), Blue Dog Co-Chair for Policy
• Patrick Murphy (Pennsylvania)
• Collin Peterson (Minnesota)
• Earl Pomeroy (North Dakota)
• Mike Ross (Arkansas), Blue Dog Co-Chair for Communications
• John Salazar (Colorado)
• Loretta Sanchez (California)
• Adam Schiff (California)
• David Scott (Georgia)
• Heath Shuler (North Carolina)
• Zack Space (Ohio)
• John Tanner (Tennessee)
• Gene Taylor (Mississippi)
• Mike Thompson (California)
• Charlie Wilson (Ohio)

Former members of Congress who were once prominent Blue Dog Coalition members include: Michael Mike Arcuri (born June 11, 1959) is an American District Attorney and politician. ... NY redirects here. ... Joseph Joe Baca (born January 23, 1947), an American politician, has been a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives since 1999, representing the Californias 43rd congressional district (map). ... Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Area  Ranked 3rd  - Total 158,302 sq mi (410,000 km²)  - Width 250 miles (400 km)  - Length 770 miles (1,240 km)  - % water 4. ... John Jenkins Barrow (born October 31, 1955), American politician, is currently a Democratic Congressman from Georgias 12th District. ... Melissa Bean Melissa Luburić Bean (born on January 22, 1962) is an American politician of Serbian descent who was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 2004. ... Official language(s) English[1] Capital Springfield Largest city Chicago Largest metro area Chicago Area  Ranked 25th  - Total 57,918 sq mi (149,998 km²)  - Width 210 miles (340 km)  - Length 390 miles (629 km)  - % water 4. ... Marion Berry Robert Marion Berry (born August 27, 1942), American politician, has been a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives since 1997, representing the 1st District of Arkansas (map). ... Official language(s) English Capital Little Rock Largest city Little Rock Area  Ranked 29th  - Total 53,179 sq mi (137,002 km²)  - Width 239 miles (385 km)  - Length 261 miles (420 km)  - % water 2. ... Sanford Dixon Bishop Jr. ... David Daniel Dan Boren (born August 2, 1973) is a Democratic U.S. politician from the state of Oklahoma, representing Oklahomas 2nd congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives (map). ... Official language(s) None Capital Oklahoma City Largest city Oklahoma City Area  Ranked 20th  - Total 69,960 sq mi (181,196 km²)  - Width 230 miles (370 km)  - Length 298 miles (480 km)  - % water 1. ... Leonard L. Boswell (born January 10, 1934) has been a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives since 1997, representing the 3rd District of Iowa (map). ... Capital Des Moines Largest city Des Moines Area  Ranked 26th  - Total 56,272 sq mi (145,743 km²)  - Width 310 miles (500 km)  - Length 199 miles (320 km)  - % water 0. ... F. Allen Boyd Jr. ... Official language(s) English Capital Tallahassee Largest city Jacksonville Largest metro area Miami Area  Ranked 22nd  - Total 65,795[1] sq mi (170,304[1] km²)  - Width 361 miles (582 km)  - Length 447 miles (721 km)  - % water 17. ... Cardoza (left) meets with a constituent from Patterson, California during a town hall meeting. ... Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Area  Ranked 3rd  - Total 158,302 sq mi (410,000 km²)  - Width 250 miles (400 km)  - Length 770 miles (1,240 km)  - % water 4. ... Christopher P. Chris Carney (born March 2, 1959) is Congressman of the United States House of Representatives, representing the 10th Congressional District of Pennsylvania. ... Capital Harrisburg Largest city Philadelphia Area  Ranked 33rd  - Total 46,055 sq mi (119,283 km²)  - Width 280 miles (455 km)  - Length 160 miles (255 km)  - % water 2. ... Rep. ... Official language(s) English[1] Capital Frankfort Largest city Louisville Area  Ranked 37th  - Total 40,444 sq mi (104,749 km²)  - Width 140 miles (225 km)  - Length 379 miles (610 km)  - % water 1. ... James Hayes Shofner Jim Cooper (born July 19, 1954) is a politician from the U.S. state of Tennessee, currently a member of the U.S. House of Representatives representing the states fifth congressional district, based in Nashville. ... Official language(s) English Capital Nashville Largest city Memphis Largest metro area Nashville Area  Ranked 36th  - Total 42,169 sq mi (109,247 km²)  - Width 120 miles (195 km)  - Length 440 miles (710 km)  - % water 2. ... Jim Costa (born April 13, 1952) is a Democratic politician from the U.S. state of California. ... Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Area  Ranked 3rd  - Total 158,302 sq mi (410,000 km²)  - Width 250 miles (400 km)  - Length 770 miles (1,240 km)  - % water 4. ... Robert E. Bud Cramer Jr. ... Official language(s) English Capital Montgomery Largest city Birmingham Area  Ranked 30th  - Total 52,419 sq mi (135,765 km²)  - Width 190 miles (306 km)  - Length 330 miles (531 km)  - % water 3. ... Lincoln Davis Lincoln Davis (born September 13, 1943) is a U.S. Representative from Tennessee, currently representing the states 4th Congressional district (map). ... Official language(s) English Capital Nashville Largest city Memphis Largest metro area Nashville Area  Ranked 36th  - Total 42,169 sq mi (109,247 km²)  - Width 120 miles (195 km)  - Length 440 miles (710 km)  - % water 2. ... Joe Donnelly is an American politician from Indiana, running as a Democrat for Congress in the Second Congressional District. ... Official language(s) English Capital Indianapolis Largest city Indianapolis Area  Ranked 38th  - Total 36,418 sq mi (94,321 km²)  - Width 140 miles (225 km)  - Length 270 miles (435 km)  - % water 1. ... Brad Ellsworth is the Democratic congressman from the 8th District of Indiana (map). ... Official language(s) English Capital Indianapolis Largest city Indianapolis Area  Ranked 38th  - Total 36,418 sq mi (94,321 km²)  - Width 140 miles (225 km)  - Length 270 miles (435 km)  - % water 1. ... Gabrielle Giffords is a politician and businesswoman from Tucson, Arizona. ... Official language(s) English Spoken language(s) English 74. ... Kirsten Rutnik Gillibrand (born December 9, 1966) is a Democratic politician, elected on November 7, 2006, to represent New Yorks 20th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives. ... NY redirects here. ... Barton Jennings Bart Gordon (born January 24, 1949) is a politician from the state of Tennessee, representing the states 6th Congressional district (map) in the U.S. House of Representatives. ... Official language(s) English Capital Nashville Largest city Memphis Largest metro area Nashville Area  Ranked 36th  - Total 42,169 sq mi (109,247 km²)  - Width 120 miles (195 km)  - Length 440 miles (710 km)  - % water 2. ... Jane Lakes Harman (born June 28, 1945), is a six-term Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives, representing the 36th District of California (map). ... Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Area  Ranked 3rd  - Total 158,302 sq mi (410,000 km²)  - Width 250 miles (400 km)  - Length 770 miles (1,240 km)  - % water 4. ... Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (born December 3, 1970) is an American lawyer and Democratic politician, currently serving as the sole member of the House of Representatives from South Dakota. ... Official language(s) English Capital Pierre Largest city Sioux Falls Area  Ranked 17th  - Total 77,163 sq mi (199,905 km²)  - Width 210 miles (340 km)  - Length 380 miles (610 km)  - % water 1. ... Baron Paul Hill (born June 23, 1953) is a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives for Indianas 9th congressional district. ... Official language(s) English Capital Indianapolis Largest city Indianapolis Area  Ranked 38th  - Total 36,418 sq mi (94,321 km²)  - Width 140 miles (225 km)  - Length 270 miles (435 km)  - % water 1. ... Thomas Timothy Holden (born March 5, 1957) is an American politician who has been a member of the United States House of Representatives since 1993. ... Capital Harrisburg Largest city Philadelphia Area  Ranked 33rd  - Total 46,055 sq mi (119,283 km²)  - Width 280 miles (455 km)  - Length 160 miles (255 km)  - % water 2. ... Rep. ... NY redirects here. ... Nicholas V. Nick Lampson (born February 14, 1945) is an American politician from the state of Texas. ... Official language(s) No official language See languages of Texas Capital Austin Largest city Houston Largest metro area Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex Area  Ranked 2nd  - Total 261,797 sq mi (678,051 km²)  - Width 773 miles (1,244 km)  - Length 790 miles (1,270 km)  - % water 2. ... Timothy Edward Tim Mahoney (born August 15, 1956) is the U.S. Representative from Floridas 16th Congressional district. ... Official language(s) English Capital Tallahassee Largest city Jacksonville Largest metro area Miami Area  Ranked 22nd  - Total 65,795[1] sq mi (170,304[1] km²)  - Width 361 miles (582 km)  - Length 447 miles (721 km)  - % water 17. ... James Creel Jim Marshall (born March 31, 1948) is an American politician, and has been a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives since 2003, representing the 3rd District of Georgia (map). ... James David Jim Matheson (born March 21, 1960) is a member of the United States House of Representatives, representing the second district of Utah since 2001 (map). ... This article is about the U.S. state. ... Rep. ... Official language(s) English Capital Raleigh Largest city Charlotte Area  Ranked 28th  - Total 53,865 sq mi (139,509 km²)  - Width 150 miles (240 km)  - Length 560[1] miles (901 km)  - % water 9. ... Charles Joseph Charlie Melancon (pronounced Meh-law-soÉ´) (born October 3, 1947, in Napoleonville) is a Democrat who was elected in to represent Louisianas 3rd congressional district. ... Official language(s) de jure: none de facto: English & French Capital Baton Rouge Largest city New Orleans [1] Area  Ranked 31st  - Total 51,885 sq mi (134,382 km²)  - Width 130 miles (210 km)  - Length 379 miles (610 km)  - % water 16  - Latitude 29°N to 33°N  - Longitude 89°W... Michael H. (Mike) Michaud was born January 18, 1955 in Millinocket, Maine. ... Official language(s) None (English and French de facto) Capital Augusta Largest city Portland Area  Ranked 39th  - Total 33,414 sq mi (86,542 km²)  - Width 210 miles (338 km)  - Length 320 miles (515 km)  - % water 13. ... Dennis Moore (born November 8, 1945), is an American politician, and a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives since 1999, representing the 3rd Congressional District of Kansas. ... This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ... For the Iowa politician of the same name, see Pat Murphy (Iowa politician). ... Capital Harrisburg Largest city Philadelphia Area  Ranked 33rd  - Total 46,055 sq mi (119,283 km²)  - Width 280 miles (455 km)  - Length 160 miles (255 km)  - % water 2. ... Collin Clark Peterson (born June 29, 1944), is an American politician. ... Capital Saint Paul Largest city Minneapolis Area  Ranked 12th  - Total 87,014 sq mi (225,365 km²)  - Width 250 miles (400 km)  - Length 400 miles (645 km)  - % water 8. ... Earl Pomeroy (born September 2, 1952) is an American lawyer and politician from the U.S. state of North Dakota. ... Official language(s) English Capital Bismarck Largest city Fargo Area  Ranked 19th  - Total 70,762 sq mi (183,272 km²)  - Width 210 miles (340 km)  - Length 340 miles (545 km)  - % water 2. ... Michael Avery Ross (born September 1, 1961), American politician, has been a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives since 2001, representing the 4th District of Arkansas. ... Official language(s) English Capital Little Rock Largest city Little Rock Area  Ranked 29th  - Total 53,179 sq mi (137,002 km²)  - Width 239 miles (385 km)  - Length 261 miles (420 km)  - % water 2. ... John Salazar John T. Salazar (born July 21, 1953) is a Democrat from Colorado, was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 2004, representing the states third Congressional district (map). ... Official language(s) English Capital Denver Largest city Denver Area  Ranked 8th  - Total 104,185 sq mi (269,837 km²)  - Width 280 miles (451 km)  - Length 380 miles (612 km)  - % water 0. ... Loretta Sanchez (born January 7, 1960), an American politician, has been a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives since 1997. ... Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Area  Ranked 3rd  - Total 158,302 sq mi (410,000 km²)  - Width 250 miles (400 km)  - Length 770 miles (1,240 km)  - % water 4. ... Adam Schiff Adam B. Schiff (born June 20, 1960) is an American politician. ... Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Area  Ranked 3rd  - Total 158,302 sq mi (410,000 km²)  - Width 250 miles (400 km)  - Length 770 miles (1,240 km)  - % water 4. ... David Scott (born June 27, 1946), American politician, has been a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives since 2003, representing the 13th District of Georgia (map). ... Joseph Heath Shuler (born December 31, 1971) is an American politician and former professional football player. ... Official language(s) English Capital Raleigh Largest city Charlotte Area  Ranked 28th  - Total 53,865 sq mi (139,509 km²)  - Width 150 miles (240 km)  - Length 560[1] miles (901 km)  - % water 9. ... Zachary T. Space of Dover, Ohio (Born 1961) is an American politician of the Democratic party, serving as the law director for the City of Dover. ... Official language(s) None Capital Columbus Largest city Columbus Largest metro area Cleveland Area  Ranked 34th  - Total 44,825 sq mi (116,096 km²)  - Width 220 miles (355 km)  - Length 220 miles (355 km)  - % water 8. ... Rep. ... Official language(s) English Capital Nashville Largest city Memphis Largest metro area Nashville Area  Ranked 36th  - Total 42,169 sq mi (109,247 km²)  - Width 120 miles (195 km)  - Length 440 miles (710 km)  - % water 2. ... Gary Eugene Gene Taylor (born September 17, 1953) is an American politician of the Democratic Party and a U.S. Representative from the 4th District of Mississippi (map). ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... C. Michael Mike Thompson (born January 24, 1951), American politician, has been a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives since 1999, representing the 1st District of California (map), which includes Napa, Lake, Mendocino, Humboldt and Del Norte Counties as well as parts of Yolo and Sonoma Counties. ... Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Area  Ranked 3rd  - Total 158,302 sq mi (410,000 km²)  - Width 250 miles (400 km)  - Length 770 miles (1,240 km)  - % water 4. ... Charles A. Charlie Wilson (b. ... Official language(s) None Capital Columbus Largest city Columbus Largest metro area Cleveland Area  Ranked 34th  - Total 44,825 sq mi (116,096 km²)  - Width 220 miles (355 km)  - Length 220 miles (355 km)  - % water 8. ...

• Brad Carson (Oklahoma)
• Gary Condit (California)
• Harold Ford Jr. (Tennessee)
• Ralph Hall (Texas) (became a Republican and is still a member of the House)
• Bill Lipinski (Illinois)
• David Minge (Minnesota)
• Max Sandlin (Texas)
• Charlie Stenholm (Texas)
• Billy Tauzin (Louisiana) (later became a Republican and served until 2005)
• Jim Turner (Texas)

Brad Rogers Carson (born March 11, 1967) is a American lawyer and politician, a Rhodes Scholar, educated at Oklahoma and Trinity, graduating in 1989. ... Official language(s) None Capital Oklahoma City Largest city Oklahoma City Area  Ranked 20th  - Total 69,960 sq mi (181,196 km²)  - Width 230 miles (370 km)  - Length 298 miles (480 km)  - % water 1. ... Gary Adrian Condit (born April 21, 1948) is an American politician, a fiscally and socially conservative Blue Dog Democrat who served in the House of Representatives from 1989 to 2003. ... Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Area  Ranked 3rd  - Total 158,302 sq mi (410,000 km²)  - Width 250 miles (400 km)  - Length 770 miles (1,240 km)  - % water 4. ... Harold Ford Jr. ... Official language(s) English Capital Nashville Largest city Memphis Largest metro area Nashville Area  Ranked 36th  - Total 42,169 sq mi (109,247 km²)  - Width 120 miles (195 km)  - Length 440 miles (710 km)  - % water 2. ... Ralph Moody Hall (born May 3, 1923) is a United States Representative from the Fourth Congressional District in Texas (map). ... Official language(s) No official language See languages of Texas Capital Austin Largest city Houston Largest metro area Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex Area  Ranked 2nd  - Total 261,797 sq mi (678,051 km²)  - Width 773 miles (1,244 km)  - Length 790 miles (1,270 km)  - % water 2. ... Bill Lipinski William Oliver Lipinski (born December 22, 1937), Polish-American politician, was a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from 1983 to 2005, representing the 3rd District of Illinois (mainly the southwest side of Chicago). ... Official language(s) English[1] Capital Springfield Largest city Chicago Largest metro area Chicago Area  Ranked 25th  - Total 57,918 sq mi (149,998 km²)  - Width 210 miles (340 km)  - Length 390 miles (629 km)  - % water 4. ... David R. Minge (born March 19, 1942), is an American politician. ... Capital Saint Paul Largest city Minneapolis Area  Ranked 12th  - Total 87,014 sq mi (225,365 km²)  - Width 250 miles (400 km)  - Length 400 miles (645 km)  - % water 8. ... Max A. Sandlin, Jr. ... Official language(s) No official language See languages of Texas Capital Austin Largest city Houston Largest metro area Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex Area  Ranked 2nd  - Total 261,797 sq mi (678,051 km²)  - Width 773 miles (1,244 km)  - Length 790 miles (1,270 km)  - % water 2. ... Rep. ... Official language(s) No official language See languages of Texas Capital Austin Largest city Houston Largest metro area Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex Area  Ranked 2nd  - Total 261,797 sq mi (678,051 km²)  - Width 773 miles (1,244 km)  - Length 790 miles (1,270 km)  - % water 2. ... Wilbert Joseph Tauzin (born June 14, American politician of Cajun descent, was a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1980-2004, representing the 3rd District of Louisiana. ... Official language(s) de jure: none de facto: English & French Capital Baton Rouge Largest city New Orleans [1] Area  Ranked 31st  - Total 51,885 sq mi (134,382 km²)  - Width 130 miles (210 km)  - Length 379 miles (610 km)  - % water 16  - Latitude 29°N to 33°N  - Longitude 89°W... James Hard Nipples Turner (born February 6, 1946), American politician, was the Democratic representative for the Texas 2nd congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1997 until 2005. ... Official language(s) No official language See languages of Texas Capital Austin Largest city Houston Largest metro area Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex Area  Ranked 2nd  - Total 261,797 sq mi (678,051 km²)  - Width 773 miles (1,244 km)  - Length 790 miles (1,270 km)  - % water 2. ...

Differences between the Blue Dogs and the Democratic Leadership Council

The differences between the Blue Dogs, and the other prominent coalition of moderate Democrats, the Democratic Leadership Council (DLC), are sometimes subtle. The DLC describes itself as new Democrat and positions itself as centrist while taking moderate or liberal positions on social issues and moderate positions on economic issues and trade. The DLC views the support of free trade as a traditionally liberal position, and similarly frames their support of an aggressive national defense as historically a Democratic Party position. Thus, despite several differences with modern liberals and progressives, most remain unabashedly partisan Democrats, with less of a tendency than the Blue Dogs to form coalitions across party lines. The two emphasize different goals; the DLC aims to revitalize and strengthen the Democratic party, while the Blue Dogs prefer to emphasize bipartisanship. The Democratic Leadership Council is a non-profit corporation[1] that argues that the United States Democratic Party should shift away from traditionally populist positions. ... For the Canadian New Democratic Party, see New Democratic Party. ... In politics, centrism usually refers to the political ideal of promoting moderate policies which land in the middle ground between different political extremes. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... DLC is a TLA that may stand for: Democratic Leadership Council Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport (China) Data Language Corporation Data Length Code for example on CANbus and LINbus Data link connector Data Link Control (networking) delay line canceller Democratic Leadership Council Department of Liquor Control (Vermont) Desktop Linux Consortium Development... Free trade is an economic concept referring to the selling of products between countries without tariffs or other trade barriers. ...

Democrats who identify with the Blue Dogs tend to be fiscal conservatives, but have more divergent positions on social issues than the DLC. Reflecting the group's Southern roots, many are strong supporters of gun rights and get high ratings from the National Rifle Association, some have pro-life voting records, and some get high ratings from immigration reduction groups. As a caucus, however, the group has never agreed on or taken a position on these issues, and many members favor more socially liberal positions. The phrase Gun politics refers to the views of different people within a particular country as to what degree of control (increased gun rights vs. ... This article concerns the National Rifle Association of the USA. For the UK organisation, see National Rifle Association of the United Kingdom The National Rifle Association, or NRA, is a non-profit group for the promotion of marksmanship, firearm safety, and the protection of hunting and personal protection firearm rights... Issues of discussion Pro-life is a term representing a variety of perspectives and activist movements in bioethics. ... Immigration reduction refers to movements active within the United States that advocate a reduction in the amount of immigration allowed into the United States or other countries. ...

On economic issues, Blue Dogs tend to be pro-business and favor limiting public welfare spending, arguing instead for "individual responsibility". They have supported welfare reform, for example, as well as the Republican backed Bankruptcy Reform Act of 2005. They do, however, have differing positions on trade issues, including some supporters of labor unions, protectionism, and other populist measures, while the DLC tends to favor free trade. The Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 was passed by the 109th United States Congress on April 14, and signed into law by President George W. Bush on April 20. ... A union (labor union in American English; trade union, sometimes trades union, in British English; either labour union or trade union in Canadian English) is a legal entity consisting of employees or workers having a common interest, such as all the assembly workers for one employer, or all the workers... Protectionism is the economic policy of restraining trade between nations, through methods such as high tariffs on imported goods, restrictive quotas, a variety of restrictive government regulations designed to discourage imports, and anti-dumping laws in an attempt to protect domestic industries in a particular nation from foreign take-over... Free trade is an economic concept referring to the selling of products between countries without tariffs or other trade barriers. ...

A small number of newer Blue Dogs hold positions closer to those of the DLC, and some Blue Dog Coalition members are also DLC members. Blue Dogs share with the DLC a desire to keep the Democratic Party grounded in their view of the political center and to ensure that the party does not drift too far to the left of their own positions and no longer appeal to what they believe to be the majority of U.S. voters.

Differences between the Blue Dogs and liberal Democrats

The Blue Dogs' moderate-to-conservative agenda in Congress has upset many in the Democratic party, as it sometimes leads to voting with the more conservative Republicans. In 2005, the members of the Blue Dog Coalition voted 32 to 3 in favor of the bill to limit access to bankruptcy protection (S 256). Congressman Collin Peterson was subjected to a heated round of questioning from colleagues in the Democratic Party over several votes where he strayed from the party line before being nominated as the ranking member on the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture, in what would otherwise have been a routine nomination. Notice of closure stuck on the door of a computer store the day after its parent company, Granville Technology Group Ltd, declared bankruptcy (strictly, put into administration - see text) in the UK. Bankruptcy is a legally declared inability or impairment of ability of an individual or organizations to pay their... Collin Clark Peterson (born June 29, 1944), is an American politician. ... The U.S. House Committee on Agriculture, or Agriculture Committee (often referred to as simply Agriculture, as in Hes on Agriculture) is a Congressional committee of the United States House of Representatives. ...

On the other hand, some prominent Blue Dogs have also received strong support from liberal activists within the party, most notably Brad Carson of Oklahoma in his unsuccessful 2004 run for the U.S. Senate, John Tanner of Tennessee (whose Republican opponent in 2004, James L. Hart, was a radical eugenics advocate denounced by his own party), Jim Matheson of Utah, and Loretta Sanchez of California in her successful bid to unseat former Congressman Bob Dornan. Online fundraising efforts by liberal weblogs in 2004 named Brad Carson's campaign a top national priority. In some cases this support for Blue Dogs came about because the Republican opponent (former Representative, now Senator Tom Coburn) was seen as holding strong right-wing views; in other cases the support is because in some states like Tennessee, Oklahoma, the Dakotas, and Utah, a conservative Democrat is seen as the only kind of Democrat who can be viable at the polls. Some progressive activists also view the Blue Dogs as an important part of a Democratic Party big tent coalition, which will give the party important credibility with rural voters and social conservatives, while viewing the Blue Dogs as perhaps easier to swing to the left on fiscal and trade issues than the DLC. This article discusses the history and development of various notions of liberalism in the United States. ... Brad Rogers Carson (born March 11, 1967) is a American lawyer and politician, a Rhodes Scholar, educated at Oklahoma and Trinity, graduating in 1989. ... Official language(s) None Capital Oklahoma City Largest city Oklahoma City Area  Ranked 20th  - Total 69,960 sq mi (181,196 km²)  - Width 230 miles (370 km)  - Length 298 miles (480 km)  - % water 1. ... Federal courts Supreme Court Chief Justice Associate Justices Elections Presidential elections Midterm elections Political Parties Democratic Republican Third parties State & Local government Governors Legislatures (List) State Courts Local Government Other countries Politics Portal      The United States Senate is one of the two chambers of the bicameral United States Congress, the... Rep. ... Official language(s) English Capital Nashville Largest city Memphis Largest metro area Nashville Area  Ranked 36th  - Total 42,169 sq mi (109,247 km²)  - Width 120 miles (195 km)  - Length 440 miles (710 km)  - % water 2. ... James L. Hart is a United States politician. ... Eugenics is the self-direction of human evolution: Logo from the Second International Congress of Eugenics, 1921, depicting it as a tree which unites a variety of different fields. ... James David Jim Matheson (born March 21, 1960) is a member of the United States House of Representatives, representing the second district of Utah since 2001 (map). ... This article is about the U.S. state. ... Loretta Sanchez (born January 7, 1960), an American politician, has been a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives since 1997. ... Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Area  Ranked 3rd  - Total 158,302 sq mi (410,000 km²)  - Width 250 miles (400 km)  - Length 770 miles (1,240 km)  - % water 4. ... Robert Kenneth Bob Dornan (born April 3, 1933) is a Republican and former member of the United States House of Representatives from California and a vocal pro-life advocate. ... A weblog (now more commonly known as a blog) is a web-based publication consisting primarily of periodic articles (normally, but not always, in reverse chronological order). ... Thomas Allen Tom Coburn, M.D. (born March 14, 1948) is a medical doctor and a Republican U.S. Senator from Oklahoma. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Left-Right politics. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Catch-all party. ... Sign in a rural area in Dalarna, Sweden Qichun, a rural town in Hubei province, China An artists rendering of an aerial view of the Maryland countryside: Jane Frank (Jane Schenthal Frank, 1918-1986), Aerial Series: Ploughed Fields, Maryland, 1974, acrylic and mixed materials on apertured double canvas, 52... The Democratic Leadership Council is a non-profit corporation[1] that argues that the United States Democratic Party should shift away from traditionally populist positions. ...

Others in the party's left wing disagree, and have promoted the idea of running future primary challenges against both Blue Dog Coalition and DLC members in an effort to unseat Democratic Party members they view as unreliable or too conservative.

See also

• Congressional Progressive Caucus
• New Democrat Coalition

The Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) the single largest caucus in the United States House of Representatives, and works together to advance progressive issues and causes. ... The New Democrat Coalition is an organization within the United States House of Representatives, currently chaired by Representatives Jim Davis of Florida, Ron Kind of Wisconsin, and Adam Smith of Washington. ...

References

External links

• Blue Dog Coalition homepage
• Blue Dog PAC homepage
• Blue Dog Coalition list on U.S. Congressman John Tanner's website
• Blue Dog Blog
• About.com's Meet the Blue Dog Coalition, Moderate Democratic Members of the House of Representatives
• Right Democrat: a blog for conservative Democrats
• C-Span article by Ilona Nickels on Blue Dogs
• Blue Dog Democrats Discussion Group
• Texas Blue Dog Coalition
• Future of American Democracy: Academic site of Dr. Glen Browder, founding member of the Blue Dog Coalition