Steve Benen has the run down of misguided election stories, all in the "this must be good for Republicans vein."
McClatchy reports "already-skittish moderate Democrats" now have "fresh reasons ... to worry." The Washington Post reports that Democrats are "nervous" and "moderate and conservative Democrats took a clear signal from Tuesday's voting, warning that the results prove that independent voters are wary of Obama's far-reaching proposals and mounting spending, as well as the growing federal debt." Politico reports that Democratic incumbents "from red states and Republican-leaning districts" are "worried." The LA Times reports that Dems on the Hill are "anxious," and will now resist the White House's ambitious policy agenda.
Because nothing impresses voters more than timid lawmakers who aren't building a record of accomplishments.
Note that our favorite anti-healthcare reform Blue Dog Jim Cooper is the lead "anxious Dem" in that LA Times story.
"There are going to be a lot more tensions between the White House and Congress," predicted Rep. Jim Cooper (D-Tenn.), a member of the Blue Dog Coalition of fiscally conservative Democrats. "They've been under the surface so far -- and they're going to come out in the open."
Maybe Jim Cooper ought to do the safe thing and leave the party, become an Independent so that he's no longer endangered by being associated with things like the scary healthcare reform bill, regardless of the fact that it is going to amass billions in savings over the next decade. If he left the party, he might pick up at least a portion of the 26 percent of Independents in his district who don't support a public option in healthcare reform. Good luck with that, Jim. BTW, here's how the residents of TN-05 would benefit from the scary healthcare agenda of Democrats [pdf]:
America’s Affordable Health Choices Act would provide significant benefits in the 5th Congressional District of Tennessee: up to 16,000 small businesses could receive tax credits to provide coverage to their employees; 7,800 seniors would avoid the donut hole in Medicare Part D; 2,060 families could escape bankruptcy each year due to unaffordable health care costs; health care providers would receive payment for $82 million in uncompensated care each year; and 76,000 uninsured individuals would gain access to high-quality, affordable health insurance.
Another reminder to Cooper--his is a Democratic district which Obama carried 56-43. As of August, when we polled the district, Cooper's favorables were sub-50, at 47. Barack Obama, with his "radical" agenda, had an approval of 66. Seems to me Jim Cooper might be worrying about how he could could get some of those strong Obama supporters, the Democratic base of his district, on his side.
Off-year elections are all about turning out the base. The folks running for re-election in 2010 who should be worried aren't the ones supporting a solid Democratic agenda. The base will be there for them, with our checkbooks and our shoeleather and our votes. The Blue Dogs and ConservaDems are going to be on their own. Oh, except for AHIP and PhRMA. But while lobbyists can write the big checks, they don't get to vote. Something for all the Jim Coopers to be thinking about as they decide who side their going to be on in this fight.