Former state Democratic executive director Andrew Whalen will try to help the Blue Dog Democrats make a come back in 2012.
Whalen, a political consultant based in Raleigh, will run the Blue Dog's political committee, trying to elect more moderate Democrats.
Blue Dog Democrats picked up seats across the country during the 2006 and 2008 elections but suffered major losses during the Republican sweep in 2010.
There are now 25 members of the Blue Dog Coalition in Congress including North Carolina's Health Shuler and Mike McIntyre. The group, which is co-chaired by Shuler, was formed in 1995. They are focused on policies advocating fiscal restraint and a strong national defense.
Among other goals, said Whalen, was to engage more moderates in the political process.
“The majority of the people out there don't get involved on a day-to-day basis,” Whalen said. “We are going to try to engage some of those voters; let them know who the Blue Dogs are, what they are doing and what actions they are taking to end the partisan gridlock.”
This is the first time, Whalen said, the Blue Dogs have tried to ramp up their operation by hiring a staff member.
Whalen said he would give up his position as director of Shuler's Third and Long PAC.
“I am thrilled to have Andrew in this position with the Blue Dogs as we move toward the 2012 elections,” Shuler said in a statement. “He will be an invaluable resource not just to my re-election efforts, but to all the Blue Dogs running across the country. He knows how to communicate with voters and win in the tough districts Blue Dogs represent.”
Comments
Blue Dogs are a dying breed
September 20, 2011 - 8:33am — MalleusMaleficarumBlue Dogs are part of the centrist movement that virtually destroyed the Democratic brand. In an election year when the President is running, Blue Dogs would be self-destructive if they even thought about running against his policies. Blue Dogs must support Obama's American Jobs Act and his deficit reduction plans to tax the rich - if they want to be considered viable by Democrats. Heath Shuler cast a vote to end the US engagement in Afghanistan, and that was the best vote he cast in this Congress. Shuler damaged himself with Democrats when he voted "Nay" on the Dream Act. All Blue Dogs voted against the Dream Act, and that will hurt them badly with minorities, Hispanics, women and the young. Shuler and the Blue Dogs voted "Nay" on health care - and that led to massive losses in 2010 creating apathy that permitted the Tea Party to gain a strong foothold. Blue Dogs are not part of the solution, they are part of the problem. Andrew Whalen has just been handed Mission Impossible, so he is now dreaming the impossible dream - resuscitating Blue Dogs who should really be called "Code Blue Dogs."