News: Centrists Feel The Squeeze From The Right

GOP Sets Sights On 'Blue Dog' Democrats

Democrats' loss of governorships in Virginia and New Jersey in Tuesday's elections — which saw a migration of independent voters to GOP candidates — suggests something worrisome for Democrats who represent swing or Republican-leaning districts, says Bob Holsworth of the nonpartisan Virginia Tomorrow. "Moderate and conservative Democrats in traditionally Republican districts are going to look at the results in Virginia because it speaks to them," he said. "They can't look at those results and say that they have no implications for their re-election efforts."

As Republicans look ahead to 2010, some of their top House targets are those Democrats with whom they actually have the most in common: so-called Blue Dogs, moderate to conservative Democrats who have pushed back on the Obama administration's top domestic initiatives, including, most prominently, the new president's health care overhaul effort. Of the 18 conservative and moderate Blue Dog Democrats elected in 2006 and 2008, 17 won in strongly Republican or Republican-leaning districts. And 13 won in districts that President Obama lost — a handful by margins exceeding 20 percent.

Michael Steele To Centrist Republicans: "We'll Come After You If You Go Democrat-Lite"

When Republican National Committee chairman Michael Steele was asked on ABC's "Top Line" webcast if it is acceptable for Republicans who support government-run health care reform or the stimulus package to run in congressional races, he said "that's where the line gets a little bit tricky." The moderate-conservative politico said that supporting legislative items on the top of the Democratic agenda "goes against the core principle," adding that Republican candidates in moderate districts need to "walk carefully, because we'll come after you."

Mr. Steele said that the Republican Party is allying with the "tea party" protesters who are vehemently opposed to the Democratic agenda and have, at times, took aim at Republicans who they deem are too liberal. "We're with them, were walking this walk with them," Mr. Steele said of the "tea partyers." "I don't need you to identify as a Republican. I need you to identify as a conservative. We are the conservative party." Mr. Steele cited Republican wins in the New Jersey and Virginia gubernatorial races as examples of GOP unity needed to win in 2010.

Illinois: Mark Kirk Courting Sarah Palin

I see that Rep. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), a moderate Republican who is running for the U.S. Senate here in Booker Rising's home state of Illinois, is now begging former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin - whose addition to the 2008 GOP presidential ticket he did not support - to endorse his candidacy in order to prevent a stiff primary fight from the right. The Washington Post was the first to obtain a memo that Rep. Kirk sent to Ms. Palin through an intermediary, GOP activist Fred Malek. Noting that Ms. Palin will be in Chicago for Oprah Winfrey's show as part of her book tour, Rep. Kirk's memo asserts "the Chicago media will focus on one key issue: Does Gov[ernor] Palin oppose Congressman Mark Kirk's bid to take the Obama Senate seat for the Republicans?" Rep. Kirk requested something "quick and decisive" from Ms. Palin about the race, suggesting she say: "Voters in Illinois have a key opportunity to take Barack Obama's Senate seat. Congressman Kirk is the lead candidate to do that."