We need to watch the Blue Dogs

This thread is admittedly inspired by:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021958809

OK, let me make it clear what I am not saying:

I do not hate all centrists, indeed, I am sure I am considered a right wing troll by some on the far left, though I am to the left of Obama on many issues, especially so-called "entitlements."

However, I see a danger occurring, which admittedly, the post I mentioned represented. Many people who were "moderate" Republicans have been thrown overboard. While we may want to offer some a place in our boat, we must be careful that they do not take over the party, especially as the Blue Dogs will be happy to support them in that effort.

Let's be honest here, there is a reason the Blue Dogs and their supporters are saying this is their moment at the top of their lungs, because, if anything, this should be the moment that damns them out of relevance. Obama played Blue dog between 2008 and 2010; the base stayed home, and we got the 2010 mess that has made congress the toxic mess it is. Obama won 2012 not by playing it safe like he did in the first debate, but by leaning towards the base, especially on the issues like gay marriage that the blue dogs considered political suicide.

If you are a Blue Dog, you see people like Liz Warren actually get into the banking committee, and you are nervous. If playing to the left actually gets proven once again to overcome even Grover's hundreds of millions, then the party may wonder why they ever listened to you. That is why you pander to the folks who want the "Hillary is inevitable" meme. Granted , it was proven not to be so in 2008, but you know there are many people who think Hillary will be that FDR liberal, even though you know she is a Blue Dog. You make sure the only other names offered are solid Blue Dogs, the Cory Bookers, the Rahm Emmanuels, people who have not only been vetted by Wall Street, but they wear Wall Street's dog collar like it was a Purple Heart. All of them have records of outright scorning the left, hippie punchers to the core. And of course, you make sure to let all the moderate GOP into the boat, just like the GOP let in all those Dixiecrats like Jesse Helms back in the day.

Yes, the GOP will continue to be the carnival sideshow. You know that though they are sad now, they will be recharged with money, and good old fashioned hate of anyone not white enough. You also know that while Wall Street is scared of that fiscal cliff, they want the tax breaks under Bush.

So, if I seem a little wary of Clinton or Booker, or wary of all these "now we can stop fighting" messages, or those that keep insisting OWS is dead, and not needed, you will understand why I bristle at that. The same people who steal defeat from the jaws of victory or still at work.