The Save My Seat Shuffle

We see this all the time. Politicians changing their stripes to save their seats. And this year, it’s all the rage among Democrats, trying to out Republican, Republicans. It happened in PA 12. It’s a scam. Period. In the words of the great one, Mark Levin, there I said it.

Four Democrats, not known as fiscal conservatives, but are known for hanging with their homies on everything from stimulus to health care, are suddenly fiscal conservatives … and get this … are asking Republicans, Republicans, to join them in their quest to cut spending. But all is not as it seems. It’s a fraud.

Each one of these Democrats is up for re-election in what many consider to be traditionally Republican House seats … and quite naturally, they are feeling the heat. One of them, Jim Himes, from Connecticut’s fourth district. CT Capital Report headlines it as Himes going “rogue”. Hardly. More like Himes trying to save his … umm … Himes.

From Politico:

Reps. Gary Peters, John Adler (D-N.J.), Jim Himes (D-Conn.) and Peter Welch (D-Vt.) are getting more vocal on their concerns about government spending. They’re forming a working group to propose major cuts to spending in areas like defense, energy, housing and agriculture that they say would save about $70 billion over ten years …

At the same time, Peters, Adler and Himes benefit from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s “Frontline” program, which funnels money from well-established Democrats to those in traditionally Republican districts.

Himes defeated Republican Chris Shays in 2008 to get the spot, which Shays had held since 1987. Peters represents historically Republican Detroit suburbs, while Adler hails from what is considered New Jersey’s swing district …

None of the members are Blue Dogs, who are traditionally known for their concern about government spending.

Sorry but letters don’t count as going rogue. Here’s a link to the Congressman’s voting record. Plus this. He gets a 95% rating from Americans for Democratic Action, and only voted more conservative on fiscal issues than 34% of his House colleagues. In that Congress that means only Pelosi is more liberal.

I’m glad Himes suddenly has found religion. But he can’t hide from his record and neither can the others. My guess he and the rest will be “back sliders” if they win re-election.