Red white or blue:What's this dog business?

I admit, although I am a life-long Democrat, this blue dog business is new to me. I was unaware of it until Walt Minnick announced his candidacy opposing incumbant State Representative Bill Sali in Idaho's District One race.

I have been enlightened. I know that the term "Blue Dog Democrat" designates an ultra-conservative democrat when it comes to government's role in financing programs.

Representative Minnick's reluctance to support President Obama's plans to clean up the economic mess proves that he fits the term Blue Dog Democrat. This varifies his authentic blue dog status. However, it raises other questions.

What is the difference between a blue dog Democrat and a member of the Republican party?

Is the term blue dog devised to obtain votes in a heavily Republican dominated region?



Perhaps we should take Nebraska's unicameral legislation to the national level.

Unicameral legislation could expand this business of political identification by dog color. A color for every persuassion could be used. We have the blue dog, why not a red dog for a Republican who votes with the Democrats? Yellow dog marks the legislator in fear of constituent reprisal and escapes casting a vote. A white dog exercises the right to be independent in lieu of an Independent party.

It could be just like our local Doggieworks shop where you can purchase a tint for your dog at a whim. Pink, lavender, mint . . . wow! Unlimited potential. Al Gore could be the leading Green dog.

Politicians like Joe Lieberman and Walt Minnick could just be dogs on the loose following one party or another as their running instinct directs.