Defeated Dem University: Alumni Update
Rewarding Failed Policies: Updates from the DC Chapter of DDU Alumni Association
After pushing through Congress numerous reckless tax-and-spend policies that have left middle-class families under a mountain of debt and have skyrocketed the unemployment rate, defeated Democrats from 2010 are looking to find new employment and, unlike most Americans, they are being rewarded with top jobs: “The group, which includes members who lost their re-election bids as well as those who retired last cycle, first met during last year’s lame-duck session of Congress. They now huddle by phone once or twice a month with Israel and DCCC recruiting chair Allyson Schwartz (Pa.) leading the chat. Roughly 90 percent of the Democrats who lost in 2010 participate.” (Chris Cillizza and Aaron Blake, “Steve Israel’s alumni association,” Washington Post’s The Fix Blog, 2/16/11)
Blue Dogs Close Up Shop
A group that once held a sizeable amount of influence within the Democratic party, voters kicked a majority of the Blue Dogs out of office after many of them failed to follow through on their moderate promises by voting with Pelosi’s liberal side several times. Even as the DCCC Chairman courts them back into the political arena, several have already closed their campaign committees, signaling that their days of being a DC insider are done: “Former Blue Dog Reps. Ike Skelton (D-Mo.), Bobby Bright (D-Ala.),Baron Hill (D-Ind.), Walt Minnick (D-Idaho) and Travis Childers (D-Miss.) have also shuttered their campaign committees in the aftermath of the 2010 election. Those five candidates, along with Herseth Sandlin, represent six of the most conservative districts that Democrats lost in 2010. And that’s not good news for their party, which may find it hard to replace those candidates’ prowess on the ballot. While closing one’s campaign committee does not disqualify a candidate from opening up a new committee and running at some point down the line, it would be an unusual move for a candidate who is considering a run in the near future.” (Aaron Blake, “Blue Dogs shutter their campaign committees,” Washington Post, 3/11/11)
Ron Klein (Partisan Science, ‘10) Becomes Government Cheerleader In Private Sector
Having served two terms in Congress, voters booted Ron Klein from his post after he voted with Nancy Pelosi and his Democratic Party more than he voted with the interests of his South Florida constituents. Now, Klein heads to the law firm Holland & Knight where he will continue to be a big-government cheerleader: “Former Democratic U.S. Rep. Ron Klein has joined the powerhouse Holland & Knight law firm, where he’ll be part of a ‘government advocacy team’…He said he’ll provide clients advice on dealing with government, with an emphasis on health care, financial services and energy policy.” (George Bennett, “Former Rep. Ron Klein joins powerhouse Holland & Knight government advocacy team,” Palm Beach Post, 3/11/11)
Ike Skelton (Spending Management, ‘10) Joins Law Firm
After 17 terms in Congress, Ike Skelton announced last week that he will join the D.C. office of Husch Blackwell. The move comes as no surprise to his constituents who knew he transferred to the Washington campus a long time ago: “The firm said Skelton will advise its attorneys and clients on legal and public policy issues, with a particular focus on defense, small business and international trade. He will primarily work out of the firm’s D.C. office. ‘While other national firms courted me to come aboard, Husch Blackwell’s national footprint and strong Missouri roots make it the right fit for me,’ Skelton, 79, said in a statement announcing the move. ‘Their Government Contracts group is among the strongest in the country, and I’m eager to start working with their impressive team of attorneys.’” (Kate Ackley, “Ex-Rep. Skelton Signs On With Law Firm Husch Blackwell” Roll Call, 3/10/11)