The only way a conservative can raise a Blue Dog’s hackles is to… accuse him of mildly progressive tendencies.

Now we must figure out how to make this valuable new intelligence work in our favor.

Well, logic and the strategy of divide and conquer dictates that progressives plant seeds of doubt about each Blue Dog amongst right-wing groups such as Norquist’s Americans for Tax Deadbeats. It would have to be a relentless effort whereby progressives hold events abhorrent to the right (i.e. on single payer, birth control legislation, fighting global climate change, helping the poor, etc.) perhaps inviting a Blue Dog to speak at each event.

Some fliers might find their way to strategic locations where right-wingers and corporate lobbyists lurk. The fliers would be truthful and merely mention that the Blue Dog in question has been invited, which could be done. Doesn’t necessarily mean the Blue Dog will show up. If/when a Blue Dog thinks he/she is being clever and does show up, s/he should receive some type of progressive honor or plaque, perhaps a Progress award, making a lovely photo-op to push the progressive meme even further and onto some blogs.

At the very least, progressives who live in Blue Dog states and districts could try to get some face time and ask a few strategic questions of their Blue Dog and then blog it out. Are there some state fairs going on in August where the Blue Dogs come out of hiding?

What are some questions to ask a Blue Dog?

* Do you agree that having a publicly-funded health insurance plan will be too expensive? If so, are you willing to forgo yours?

* How many meetings have you had with health insurance lobbyists this year?

* Who is more important to you, your constituents or the lobbyists who’ve paid millions of dollars to fund your campaigns?

* Give me an example of how you’ve pushed back against health insurance lobbyists and looked out for the needs of your citizens with no health insurance.

Basically, it’s all about stirring up the pot. Something to counteract what the corporate lobbyists and right-wingers do every day.

- Tom

“tool” is way to polite.

Another edition of “Simple answers to simple questions.”