While Ohio Congressman John Boehner retains his title as Speaker of the House, it’s no surprise that most Democrats voted for Nancy Pelosi – with the notable exception of members of the Blue Dog Coalition. Representative Mike McIntyre of North Carolina’s 7th Congressional District said he voted for a fellow Blue Dog.
Democratic Congressman Jim Cooper of Tennessee was McIntyre’s pick for Speaker of the House. An expert on budget and fiscal issues, Cooper would help Congress balance the budget and pay down the nation’s debt, according to McIntyre. He’s also a graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill and a fellow Morehead Scholar.
The vote for Cooper is another move that distances McIntyre from the Obama Administration and Nancy Pelosi. During the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte last September, McIntyre refused to endorse Obama for re-election.
Also known as the Blue Dog Democrats, members of this group identify themselves as the Democratic conservative voice. In its heyday, they boasted 54 members; now, the group has 15.
