Blue Dog
Blue Dogs are descendants of a 1950s defunct Southern Democratic group once known as the Boll Weevils, who played a critical role, in the early 1980s, by supporting President Ronald Reagan’s tax cut plan. Today, the Senate has its very own version of the Blue Dogs, a.k.a. the New Democrat Coalition, which took shape in 1999.1
Congressman Tanner is a founding member of The Blue Dog Coalition, comprised of conservative to moderate House Democrats. The group has built a reputation as a serious player in the policy arena, promoting positions which bridge the gap between ideological extremes.2
For over ten years, the Blue Dogs have been the voice of reason on Capitol Hill, advocating sound fiscal policy to both the Democratic Party and the GOP-controlled Congress. Sadly, their arguments for balanced budgets and decreased federal debt have fallen on deaf ears.3
But the Republicans' hold is being unexpectedly tested by a self-described “Mississippi Democrat,” a gregarious local courthouse official whose positions on social issues — guns, abortion, same-sex marriage — are indistinguishable from those of the other party. Democrats are hoping to add the candidate, Travis Childers, 50, to the raft of conservative “Blue Dog” Democrats elected in the 2006 midterm elections, due partly to economic appeals and doubts about the war.4
Voiced by Daws Butler, Huckleberry was a blue dog that spoke with a Southern drawl, with a relaxed, sweet, and well-intentioned personality. The term “Huckleberry” can be a slang synonym for a rube or an amateur, and that seems to fit Huck’s personality.5