WASHINGTON (By Aaron Sadler, Times Record) December 7, 2006 — Rep. Mike Ross, D-Prescott,
and other centrist Democrats have been invited to meet with President Bush on
Friday to discuss how the Republican administration and Democratic-led Congress
can work together.
Ross, a co-chairman of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog coalition, and other
leaders of the Blue Dogs, plus representatives of the moderate New Democrat
group, are scheduled to visit with Bush in the White House for about an hour,
Ross said.
The Blue Dog coalition’s ranks grew from 37 to 44 following the Nov. 7 election
where Democrats gained control of the House and Senate.
Ross credits centrist Democratic candidates for securing his party’s election
wins and has argued that the Blue Dogs will be a powerful caucus in the House
when the new Congress begins next month.
Ross said he is not surprised Bush is reaching out to Democrats in the
legislative branch but was disappointed that the invitation comes late in his
presidency.
Jon Garrido,
President, The Blue
Dogs of the National
Democratic Party
