Thanks for the memories, Bud Cramer

by: CattyShack

Sat Jun 05, 2010 at 18:02:02 PM CDT

Bud Cramer, our beloved Alabama Blue Dog, who served Alabama's 5th Congressional Seat for 18 years, weighed in on the recent 5th Congressional District seat in an interview with the Huntsville Times.

"I actually was surprised," Cramer said Friday. "I've been watching the trends around the country. ... There's a lot of frustration and anger and hostility toward the agenda in Washington and who's after what. And I think our community is no different than any other community; they want to see our government work differently. But I thought the incumbent would do better than he did."

Really, Bud?  You didn't think the Democratic base in Alabama has come a long way, Bud, and we not only expect more, but demand more progressiveness and moderateness for all our hard earned contributions and walking door to door?

The Blue Dogs in Alabama time's up.  We've been telling you, warning you and so you were still surprised that Parker Griffith didn't do any better?  Even after he kept all that money from his Democratic contributitors only to turn Red?  Really, Bud?  

And was Parker still the "incumbent" when he switched parties to Republican? Or is that you, talking Bud?  Makes me wonder what you would have done and how you would have voted under the Obama administration.

"I think Parker Griffith got very frustrated at where he saw the administration coming from with missile defense and space issues," Cramer said. "And I think he saw that his own Democratic leadership was tough for him."

And we think that his votes in Congress encompassed more than that, which also affects Alabamians, such as Health Care Reform and Lilly Ledbetter.  

"Remember, I almost lost my job back in 1994 after two years of Bill Clinton. There were plenty of rumors that I was going to switch parties, and I had plenty of conversations, both with Senator (Richard) Shelby and (then Speaker of the House) Denny Hastert about that," Cramer said. "We all do what we think - I hope - is in our district's best interests."

Tell me how equal work for equal pay (Lilly Ledbetter Act) and Health Care Reform are not for anybody's district's best interest, Bud.

Steve Raby, who was chief of staff for the late U.S. Sen. Howell Heflin in Washington, is the Democratic nominee for the 5th District seat. Cramer said that when he was a freshman on the Hill, Raby and Heflin's staff helped educate him.

"We became like family there. I am close to Steve," he said.

But that doesn't mean Cramer is ready to endorse any candidate for Congress. He said he'll be evaluating leadership ability, staff-building, maturity and more to see who is best to assume that position in this atmosphere.

 

"With a Democratic administration, with the challenges this country has, with the personality of this new Congress, we need somebody very skilled," he said. "Now that we are where we are, I want us to elect someone that goes there, builds relationships, gets committee assignments that are in our district's best interests. ...

"Democratic administration," which you ran under, Bud.  Check.  "Challenges this country has"'  Check.  "Personality of this new Congress." Check.  "I want us to elect someone....in our district's best interests."  Really, Bud?  

Happy retirement Bud.  Your endorsement will mean nothing to me.