Putting the bloc back in Bloc Party.

Freedom Caucus. Progressive Caucus. Blue Dogs. Why do we care?

Justice Dems spokesperson and co-host Waleed Shahid sits down with Ruth Bloch Rubin, author of Building the Bloc: Intraparty Organization in the US Congress. Ruth tells Waleed that size matters when it comes to congressional voting blocs, but bigger isn’t always better. What can we learn from Congressional ideological factions of the 20th and 21st centuries? Why and how did they succeed and fail in their own goals? Why is collective action exceptionally difficult in the U.S Congress? 

Amira Hassan, JD’s political director, joins Waleed to break down why Congress is the place where solidarity goes to die.

Readings & clips:

Ruth Bloch Rubin’s book BUILDING THE BLOC.

Robert McCormick, NBC, on Hon. Lee Metcalfe and Democratic Study Group. 1960.

“Meet the Blue Dog Democrats!”

“Democrats have grown frustrated with Blue Dogs..” Chris Van Hollen on WAMU 88.5.

Washington Unplugged, 07.15.09

House progressives are building something new, exciting, and powerful