Blue dogs hunt

Politics: A conservative Democratic coalition has a provocative agenda for changing politics-as-usual, but will the group’s bite be as loud as its bark? | Joel Belz

Tom Johnson, even at 59 years of age, doesn't pretend to know—or care—about politics. That's not why he's visiting his new congressman's office this Tuesday morning.

Tom Johnson is here for personal reasons. "I've got arthritis bad," he said. "It fires up my knees and my back. It even ruins my sex life. And it's all because of Agent Orange."

In Vietnam?

"No, up in Maryland. I worked at Aberdeen, at the proving grounds. That's where it got me—and now I'm a diabetic as well, and I think I got it from Agent Orange too. So I'm going to see if our new congressman can help me. This is probably my last chance."

So, Tom Johnson, since we're both sitting here waiting to talk to someone who can help us, let me ask you: Do you know what a Blue Dog Democrat is?

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