‘Blue Dog’ Democrats fighting to avoid extinction

Blue Dogs campaign hard to avoid endangered species status

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And when they found the right fiscally conservative Democrats, he wanted to do more than just send them a $10,000 contribution and hold a fundraiser or two. He asked Whalen to get involved in the day-to-day campaigns.

"It is easy for incumbent members to forget what it is like when you run the first time. It is nice to have some support and some strategic advice," Matheson said.

Whalen has provided significant help to Hayden Rogers, Shuler’s former chief of staff, who is running in his home state of North Carolina, including setting up his campaign website. He is offered assistance to the candidates running in states from Florida to Ohio, though his involvement is tailored to each campaign.

"We don’t want to be a hindrance to them or in any way overshadow what they are doing," Whalen said. "We want to be there for all of them in any role they need."

In Michigan, that has meant nothing more than providing an endorsement and campaign contribution to Gary McDowell. But in South Carolina, Whalen has been involved in many of the big decisions in Ted Vick’s campaign, likewise for Pam Gulleson, who is running in North Dakota.

"The Blue Dogs have been a big help to us in many different ways. They are a valuable member of our team, and I’m proud to have their support," said Vick, a state representative running in a newly created district.

Matheson has also asked him to grow the Blue Dog brand nationwide. Until recently, the Blue Dog PAC had no online presence.

"It is a longer term effort to try to create a national dialogue about some more centrist principles," Matheson said. "In a world where both parties seem to be running off to their extremes, I thought it would be important to have another voice out there that reflected these principles."

mcanham@sltrib.comTwitter: @mattcanham

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