Blue Dog brought into Dem leadership fold

A senior member of the centrist Blue Dog Coalition has been asked to join the Democratic whip team with the hope of placating the frustrated bloc of lawmakers.

Rep. Jim Matheson (D-Utah), the Blue Dog’s co-chairman for communications, will join an existing team of assistants to House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (Md.) as a chief deputy whip, Hoyer announced Thursday.

{mosads}“This whip team has done a remarkable job keeping Democrats unified on the numerous challenges this Congress has addressed,” Hoyer said. “Jim Matheson will be a tremendous addition to my team, bringing a moderate voice to the table. His perspective reflects what we heard from Americans last month, when they clearly called for us to work to find common ground to move our country forward.”

The move is an attempt by leadership to bring centrist and conservative Democrats back into the fold after they were critical of Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) following the midterm elections, when the party lost its majority in the House.

Blue Dogs expressed frustration that Pelosi had decided to run for minority leader rather than step aside for an up-and-coming caucus member. Blue Dog Whip Heath Shuler (D-N.C.) ran against Pelosi for the top post, but lost 150-43. 

Matheson this week swung at Pelosi and Demcoratic leaders, saying he will not vote for the California Democrat for party leader in 2011. 

“I think the Democratic Party needs new leadership,” he told ABC News. “I think this election was a stunning defeat in terms of its magnitude and I can’t believe we’re staying with the same lineup.”

Hoyer is known as the Democratic leader who has the strongest ties with centrist and conservative Democrats.

There are eight other chief deputy whips, led by veteran Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.).