Heidi Heitkamp Joins Unfortunately Named "Third Way" Group

According to Politico, North Dakota’s junior Senator Heidi Heitkamp has joined a Democrat group with an unfortunate name: Third Way.

I say the name is unfortunate because, in politics, the “third way” is either a reference to fascism (described as the “third way” between socialism and capitalism) or a reference to a watered down sort of socialism. Neither of which, I suspect, is something Democrats looking to posture themselves as moderates would wish to associate with.

But whatever. This is basically the new “Blue Dog Democrats,” only without the baggage that comes with the “Blue Dog” label.

It’s all about posturing. The downfall of the “Blue Dog Democrats” had everything to do with the reality that, when called on the carpet by their party leadership, they were ultimately just party loyalists. The “Blue Dog” thing was a charade. An act.

A way for liberal Democrats to keep their appeal for a red state constituency.

I think that we can be certain that Senator Heidi Heitkamp – just like former Rep. Earl Pomeroy and former Senators Kent conrad and Byron Dorgan, all of whom voted for Obamacare – will be a loyal vote for her party when they need her.

This is less about Heitkamp will govern in the Senate than it is about how her constituents here in North Dakota will perceive her.