Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Dorgan Could Be Obama's Top Democratic Foe

'Fiercely independent' senator eyes 2010 in deep red N. Dakota

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 27, 2009 12:50 PM CDT
Email

(Newser) – Sen. Byron Dorgan is shaping up to be a real thorn in Barack Obama’s side. The North Dakota Democrat is on a collision course with the president on everything from climate change to Afghanistan to Wall Street, and he holds some key committee positions. “I’m not in Washington, DC to serve President Obama,” he tells Politico. “North Dakotans know—they know that I’m fiercely independent.”

Fierce independence could be an essential survival tool for Dorgan. North Dakota is deep red, and Republicans are eager to link Dorgan to Obama ahead of next year’s election. Dorgan’s best chance of distancing himself might be on financial issues; he’s criticized the Geithner and Summers appointments, and formed an ever-growing group of senators dedicated to pushing Obama to be tougher on Wall Street.

Senate Democratic Policy Committee chairman Byron Dorgan asks a question of a witness, Friday, July 11, 2008, on Capitol Hill, during a hearing looking into electrocution deaths of troops in Iraq.
Senate Democratic Policy Committee chairman Byron Dorgan asks a question of a witness, Friday, July 11, 2008, on Capitol Hill, during a hearing looking into electrocution deaths of troops in Iraq.   (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-ND, who appears duirng an Senate Indian Affairs Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in this June 22, 2005, file photo.
Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-ND, who appears duirng an Senate Indian Affairs Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in this June 22, 2005, file photo.   (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)
Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-ND, left, and Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, take part in a news conference about Pharmaceutical Market Access and Drug Safety Act, March 4, 2009, on Capitol Hill.
Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-ND, left, and Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, take part in a news conference about Pharmaceutical Market Access and Drug Safety Act, March 4, 2009, on Capitol Hill.   (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 5 comments
Rob
Apr 28, 2009 12:57 PM CDT
He's running. If he isn't towing the line he must be a secret Republican.
nick
Apr 28, 2009 1:05 AM CDT
In politics, winning is everything. I still think Dorgan's strategy may backfire.
woodyTX
Apr 27, 2009 10:53 AM CDT
The Democratic Party spreads a big tent. Big enough to include Obama and Dorgen. He's there to represent his electorate and I respect him for that. He will provide a rational, practical Democratic Party counterbalance to those slanted heavily ideologically to the left. This is good for the health of the party.

Dorgan saw crisis coming
Newsweek

 
Barack Obama • Senate Democrats • North Dakota • Byron Dorgan • Obama administration

More Newser Stories

Sen. Ed Schultz? MSNBC Host Says Dems Want Him

ND Sen. Dorgan Won't Run for Re-Election

Obama Must Show Congress Who's Boss

On Stimulus, White House Kept Congress Close

Eastwood: I'm Not Politically Affiliated With Obama
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne