Editor's note: On CNN's "State of the Union," host and chief national correspondent John King goes outside the Beltway to report on the issues affecting communities across the country.
ST. MARIES, Idaho (CNN) - Gwen Wotring is a small-business owner in this tiny Northwest Idaho timber town, a proud Democrat who says her British parents taught her "socialized government is not the bad thing that everybody reports it to be."
But from the lively conversations in her popular café - Bud's Drive Inn dates to 1963 - she knows she is outnumbered.
"It's difficult to be a liberal in this neck of the woods," she said with a smile.
And because of that, she knows the local congressman is in a difficult spot even though he wears the label "Blue Dog Democrat."
"It means somebody who thinks realistically and pragmatically about spending," Wotring said when asked to define the term heard so often in Washington these days because of the delicate health-care negotiations among Democrats. "I believe Blue Dog Democrats see their constituents more realistically than the real strong liberals. I really do."
From CNN Politics
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We should have gotten rid of the Electorial College years ago.This hasnt benefited small states as much as it has big business that buy off these senators with bag money.Lets take to the streets,go right to these foot dragging companies and shut them down.Other countries dont have these problems because the people get off their couches and go after them.
Blue dogs= Republicans in disguise
Rob, I recommend replacing your CAPS with stats, and your exclamation points with citations; then your opinion may come across a bit more formidable, till then........be angry.
WASTED TAX DOLLARS, I will vote fir niether of these parties as they are the same as Obama and his Administration, Greedy Tax sucking lowlifes who prey on the weak of America. These worms need a lesson in INTEGRITY.
BLUE DOGS are really going to be blue come next election, if they don't get their act together.
Everyone without a health care plan deserves exactly the same plan(s) available to members of Congress. Anything less in an insult!
Gwen Wotringn, a proud Democrat who says her British parents taught her "socialized government is not the bad thing."
Good then carry your liberal self and the rest of the democrats back to England ma'am.