Glenn Nye: 2010's Creigh Deeds?

Posted by The Green Miles

Creigh Deeds ran away from his base, then got run over on Election Day. Does the same fate await Rep. Glenn Nye? We may come much closer to getting an answer as soon as this weekend, with the House is expected to vote on health insurance reform.

First, courtesy ThinkProgress, let's review the ways Creigh Deeds established that he was not a progressive and not a reformer:

• Refused to get behind strong federal health insurance reform, even saying of the public option, "I would certainly consider opting out if that were available to Virginia"
• Spoke out against the Employee Free Choice Act and opposed the right of public safety employees in Virginia to bargain collectively
• Opposed federal clean energy & climate action legislation

He turned off the base, which then failed to turn out for him. Now let's review Rep. Nye's record so far in his 10 months in Congress. Nye voted:

• Against President Obama's budget
• With Republicans to delay the economic recovery package before finally voting to pass it
• Against clean energy & climate action (then got caught trying to have it both ways)

As early in his term as July, Bearing Drift's Brian Kirwin observed, "Glenn Nye’s first six months in office has got to have Democrats wondering why they worked so hard to replace Thelma Drake."

So where does Nye stand now? According to ProgressivePunch.org's scorecard, he has the 2nd-lowest rating among House Democrats on progressive score vs. district tilt. Nye is also tied for the 3rd-lowest score among House Democrats on crucial votes. In talks with Virginia progressives about the list of vulnerable House Democrats worth fighting for, there is universal agreement: Glenn Nye is at the bottom.

Which brings us back to this weekend's planned health insurance reform vote. Rep. Nye has a major -- and maybe last -- chance to re-establish some progressive credentials before his re-election campaign gets underway.

Will Rep. Nye take the progressive path and rebuild his standing with his base? Or will he follow Deeds' lead and try to tiptoe down the line of mushy moderation, failing to pacify Republicans while failing to excite Democrats? We'll find out soon.

UPDATE 8:12pm: I hear some Virginia health insurance reform activists organized a big calling party tonight to pour calls into Rep. Perriello's DC office (202-225-4711) to make sure he supports health care reform. As for Rep. Nye? "Not worth it," I was told.

UPDATE by Lowell: Glenn Nye says he's voting no on health care reform. I am so done with him. Grrrrrrrrrrr.