It’s a tough time to be a moderate Democrat in the halls of Congress. Only 24 so-called blue dog Democrats remain in Congress, and as the November elections near, several of them are looking at tough re-election campaigns. An unpopular president sharing the ticket, major redistricting, and tough conservative opponents may make the blue dog extinct. Robert “Bud” Cramer is a long-time blue dog Democrat. He’s formerly the Congressman for Alabama’s 5th Congressional District, and is now the Chairman of Wexler Walker Public Policy Associates.