The Hill News

There's been "no communication" this Congress between Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and members of the centrist Blue Dog Coalition, one of its top members charged Monday.

Rep. Heath Shuler (N.C.), the centrist Democrat who challenged Pelosi for the job of Democratic leader this Congress, suggested that Blue Dog Democrats feel shut out from the leadership in the House.

"There has really been no communication whatsoever," Shuler said Monday morning on MSNBC. "We still do not have any connection between the Blue Dogs and leadership."

In perhaps the ultimate rebuke to the Democratic leader, Shuler said that Blue Dog Democrats often have more in common ideologically with former President Ronald Reagan, whose 100th birthday prompted remembrances over the weekend, than Pelosi.

A number of the members of the centrist coalition were defeated in the 2010 midterm elections, leaving House Democrats with a relatively more liberal ! caucus in the aftermath. But Shuler's sought to take a leading role in opposition to Pelosi, the former House Speaker who decided to remain in charge of the party as its minority leader.

"It's very rare that she would come to any of our meetings, and have conversation," Shuler said of Pelosi, adding that Democrats feel more comfortable having Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) or Assistant Democratic Leader James Clyburn (D-S.C.) visit their districts.

Members of the Blue Dog Conference will gather to discuss their priorities for the coming Congress, and former President Bill Clinton will be among the speakers on the agenda, according to Shuler.