We’ve devoted a lot of space on this blog to the political environment for Democrats in Arkansas as several Obama administration policies make for a complicated re-election climate for conservative Democrats.

We’ve noted how the cap-and-trade provision in the Waxman-Markey bill has not set well with the state’s oil and gas industry.  Health care reform and its many sticking points – both real and fabricated - have certainly grabbed headlines.

And, don’t forget card check.  The business community still considers defeat of this issue as a top federal legislative priority.

Late last week, Congressman Mike Ross (D-Prescott) took a position that now has him squarely in the opposite column of the Obama administration on all three of those big agenda issues, the trifecta, if you will.

Ross, who voted against Waxman-Markey and who threw the brakes on health care, said he’s against the Employee Free Choice Act, also known as card check. He's voted against it in the past, but this is the first time this year we've seen him meet the issue head-on.

From the Hope Star, which covered Ross’ telephone town hall meeting:

Ross was pointed Thursday night in repeating that he does not favor any single-payer government option, and that the debate is not about healthcare as a concept so much as it is about insurance accessibility.

That led to two of the most pointed questions of the night:  

Charles in Hot Springs: You’re our representative; if your constituents are opposed to cap and trade, Employee Free Choice Act, government-run healthcare, are you going to yield to the process of Washington and House leadership or vote like we want you to?

Ross: I voted no on cap and trade. I put the brakes on healthcare reform by standing up to President Obama and Speaker Pelosi; and, I do not support the Employee Free Choice Act.

Not only is his position firm, but you’ll observe the emphasis on standing up to “Obama and Speaker Pelosi.”  That’s sure cover from the line of attack to be expected next year by Republicans.  And while Ross is likely to vote for a version of a deeply-modified, administration-backed health care plan, he'll have covered his political bases on all three fronts: health care, climate change and card check.  It will be the blueprint for the Blue Dogs nationwide.

Read more at this link.