Blue Dog Democrats on the Prowl

So far, Pelosi has been happy to let Travis be Travis. She let him carry a bill to protect gun ownership in the District of Columbia as well as an amendment to restrict the hiring of illegal immigrants. "She's never tried to arm-twist me, and I appreciate that," Childers says. "She told me when I was sworn in, You represent north Mississippi, and you answer to nobody else."

It's a smart strategy for building a solid majority: there are now 47 Blue Dogs in her caucus--about 20% of House Democrats. But Pelosi will have to decide whether to try to use her leash. At some point, those Blue Dogs are going to bark.