Gossip: In The Know

Barrow on ‘Frontline’

Rep. John Barrow (D-Ga.) has been added to the list of “Frontline” Democrats, bringing to 10 the number of vulnerable House Democrats who will be the beneficiaries of member-to-member donations and other campaign assistance.

“With the reapportionment and a new member, we though it was best to put him [on the list], and we can always remove him, but it’s best to start him off there,” said Rep. Mike Thompson, who will head up the Frontline effort this cycle.

Thompson predicted some of the 10 lawmakers could be removed from the list, based on early performance. He said all 10 members on the list have met with him and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Rep. Rahm Emanuel (Ill.) and are “committed to a pretty stringent course to follow.”

Others on the list include Reps. Melissa Bean (Ill.), Leonard Boswell (Iowa), Chet Edwards (Texas), Stephanie Herseth (S.D.), Brian Higgins (N.Y.), Jim Matheson (Utah), Charlie Melancon (La.), Dennis Moore (Kan.) and John Salazar (Colo.).

Hans Nichols