Dems Talk Among Themselves

While the Republicans are ready to herd their cats at a caucus meeting later today, Democrats are gathering their members in smaller groups right now, according to John Bresnahan and Patrick O’Connor.

Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.) and Democratic Caucus Chairman Rahm Emanuel  (D-Ill.) are addressing the conservative Democratic Blue Dogs  in Majority Leader Stenty Hoyer's office – after already meeting with the pro-growth New Democratic Coalition.

The Tri-Caucus (comprised of the Congressional Black Caucus, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and the Asian-Pacific American caucus) will meet with them later, followed by the Progressive Caucus.

Leaders are  not officially whipping this bill, but they are pushing hard , focusing on the fact that they were able to insert a provision mandating a future tax on financial services companies if taxpayers lose money -- a provision that was championed by Blue Dog Rep. John Tanner (D-Tenn.).

 A group of anti-bailout Dems are meeting at 3:30.

UPDATE: House Democrats will also caucus in the Capitol basement at 5 p.m. to review the details of the bailout plan.