As a thumb in the eye of Nancy Pelosi, North Carolina’s Heath Shuler, a Blue Dog Democratic, will put forth his name today for House Speaker. It’s a symbolic gesture (some would say political ploy) that reinforces his stance as a maverick.

On substantial legislation, though, he’s willing to buck his party so far and no farther. Shuler voted against ObamaCare, but asked if he would support GOP-backed efforts in the first days of the 112th Congress to repeal Obama’s reforms, Shuler indicated he would not:

[T]here are some very good things in this bill that have already become law: Parents can keep their kids on their insurance until they’re 26, it’s helping to close the donut hole for seniors, and children with pre-existing conditions can no longer be denied access to coverage. I think it is not just wrong, but immoral to take those things away. Let’s put politics aside and start working together to do what is right for America.