Emanuel assures House Democrats that he won’t compromise on public plan.
By on Jul 7th, 2009 at 10:37 pm
Emanuel assures House Democrats that he won’t compromise on public plan.
After initially indicating his support for a public plan “trigger,” White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel reassured House Democrats tonight that he strongly backs a public plan. Progressive Caucus Co-Chairwoman Lynn Woolsey (D-CA) said she told Emanuel that support for a “trigger” would cause health reform to lose Democratic votes:
“We have compromised enough, and we are not going to compromise on any kind of trigger game,” Woolsey said she told Emanuel. “People clapped all over the place. We mean it, and not just progressives.”
Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) said Emanuel reassured him that he “doesn’t stand by that trigger.”
Update Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ), co-chairman of the 77-member Congressional Progressive Caucus, fired off a letter to President Obama today, stating: “I want to be crystal clear that any such trigger for a strong public plan option is a non-starter with a majority of the Members of the Progressive Caucus.”
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Is it possible that the Democratic Party is slowly growing a spine? Maybe all they needed was the 60th vote for closure in the senate to make them realize that they do indeed have the ability to bring about CHANGE.
July 7th, 2009 at 10:42 pmPerhaps we are making a difference?
Keep calling and keep writing!!!
July 7th, 2009 at 10:42 pmKeep Rahm out of the way. He’s in the tank for the industry since he’s tried pushing this trigger crap since February.
The people are angry……
July 7th, 2009 at 10:43 pmSo which is it? Does he or does he not support the “trigger”?
July 7th, 2009 at 10:48 pmSounds like Emanuel is talking from both sides of his mouth!
Didn’t the last election teach politicians that Americans are no longer willing to accept that sh1t?
The next time Obama leaves the country, he needs to take Biden and Rahm with him. These guys can’t be trusted to be on their own.
July 7th, 2009 at 10:57 pmI like Rahm Emanuel and VP Joe Biden but they need to remain SILENT and let the President speak!
SHRED – yes we must keep calling and writing our senators and reps everyday until we have a public option. Liberty and excellent healtcare for all! COME ON DEMOCRATIC PARTY – DO THE DAMN THING!
July 7th, 2009 at 11:02 pmI agree with SHRED,keep writing and keep calling congress and he W.H.We voted these guys nto office to get us what we need to keep our working/middle class lifestyles that have been under attack for 30 years of Trickle down supply side Ray Gun nomics.
July 7th, 2009 at 11:05 pmI’m a member of MoveOn and I will be calling all of my senators and reps – including republican obstructionist jacka$$es again tomorrow morning! I wish I had time to sponsor a rally!
July 7th, 2009 at 11:11 pmEither a public plain or these guys can kiss their jobs goodby, and I not talking about the Republicans! They are feeling the pressure, keep it up!
July 7th, 2009 at 11:13 pmKeep the pressure on! In combination with the Progrssive Caucus, it will work.
Harry Reid, are you listening?!!
July 7th, 2009 at 11:15 pmRahm Emmanuel = Bobby Fisher
This better be another aspect of that 11-dimensional chess game I keep hearing about…
I’m sick of hearing press reports that say Rahm is the bad guy who’s selling us out, but now we hear Rahm say something else entirely. F**k this sh*t.
July 7th, 2009 at 11:17 pmEmanuel’s support vs. stand by?
Support-to hold up
Stand by-to stand next to
Word parsing is tiring for the populace. The problem is people need to pay attention all the way through the conference bill. What will our elected officials have re-defined by then?
July 7th, 2009 at 11:18 pmTim Vaculik: Where’s your proof and links that Obama promised a single payer health care program on the campaign trail?
Until you provide what you claimed, you are a g*dd*mn*d f**king liar, pal. Since this post is so close to the top, I thought I’d just remind everyone of your lying lies and your abject failure to back up your claims.
July 7th, 2009 at 11:19 pmReggie Says:
——————————————————————————–
Is it possible that the Democratic Party is slowly growing a spine? Maybe all they needed was the 60th vote for closure in the senate to make them realize that they do indeed have the ability to bring about CHANGE.
]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]
Reggie, I not shure of a spine. Maybe they have realized where their loyalities belong, like the people who vote for them and keep them in office!
July 7th, 2009 at 11:20 pmA lot of you are misreading this. The media does not help by manufacturing these little dramas. Rahm’s job is to get support and get stuff passed, not to set policy. All he is doing is looking at what it will take to get the legislation passed. He thinks maybe it will require the trigger BS and the Dems are telling him they will lose more votes than they might potentially gain. That is all that is going on.
July 7th, 2009 at 11:23 pmMaybe I credit folk with more strategic thinking than they’re actually up to, but I feel the White House lets these statements out just to gage reaction. By all means, lets keep telling them what we find unacceptable, I’m in, I’ll suck it up and call (shudder) Eric Cantor.
July 7th, 2009 at 11:33 pmRemember, 20,000 Americans die each year for lack of healthcare! That’s six 9/11’s in deaths EVERY year!
INVEST in Universal Single Payer Health Care, it lasts a lifetime!
Without a PUBLIC OPTION, there is NO health care reform!
“I still don’t get how my health care should be controlled by a system that was invented to compensate shippers for losses incurred due to storms and pirates.” – RUCeriousMaggot! – Think Progress dot Org
July 7th, 2009 at 11:45 pmSHRED Says:
Perhaps we are making a difference?
Keep calling and keep writing!!!
We know the wingnuts are going to lean on them from the right. Never assume that just because something’s obviously the right thing to do, they’re going to do it without us leaning on them even harder from the other direction.
July 7th, 2009 at 11:48 pmThere was some time when I was on hold because their lines were busy, but I got through to the White House earlier today. Friends sent emails to the White House too.
July 7th, 2009 at 11:54 pmIn no uncertain terms, NO MORE COMPROMISE — Republicans do not compromise. If blue dogs carry the day, they will lose in their next elections because people like me will donate to their opposition!
Is it possible that part of the strategy is to get us so riled up that we figuratively bang on the White House doors demanding action?
July 7th, 2009 at 11:55 pmMarie Says:
Is it possible that part of the strategy is to get us so riled up that we figuratively bang on the White House doors demanding action?
I sincerely hope so. The alternative is to feel that I’ve been sold out to corporate interests. So, being an optimist, I’ll keep banging at the door.
July 7th, 2009 at 11:59 pmLet’s hope we don’t bloody our knuckles before we get what we want.
July 8th, 2009 at 12:35 amRahm you summa bichya, the lack of a public option will spell your doom
July 8th, 2009 at 12:51 amI think the White House got the message because Rahm, Reid and Obama are all pulling back from attempting to get Republicans on board. They are just wasting time to stall the bill until the Republicans can get their grass roots to start writing, phoning and emailing. We need to keep up the pressure because now maybe the Republicans get the message. They will have to go to the Dems and beg for changes rather than the other way around. This should get the legislative process back on track.
July 8th, 2009 at 12:59 amWasn’t it FDR who said something like I know what you want me to do now make me do it. Well we have to make sure these guys know what will happen if they don’t do what they need to. I wish there was a chance my idiot congresswoman would pay attention but I suspect I’ll get another back from her telling me why I don’t know what I’m talking about. I’m already donating to the guy who lost to her last time but not by as much as he should have in an all Republican district.
July 8th, 2009 at 1:06 amFor anyone who thinks Obama is not in the pockets of big pHarma/HMO’s think again. He is supporting mandatory vaccination for swine flu in the fall and those who refuse the shot will be incarcerated. IMO this public plan will not happen unless it benefits the crooks.
July 8th, 2009 at 1:10 amUmmmm, Rahm is elected to what office…?
July 8th, 2009 at 1:10 amIs Rahm being paid off? WTF? Its obvious the Republicans are bought and paid for, they have no conscious. To be in office and accept money from big business and to steer the conversation away from helping the people requires a certain amount of evil intent. We voted Republicans out when they were so obvious in the deception and now, with clear power in the House, Senate and Oval Office, to pretend you have to compromise with the Republicans, smacks of pay off. No one in their right mind believes for one second, Dem’s need to give concessions when the vote clearly told them what we expected from them. A public option is the ONLY way to reign in the greed and rampant corruption being shoveled at us from insurance giants. Whats worse than a lawyer? An insurance lawyer!
July 8th, 2009 at 1:22 amWhen will the outrage be directed at Lobbyists? Why is bribing illegal and lobbying OK? Don’t these politicians realize we are watching in real time now with the internet. The same old tricks – say one thing and vote another direction,- no longer works? Rep’s are very slow in understanding this concept, but I thought the Dem’s (Rahm, Im talking to you) understood we were intelligent enough to see thru the bull s%$t
July 8th, 2009 at 1:28 amI do not understand the complacency in the blogosphere about lobbying and cash for influence going on everyday with our elected officials. WHY IS THIS LEGAL and where can I go to sign up to fight this?
Thats [incarcerating H1N1 vaccine refusers] not gonna happen. The swine flu is, because of its protein layer cant bind properly and is not as contagious as standard flu strains.
July 8th, 2009 at 1:30 amThats [incarcerating H1N1 vaccine refusers] not gonna happen. The swine flu is, because of its protein layer cant bind properly and is not as contagious as standard flu strains.
July 8th, 2009 at 1:30 amNow with 60 votes, It’s pretty damn simple as far as I’m concern,,,Enact the agenda you were voted in on.(ALL OF IT) or no contributions, stuffing envelopes, handing out flyers,driving people to polls in 2010. My time and money wasn’t spent for Obama to “compromise” with Repuglicans..And as far as the “Blue Dogs”, let them vote anyway they want to,except to support a Repuglican filibuster.
July 8th, 2009 at 1:34 amI’m not complacent. I’m nobody’s apologist. But…
We have seen three prominent people make strong statements about health care reform in the last 48 hours. Our President, his chief of staff, and the Senate Majority Leader have all sent messages to their opponents, their constituents, and the press. The new message seems to be; “this is how we’re going to proceed”.
I might be reading too much into it but, they sound a lot more assertive than they’ve been. I’ll take that as a good sign.
July 8th, 2009 at 1:52 am.
Q U E S T I O N:
When 70% of the public want some sort of ‘public option’ and the Representation in Congress is but just 2%…
… HOW IS THAT EVEN RESEMBLING A DEMOCRACY?
.
July 8th, 2009 at 2:17 am.
You mean to tell me that 538 people can DICTATE to the 3 million Americans to go get Cheney’d?
HA!
THAT’S NOT WHAT A DEMOCRACY LOOKS LIKE!
.
July 8th, 2009 at 2:17 am.
If America were a “real” democracy, 70% of Congress would want what the people want…
… But it’s not, really. You know.
.
July 8th, 2009 at 2:20 am.
Compromise… WARRANTLESS WIRETAPPING!
Compromise… ILLEGAL WAR!
Compromise… TORTURE!
Compromise… HABEAS CORPUS(later restored)
Compromise… FUNDING FOR CONTINUED WAR!
Compromise… ACCOUNTABILITY “OFF THE TABLE”
Compromise… SUBPOENAS!
Yea, we know what the Democrats and Republicans are good for…
… But at what cost to the general welfare of The People?
.
July 8th, 2009 at 2:24 amNo brainer…3/4 of the American public want the choice of a public health care plan – this should be the end of the story as we do elect a congress to vote in our interests.
As someone has already mentioned WE HAVE already compromised as we will not get a single payer but a public health form.
Why should we be guessing, wondering and worrying if Congress and the WH will let us have a competitive health plan? What kind of manipulative crap is this?
And why is Congress and the WH allowed to be so protective of the proven failed immoral for profit system in place?
There is something very wrong with this picture.
July 8th, 2009 at 3:13 am.
I WANT
CONGRESS
CARE !
.
July 8th, 2009 at 3:30 amWe have been through much with the last 8 years of bush and now trying to recover from his messes. If the public health plan crumbles and once again we are at the mercy of the greedy immoral for profit insurance co will the calm cease?
As it stands now, my health coverage is fine, but my head wants to explode every time I hear of the screw jobs on others and especially this wishy washy crap if we will be allowed public health care.
July 8th, 2009 at 3:33 amMax Anax junius -1 Says:
.
I WANT
CONGRESS
CARE !
Who are these people soaking up our money for their health care and taking their sweet time deciding on ours?
Congress should have the same care we have… that would end the madness.
July 8th, 2009 at 3:43 amAll this means to me is that they waffled…then they waffled on their waffling.
July 8th, 2009 at 5:25 amList of senators we need to be calling, writing to on Public Health Plan:
Democratic Opponents Of Public Option Called Out In Ad
1. Max Baucus,
2. Ben Nelson,
3. Kent Conrad,
4. Mary Landrieu,
5. Dianne Feinstein,
6. Jeff Bingaman, and
7. Blanche Lincoln
And of course
8. Joe LIEberman says no
9. Ron Wyden ? it is not clear yet.
callcongress.org:
The Thom Hartmann Radio Program
Coast to coast and around the world, providing talk radio for the rest of us…
Here is the main number for Congress – the Senate and House – in Washington, DC. 202 225-3121
Toll-free numbers, sponsored by a variety of sources, come and go, so this list may not be current (although we try to update it often). If you find dead numbers here, or know of numbers we could/should add, drop an email to thom at thomhartmann.com.
1 (800) 828 – 0498
July 8th, 2009 at 5:48 am1 (800) 614 – 2803
1 (866) 340 – 9281
1 (866) 338 – 1015
1 (877) 851 – 6437
Dianne Feinstein voted FOR Tom DeLay’s Medicare Part D; but she’s AGAINST the Public Option? What’s up with that? hmmmmm.
July 8th, 2009 at 6:02 amthankyou
July 8th, 2009 at 6:03 amjust posted on billpressshow.com:
Health Care: The Public Plan Option
These Democratic Senators have NOT agreed to support it:
go to Bill’s site for contact links for the following:
Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-AR)
Senator Tom Carper (D-DE)
Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA)
Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR)
Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL)
Senator Ben Nelson (D-NE)
Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA)
Senator Kent Conrad (D-ND)
Senator Max Baucus (D-MT)
Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA)
Senator Evan Bayh (D-IN)
Senator Mark Pryor (D-AR)
Senator Joe Lieberman (I-CT)
These names are reported by The Hill here and here
Update: Senator Kay Hagan (D-NC) says she supports a public option.
Update: Senator Jeff Binghaman (D-NM) says he supports a public option.
You can also contact the White House and voice your opinion
July 8th, 2009 at 6:20 amComments: 202-456-1111
Switchboard: 202-456-1414
Watching me some “Mornin’ Starbucks” right now and “Joke” is saying how the earth is shaking under Obama’s feet toward the right and how we CAN’T have healthcare now because the American people want jobs more and that Rahm “gets it”.
July 8th, 2009 at 6:32 amAll the while Mika and the basically unconscious Barnacle sit there in passive agrrment.
As Mika sits there with her hand wrapped her warm, and seemingly throbbing, Starbucks cup, I can’t help but think ‘why don’t you just bend over and blow “Joke” right now’?
Oh. then here comes Chuck Todd, then Pat Buchannan, and the way “
(sorry, I’ll finish now, and that should be ‘agreement’ above)
…and the way “Joke” is touting the Palin Poll #’s they must be positive.
July 8th, 2009 at 6:38 amTo think, all this ‘brewed by Starbucks’.
yeh Razor, could Mika be anymore fawning? And I love the way she and scabby sit so close to each other, it’s like they’re hiking the trail or something…
July 8th, 2009 at 8:57 amMika lost me once and for all last fall when she started defending Palin’s $150k+ clothing purchases. She had to back track so fast you can still see the skidmarks on the set!
PEACE
July 8th, 2009 at 9:07 amIs it a right or a privlidge to be an American Corporate slave????
SINGLE PAYER NOW!!!!
July 8th, 2009 at 9:36 amWhy is Rahm weighing in on this at all? He’s NOT a voting member of the Congress at this time. His job is to be the Chief of Staff to the President. He is supposed to make sure that everything runs smoothly.
I don’t understand this. Is anyone able to explain it?
July 8th, 2009 at 11:19 amHelen Rainier:
Like I said up above: This had BETTER be some sort of intriguing strategic maneuver, or it’s us getting the shaft.
Rahm has a lot of power, and the President’s ear. He is, traditionally, his number one advisor. So what Rahm says is pretty important. From what I’ve seen so far, if we don’t even end up with a public option, Rahm–AND Obama, of course, because The Buck Stops There–will be to blame.
July 8th, 2009 at 1:03 pmCall/e-mail/write Senators Harry Reid, Bernie Sanders, Chuck Shumer, Congresswoman Lynn Woolsley and Howard Dean….etc…with a GREAT BIG THANK YOU….!!!
July 8th, 2009 at 1:13 pmLet’s see if the President really meant what he said during the campaign. Things are going to look rather grim for him if he compromises on this Public Option. And it will look even worse for the Democrats that vote against it.
July 8th, 2009 at 4:24 pm