Well! We are having some effect!

Now if he can just apply that “stop chasing Republican votes” rule across the board, we may get somewhere this session.
Thanks for the update.

Well Now – It looks like ‘Letter Writing Harry’ doesn’t like that his leadership status is being challenged by Schumer. I am hopeful that he actually means what he says – I am also hopeful that the 10-15 number was actually low but it is in the ‘ball park’ of what Jane and Chris Bowers have discussed as being the Progressive Block in the Senate (13) and the House (40+).

The only thing worse than Reid being leader who is up for reelection soon.. is Baucus who is thinking about how much insurance industry income he can rake in when he retires at the end of his term.

Considering what I know about Baucus and my Senator Lincoln, who sits on the finance committee with him.. I say just throw all of their “work” out.

Appreciate all your work Marisa. I had some stuff metaphorically explode yesterday and today. I hope by tomorrow afternoon to be able to hit the calls hard.

The two calls I did make today were really positive. The staffers I talked with “got it,” and expressed their appreciation for me calling.

I just got this from BarackObama.com and thought it might be an indicator as to how Obama really feels … But I do have my Tinfoil hat on just in case!!

As we speak, key committees in Congress are weighing options and making final decisions about how to tackle health care reform. This could be one of the last opportunities to shape the legislation before it’s written.

The behind-the-scenes committee negotiations aren’t front-page news, but the lobbyists trying to block reform are following every detail, and they won’t miss a day. If the final plan is to uphold President Obama’s principles of reduced costs, guaranteed choice — including the choice of a robust public insurance option — and quality care for all, your voice must be heard.

Please write a short letter to the editor of your local paper expressing your support for President Obama’s three principles for real health care reform, and asking your Congressional representatives to do the same. You can write and submit your letter in just a few minutes using our simple online tool.

These letters are an easy but powerful way to make a difference. The letters section is one of the most-read parts of the newspaper, and decision-makers in Congress and the media watch it closely to gauge where the public stands.

Good letters are usually just two or three short paragraphs. You can just explain that you’re a local resident who knows we need real health care reform following the President’s three principles, and we need it now. If you have a personal experience with the health care system that motivates you, that will make the letter even more powerful.

The opponents of real reform have deep pockets and insider access, and they’re holding nothing back in their drive to derail progress before the plans go public.

Your letter, submitted at this time, can help remind your representatives that the American people are counting on them to stand up to special interests and deliver the comprehensive reform we so desperately need.

http://my.barackobama.com/healthcareletter

Thanks for all that you do,

Mitch

Mitch Stewart
Director
Organizing for America

P.S. — These letters are a vital first step. Stay tuned for other critical ways to organize locally and make a difference in this campaign. We can only win this thing if we all work together every step of the way.

Ho boy, wait till the regulars get here!

I’m skeptical of this. Even if true, which is debatable considering it’s a classic anonymous sources only “report,” it doesn’t fit the M.O. of Obama’s leadership.

Obama has been very consistent to reframe Repubs as “obstructionists,” which will help Dems greatly in future elections, instead of the Dems as obstructionists, which has dominated the BigMedia storylines over the last few decades.

A headline like this is a definite speedbump toward that end. I suppose they could’ve decided to throw some bones to actual Liberals (i.e. the 70% of public that supports a public option), but having spent years being frustrated by Reid, to the point of believing that he purposely undermines any actual Liberal reform, I’ll need more proof that Reid actually feels this way before believing it.

How long you think it’ll be before Al Franken becomes vilified by those same “regulars,” since he can’t possibly vote exactly the way “we” want him to every time? A few days? Weeks?

Soon come mon. “It’s our job as progressives to hold their feet. . .blah fucking blah”

That’s one of the most honest direct call for action I’ve seen from team O since election day.

And what are you, irregular? /s

How’d you know? :) Old and in the way is more like it I guess!

My take on this is that Reid continues to play a passive role. The difference is that progressive Dems have drawn a line in the sand, and Reid can count. Reid’s one of those people (unfortunately, Pelosi is another) who think that getting a bill, any bill, passed is what is important, so they can brag about it in fundraising letters and get re-elected. So if gutting the bill completely would get it passed, he’d take it, because he doesn’t really care about the details. But there are only maybe 4-5 Republicans who would vote for any possible bill, and that won’t make up for the loss of 10 or more Democrats. So while Reid won’t lead, he can at least count.

one of my favorite albums.

And group as well:

Old and in the Way

* Jerry Garcia – Banjo and vocals
* David Grisman – Mandolin and vocals
* Peter Rowan – Guitar and vocals
* Richard Greene – Fiddle (3-2-1973 to 5-25-1973)
* Vassar Clements – Fiddle (6-5-1973 to 4-28-1974)
* John Kahn – Acoustic bass
* John Hartford – Fiddle (relieved Richard Greene during rehearsal sessions)

Peter played here a while back with Tony Rice. What a show.

And absolute best. band. name. evah.

This is a ploy to get “yous” to ease off your calling & drumbeat.I will believe it when it happens.Do not ease up on your calling for significant health reform for chrissakes!

I was tempted to say “Finally, Reid grew a pair,” but I’m afraid his “pair” is rented, not grown, and he’ll be turning them back in soon. (”Here, you can have these back. Golly, were they uncomfortable!”

Hopefully he’ll keep them long enough to get the job done on the public option, but I only trust Reid to compromise meaningful legislation out of existence.

somehow i’m more suspicious when reid starts making these calls, given his own detailed history of offering dubious leadership and blocking progressive issues.

so Reid must be thinking of running for re-election AS A DEMOCRAT

about fucking time

It’s called leadership. Something I expect from Reid and a lot of Democrats, without success. When does this too-little-too-late leader actually lead? Oh, that would be next election in 2010. Is there anyone in the Democratic wing of the Democratic party in Nevada who could actually oppose him?

I think if I were “to Palinize” this that Reid’s actions are really just a case of “even a blind hog can find an acorn,” than anything else.

Dare we hope?

“Sanders,Dean Tell Rahm/Baucus: Real Reform or No Dice. UPDATE 2: WOOLSEY TELLS IT TO RAHM!”

http://www.dailykos.com/storyo…..hm-Baucus:

beg to differ, noodles

palin is a blind hog, and she MIGHT SAY she found an acorn

but look closer

that’s a piece of shit hanging out in her mouth …

Harry should lead the way. He should stop enabling those GOP health care vote chasers.

Most importantly, Can the Senate Dems foil any sound of filibuster on any health care bill?

Can the Senate Dems foil any sound of filibuster on any health care bill?

I don’t know about the Senate Dems

but if that ”sound” has a name attached to it, ”We The People” can fuck him up pretty bad

after bush’s Iraq folly, I don’t think a repuglitard wants to try being fiscally conservative about America’s health care

the fookin Iraqis got health care

and we’re payin for it

I hope the Republicans do filibuster, and that Reid will keep his rented pair long enough to make them do it instead of caving at the threat. Let them stand there day after day, blocking health care reform while the cameras are rolling.