Yesterday we asked people to call their representative and let them know that they should stand up to Rahm Emanuel and demand "no triggers" in the House Democratic Caucus meeting last night.

It, um, worked:

Yesterday afternoon, Emanuel himself headed to Capitol Hill, where he heard complaints from liberal lawmakers. The idea of a trigger option is popular with conservative Democrats — but according to Roll Call, legislators the chief of staff met with yesterday told him its inclusion in a final health care package would cost the proposal their support, sinking the measure.

House Energy and Commerce Chairman Henry Waxman said Emanuel had said what members were hoping to hear. "He doesn’t stand by the trigger," Waxman told Roll Call. "He said the president and his administration and he are for a public plan as one of the options."

There are still plenty of ways for Rahm to screw up a public plan, the most likely being the acceptance of Kent Conrad’s co-op plan, which is something the White House is also actively pushing — or so I’ve heard.  But good job Raul Grijalva, co-chair of the Progressive Caucus, for showing impressive leadership on this  and creating the space for other members to step into. 

And bravo to MoveOn for stepping out and taking a bolder and more aggressive stance against Rahm’s inside moves than any progressive group has done yet:

"Can you call the White House switchboard and tell them you’re disappointed in Chief of Staff Emanuel’s comments supporting the ‘trigger’?" MoveOn asked in a message sent to supporters Tuesday. The e-mail included the number for the White House switchboard. "Tell them voters want a strong public health insurance option-not half-measures like the ‘trigger.’"

Yesterday truly was one of the most satisfying days of my entire life. Thanks to everyone who participated in "this is what you can do with your triggers, Rahm" day.