Comments on: Rockefeller Jumps on the “Blame Reid for Killing the Public Option” Bandwagon http://fdlaction.firedoglake.com/2009/10/16/rockefeller-jumps-on-the-blame-reid-for-killing-the-public-option-bandwagon/ Politics for liberal newsgeeks Sat, 18 Feb 2012 01:33:20 -0600 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 By: ProgThis http://fdlaction.firedoglake.com/2009/10/16/rockefeller-jumps-on-the-blame-reid-for-killing-the-public-option-bandwagon/#comment-54867 ProgThis Sat, 17 Oct 2009 04:48:12 +0000 http://fdlaction.firedoglake.com/?p=3453#comment-54867 Probably, but his son is also running for governor, which is another pressure point. Probably, but his son is also running for governor, which is another pressure point.

]]> By: interlocutor http://fdlaction.firedoglake.com/2009/10/16/rockefeller-jumps-on-the-blame-reid-for-killing-the-public-option-bandwagon/#comment-54861 interlocutor Sat, 17 Oct 2009 00:52:54 +0000 http://fdlaction.firedoglake.com/?p=3453#comment-54861 So let's say Reid loses his seat over killing the public option -- won't he just have some very fat consulting and lobbying positions waiting for him, just like his predecessor Daschle? So let’s say Reid loses his seat over killing the public option — won’t he just have some very fat consulting and lobbying positions waiting for him, just like his predecessor Daschle?

]]> By: GDC707 http://fdlaction.firedoglake.com/2009/10/16/rockefeller-jumps-on-the-blame-reid-for-killing-the-public-option-bandwagon/#comment-54860 GDC707 Sat, 17 Oct 2009 00:38:06 +0000 http://fdlaction.firedoglake.com/?p=3453#comment-54860 Nicely said. I almost choked up. Nicely said. I almost choked up.

]]> By: GDC707 http://fdlaction.firedoglake.com/2009/10/16/rockefeller-jumps-on-the-blame-reid-for-killing-the-public-option-bandwagon/#comment-54858 GDC707 Sat, 17 Oct 2009 00:27:53 +0000 http://fdlaction.firedoglake.com/?p=3453#comment-54858 Quite a story. For all of our sake, let's hope the man and his history meet the moment. Quite a story. For all of our sake, let’s hope the man and his history meet the moment.

]]> By: readerOfTeaLeaves http://fdlaction.firedoglake.com/2009/10/16/rockefeller-jumps-on-the-blame-reid-for-killing-the-public-option-bandwagon/#comment-54836 readerOfTeaLeaves Fri, 16 Oct 2009 21:51:50 +0000 http://fdlaction.firedoglake.com/?p=3453#comment-54836 ;-)) ;-))

]]> By: robspierre http://fdlaction.firedoglake.com/2009/10/16/rockefeller-jumps-on-the-blame-reid-for-killing-the-public-option-bandwagon/#comment-54817 robspierre Fri, 16 Oct 2009 19:26:12 +0000 http://fdlaction.firedoglake.com/?p=3453#comment-54817 My worry is that campaign donations are no longer a concern. His chances for reelection appear to be evaporating, though I have to think that delivering the public option would help him turn this around some. So I worry whether a cushy job with an AHIP member has been mentioned anywhere. My worry is that campaign donations are no longer a concern. His chances for reelection appear to be evaporating, though I have to think that delivering the public option would help him turn this around some. So I worry whether a cushy job with an AHIP member has been mentioned anywhere.

]]> By: cbl2 http://fdlaction.firedoglake.com/2009/10/16/rockefeller-jumps-on-the-blame-reid-for-killing-the-public-option-bandwagon/#comment-54811 cbl2 Fri, 16 Oct 2009 19:15:01 +0000 http://fdlaction.firedoglake.com/?p=3453#comment-54811 hey Jon, <a href="http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/10/16/794083/-Rockefeller-fires-warning-shot-at-Reid" rel="nofollow">Big Orange has the video</a> hey Jon,

Big Orange has the video

]]> By: ProgThis http://fdlaction.firedoglake.com/2009/10/16/rockefeller-jumps-on-the-blame-reid-for-killing-the-public-option-bandwagon/#comment-54806 ProgThis Fri, 16 Oct 2009 18:32:48 +0000 http://fdlaction.firedoglake.com/?p=3453#comment-54806 I think you're missing the point. Yes, the White House doesn't want a public option, because if it did, we wouldn't be having this fight. However, the form of the final bill is up to Reid - the White House is pushing Reid one way, and we are pulling him the other. Reid is now between a rock and a hard place. This is a campaign to make it more politically expedient to include the PO rather than exclude it. I think you’re missing the point. Yes, the White House doesn’t want a public option, because if it did, we wouldn’t be having this fight. However, the form of the final bill is up to Reid – the White House is pushing Reid one way, and we are pulling him the other.

Reid is now between a rock and a hard place. This is a campaign to make it more politically expedient to include the PO rather than exclude it.

]]> By: texasprogressive http://fdlaction.firedoglake.com/2009/10/16/rockefeller-jumps-on-the-blame-reid-for-killing-the-public-option-bandwagon/#comment-54804 texasprogressive Fri, 16 Oct 2009 18:29:22 +0000 http://fdlaction.firedoglake.com/?p=3453#comment-54804 Sometimes it is good to remember that you get more flies with honey than vinegar. Threatening Reid at this time is not necessarily a good thing at all. Here's the note I emailed to him earlier (thanks to the person who provided the link to his email): Majority Leader Reid, I thank you for your service to the nation. I know it is difficult herding cats in the Senate, with or without 60 votes, and you have done a fine job as Leader. On health care reform, I believe you are personally in a unique position at this auspicious moment in time. You have the power to ensure that REAL reform happens, and without a strong public option, it cannot. I urge you to insert a provision for a strong public option for health insurance in the bill you take to the floor, and take appropriate measures to ensure its passage. The outpouring of gratitude and support for you will be overwhelming. The president and your Democratic colleagues in Congress (and hopefully, some Republicans as well) will share in the appreciation, but history will remember that, when the chips were down, Leader Reid is the man who stood tall, and did what was best for both the people of his State and of the United States. People will remember that YOU made meaningful health care reform a reality in America. The hopes, dreams, and aspirations--dare I say the lives--of so many Americans are now in your capable hands. It is certainly a great responsibility, but one I am certain you will fulfill. Thank you for considering my perspective, and best wishes in your deliberations. Regards, Sometimes it is good to remember that you get more flies with honey than vinegar. Threatening Reid at this time is not necessarily a good thing at all.
Here’s the note I emailed to him earlier (thanks to the person who provided the link to his email):

Majority Leader Reid, I thank you for your service to the nation. I know it is difficult herding cats in the Senate, with or without 60 votes, and you have done a fine job as Leader.

On health care reform, I believe you are personally in a unique position at this auspicious moment in time. You have the power to ensure that REAL reform happens, and without a strong public option, it cannot.

I urge you to insert a provision for a strong public option for health insurance in the bill you take to the floor, and take appropriate measures to ensure its passage. The outpouring of gratitude and support for you will be overwhelming.

The president and your Democratic colleagues in Congress (and hopefully, some Republicans as well) will share in the appreciation, but history will remember that, when the chips were down, Leader Reid is the man who stood tall, and did what was best for both the people of his State and of the United States. People will remember that YOU made meaningful health care reform a reality in America.

The hopes, dreams, and aspirations–dare I say the lives–of so many Americans are now in your capable hands. It is certainly a great responsibility, but one I am certain you will fulfill.

Thank you for considering my perspective, and best wishes in your deliberations.

Regards,

]]> By: SomeGuy http://fdlaction.firedoglake.com/2009/10/16/rockefeller-jumps-on-the-blame-reid-for-killing-the-public-option-bandwagon/#comment-54799 SomeGuy Fri, 16 Oct 2009 17:44:30 +0000 http://fdlaction.firedoglake.com/?p=3453#comment-54799 I hope what Sen. Schumer and Sen. Rockefeller are doing will help encourage Sen. Reid to put a strong public option in the bill. Another thing that may encourage Sen. Reid is his recent promise to Nevada residents. <a href="http://www.lvrj.com/news/breaking_news/Reid-Final-health-bill-will-have-a-public-option-63155937.html" rel="nofollow">Link to Oct first article</a> "We are going to have a public option before this bill goes to the president's desk," Reid said in a conference call with constituents, referring to some kind of government plan. "I believe the public option is so vitally important to create a level playing field and prevent the insurance companies from taking advantage of us" Sen. Reid has a personal history that also may make him more likely to support a strong public option. He was raised poor in a small cabin with no indoor toilet or hot running water. His father was an alcoholic miner. His mother took in laundry from the local brothels. When his mother lost her teeth she could not afford dentures until Sen. Reid went out and earned the money. When he says he wants to help the poor get affordable healthcare, I believe it. I read some posts from people I assume are Democrats that say they hope Sen. Reid gets beaten by a Republican. I don't agree with that at all. Maybe he is not the Leader they want, but it is possible that he could be replaced as Leader by someone even more conservative. Also, it is not required that he continue to be the Leader forever if he is reelected. I hope what Sen. Schumer and Sen. Rockefeller are doing will help encourage Sen. Reid to put a strong public option in the bill.

Another thing that may encourage Sen. Reid is his recent promise to Nevada residents.
Link to Oct first article
“We are going to have a public option before this bill goes to the president’s desk,” Reid said in a conference call with constituents, referring to some kind of government plan.
“I believe the public option is so vitally important to create a level playing field and prevent the insurance companies from taking advantage of us”

Sen. Reid has a personal history that also may make him more likely to support a strong public option. He was raised poor in a small cabin with no indoor toilet or hot running water. His father was an alcoholic miner. His mother took in laundry from the local brothels. When his mother lost her teeth she could not afford dentures until Sen. Reid went out and earned the money. When he says he wants to help the poor get affordable healthcare, I believe it.

I read some posts from people I assume are Democrats that say they hope Sen. Reid gets beaten by a Republican. I don’t agree with that at all. Maybe he is not the Leader they want, but it is possible that he could be replaced as Leader by someone even more conservative. Also, it is not required that he continue to be the Leader forever if he is reelected.

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