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Bill Clinton spoke to the Senate Democratic caucus today in support of health care reform. He urged them forward, telling assembled senators that this legislation is the smart thing to do politically, morally, and economically. Clinton’s pep talk should not make progressives cheer. He is still gun shy from his own failure, and he basically told the Senate Democrats to pass anything, and do it quickly. And I do mean pass anything.
First Read caught Clinton on his way into the Senate where he ran into Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME),
When former President Bill Clinton walked into the Capitol this afternoon for luncheon with Senate Democrats, he pushed a healthcare proposal championed by Republican Sen. Olympia Snowe. But based on the context of his comments he was probably more joking and courteous, than serious.
“I’m gonna tell them Olympia [Snowe] is right. They ought to follow Olympia,” he said with a big grin as he walked away. Snowe’s proposal would allow a public option to be “triggered” in states only if private companies failed to offer affordable insurance plans.
Sadly, I doubt that Clinton was joking at all. Rahm Emanuel, who has been pushing the trigger idea for almost a year, is a former senior advisor to President Clinton. A month ago, Bill Clinton openly endorsed Snowe’s trigger and called it a “good idea.” Clinton has never been a strong supporter of the public option, and he shares Rahm’s goal of getting anything passed and labeling it a win.
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My first thought as I saw a headline about the meeting was that no good would come of it. Almost like having the losing coach from last years Super Bowl come give this years team the halftime pep talk. I didn’t read it though, and the bit about him telling them to “pass anything” doesn’t surprise me. I expect he’s pushing for something that will enrich PhARMA and the insurance companies. I still think that’s also what Obama wants. It’s like, in many important ways, these guys–Bush included, come out of the same box.
Big Dog + Rahmbo=FAIL
I’m not sure how effective Clinton will be, but I think he’ll urge them to appease the conservative Dems and pass a bill — any bill. If I hadn’t heard his “half-a-loaf” speech from the Netroots Nation convention, this would surprise me. But having heard his pitch there, I have no doubt that he’ll be right in line with Rahm. This bill is just a notch in their lipstick case to them. They figure they’ll tweak it over the next few decades. But that is just not going to cut it this time. We need the absolute best bill we can get. This bill isn’t anything like the Medicare bill, but that’s they way they’d like to treat it.
Here’s what I hope Clinton tells them: get some spine.
Get what YOU want.
Then, I hope he shows a replay of Grassley yapping about ‘death panels,’ looks the Dems in the eyeballs and says, “are you really afraid of this screeching weenie?”
Kind of like the time that Lombardi put his head in the locker room door when his team was down at halftime, looked around, said, “Excuse me, ladies”, and left.
THAT kind of coaching.
Yeah, right, that’s gonna happen.
Remember, Rahm was Obama’s “sidekick.” Obama grabbed Rahm to “lead him through the paths of DeeCee.”
Clinton gave us such wonders as Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell; NAFTA and the repeal of Glass-Steagall.
Clinton’s mantra is “take a bill; any bill.” If the Repubs added an amendment re-establishing slavery, Clinton would counsel Obama to take it.