What We Learned from the Supplemental: If Obama Wants a Public Plan, the Blue Dogs Will Do It

Note:  I’ll be on ABC’s Topline with Rick Klein and David Chalian today at noon ET, which broadcasts live here — jh

Ten-dimensional chess is largely a spectator sport, but the battle over the supplemental makes some of the mechanics of Obama’s game a bit less open to speculation from hereon in.

Obama whipped the Blue Dogs personally on the supplemental, had them over to the White House, called them and pressured them. So did Larry Summers and Rahm. Hillary Clinton, Jim Jones, Robert Gates and anyone else with a pulse were calling those whose votes were sought. Those who voted against the bill would be "enabling the terrorists" and "voting against the troops."

Here was the scene in the Democratic caucus:

When Democrats filed into their caucus meeting around noon on Tuesday, Pelosi was still 10 votes short.

House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.) put wavering members on the spot, calling out names from his whip list. He asked them in front of their colleagues whether they would support the bill. Despite Pelosi’s plea that the president needed their votes, many said no.

Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) told his colleagues that, “If we pass this, it will be our war.” Ardent supporters of Israel, worried that the IMF money could wind up in the hands of Iran, said they would oppose it. Rep. Donna Edwards (D-MD), a newer member who was among the most heavily lobbied by leaders, told leadership she wouldn’t switch her vote.

“They kept saying ‘no,’ ” said one member.

But the pitch worked on Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), who came out of the caucus saying she would switch and vote "yes."

"I do believe my president is a peacemaker," Schakowsky said. "I’m going to give him what he wants."

Every single Blue Dog* voted for the supplemental, despite the fact that they had huge concerns about the enormous price tag, and it went totally against their "fiscal responsibility" mantra. Jim Cooper is in trouble in his own largely African-America district because Nashville Metro General Hospital is in danger of shutting down, and Cooper doesn’t believe in earmarks. He voted against the supplemental the first time, and even he switched at Obama’s request, despite the fact that the IMF funding, Clunkers, and flu preparedness had been added to the bill by the time it came to a vote.

This morning we learn that the Blue Dogs are meeting with "moderate" Republicans and the New Democrats to try and derail a public plan.

But now we know what it looks like when the administration truly brings pressure to bear on an issue they care about. If Obama does the same on healthcare, there can be little doubt that the Blue Dogs will respond likewise. . . and we will have a public plan.

Correction — Howie Klein points out that Michael Michaud to his principles.