updated
“(Barack Obama) supported the public option. He did not fight for it.” – David Gregory to David Axelrod
via Huffington Post, by the Chicago Tribune
Well, as with the late Tim Russert, once again with David Gregory on “Meet the Press,” women are not seen or heard at a time when abortion politics has been at the center of the healthcare debate. (I’ve been covering this reality for years.) That women also pay more for health insurance evidently doesn’t meet the “Meet the Press” standards for being included in the debate. That says it all, not only about the continuing If It’s Sunday, It’s Misogyny, but also why women like Senators Boxer and Murray felt pressure to give Sen. Nelson his Lieberman. Giving credit where it’s due, however, he did confront Axelrod on Obama’s support for the public option.
Joe Biden jumps in for the boss as well.
Listening to David Axelrod say that Obama’s mandate won’t got above 8% of anyone’s income if they can’t afford it, I just did the math. Democrats are simply clueless about what the middle class are experiencing financially. The current Senate health care bill proves it beyond any doubts.
One person I always rely on where politics is concerned is my husband. He’s a blue collar guy and recovering Republican. Mark is also a regular voter who doesn’t spend his every waking hour, like I do, digesting political (and foreign policy) minutia into the middle of the night. He was a die hard Hillary person who proudly voted for Obama, including singing his praises during 2008. Mark took off work and drove me to Denver for the convention, which was quite an experience for us both. So, I asked him what he thought about where everything stood as of today on the health care bill, after Nelson got his Lieberman. He looked at me and asked one question: Would you support this bill if Republicans had put it together?
–Insert cackle here– Republicans have had decades to put together health care legislation, which they have no clue how to write.
The job I have is not an activist or a movement progressive, it’s as a political analyst. So, I understand that at this point Pres. Obama and the Democrats are trying to save themselves after an abysmally bad year of absent leadership, thinking they have to get a “win,” no matter what it looks like. I’ve got plenty of colleagues, friends, readers, and podcast leaders who are emailing me saying Dems have to pass this bill, some willing to even accept the current Senate bill as it now exists. The latter group are wrong and have lost all credibility, especially with women, the elderly, but also the middle class, who would be mandated to buy insurance without cost saving measures built in.
But do I believe what Vice President Biden wrote today?
If the bill passes the Senate this week, there will be more chances to make changes to it before it becomes law. But if the bill dies this week, there is no second chance to vote yes.
The bill as it is today is unacceptable. But if it isn’t passed into conference we will never know what we could have gotten. As a political analyst that’s a very important point that cannot be ignored.
The question is whether the Democratic progressives, particularly those in the House, are strong enough to take on the Democratic establishment. Speaker Pelosi has already proved she will do anything, including invite religious leaders into the room to write legislation, just like the right-wing Republicans do, to get Pres. Obama health care. Unlike the boss, however, her caucus is afraid of her, because she knows how to play hardball. Obama clearly does not. So, anyone thinking this bill is likely to be changed in conference, given the urgency of economic and job issues facing Pres. Obama, is dreaming. There is also no way any Democrat will vote to scuttle even a bad bill. The politics of abject failure is just so much greater than the politics of ineptitude for writing a bad bill.
What matters most is how you feel about what’s going on. I’d like to hear from you.
For me, as I’ve already written, it’s immoral and political suicide, looking long-term, to force Americans to pay for insurance inside a market that is a monopoly, without any choice to keep costs down. But it’s a catch-22, because without the mandate rates will be higher. That’s why the public option compromise is so important, even one with an opt-out, or even Medicare buy-in. As for the abortion debate, “Meet the Press” today illustrates that even as 2010 dawns, our issues aren’t seen as important enough to include us in the discussion.
Finally and depressingly, the bottom line remains that Pres. Obama didn’t suit up for this fight. If he had we might not be where we are today.
I’m sick of talking about “women’s issues!!! Who do they think they are??? More than half the population?! Isn’t it time to lean very heavily on Bart Stupidpak? If anyone in this country doesn’t deserve to have a Merry Christmas, he’s the guy. Peace
heh-heh… good one, Imhotep.
As for “Stupidpak,” yep, it sure as hell is.
“The question is whether the Democratic progressives, particularly those in the House, are strong enough to take on the Democratic establishment”
Do you REALLY consider that a “question”?
Of course they aren’t.
After nine years of seeing the Democratic party exhibit epic cowardice on a full range of issues, even after regaining the majority, you somehow think they are now going to morph themselves into creatures with backbones? They are so lacking in spine that if we could tilt Congress on its side, we could pour the lot of them into a Sparkletts bottle.
Sparkletts bottle?
heya secularh. Yeah, that one doesn’t hit for me either. Jelly jar, maybe…
Obama is a bit too dainty it appears for the work of “change we can believe in.”
Read it and weep:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/health/chi-health-lobbyists_bddec20,0,5453763,print.story
Taylor, you really did sum up my personal feelings on the health care legislation with the Dylan Ratigan post. Our political system is broken and it fills me with a piss-off-ed-ness I really can’t put into words. The mollification of white males with limits on abortion is the icing on the cake. Burqas for women of childbearing years is just around the corner…red, white and blue of course! Keep up the good work.
“Jelly jar, maybe…”
Too small. Remember, Obama’s head hasta fit in too.
Thanks barb. You cannot believe how many people I heard from over that Dylan Ratigan post. I sure will. Merry Christmas, and thanks for stopping by to comment.
I want to hear from as many people as possible on this one. It’s just so important.
PissedOffAmerican says:
20 December 2009 at 12:35 pm
OUCH.
Great post, Taylor. As was the Ratigan piece.
What I’ve heard from the Democratic Party to “progressive” voters:
“Where else are you going to go?”
“It’s better than nothing.”
“It’s better than the Republicans.”
“Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good.”
“Be afraid. Be very, very afraid, because if we don’t pass something now, no future president and congress ever will! This is it. The very last chance that will ever happen. Ever.”
“Besides, you can trust us. It’s just a first — though an amazingly, incredibly historically significiant, last chance — first step. We’ll make it better. Someday. Like happened with SS, with Medicare; well, okay, those are government run and this is insurance company run, but still. You can trust us.”
“And besides, where else are you going to go?”
So I’m wondering — how many voters will, in fact, find / help create somewhere else to go? And how many just not bother “going” any more?
“Be afraid. Be very, very afraid, because if we don’t pass something now, no future president and congress ever will! This is it. The very last chance that will ever happen. Ever.”
Obama apparently thinks all future presidents will be as unprincipled and spineless as he. He doesn’t believe there will ever be a POTUS who really cares about the PEOPLE of the United States.
I think he’s wrong.
Joyce Arnold says:
20 December 2009 at 1:17 pm (Edit)
Great post, Taylor. As was the Ratigan piece.
Dylan Ratigan has invited me on his show tomorrow, 9 a.m. eastern, to discuss the topics in that piece, Joyce. Let’s just hope the driver can make it to my house, then back to MSNBC in DC in time!
I noticed it, too, as Taylor mentioned – no women on MTP today. Interesting. I have to say in my gut I agree with Howard Dean and Tavis Smiley. In my head, I see the pragmatic side. I guess I have to have some hope that this bill will be improved upon in the future, but maybe I’m just trying to convince myself of that. You hear so many different things out of Washington – even within one party – it’s hard to know what to believe. I did notice David Axlerod was very polite toward Dr. Dean on MTP – I guess Dean isn’t insane today.
One question for anyone out there who may have information on this: Is there any study that’s been done as to the number of jobs that would open up if the Medicare buy-in for ages 55 and up was passed?? (basically people retiring if they could have secure health coverage) The buy-in could serve 3 purposes: 1) a foundation for a public option, 2) health coverage for the 55-65′ers which is one of the hardest hit groups with job loss and age discrimination in jobs, and 3) a jobs creator. I know Liebermouse scuttled the idea but I was just wondering.
Taylor Marsh says:
20 December 2009 at 1:34 pm
Oh Taylor, that’s great! I’ll be watching.
Great Lynnette, I just hope we can get there on time!
…and just like was expected:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/12/20/conrad-senate-health-care_n_398459.html
Sen. Kent Conrad (D-N.D.) asserted on Sunday that the Senate’s version of health care legislation will, by and large, be the final product, even though negotiators in the House and Senate have yet to merge their respective bills.
The North Dakota Democrat, during an appearance on Fox News Sunday, offered a reading of the political tea leaves, predicting that several conservative Democratic senators would abandon reform if too many changes were made to the current legislative compromise.
“It is very clear that the final bill that passed in the United States Senate is going too have to be very close to the bill that is being negotiated here,” he said. “Otherwise you will not get 60 votes in the United States Senate. So, look, this is a bill that does reduce the deficit according to the independent expert. This is a bill that expands coverage to 30 million people. This is a bill that will begin to control the cost explosion, has got critically important insurance reforms, delivery system reforms, so those who say kill the bill, I think, have really missed the boat.”
The conference committee negotiations between the House and Senate should be a very delicate process, for the reason that Conrad notes. But House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Cali.) has insisted that the Senate’s version of reform is not going to be the final product. And on everything from affordability provisions to pay-for mechanisms, she and others seem poised to try and pull the Senate bill toward the House’s version.
Money determined what happened to this health care bill.
As long as progressives and liberals will not take the funders of conservatives like Joe Lieberman, Ben Nelson, Max Baucus, as economic hostages I will continue to see progressive bloghorrea but no real progressive legislation.
http://www.democratz.org
http://bit.ly/traitorjoe
I will continue to see progressive bloghorrea but no real progressive legislation.
Everyone should thank their angels for new media or you wouldn’t have any power at all, including being read or heard, let alone have Howard Dean and Markos push back on the White House on MTP.
UPDATE ON DYLAN RATIGAN… Not tomorrow, which I’m not in the least sorry about given the weather (not to mention that my hairdresser had to cancel Saturday due to weather!). Will likely be doing it later in the week. Stay tuned.
I am now hearing that stock prices of the major insurers have just shot up.
They did already, POA.
http://www.bespokeinvest.com/bespoke/2009/12/health-care-etfs-catch-fire.html
http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/patients/articles/?storyId=31736
PLUS…
http://www.rollcall.com/news/41780-1.html
CBO Says Error Means Less Longer-Term Savings After 2019
By David M. Drucker
Roll Call Staff
Dec. 20, 2009, 1:58 p.m.
The Congressional Budget Office on Sunday sent a letter to Senate leaders informing them that an error in its analysis of the health care reform bill has resulted in less estimated deficit savings projected for the decade after 2019.
I disagree that Obama “didn’t suit up for this”. It seems more likely that, as has been stated by some observers deep inside the process, Obama got precisely the result he was aiming for. The Obama-Rahm strategy appears to be Clinton-style corporatism and triangulation. All major policy initiatives have been handed over to corporate lobbyists. So the Obama-Geithner delivery of TARP was devised by Goldman, our health care “reform” was written by AHIP & PhRMA, our Afghanistan / Pakistan strategy was constructed by Halliburton, KBR, Blackwater, et al., and our Copenhagen “breakthrough” came from Exxon-Mobil, Koch, and Big Fat Coal.
At the same time, they are quite happy to dodge (rather than address)all “wedge” issues, like abortion, DADT, DOMA, immigration, or anything the uttermost right and religious insane can dream up. Obama-Rahm are unconcerned over trifling issues (like equal rights for all) which have no direct influence over the profits of the corporations being protected.
This does not bode well. I foresee three more years of Obama-Rahm assisted corporate looting while progressives are pummeled, deflected and distracted by assaults against basic rights – anti-LGBT, anti-women, anti-minority attacks from people like Stupak & Nelson. Not only does the White House NOT take a stand or any appropriate action, Rahm actually appears to encourage these kind of attacks in order to suppress or intimidate those of us who are not members of their corporatist gang.
Running primary challenges and backing independents against Blue Dogs and phony “moderates” or “centrists” (i.e., corporate tools) looks like progressives’ strongest weapon, but we need to organize something more politically effective than just the blogosphere. Is it time for a formally distinct “Progressive Caucus” within the Democratic party, or even a separate “Progressive Party”? A lot of folks who would otherwise just stay home in 2010 might be energized to support a credible alternative to both the Rs and the Ds, with whom we are truly fed-up.
“I disagree that Obama “didn’t suit up for this”. It seems more likely that, as has been stated by some observers deep inside the process, Obama got precisely the result he was aiming for. The Obama-Rahm strategy appears to be Clinton-style corporatism and triangulation. All major policy initiatives have been handed over to corporate lobbyists. So the Obama-Geithner delivery of TARP was devised by Goldman, our health care “reform” was written by AHIP & PhRMA, our Afghanistan / Pakistan strategy was constructed by Halliburton, KBR, Blackwater, et al., and our Copenhagen “breakthrough” came from Exxon-Mobil, Koch, and Big Fat Coal”
Considering how Paul and Kucinich were sidelined from the electoral process by the corporate media and the two party’s elite, I fail to see how anyone could find mgloraine’s essay less than credible. I have maintained all along that Obama was a “Trojan Horse”, who, rather than truly representing change, was actually placed in office by an unprecedented media marketing extravaganza to continue the status quo rape of the American middle class to the benefit of global corporate interests.
sen franken was deployed to dkos to try and persuad bloggers to back the hcare bill.the leadership must be really freaking out to do this. franken is getting hosed with 2000 comments 99pct opposed. i wonder if franken’s staff even bothered to read the reactions to his post? they could get an education.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/12/20/817142/-A-Historic-Step-Forward:-Why-Im-Supporting-The-Senate-Health-Reform-Bill
It appears that mgloraine and I aren’t the only ones that see Obama as a false reformer. DonS over at TWN sees things ver much as mgloraine and I do….
http://www.thewashingtonnote.com/archives/2009/12/what_do_you_thi/#comment-147625
BTW, Taylor, Steve has linked to your site as an update on his commentary on health care.
mgloraine, upthread I asked, “how many voters will, in fact, find / help create somewhere else to go?” (thinking of the oft repeated assumption to “progressives” that there is no where else to go). What you say, “Is it time for a formally distinct “Progressive Caucus” within the Democratic party, or even a separate “Progressive Party”?” is the kind of thing I’m seeing around the blogs. I’m thinking the same.
Taylor, please keep us updated on the Ratigan appearance.
POA
You and I agree again. You called Obama a Trojan Horse – 2 years ago I called him a Manchurian Candidate. I never meant he was beholden to any foreign nation – only that he was quite simply not as what he presented himself to be.
Taylor
Congratulations on the invite – I’m swure we’ll all be watching for it. I certainly will be. It’ll bee nice to see issues addressed rather than all concern being about the “personality.”
I am pissed off too. And I am tired of being pissed off. It is high time that we DO something.
In my humble opinion I think that we the progressive community are just as bad, as our counterparts in the House and Senate. As soon as Obama sends forth one of his minions to placate us we cave as quickly as any senator or representative at the thought of a bundled fundraiser. So what should we do? WE need a scalp. WE need to stand on our principles — just ONCE. Recently there was some talk about a primary for Sen. Blanche Lincoln IF she filibustered HCR as she was threatening to do. Lincoln is a Blue Dog so why even bother to wait? Why even threaten?
The second she began acting against our interests we should have selected and FUNDED our own primary candidate to run against her. Showdown in Arkansas; Netroots vs the Insurance companies. That’s where all the silly petition money should go — something people could SEE — instead of all these lost causes. RIGHT now, no one really takes us seriously. WE need to WIN something. If we pick her off, only then will we be taken as seriously as we deserve to be.
Finally, it appears to me, that Barak Obama is a softie eager to please his listeners and avoid confrontation at any cost. He will appease those who most vigorously oppose him as he has an almost desperate need to win them over; at the same time those who are charmed by him will be the first to be thrown under the bus as he feels they may always be the first to forgive him.
http://tinyurl.com/yds68ce
Did White House Pressure FDA To Help Kill Measure To Make Drugs Cheaper?
Justin Elliott | December 18, 2009, 3:08PM
After the Food and Drug Administration fired off a letter that helped kill a measure fiercely opposed by the drug industry, one Democratic senator is accusing the Obama White House of using the FDA — which is supposed to offer apolitical opinions — as a bludgeon.
The drug importation amendment to the health reform bill, which would have saved the government and consumers billions of dollars by allowing prescription purchases from Canada and elsewhere, was killed in the Senate late Tuesday with an assist from the FDA letter. The 51-48 vote fell short of the 60 votes needed.
The letter from FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg that raised the specter of “significant safety concerns” not fully addressed in the amendment was seized on by opponents of the measure. “This is a matter of life or death,”
pleaded Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ). (We’ve posted the letter here.)
Long opposed by industry — but championed by President Obama during the 2008 campaign — drug importation is an idea that the Obama Administration still supports in concept, according to the FDA letter. But Hamburg wrote the bipartisan Senate amendment, sponsored by Byron Dorgan (D-ND), didn’t solve “safety issues” and presented a “logistically challenging” structure.
But in an interview with the Wall Street Journal this week, Dorgan said his amendment would set up a totally safe system, and accused the White House of initiating or influencing the FDA letter. Here’s how Dorgan says it went down — and how the FDA responded in an interview with us:
continues…
Ramsgate, I certainly could be wrong, but I don’t think Lincold never threatened a filibuster. I think she is the only Blue Dog in the Senate up for re-election. My recollections is Jane Hamsher of Fire Dog Lake dared her to filibuster – not the Lincol ever threatened it.
Seems to me, that eventhough they aren’t facing an eminent election campaign, there are a lot of others deserving progressive attention – Dorgan, Nelson, Stupak, Lieberman, and oh well the list is too long. Seems that Landrieu (who called in chits on behalf of her constituency) and Lincol, too many, are deserving of special ire.
Correction = Seems that Landrieu (who called in chits on behalf of her constituency) and Lincoln, to many, are deserving of special ire. They aren’t.
Sorry folks.
I could be wrong but I think Jane dared her to filibuster after she heard Lincoln make the threat.
Taylor!!! Can’t wait to see you on Dylan’s show tomorrow! Fantastic !
The larger point here is that there was not one single so called progressive who was willing to stand on principle. Someone who believed in the public option, or the Medicare buy-in strongly enough that s/he would stand for it the way the the Blue Dogs or those on the right stood for what they said they believed in. Not even Burris, and he’s retiring for Chrissakes. Not Sanders, Not Feingold, Not Franken, Not Weiden. Not Boxer. Not Harken. Not Rockefeller. Not one. A parade of spinelessness. Every one of them caved. Disgusting. Where are the liberal stalwarts?
If Howard Dean were in the Senate he said he’d vote No. That’s principle.
What people must realize is corporations and corporate media will not allow a real progressive (Gore-Dean) become president. Nor will they allow even a tougher than a man Hillary to advance w/o the must scabrous and sexist language. Why? Because feminists and maternal, nurturing, values are the greatest threat to the Darwinistic credos of corporations.
OKay — Later then Taylor — on Dylan’s show
As usual liberals who are concerned for the welfare of others are caught in a typical knot. If the bill is killed (which is not going to happen) real people will suffer. This will give some people immediate relief.
The true problems are not going to show up for a while. I’m afraid what is going to happen is that people will be forced into crappy products that have a premimum they can barely pay along with huge out of pocket costs and co pays. So they will be scraping to pay premiums but unable to afford preventitive care. We will have made very little progress at a high cost.
It seems that eventually a movement will have to heave up out of the disaster and by that I mean the disaster that is the Obama Administration. There has to be a populist movement,no big change has ever happened without it. Civil rights,women’s rights and the end to the war in Viet Nam came from movements.Right now the only populist energy is on the right.Yes,I agree with others on this thread today we need to start organizing.
http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog/2009/10/health_options_coming.aspx
I don;t think Lincoln has said such. She has had a spokesman equivocate – but I don;t think a direct response. I stand to be corrected. As I’ve said before Pryor and Lincoln are my Senators. Neither is progressive enough for my taste but each is infinitely better than any suggested alternative. I just think Lincoln has taken an unusual amount and an unjustifiable amount of heat in relative to her male colleagues.
Put the money against the real cowards and turncoats. There’s quite a number to choose from.
I just returned from diaries 44 after checking to see if they got my holiday wishes. They did and Betsy wanted me to convey her best wishes to everybody here at TM.
djjl..I had not thought of it that way,re: Blanche Lincoln and you are right there is plenty of blame to pass around. Many Blue Dogs,like my Sen. McCaskill have been hiding behind Lincoln and Nelson and Lieberman letting them take the heat.
Hi Lake Lady
And Lincoln is the one with her neck on the line – NOW. No, I don;t expect her to sell out her principles – or lie about where he principles are – but I also don’t expect that she should be knifed in the back for convenience sake and the comfort of the good ole boys club that insulates the likes of many of the others.
When I watched the young people and collegian women in adulation of Obama, I wondered if they knew what was at stake and what they were doing. All my hope lies in that I believe Obama is very intelligent and may want to insure his “legacy” is one of a Wall Street/banking industry/corporate shill.
I still think that a draft may be due.
again, sorry “not one of a Wall Street/banking industry, corporate shill.”
“Lake Lady says:
20 December 2009 at 6:09 pm
As usual liberals who are concerned for the welfare of others ”’”
Reminds of the drop bt the other day counseling us on how we didn;t have the “empathy” he did for the uninsured, etc. Pretty much his empathy was for the heat Obama was taking.
Great conversation. Now let me screw it up. Can someone tell me how Tower #7 at the WTC collapsed? I know(?) that Tower #1 and #2 were hit by planes and fell down. (Or so they say.) I also know(?) that tower #5 and #6 began burning because tons of molten steel from Towers #1 and #2 fell on them. But, Tower # 7 which was across Vesey Street collapsed straight down like it was imploded. Something about an exploding fuel tank which was later descovered to have been on the wrong side of the building to have been impacted. I also know that Tower #7 had the CIA and Defense Department as tenants. Can someone explain this to me collapse to me? Thanks. Peace
Ha! HuffPO headlines right now: ” Feingold Pledges to continue battle to include Public Option In Final Bill” What a crock! Hasn’t that train left the station? Why didn’t he do what Lieberman and Nelson did and state that he would NOT ALLOW a vote unless the bill had a PO? No that its over he pretends to be tough. Ah Progressives. No wonder they laugh at us.
Ramsgate, please answer my question (above) about Tower #7. Peace
Comments I left earlier were based somewhat on columns written last week by Glenn Greenwald at Salon, wherein he suggests that the compromised senate bill was what the Obama administration wanted:
http://www.salon.com/news/opinion/glenn_greenwald/2009/12/16/white_house/index.html
and that corporatism is the underlying theme:
http://www.salon.com/news/opinion/glenn_greenwald/2009/12/18/corporatism/index.html
It seems that Rahm and the Blue Dogs comprise a significant faction of Congressional Dems, but they represent a school of thought and political strategy which is celebrated as being “politically savvy” because it focuses on the influence of corporate funding as one basis of electoral power and seeks to exploit that relationship for their personal benefit and the enrichment of their corporate donors, regardless of the broader impact to the nation, humanity, or the planet.
Progressivism, on the other hand, seeks the best solutions for the most people (rather than the richest few), and proposes that electoral power and legislative control should flow from the numerical superiority of the citizens / taxpayers / voters supporting the issue or agenda, rather than the size of their individual bank accounts.
The point, though, is that the Blue Dogs have some structure or methodology which allows them to coordinate their activities to achieve their nefarious ends, as Progressives look on in helpless disbelief. We need a structure and methodology which will enable us to counteract and defeat the Blue Dogs in Congress as legislation is in process – we can’t wait to push back only at election time. Petitions and negative ads have been inadequate; we need a persuasive force at least as formidable as a lobbyist’s checkbook.
It’s more logical & practical for Progressives to oppose the Blue Dogs for control of the Democratic party than to splinter off and expect the elected officials we LIKE to change affiliation to a “third party”. The Democratic party IS the Progressive party. We just need to push the Blue Dogs out of the driver’s seat, because they’re going the wrong way.
“The Democratic party IS the Progressive party.” Only when compared to the Republicans or the T-Baggers. When compared to the definition of ‘progressive’ they are sooooo 20th century. The Left on the other hand is a horse of a different color. Peace
What entity was it that gave us Obama? Were they left, progressive, liberal, democrats or what?
Again, so true:
SEN. FEINGOLD HOLDS OBAMA RESPONSIBLE FOR LOSS OF PUBLIC OPTION
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/
Who else? Or were they still planning to blame “Clintons?” Bahhhh, humbugggg. Absolutely – who else?
Who the hell else or you going to compare it too – the Whigs?
“What entity was it that gave us Obama? Were they left, progressive, liberal, democrats or what?”
It was the mainstream media, who launched an unprecedented mass marketing extravaganza extraordinaire, that catapulted an unknown to celebrity status in record setting time. So, to answer your question one would have to consider exactly whom, or what, is the power behind our corporate media.
at least feingold is making some headlines with the truth. he is saying obama allowed the pub opt, cherished by progressives, to be scrapped. feingold also said obama wanted the baucus bill in the end. yep. feingold, brown, kennedy and others signed a letter to obama asking he make sure there was a pub opt. obama ignored their words. when kennedy passed we lost alot -incl the pub opt i think. this sint over. we will fight this thing until it is fixed. the cult of personality is in full implosion now. look at dkos folks bashing feingold for “scoring points” and “trying to primary obama.” um yeah. oh and “feingold doesnt understand govt. leave obama alone” etc.. since feingold has been around a while and has creds they are having a hard time hitting him. yes feingold says he would vote for the bill bc it expands medicaid, opens pub healthc centers etc.. but his shot at obama is making headlines.
Hello everyone!!
I’ve been here at TM every day, reading your comments. It’s funny how Lake Lady and djjl and I are of the same opinion in most cases. I’m mad as hell at the way the *reform* has been smashed to pieces and I’m asking myself why I ever believed “change we can believe in”! As others have stated, I was not impressed with Obama but ended up voting for him and it looks like my gut feelings were right on. Healthcare is *so* important to me because my daughter has continuing health problems since her bout with cancer. She has a good job, but the insurance coverage at her place of employment just continues to provide less and cost more. I’m fed up with all the politicians whether they have a D or R behind their name because you can count on them lying if their lips are moving.
lets face it- progs dont make good negotiators for sure. i can only think of a few and they are dead like lbj, fdr. they knew the game and played it for the people. we need a real nasty bastard progressive who doesnt care about president or party. lieberman played it well for aetna and it worked.
Velvet says:
20 December 2009 at 9:41 pm
Hi, Velvet. Good to hear from you.
on huffpo a poster writes on feingold’s words something stinging. she is a black woman who backed obama and says he is just like bush. uncaring for the people.
“As a black woman I didn’t want to believe it…but Obama sold out immediately after the inauguration, when he fail to prosecute the Bush administration for war crimes, which included outing an undercover CIA agent.
Next he filled his administration with lobbyists and wallstreet bankers.
This proves that race means nothing. Bush didn’t care about the average person, white or black, and Obama doesn’t appear to care the average person, white or black.
Green is the only color that matters (and money is the only ‘green’ that matter$!)”
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/12/20/feingold-obama-responsibl_n_398658.html?page=3&show_comment_id=36722346#comment_36722346
Hey Lynnette! I like to read your comments – you make a lot of sense and it’s apparent you are knowledgeable.
Thank you for the great articles, Taylor. I so look forward to coming to TM every day!! Among all the craziness, I know I can trust your analysis. And, amazingly, I’m learning about foreign policy from you!! Not too long ago, I thought I’d never catch on. I still have a long ways to go, but I’m doing OK now. BTW, did you make your fund raising goal (I sent you $50)?
of course not one lib senator ever said he or she would fillibuster if no po etc..so they got rolled bc the conservadems said they would block the bill. so again it seems liberals on the hil dont know how to get what they want. maybe they will learn
texan4hillary says:
20 December 2009 at 9:52 pm
Yes, I think her comments reveal what a lot of us have been thinking, but didn’t want to say. Maybe we were hoping we were wrong, that there was something more to Obama than the color of green. When I get an e-mail from the WH, I answer back how disappointed I am in Obama (and that’s putting it nicely).
djjl says:
20 December 2009 at 9:10 pm
texan4hillary says:
20 December 2009 at 9:38 pm
Yeah, no. Hell no.
No fu@&ing way does Congress get a pass by pointing fingers when they were given carte blanche to make it happen. Set Obama at the top of the HCR offender list, but in no way does the rest of the gang get to play the C.Y.A. game.
If a bill with the P.O. reached Obama’s desk, it’s would’ve been signed handily. bottom line.
Spindly legs just couldn’t hold him up?
In for a penny, in for a pound.
Imhotep:
Sorry about the late response.
Re Tower 7. I’m afraid I have no idea.
Texan4Hillary:
I share your sentiments. But. . .
You say: “yes Feingold says he would vote for the bill bc it expands medicaid, opens pub healthc centers etc.. but his shot at Obama is making headlines.”
Tell me, would you not prefer RESULTS that actually help people than headlines?
Lieberman, Nelson and the Blue Dogs get tangible things that they want; the Progs seem to be satisfied with “headlines.” No wonder some people think we should grow up.
“OMINOUSLY DYSFUNCTIONAL”
Krugman: Health Care Fight Shows An Effectively Paralyzed Government
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/
Ok. Liebermann threatened to withhold his vote until he got removal of the weak public option and the medicare buy in from the health care bill.
Nelson threatened to withhold his vote until he got that retrograde antiabortion language in the health care bill.
Now it appears your turn to withhold your dollars and purchases from the friends of Lieberman until we got a single payer public option by sending him email at http://bit.ly/traitorjoe
You can also withhold your dollars and purchases from Omaha Steaks the friend of Ben Nelson until he removes ALL antiabortion language from the health care bill by calling omahasteaks.com at 1-800-960-8400 and tell them that you refuse to buy from them until Ben Nelson removes ALL antiabortion language from the final health care bill.
Russ Feingold regarding his support:
“This bill significantly expands coverage and helps protect Wisconsinites from high costs and insurance company abuses, such as denying or restricting coverage based on pre-existing conditions. The bill also improves a flawed Medicare formula that denies Wisconsin fair reimbursement rates, encourages the kind of low-cost, high-value care practiced in our state, increases access to home and community-based long-term care, and reduces federal budget deficits by $132 billion over the next decade.”
Velvet says:
20 December 2009 at 9:58 pm
Great to hear from you. Thanks so much for your kind words.
And YES, those who jumped in to help also allowed a modest donation to go out to the Afghanistan org. that received 10% of the total donations. It’s the first time TM.com tied a fundraiser to an international charity org that targets women & girls, but others too. It was gratifying and everyone who helped on that fundraiser should be proud.
I can’t wait until health care isn’t sucking all the air out of the room. So much foreign policy to cover.
Merry Christmas, Velvet.
mgloraine says:
20 December 2009 at 8:24 pm
Welcome and thanks for that comment.
One problem that will be solved is that we will lose some Blue Dogs to Rep. in 2010. But it’s the conundrum of a 50-state strategy when you decide to offer up conservative candidates instead of economic populist Dems. We need to tweak the 50-state strategy or we’ll always get people voting against women, among other things.
Can’t say more right now… Dylan Ratigan appearance may come later this week, though with Christmas schedules are tough to coordinate. It’ll happen eventually.
JakeB says:
20 December 2009 at 6:05 pm
Interesting analysis.
Ramsgate, no worries, because looking at all of the other non-answers that I got nobody else has any idea either. This is an important issue and what the faux-Progressives and so-called Liberals worry about is Palin and what’s for lunch. Which is why we are in the middle of an unnecessary World War and nobody knows it. Shameful. Peace
Some folks know when there is no reason to waste time.
http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/research/4278874.html