A Taste For Bluster

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Media
Posted on Mon Oct 05, 2009 at 12:41:16 PM EST
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Jane Hamsher writes:

I think HCAN has the wrong Nevada senator in its sights [. . .] Ensign is not going to vote for any health care reform bill, especially not one with a public option. As part of a health care reform effort, it's a complete waste of money.

I agree with Jane. But it makes me wonder why all the fundraising for Alan Grayson? He has never joined the Progressive Block in its refusal to vote for a health care bill that does not contain a robust public option. Last week, when asked point blank by David Shuster if he would vote for a health care bill without a public option, he ducked the question. So despite the liberal protestations that the GOP is the Party of Bluster, it seems clear that Democrats like their shiny objects too.

Speaking for me only

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A Taste For Bluster | 18 comments (18 topical)

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speaking only for me (5.00 / 2) (#2)
by Capt Howdy on Mon Oct 05, 2009 at 01:18:12 PM EST

I think the fascination with Grayson was simply that they were so happy to see someone fight back.

even clumsily.

A taste for bluster (none / 0) (#4)
by Big Tent Democrat on Mon Oct 05, 2009 at 01:22:51 PM EST

mmmmmmm (none / 0) (#5)
by Capt Howdy on Mon Oct 05, 2009 at 01:25:20 PM EST

bluster


Blunder Buster? (none / 0) (#6)
by Salo on Mon Oct 05, 2009 at 01:27:12 PM EST

I think it's about his rhetorical stuff. Also he's a House Dem. So he's not quite in the same spot as a Senator and his reasoning may be different. He's House not Senate right?


The Progressive Block (none / 0) (#7)
by Big Tent Democrat on Mon Oct 05, 2009 at 01:33:01 PM EST

why is Grayson not a part of it?

Why give him him money when he is not?

Sort of like HCAN running ads against Ensi8gn. Makes no sense to me.


FTR (none / 0) (#8)
by Capt Howdy on Mon Oct 05, 2009 at 01:41:55 PM EST

I didnt give him money.
(if I had I would have specified he spend it on some new ties)


: Heh (none / 0) (#9)
by Big Tent Democrat on Mon Oct 05, 2009 at 01:43:28 PM EST

I didn't give cash (none / 0) (#11)
by Salo on Mon Oct 05, 2009 at 01:54:53 PM EST

wrong audience BTD.


My question was for Hamsher (none / 0) (#12)
by Big Tent Democrat on Mon Oct 05, 2009 at 01:58:26 PM EST

and others urging donations for bluster, rather than policy positions.


The bloggeratti are a bit suspect... (none / 0) (#13)
by Salo on Mon Oct 05, 2009 at 03:08:08 PM EST

... ideologically. I think the question is a little rhetorical after seeing the shenanigans of the primaries.

So much of it really was about developing journalistic careers by other means.


I don't think that's true for Jane (5.00 / 1) (#14)
by Big Tent Democrat on Mon Oct 05, 2009 at 03:21:51 PM EST

I think she has done very important work on HCR.


Well, she did good journalism. (none / 0) (#15)
by Salo on Mon Oct 05, 2009 at 03:58:36 PM EST

I don't think Grayson is as bad as you make him out to be either.

I think the way you are laying out the "progressive bloc"'s intent is pointless. They might need to vote for a bill by the time Obama's done with em.


: I made him out to be what? (none / 0) (#16)
by Big Tent Democrat on Mon Oct 05, 2009 at 04:07:39 PM EST

Someone who did not commit to a robust public option? The record is clear. He hasn't.
What you make of that is your business.

I don't get it (5.00 / 1) (#17)
by NYShooter on Mon Oct 05, 2009 at 05:59:51 PM EST

Alan Grayson isn't pure enough? Maybe not, but I don't see anything wrong with a little bluster?
He may not have offered any spelled out policies regarding the financial mess we're in, but who else has called out Bernanke for doling out trillions to billionaires? Who else is pounding Goldman Sach's obscene gambling..... with our money? I think it's high time we had someone who calls it what it is: "theft."

["Wall Street,....apparently the only place in the world where you can steal from the taxpayers and then bill them for services rendered."]

He may not be as smooth as a Harvard Law Professor, but I like it that finally the Dems have a loose cannon who's not afraid to call the other side "foot-dragging, knuckle-dragging Neanderthals."

Enough of Harry Reid, and "bi-partisanship;" Let's rumble!

Terrific headline. Grabber. (none / 0) (#1)
by oculus on Mon Oct 05, 2009 at 01:01:19 PM EST

A Taste for Cash (none / 0) (#3)
by MO Blue on Mon Oct 05, 2009 at 01:20:39 PM EST

Whether or not American achieve affordable health care from HCR is debatable. What is not IMO debatable is that HCR has been a cash cow for Dem politicians. Blue Dogs, conservative Dems and party and committee leaders have received hugh amounts of cash from Insurance. Phrma and Medical industries. The Progressive Caucus has received donations from people who want them to vote for a robust public option. Grayson is still collecting cash for his rhetoric against the Republicans and various Democratic organizations are using HCR to solicit money for their organization.

A lot of money flowing into D.C. Definitely. Legislation that results in affordable health care as a result, not so much.

11th dimensional chess, obvi. (none / 0) (#10)
by lilburro on Mon Oct 05, 2009 at 01:45:13 PM EST

Grayson knows that to be an effective advocate for the left, he cannot take a stance, until the Right Moment. Snark aside, I suppose he signed onto HCAN.

Max Baucus shouldn't even be on that committee (none / 0) (#18)
by JohnRJ08 on Tue Oct 06, 2009 at 01:47:00 PM EST

EVERY SENATOR AND CONGRESSPERSON WHO HAS TAKEN 1¢ FROM THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY IN THE LAST TWO YEARS SHOULD BE RECUSED FROM VOTING ON HEALTH INSURANCE REFORM. THE IDEA THAT MAX BAUCUS, WHO HAS RECEIVED MORE THAN $3 MILLION FROM THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY, WOULD BE RUNNING A COMMITTEE THAT IS SUPPOSED TO COME WITH REFORM OF HEALTH CARE IN THIS COUNTRY IS AN OBSCENE JOKE. THIS IS A MAN FROM A STATE WHO HAS FEWER PEOPLE THAN MOST LARGE CITIES IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY. HOW DO THESE HYPOCRITICAL, GREEDY PEOPLE GET HANDED SO MUCH POWER?