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Daschle Endorses Using Reconciliation For Health Care Reform

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Other Politics
Posted on Sun Sep 06, 2009 at 11:31:53 AM EST
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Via Media Matters, after of course saying the preference is for a "bipartisan bill," Tom Daschle said that health care reform can not be held hostage to the process and endorsed the use of reconciliation for health care reform:

Daschle is not nobody in the Obama circle. To me this is a message to Ben Nelson in particular. I think he got it too. On CNN, Nelson was talking about a public option trigger. Of course, to me the Progressive Block should continue their "tactical extremism" on a robust public option. It is working. Maybe they can save Ezra Klein's deal breakers along the way.

Speaking for me only

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    Daschle Endorses Using Reconciliation For Health Care Reform | 17 comments (17 topical)

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    Good (5.00 / 3) (#4)
    by WS on Sun Sep 06, 2009 at 12:10:59 PM EST
    The Progressive Block has more members than the Blue Dogs AND their seats are safe.  

    For the Blue Dogs and the public option, tell them,

    "That's a nice Congressional seat you got there, Blue Dogs, shame if anything happens to them."  

    Well (5.00 / 2) (#6)
    by Ga6thDem on Sun Sep 06, 2009 at 12:23:49 PM EST
    this might mean something. IMO the speeches have become a joke and are really nothing more than a waste of time simply because they dont mean anything. Obama would better spend his time twisting arms than doing a speech.

    Anyway if Obama has to "cave" I would prefer it to be to the Progressive Caucus.

    Good sign (none / 0) (#1)
    by andgarden on Sun Sep 06, 2009 at 11:42:38 AM EST
    Though I wish they'd begun the lay the groundwork for this when Schumer did.

    Why is this a good sign? (5.00 / 1) (#5)
    by SGITR on Sun Sep 06, 2009 at 12:13:19 PM EST
    This is Daschle we are talking about. So one must ask what is the advantage he is seeking through reconciliation?

    From Time:

    Now the White House and Senate Democratic leaders appear to be moving toward a blueprint for overhauling the health system, centered on nonprofit insurance cooperatives, that Mr. Daschle began promoting two months ago as a politically feasible alternative to a more muscular government-run insurance plan.

    It is an idea that happens to dovetail with the interests of many Alston & Bird clients, like the insurance giant UnitedHealth and the Tennessee Hospital Association. And it is drawing angry cries of accommodation from more liberal House Democrats bent on including a public insurance plan.

    Alston & Bird is the law firm Daschle works for. Daschle favors insurance cooperatives. Insurance Cooperatives will rely on mandates and subsidized health care - as will private insurance companies.

    Reconciliation is a good tool to get around the deficit hawks that could hold up mandates and subsidies and enrich the insurance industry. Could that be what Daschle is up to?

    Add to that the fact that Obama point-men Axlerod and Gibbs are out this morning once again saying the public option is nice but not necessary. So if Dashle is 'In' with the WH and Axlerod and Gibbs are out talking down the public option one has to ask what is Daschle up to? No good is the obvious conclusion.

    BTW what was Obama's response to Nelson's statement the other day that the public option is dead that came within hours of Obama's call to progressive in the House telling them 'Save the Party, Give In'? I've heard no response from Obama to Nelson.

    Parent

    Can't wait to see what Daschle's (5.00 / 2) (#9)
    by MO Blue on Sun Sep 06, 2009 at 12:47:09 PM EST
    bonus will be if he is successful.

    Health insurance stocks should do real well too.

    People who need real health care. Not so good.

    Parent

    I can't wait to see (none / 0) (#11)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Sun Sep 06, 2009 at 01:02:16 PM EST
    Obama propose that we should all invest in health insurance to counteract the ridiculously soaring premiums caused by the mandates ;-).

    Actually that might be a good idea until we're all at the top of the pyramid (scheme).

    Parent

    Yep (none / 0) (#12)
    by MO Blue on Sun Sep 06, 2009 at 01:07:16 PM EST
    New health care plan is a two part plan.

    1. Buy insurance stock to offset the rise in your premiums and out of pocket expenses.
    2. Pray that you never get sick and actually have to count on insurance industry to honor your claim.


    Parent
    I agree...it's always good to know (none / 0) (#7)
    by oldpro on Sun Sep 06, 2009 at 12:24:26 PM EST
    the players and to be suspicious of Daschle is a given.

    Harold Ford is on my TV on MTP this morning, as was Axelrod, saying what sounds like capitulation on the public option to me.

    Parent

    Harold Ford (5.00 / 3) (#10)
    by gyrfalcon on Sun Sep 06, 2009 at 01:00:28 PM EST
    has nothing to capitulate.  He is irrelevant. And he's always been a "centrist" Blue Dog anyway, so this is hardly news.

    Parent
    And he was elected to serve.....NOTHING :) (5.00 / 3) (#13)
    by Militarytracy on Sun Sep 06, 2009 at 01:16:49 PM EST


    Parent
    I didn't say it was news....I said (none / 0) (#16)
    by oldpro on Sun Sep 06, 2009 at 03:45:51 PM EST
    that like Daschle, he was on MTP this morning talking about healthcare and the public option.   I mean, c'mon...I know these guys are irrelevant, but does Obama know that?

    Sheesh...

    Parent

    Agree. Let's all hope Obama (none / 0) (#2)
    by oldpro on Sun Sep 06, 2009 at 11:55:24 AM EST
    rises to the occasion.

    Parent
    The PB have to be complete, unwavering @$$holes (5.00 / 4) (#3)
    by andgarden on Sun Sep 06, 2009 at 12:08:08 PM EST
    in negotiations--especially about the bill to be passed out of the House.

    Parent
    If only. n/t (5.00 / 1) (#8)
    by oldpro on Sun Sep 06, 2009 at 12:28:25 PM EST


    Parent
    How humorous... (none / 0) (#14)
    by masslib on Sun Sep 06, 2009 at 01:28:08 PM EST
    LOL.  Doesn't Daschle have huge ties to the insurance lobby?

    Yes HUGE (none / 0) (#15)
    by Militarytracy on Sun Sep 06, 2009 at 02:51:00 PM EST
    But the people are demanding something?

    Parent
    If There Was One Quality (none / 0) (#17)
    by bob h on Mon Sep 07, 2009 at 06:18:22 AM EST
    George W. had that Obama should emulate, it is ruthlessness.  It is long past time to be ruthless.

    Daschle Endorses Using Reconciliation For Health Care Reform | 17 comments (17 topical)

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