Hamsher singled out Donna Edwards (4.00 / 3)

...for being weaselly on whether she would require public option on any bill coming out of conference.

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by: Taylor @ Mon Aug 24, 2009 at 16:53:58 PM CDT

The Senate has to have report a bill with a public option (4.00 / 2)

With over 60 signed on in the House, there is room for a little wobbliness, but the Senate has to really think that if the bill has no public option it won't pass.  And the Senate Dems, except for a couple like Lieberman and Nelson want a bill, so the pressure has to be on getting to reconciliation, not bipartisanship and cloture.

I think the whole trip through bipartisan land has been more than a distraction, it has undermined the public's regard for health care reform.....Reconcilation needs to be sooner rather than later.

"Incrementalism isn't a different path to the same place, it could be a different path to a different place"
Stoller

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by: debcoop @ Mon Aug 24, 2009 at 17:33:24 PM CDT

I think reconciliation being in October (0.00 / 0)

is part of the law about budget reconciliation, though I am not sure. So there was no way to have done it sooner (though reconcilation, anyways). The only question is how to have passed the time until then -- going on a pointless crusade for bipartisanship and trying to pass it earlier with 60 votes was one option, using the time to paint Republicans as obstructionists and demonize the insurance industry was another. Or maybe we could've tried to pass a cap and trade bill or something in the meantime. I dunno. But that's all water under the bridge by now -- we seem to have chosen the first option.

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by: illissius @ Tue Aug 25, 2009 at 09:20:04 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

the 1993 budget vote was in the spring (0.00 / 0)

the bush tax vote was in the spring....

These were reconciliation votes

"Incrementalism isn't a different path to the same place, it could be a different path to a different place"
Stoller

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by: debcoop @ Tue Aug 25, 2009 at 14:37:29 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Keep them in line with threats (4.00 / 1)

If the activist left wants to signal that health care is of prime importance, then perhaps there need to be plans now to label anyone who caves a traitor who will be lumped in with the Blue Dogs as a primary target, no matter how progressive they are on other issues.

Things You Don't Talk About in Polite Company: Religion, Politics, the Occasional Intersection of Both

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by: Anthony de Jesus @ Mon Aug 24, 2009 at 18:34:06 PM CDT

And respect, and comfort and encouagement. (0.00 / 0)

We are human beings.

But you are also correct. A firm, sober and solid reminder that it matters. That strength is victory, and principles are the road to not just to a health reform that alters American lives for the better, but changes the way changes are made.

This is history, this is the way America is saved. This way we begin to believe in Americas promise again. This is the way we believe in democracy again.

Donna Edwards is with us. She knows. She has been here. She will not be swayed by intimations of 'power later' or insider access or knowledge the rest of us don't have.

She has heard these lies, and defeated them. I trust Donna Edwards. I will dance with Donna at the victory Party, and she will tell us all secrets of principles and love.

Change
"We must break up the banks and never again let them get so big that they distort our politics and take down the economy.

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by: HousesofProgress @ Mon Aug 24, 2009 at 21:25:44 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Are you saying Jane Hamsher is lying? (0.00 / 0)

"She has heard these lies, and defeated them. I trust Donna Edwards."

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by: nasrudin @ Mon Aug 24, 2009 at 22:22:14 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Hey thanks for the help in making this clear. (0.00 / 0)

I am recapitulating Donna's history. She knows well why she was chosen, why the people of her district worked so hard with her to defeat just such a do nothing, non progressive, seat holder of a candidate who would not represent his district.

That sometimes

A firm, sober and solid reminder that it matters.

is needed. Even for the best candidates. Because we can all get caught up in issues, and personality and forget our main purpose.

It s important even for good people to take stock, and hear again

That strength is victory, and principles are the road to not just to a health reform that alters American lives for the better, but changes the way changes are made.

That these

firm, sober and solid reminder(s)

can help us focus to

not be swayed by intimations of 'power later' or insider access or knowledge the rest of us don't have.

Thank you for your help in making sure that I was clear with this.

I am glad you helped me make clear that I was not somehow oddly

saying Jane Hamsher is lying

Please keep up these efforts to make us all better members of this varied coalition going forward.

Change
"We must break up the banks and never again let them get so big that they distort our politics and take down the economy.

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by: HousesofProgress @ Tue Aug 25, 2009 at 06:32:31 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

that won't work (0.00 / 0)

Almost none of these people would be vulnerable to a primary challenge.

Join the Iowa progressive community at Bleeding Heartland.

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by: desmoinesdem @ Mon Aug 24, 2009 at 22:13:28 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I called De Fazio's office this afternoon (4.00 / 2)

informed them of my donation to him via Act Blue, and encouraged them to keep up the good work.

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by: glacierpeaks @ Mon Aug 24, 2009 at 19:07:28 PM CDT

Hoorah! the simple acts of principle and honor. (0.00 / 0)

Change
"We must break up the banks and never again let them get so big that they distort our politics and take down the economy.

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by: HousesofProgress @ Mon Aug 24, 2009 at 21:26:23 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

It will become clear... (0.00 / 0)

who is corrupt and who is not.  Some corporate whores will shill out front and in the open.  Others will sandbag.  We will know who to take down after it's all said and done.

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by: jcasey23 @ Mon Aug 24, 2009 at 22:16:12 PM CDT

But keep sending them money, folks... (0.00 / 0)

As if you could compete with Big Capital when it comes to cash and other bribes.

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by: nasrudin @ Mon Aug 24, 2009 at 22:20:01 PM CDT

We could, and we have in the past (4.00 / 1)

but while I love JH's idea, and contributed myself, I'm disappointed that there hasn't been more of a groundswell. We could raise millions for Dean, Clinton, or Obama almost overnight, but now that we're talking about actual policy...most people sit on their hands.

What was it? 55 million...60 million people voted for Obama? And do you realize that he had 2.5 million small donors? 2.5 million people whose aggregated giving was $200 or less.

I would bet that at least half those people are in favor of the choice of a public option. Where are they now?

Probably sitting on their hands, trying to convince themselves that the guy they voted for and donated to is really a reformer. And that brings us back to the whole discussion of how closely to align ourselves with the President...it is human nature for people to put their hopes on one leader, to the point where they simply begin to hope for the leader's success, (mis) equating policy with someone's career ladder.

While I certainly don't want to demonize the President, or burn bridges, I do think we need to keep him at arm's length. That way the base will keep its eye on the prize.

Besides, if you want to know where vigorous support of Obama gets you, ask Valerie Plame.

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by: glacierpeaks @ Tue Aug 25, 2009 at 01:46:41 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Well even making mistaken offerings of solutions is helpful, so we can discard them early. (0.00 / 0)

Thanks

Change
"We must break up the banks and never again let them get so big that they distort our politics and take down the economy.

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by: HousesofProgress @ Tue Aug 25, 2009 at 06:33:50 AM CDT

[ Parent ]