Sherrod Brown: The progressive Democrat who isn't running on 'Medicare for all' or a 'Green New Deal

[brooklynite]

Yahoo News:

If you ran, you might be the only candidate who doesn’t support full-tilt “Medicare-for-all.” Why not? It’s basically the password to get into the Democratic primary these days.

Well, I'll start with this: I fought for universal coverage my whole career. I promised to pay my own health insurance until we got universal coverage — and I did. Now my wife and I are in the Obamacare exchanges, like millions of other people. I wrote the original Medicare at 55 voluntary buy-in. I wrote the public option, with Sheldon Whitehouse, that was originally in the Affordable Care Act.

I want to get something done. I see too many 58-year-olds and 62-year-olds whose plants have closed going without insurance; they just have to stay alive until they're 65 to get it. I mean, I can do the talking points. I want to get to “Medicare for all.” But I think we can get Medicare at 55, and 55's OK with me too. Then we move towards “Medicare for all.” But I just don't know how it happens in this political climate.

What about a “Green New Deal”? That's the other hot topic on the left.

Yeah, well, first of all, I don't know exactly what that means. The New Deal was a bunch of things put together: the Wagner Act, Social Security, the minimum wage, collective bargaining, Medicare. So I think the “Green New Deal” is a wonderful term. I think that climate change is the greatest moral issue of our times, and that we need to address it directly, and deeply, and consistently, and comprehensively. I think that there will be many components of what we do to address climate change, and I've been part of those efforts in the past.

[BootinUp]

1. Is it ok if I dream he becomes POTUS?

[MH1]

46. You aren't the only one dreaming that :)

[doompatrol39]

2. I like Brown, but my issue with this approach...

...is that it's more of the same "Let's start from a point of compromise" that has gotten us to the point we are in now.

I want to hear and see candidates starting from a point of the ideal and let's negotiate to the reasonable. It would be nice if we didn't have to do that but with the modern Republican party that is the only way anything is going to get done.

Yes, I'd be happy if what we ended up with was medicare at 50 or 55. But anyone who has been paying attention knows that starting with that as our goal will get us next to nothing.

For example, I don't expect Warren to succeed in getting her wealth tax, and I don't think AOC would succeed in getting the 70% top marginal tax rates. But if we actually negotiate then hopefully we get something better than we would if we started from a point of compromise by asking for say a 10% tax increase on the wealthy or something similarly moderate and reasonable.

[brooklynite]

3. The negotiation comes once you're elected President...

The policy position is part of the equation of: "what will get people to vote for you?"

[theaocp]

6. I imagine telling them what you'll fight for, rather than

what isn't possible. As you said, the negotiation comes later.

[doompatrol39]

7. Knowing that you'll fight for the best option will get people to vote for you....

...much more so than telling them what isn't possible and how much you'll compromise.

[brooklynite]

9. In 2016 Bernie Sanders campaigned on Medicare for All...and Hillary Clinton didn't

Hillary Clinton won.

[AlexSFCA]

18. she would have won the nomination even if she did campaign on medicare for all

she’s won cause she was the most qualified candidate not necessarily on policy details.
Brown is the only candidate who can swing my support from Kamala if he runs.

[shanny]

34. And she might have won the general* if she had run on Medicare for All.

Remember rump running on cheaper better medical for everyone? Sure, we knew he was 1) lying; and 2) incapable but I bet at least some of the estimated 8 million Obama-to-rump voters picked him for that reason.


*yes I know she did win the general by 3 million votes, and a whole bunch of nefarious people had their thumbs on the scale, and the alternative reality is unknowable...but imo the Democratic Party has for too long set its sights too low and if we really want to electrify the electorate in the long run we need to change that.

[brooklynite]

36. I disagree

In 2016, ACA was not as popular as it's now become, in large part because of the mandate. Setting aside the Trump base voters, the voters we lost were largely due to the belief that Government wasn't addressing their needs despite endless promises; Medicare for all could have likely been seen as another empty promise.

[shanny]

37. Maybe we should try addressing their needs then.

[brooklynite]

39. You can't address needs if you don't get elected in the first place...

Add to which, addressing health care needs is not limited to offering Medicare for All.

[Ninga]

8. I totally understand your point! I believe Sen Brown does too. Except.

My experience and his experience has shown how to bring a majority of the voting public along with new initiatives.

As we have all seen Nancy Pelosi do.

He's as smart as a whip and was the ONLY major OHio Democrat to win in 2018.

I trust Sen Brown

[True Blue American]

26. So do I,

And he is my Senator. Everything he said is true.

But Sherrod forgot to mention flying back from his Mothers funeral to cast the deciding vote on the ACA at midnight . That is one night I stayed up to see him vote!

President Obama sent a Government plane to bring him.

He will bring the disenchanted worker back to the Party..

[LAS14]

17. Could you give more detail?

the same "Let's start from a point of compromise" that has gotten us to the point we are in now.

Could you explain how starting from a point of compromise got us where we are now? I thought Newt Gingrich started us down the long road of "no compromise" and got us where we are now.

[ananda]

19. Agree!

I'm also tired of centrism.

[subterranean]

40. We'll have to negotiate, but not with Republicans.

As we learned the last time, Republicans will oppose any healthcare reform proposal from the Democrats, no matter how watered down it is. Even the Affordable Care Act is too extreme for them. I agree we should aim high to begin with, but the real negotiation will take place within our own party, and with the pharmaceutical and medical industries, which will spare no expense in fighting anything that threatens to reduce their profits.

Nothing will have a chance of passing, though, until we regain control of both houses of Congress.

[earthshine]

41. Very well stated. Thank you. nt

[tinrobot]

51. I agree. He may have a point, but it sounds wishy-washy in an election context.

Unfortunately, there isn't much room for nuance in stump speeches and sound bites.

"Medicare for All" is much easier to remember than "Medicare for as many people as we can get, hopefully at least 55 year olds"

He needs to campaign on the big talking point, then start negotiations from that position of power. If he starts at "Medicare for 55 year olds", it negotiates down to Medicare for 60-62 year olds and we walk away with practically nothing.

[doompatrol39]

55. Especially now, with so many swinging for the fences...

...there's no reason not to, other than to appear to be the moderate, sensible type. Which doesn't generate excitement and it doesn't get out the vote.

So many other seem to "get it" now, including Speaker Pelosi. So Brown should as well.

[NewJeffCT]

4. That'a a realistic position

but, it's also not going to fire up the base to GOTV for him.

Realistically, that is how we eventually get to Medicare for All - expand it to 55 and over; then expand it to 26 and under; and then 50 and over and then eventually it will cover everybody. Or, more likely is that Medicare will be exist as a strong public option for those between 26 and 55 similar to how some European countries have it set up.

Private insurance won't go away - people can buy supplemental insurance now if they want and likely still will be able to in the future (AFLAC does a huge amount of business in Japan selling supplemental insurance to Japanese citizens)

[MH1]

48. "Medicare at 55" won't fire up the base???

What the fuck is wrong with them if it won't? Is the base made up of people who think they will never be 55? Or they think, "eh, 65, 55, not much diff?"

I don't think so. I think the right campaigner can get the base fired up with good policies that make large steps in the right direction, even if they don't get us all the way at once.

I think Sherrod Brown might be the right campaigner. He comes from a swing state and has a track record of doing well with middle America. When he proposes something achievable that would be a big win for so many people, we all ought to be able to get fired up about it, because he has an excellent chance of actually winning the election and being able to implement these policies.

[NewJeffCT]

56. disappointment that Obamacare wasn't "bigger"

was one reason that Dems didn't turn out in 2010 and Republicans had a huge Tea Party wave as a result. Hardly any Democrats running in 2010 embraced Obama and the ACA - they all ran away from it.

And, the same will happen with Medicare for 55 and Over versus Medicare of All - there will be Democrats that are disappointed in 55 and Over and not vote because it isn't Medicare For All.

[standingtall]

58. Not if it is implemented immediately

The ACA did not go into effect until 2014 which gave the right wing years demonize it. Any improvement to healthcare rather it be medicare at 55 or medicare for all will be demonized by the right wing if those improvements are not implemented from the start or at least very shortly after passing them. Democrats cannot give republicans years to spread misinformation.

[leftynyc]

5. I love Sherrod Brown

My ONLY objection is that state has a republican governor who would name his replacement.

[Ninga]

10. Yes. You are right, huge issue. Nt

[Tom Rinaldo]

13. If a toss up between two great potential candidates, that's a concern of mine too

But if it comes down to Sherrod Brown or someone who I don't respect as much, and/or someone who I don't think has the same chance of winning the Presidency as does Brown, I would back him anyway.

[leftynyc]

14. Me too

But it's a concern we shouldn't ignore. I think he'd be a great candidate.

[True Blue American]

27. Yes, and we already have Rob Portman, who

Just endorsed Trump!

Millionaire family in Southwestern Ohio.

[standingtall]

47. But that would mean Brown won the Presidency

because he isn't up for reelection until 2024.

[leftynyc]

54. Unless he gives up his

seat to run. And I do think he could win that race against Donnie.

[Buckeyeblue]

11. He explains his positions very well

If he runs, it'll be interesting to see how voters outside of Ohio respond to him. He seems very clintonesque--more Hillary than Bill. I don't think he is going to charm anyone but he might always be the smartest policy person in the room.

[HopeAgain]

12. Just not my guy...

Sorry.

[oasis]

15. Much to like. nt

[world wide wally]

16. I trust Sherod Brown.

Even if he wants to move more slowly, I believe that he WILL move the policies

[JohnnyRingo]

20. K&R

I believe he's shopping a Veep position on a populist ticket.

[True Blue American]

29. Hillary would have won Ohio if she had chosen Brown.

He was on her list.

[JohnnyRingo]

31. I imagine so

Tim Kaine is such a forgettable character that I have to think a bit to remember who she ran with. I'm still not sure of his positions or his role in the campaign.

Maybe she was afraid of running with Sherrod Brown because he keeps getting caught canoodling with that Connie Schultz woman. LOL

[shanny]

35. I agree.

I'd go further and say she would have won the general (including the EC) if she had chosen him--someone to her left--instead of Kaine who was to her right.

[Johnny2X2X]

21. Brown can win!

He's near the top of my list. He's Liberal, he's Progressive, he's pragmatic, and he'll beat Trump partly because he'll carry Ohio.

Brown-Harris would be a fantastic ticket! So would Brown-Warren, Brown-O'Rourke, or Brown-Sanders.

[gemlake]

22. Republicans fear him more than any other candidate

Although Harris is my choice right now, I like Brown. His more cautious approach to Medicare for All and a Green New Deal would only help the debates, and he is very progressive on labor issues. I hope he joins the race.

Republicans fear him for good reason. It would be difficult for a Republican to win the White House without Ohio.

[Honeycombe8]

24. Good points.nt

[Honeycombe8]

23. Sounds reasonable to me.

But he did oust Franken. So there's that.

I'm still waiting for a governor to enter the fray. OTOH, at least Brown is a good age for it. I think Biden is too old, in that he would be 82 in 2024 and would be at risk for all sorts of health issues, which might make him unable to run again. Although he seems to be a very health person. Maybe it would mean that his VP pick would be very important.

I'm listening to Brown, though. I like him more than most others.

[ChiTownDenny]

25. The line is moving, again.

The line moved to "government is bad; taxes are unjust". The line now is moving to "health care is a right and all should benefit; the rich need to pay their fair share in taxes". I'm not sure Brown's position acknowledges this.

[themaguffin]

44. Of course he does.

[RicROC]

28. my Republican sister for Brown

My Republican sister, who voted for Trump, volunteered last week that she would vote for Sherrod Brown. She added that she really likes to read opinions from Sherrod's wife Connie. Maybe Connie is Sherrod's secret weapon

[Nanjeanne]

30. In the primary, Medicare For All and Green New Deal are my touchpoints. Won't support

anyone who doesn’t aspire to those visions.

Once primary winner is announced, I’ll support the Dem nomination. But primaries are for the electorate to align with the candidate that represents the vision they have for the country. I’m waiting for candidates to get in the race and present their visions and to write their policy positions on their websites. And to listen to them in the debates. It’s a whole process for me but I know what my hot buttons in the primary will be.

That’s what is great about democracy.

[dogman]

45. There are Green New Deals and there are Green New Deals.

I think that is his point. If he is going to run, I would think he will have to develop his own or adopt one that has been proposed. Some of the current proposals have severe drawbacks.

[IronLionZion]

32. It's good to have a diverse field of candidates

but it sounds like Dem primary voters would support a Medicare for all candidate. He might do well in rust belt states since he knows their issues.

[Cousin Dupree]

33. He's my Senator. One thing about him that can't be denied is that he is a champion for the

average Joe. He and his wife Connie Schultz are as kind and as smart and as committed to their principles as they come.

[Kurt V.]

38. Countervailing power is one of the best tools to fight plutocracy.

brown will bring that.

[corbettkroehler]

42. Well Put - Brown Pursues As Many Independents As He Can Court (n/t)

[ooky]

43. What I see in his health care position, he is offering a workable path to the actual desired result,

which is - affordable for all, access for all - without eliminating individual personal choices that will lose us votes and possibly the election. His position is thoughtful and grounded, delivers a very positive move in the right direction, and is simpler for voters to understand. I think he is a great candidate on health care, my top issue, and very good on my other issues as well. So far, Brown's easily my top choice.

[MH1]

49. I have noticed his positions seem to be well-thought generally.

Not knee-jerk or "check the progressive box" stuff. Substantive, "I can explain why this is good AND why it will work for all of us" stuff.

Top choice for me so far.

[standingtall]

50. Worth mentioning Democrats dont have to win Ohio, but republicans do

If Brown can deliver Ohio for us then it only a question of how many electoral college votes he wins by.

[ChoppinBroccoli]

52. Sherrod Brown Wins In Ohio Where Almost No Other Democrat Can Because..........

.............his personality and his policies appeal to blue-collar, rust belt voters. He doesn't just win his races, he runs away with them. And he if he can win big in Ohio, that means he'll win in Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, and lots of other similarly situated States. I'm telling you right now, if Sherrod runs, he'll win and he'll win HUGE. Particularly if he can grab a running mate who is strong with some of the demographics where he is weak. Kamala Harris, Beto O'Rourke, Julian Castro, and several others all seem like extremely good choices for him.

[jalan48]

53. He's right about climate change. Tens of thousands of young people have been marching in protest

across Europe during the past month. It won't be long before it starts happening here.

[TCJ70]

57. Gotta keep those expectations low. Don't want people getting too worked up...

...afterall, the Republicans will certainly accept if we start at the middle, right? They'll see that as a show of good faith and respond in kind.

No. Enough. Go hard. Go for the gold. When one sides position is "do nothing" you have to start at "do everything" in order to reach a true agreement in the middle.