Centrists threaten Obama's agenda - Nelson, Lieberman, Landrieu, Bayh, Lincoln, Pryor.

[jefferson_dem]

Centrists threaten Obama's agenda
By Alexander Bolton
Posted: 07/06/09 08:07 PM

Half a dozen members of the Senate Democratic Conference pose the biggest threat to President Obama’s agenda, giving Senate Republicans a fighting chance to block the administration’s major expansions of government.

GOP leaders have begun reaching out to these centrists, hoping they will buck their party on Obama’s two biggest initiatives: healthcare reform and climate change legislation.

Now that Democrats control 60 votes, Republicans must peel off a few members of the majority to stage a filibuster.

Leading the pack of potential defectors are Sen. Ben Nelson, a pro-business Democrat from Nebraska; Sen. Joe Lieberman, a self-described Independent Democrat from Connecticut; and Sen. Mary Landrieu, a Louisiana Democrat who represents a conservative state.

All three have expressed concerns about the core element in Obama’s healthcare proposal: a government-run insurance program that would compete with the private sector. The three also worked together this year to successfully cut more than $100 billion from Obama’s economic stimulus package.

The other Democrats who are expected to voice the most serious objections to either or both of the administrations top priorities are: Sens. Evan Bayh (Ind.), Blanche Lincoln (Ark.) and Mark Pryor (Ark.).

“The Democratic Conference has 60 votes, if they’re all here, and if they are straight party-line that means that Republicans cannot stop legislation,” said Senate Republican Whip Jon Kyl (Ariz.).

<SNIP>

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/centrists-threaten-agenda-2009-07-06.html

[bluethruandthru]

1. They're not centrists....they're republicans!

Obama's a centrist.

[Arkana]

2. They might not have much luck with Joe Lieberman.

For all his foreign policy faults, Joe's fairly liberal on domestic issues.

The others? Who can say.

[liberalpragmatist]

5. Except he's come out squarely against a public option

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/07/lieberman-i-stand-with-the-small-minority-of-americans-who-oppose-public-option.php

[Arkana]

19. I stand corrected. Joe's still a cockweasel.

[DJ13]

3. Why does the MSM think the center of our party is on the right?

Rhetorical question.

[RC]

7. Becaue it is?

Why do you think Democrats can't get much done that benefits the citizens over big business and the well to do?

[LiberalFighter]

4. Either castrate or re-circumcise them.

[JNelson6563]

6. Bastards all.

I say yank their health insurance. Fuckers.

[masuki bance]

8. Didn't Evan Bayh get a group of about 15 "centrist" Dems together just recently? *Update*

Here we go, from his website, the "moderates"-

March 18, 2009
Moderate Senate Dems Launch New Group to Shape Public Policy
16 Democrats unite to pursue pragmatic solutions to nation’s problems

WASHINGTON – A diverse group of 16 Senate Democrats today announced the formation of a new moderate coalition that will meet regularly to shape public policy. The group’s goal is to work with the Senate leadership and the new administration to craft common-sense solutions to urgent national problems.

The Moderate Dems Working Group will meet every other Tuesday before the Democratic Caucus lunch to discuss legislative strategies and ideas. The Moderate Dems held their second meeting Tuesday to focus on the upcoming budget negotiations and the importance of passing a fiscally responsible spending plan in the Senate.

Leading the new group are Democratic Senators Evan Bayh of Indiana, Tom Carper of Delaware and Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas. Both Senators Bayh and Carper were successful governors before coming to the Senate. Senators Lincoln and Carper bring bicameral experience to the group as former members of the House of Representatives. All three leaders are honorary co-chairs of Third Way, a progressive Democratic policy group, and Senators Bayh and Carper have led the centrist Democratic Leadership Council.

At the working group meeting, Senator Bayh acknowledged that such a large group was unlikely to agree on all major issues before the Senate. Yet the Moderate Dems are joined by a shared commitment to pursue pragmatic, fiscally sustainable policies across a range of issues, such as deficit containment, health care reform, the housing crisis, educational reform, energy policy and climate change.

In addition to Senators Bayh, Carper and Lincoln, others joining the group are Senators Mark Udall and Michael Bennet of Colorado, Mark Begich of Alaska, Kay Hagan of North Carolina, Herb Kohl of Wisconsin, Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, Claire McCaskill of Missouri, Ben Nelson of Nebraska, Bill Nelson of Florida, Mark Pryor of Arkansas, Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, and Mark Warner of Virginia.

“We have a wonderful opportunity to break gridlock in Washington and accomplish big things for the American people, but we also have a responsibility to pursue sensible solutions that will work,” Bayh said. “Our group seeks to work collaboratively with the Obama administration and Senate leadership to make sure legislation is crafted in a practical way that will solve people’s problems. It’s going to take all of us working together in the Senate to get the 60 votes necessary to deliver the change the American people deserve.”

“The number of moderate Democrats has grown substantially in the past two Congresses – and in America. We can play a constructive role in helping our leadership and the Obama administration get things done in this new Congress,” Senator Carper said. “Now, more than ever, the Senate needs to put ideology aside, to find common ground on legislation, and to deliver results for the American people.”

“Arkansans are pragmatic and expect results from their leaders in Congress,” Senator Lincoln said. “I’m proud to play a constructive role as we work with the administration and Senate leadership to help reach consensus on important issues and serve as a voice for fiscal responsibility.”

Of the working group’s formation, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said, “If we are going to deliver the change Americans demanded and move our country forward, it will require the courage to get past our political differences and get to work. Established organizations like Third Way and new ventures like this group offer us a new opportunity to get things done, and I support every effort that puts real solutions above political posturing.”

http://bayh.senate.gov/news/press/release/?id=b30d7f79-9eb1-4819-980f-9489825825ba

[mod mom]

9. NOT Centrists they're CORPORATISTS

[mod mom]

10. Bayh's wife makes $327,000 on Healthcare Co Board:

Editorial
Indianapolis Star
May 25, 2009

Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh’s vote could prove critical as Congress debates health-care reform later this year. Yet, Bayh has a clear personal interest in the financial stability of one of the key players in that debate — Indianapolis-based WellPoint, the nation’s largest commercial health insurer.

Bayh’s ties to WellPoint could hardly be more direct for a sitting senator. His wife, Susan, as a member of the company’s board of directors, earned compensation valued at $327,000 from WellPoint last year.

Both the senator and the insurance company deny that there’s a conflict of interest caused by Susan Bayh’s work as a director. A spokesman for the senator said that WellPoint is prohibited from communicating with Bayh’s office. Nor does Susan Bayh, according to the spokesman, discuss issues affecting WellPoint with her husband or his staff.

But WellPoint’s future — and thus a significant portion of the Bayhs’ income — could be at risk as the Obama administration and Congress attempt to reshape the nation’s health-care system.

-snip

http://www.indystar.com/article/20090525/OPINION08/905250304/1291/OPINION08/Unhealthy+association+for+Bayh

[masuki bance]

12. But hey, as we saw with Daschle, there isn't anything to worry about.

"...Linda Daschle, a former acting administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, mainly lobbies for aerospace and airline industry clients, but has worked for some health care-related firms in the past, Senate lobbying disclosure reports show.

She was one of a few Baker Donelson lobbyists on accounts for the pharmaceutical company Amgen Inc. and cigarette makers Lorillard Tobacco and Philip Morris Cos. in 1999.

Daschle has some health care related connections of his own: He serves on the boards of Prime BioSolutions and the Mayo Clinic, among others, and his law firm lobbies for a number of industry clients, including CVS Caremark, the National Association for Home Care and Hospice, Abbott Laboratories and HealthSouth. Daschle does not lobby himself, but his law firm has a lobbying arm...."

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/washingtonpostinvestigations/2008/11/daschles_lobbyist_wife_might_c.html

Daschle, Dole Promote Bipartisan Health Care Plan-
...
The report does not recommend a public plan, a sticking point for many Democrats.

"We compromised on that substantially," said Daschle, President Obama's first nominee for the position of Secretary of Health and Human Services. Daschle withdrew his nomination in February amid tax problems. ...

http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/06/17/politics/politicalhotsheet/entry5094031.shtml

[mod mom]

11. "Sen. Nelson has depended on the insurance and health care industries to pay for his campaigns":

Before entering politics, Ben Nelson spent his career as an insurance executive, insurance company lawyer and, early in his career, Nebraska’s state insurance regulator. He was chief executive officer of an insurance company and has sided with and received political support from business groups opposed to a public health plan as part of health reform.
“Nelson enjoyed a successful career in insurance law,” says his Senate website. “He has served as CEO of the Central National Insurance Group, as chief of staff and executive vice president of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and as director of the Nebraska Department of Insurance.”3

In his 2006 re-election campaign, Nelson received endorsements from the National Federation of Independent Business, the Business-Industry Political Action Committee, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. According to the Lincoln Journal Star, “NFIB jointed BIPAC (Business-Industry Political Action Committee) and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in handing the Democratic senator strong business support.”4 These lobbies are either publicly opposed to a public insurance option, or are expected to be.
CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS

Sen. Nelson has depended on the insurance and health care industries to pay for his campaigns for public office.5
According to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics, Sen. Nelson has raised more than $2 million from insurance and health care interests in his three campaigns for federal office.

Sen. Nelson has received $1,195,299 from insurance interests, $399,345 from health professionals, $258,483 from the pharmaceutical industry, and $195,138 from hospital and nursing home interests.

Of Sen. Nelson’s campaign contributions from the insurance and health care industries, 83.4% have come from out of state sources, according to our analysis of data downloaded from the Center for Responsive Politics.

His lifetime campaign contributions from the insurance industry rank him fourth in the Senate, but only behind three others who have run for president (Sens. McCain, Kerry, and Dodd).

Political action committees and employees of Blue Cross Blue Shield’s companies and trade groups have given $59,523, ranking them fourth on Sen. Nelson’s all-time giver list.

Other top donors include a Who’s Who of health industry interests:
Eli Lilly & Co. $27,250
UnitedHealth Group Inc. $25,000
American Optometric Association $25,000
Schering-Plough Corp. $25,000
American Medical Association
$24,500
Amgen Inc. $24,250
Pfizer Inc. $22,600
American Dental Association $22,000
American Physical Therapy Association $21,500
GlaxoSmithKline $21,285
American Health Care Association $21,250
American Hospital Association $20,000
According to an invitation posted by the website Political Party Time, two lobbyists for the Normandy Group – both with multiple health care clients – hosted a fundraising event for Sen. Nelson on July 17, 2008.6

-snip

http://www.campaignmoney.org/healthcare/nelson

[mod mom]

13. Lieberman's wife has healthcare conflict of interest:

Hadassah has also worked for the lobbying company, APCO Associates, that had many pharmaceutical and healthcare corporations among its clients, as well as four major drug companies such as Pfizer. In March 2005, Hadassah was hired by Hill & Knowlton as "senior counselor" in the firm's "health care and pharmaceuticals practice." Hadassah's close relationship with pharmaceutical and healthcare corporations while her husband introduced legislation benefiting these exact companies has raised questions about improprieties and conflict of interest.<1>

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hadassah_Lieberman

[mod mom]

14. Landrieu asked to return millions received from healthcare industries

Louisianans for Real Healthcare Reform called on Louisiana’s two senators to return the millions of dollars in campaign donations they have received from the healthcare industry.

According to the group, “Senators Vitter and Landrieu have come under intense criticism for an alleged conflict of interest in their acceptance of millions of dollars in contributions from the health insurance lobby, while at the same time opposing the inclusion of a public option to compete with private health insurance companies as a part of President Obama’s plan for healthcare reform.

To remedy this, the group has asked Senator Vitter and Senator Landrieu to return the millions of dollars they have received from the insurance lobby. Zach Hudson, a spokesperson for the group, said that it is the only way for them to maintain credibility if they continue to oppose a public plan.”

http://www.bayoubuzz.com/News/Louisiana/Politics/Louisiana_Politics_Louisiana_Politics_Landrieu_Vitter_Legislature_Jindal__9062.asp

[mod mom]

15. Lincoln: "She takes a tremendous amount of money from the Medical-Industrial Complex and..."

One of them, Blanche Lincoln, WalMart's primary representative in the House of Lords, is up for re-election next year. She's normally very Republican-oriented anyway but in the run-up to the election she thinks she has to go on a jihad against working families. She was one of the first Democrats to assure the Chamber of Commerce that she would join the GOP filibuster of Employee Free Choice. She got away with that so now she's making it clear that she will oppose a workable public option that might "hurt" Insurance companies' profits. She takes a tremendous amount of money from the Medical-Industrial Complex and from the insurance industry. They've donated almost $2 million to her political career so far-- and their donations are accelerating. The Arkansas Times has it broken down even finer:

In Lincoln’s case, the skepticism is based on campaign contributions she has received from health insurance industry, which is decidedly cool to competition from government-managed plans. Over the past 20 years she has received $181,899 from health insurance companies, a total that is 19th highest in the chamber, according to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics. Some of that reflects her two terms in the House from January 1993 to January 1997.

For her 2010 campaign for a third Senate term, she has received $14,500 so far, the second highest of any senator up for re-election next year.

-snip

http://downwithtyranny.blogspot.com/2009/06/blanche-lincoln-vs-america.html

[Cha]

16. Yeah, they should be labeled properly

to get a full sense of where they're coming from.

[avaistheone1]

20. Follow the money. They are not centrists. These senators are corporate sellouts.

[OHdem10]

17. The usual suspcts.

[PassingFair]

18. Can they be stripped of their committee assignments?

Or demoted within them?

Let's toast those little piggies!

[Hippo_Tron]

23. Problem is they will threaten to become Republicans

They negotiate from a position of "My state is so red that you should be kissing my ass for simply having a D next to my name let alone the fact that I vote with you once in a while. I would be politically better off if I just joined the GOP."

Lieberman and Bayh aren't from red states and need some fire lit under their asses to get in line. The other four ought to at least be convinced to vote for cloture.

[depakid]

21. If ANY of these DINO's crosses over and joins Republicans in a filibuster

Withdraw their national funding- and make sure that they know that come appropriations time, their pet projects will be in the back of the line.

[uponit7771]

25. AMEN!!! If .07% of Obamas 08 donor base gave 100 dollars to run a progress against 3 of the 6 then

...there would be no doubt we could at least push them towards the left

[smoochpooch]

22. Isn't it interesting who isn't on the list?

Sen. Specter? Many assumed he would be the one that kept Dems from advancing an agenda, but he's gone along better than these jokers.

[uponit7771]

24. K, that's only 6...we need 10 to defeat simple majority needed for reconciliation

...if they have a bill and can't pass it with super majority use reconciliation like Bush and RayGun did with their tax cuts for the rich.

I hate it when the republicans are willing to use lawful tactics to the wrong thing but dems wont use them to do the right thing.