The Hill: W.H. didn’t make calls backing public option

[freddie mertz]

W.H. didn’t make calls backing public option
By J. Taylor Rushing and Sam Youngman - 10/02/09 06:09 AM ET

The White House did not lobby senators on the Finance Committee before they rejected two amendments that would have added a public option to the panel’s healthcare reform plan.

The lack of political pressure from President Barack Obama and his lieutenants is the latest indication of the White House’s lagging interest in passing healthcare reform that calls for a large government role.

Despite consistently calling for the idea of a government-run health plan to keep pressure on private companies, Senate leaders say neither the president nor any White House officials lobbied Democrats on the Finance Committee, which voted down two public option amendments offered by Sens. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) on Tuesday.
Both Schumer, who is vice chairman of the Democratic Conference, and Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) say they are unaware of any phone calls from the administration to Finance Democrats to push for a successful vote on the amendments.

The White House’s silence calls into question the administration’s commitment to a public option plan at a time when the idea is teetering in the upper chamber. Schumer and other Democrats also expressed frustration with the administration’s lack of effort.

Asked if the administration played any role in Tuesday’s committee vote, or called any committee members, Schumer simply said, “No.”

“I would hope the president would weigh in,” Schumer said.

Committee member Tom Carper (D-Del.), who voted yes on the Schumer amendment and no on the Rockefeller measure, said he wasn’t leaned on.

“I expect the administration to play a far more active role in the days ahead as we report a bill out,” Carper said. “The administration has played pretty much the role they need to play, but there will be opportunities for them to play a greater role, to be more vocal.”


(snip)

Obama did call Rockefeller this week, but only to lobby for the senator’s support for the final bill — not the public option amendment.

Asked if Obama needs to do more, Rockefeller said, “Everybody needs to do more.”

But Durbin and Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) both defended Obama’s strategy, saying the former Illinois senator is being careful not to push his ex-colleagues too hard.

“He’s said on a number of occasions that he’s in favor of the public option — he’s made that very clear,” Reid told The Hill.

“It’s too early anyway,” said Durbin. “This is all about the Senate Finance Committee, and I don’t think it’s fair to say the White House is expected to lobby in favor of an amendment.”

White House officials, most notably Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, have delved into committee politics on healthcare reform. When the House Energy and Commerce Committee was struggling to pass a healthcare bill before the August recess, Emanuel was actively involved in the negotiations.

Obama and Vice President Joe Biden have not been shy in calling members to vote for controversial legislation. Both men personally appealed to many members to vote for the economic stimulus package as well as the climate change bill that cleared the House earlier this year.

(a bit more)


http://thehill.com/news-by-subject/healthcare/61289-wh-didnt-make-calls-on-public-option

[freddie mertz]

1. This report seems to support the "Obama could have done more"

Argument.

What say you all?

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

7. That this wasn't the vote that counted and there's a lot of time left to go.

What say us is that it's well past time for people like you to stop spazzing out over every last little thing and focus on the bigger picture instead.

[freddie mertz]

10. This is the picture right now...

We should wait till the deal is done to express our opinions?

In what world?

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

12. The deal isn't done. It's not even that close. (nt)

[freddie mertz]

16. The deal is BEING MADE right now, my friend.

And blind, starry-eyed faith is not going to get us to a good result.

Unless, of course, you support what Baucus and his Stooges are up to?

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

25. I'm sorry but it's not news that the President didn't lobby on a meaningless vote.

It just isn't. And the article indicated that he was, in fact, lobbying for final passage of a bill that hasn't even been conferenced yet. So really, you aren't saying anything that is in any way informed.

[freddie mertz]

37. It's not me saying anything really.

It's in the report.

Rockefeller seems to think he could have done more.

The others are being polite.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

41. The "Obama should be doing more" crowd has moved well past polite. (nt)

[freddie mertz]

45. Well, there has been a LOT of provocation.

There is an element here that seeks to silence even the tiniest trace of criticism.

It's weird, really weird, to come inhere and be subjected to it after visiting almost any other progressive site (Kos, Firedog, huffpo, etc).

This is the only one I know where it is this bad.

[Exilednight]

51. This isn't the picture right now ......

The picture that matters is when the bill is reconciled between the Senate and House. If, and that's a BIG IF, the reconciled version comes out of committee without a public option, then - and only if the president does nothing - will it really matter.

Unfortunately, some people around here like to nitpick at things that nothing to do with nothing.

[harkadog]

85. Apparently Schumer and Rockefeller are part of the "nitpick" crowd too.

[ananda]

2. Shame.

Why am I not surprised....

[freddie mertz]

3. The unrecs have already started.

And yet, this is a fully sourced, apparently reliable report.

Has anyone got something that refutes it?

[SIMPLYB1980]

4. Because this OP deserves them.nt

[freddie mertz]

5. Why? Are you disputing the facts in the report?

The Senators are quoted by name.

they are giving their points of view.

Since they are Dems, they are probably giving the benefit of the doubt. not exaggerating by any means.

[John Q. Citizen]

11. La la la l can't hear you? Why would Obama go after the insurance industry? They send money.

Lots.

To Democrats.

And that's what's important, after all.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

6. Yeah - that this wasn't the vote that counted and we all know it. (nt)

[freddie mertz]

8. And yet, the president has praised the Finance Committee

Or so I read today on the news nets.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

9. Cite it.

On edit: Regardless of citations, my statement still stands. We've known the outcome of this vote long ago, and it's still not the one that matters. Praise or no praise, we're still not at the end.

[John Q. Citizen]

13. If, at the end, we are scewed and the health care industrial complex wins big will you face reality

and quit voting against your own economic interests?

Or like the Repos partisans did, will you make excuses and blindly follow the leader down the primrose path?

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

24. And pray tell, how would I vote for my own economic interests?

Are you pushing the LaRouche route or the Green Party route today?

[John Q. Citizen]

28. If you can't figure out how to vote for your own economic interests I doubt you

will figure out that I'm not pushing the LaRouche or the Green Party route today.

You will probably remain clueless forever. It seems that's your lot.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

29. I vote for the most progressive candidate with an actual chance to win.

There is no way I can change my voting habits for a better outcome. If you've got suggestions, I'd be happy to hear them.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

31. I live in Maryland

Which means I vote for Cardin, Mikulski, and Van Hollen. Which of those is not voting in my own interests?

For president, in the primaries I supported Biden, wound up voting for Obama over Clinton. In the general, I supported Obama. Again, tell me how I should've voted differently?

[John Q. Citizen]

36. Cardin, Mikulski, Van Hollen, and Obama know you will vote for them no matter what they do.

So they know they have no need to listen to you or to respect any thing you might care about.

They have you entirely in their power.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

40. Yeah, but why wouldn't they?

They're already the most progressive/liberal candidates available. Yeah, I could make a hollow threat to vote for someone else, but at the end of the day, they're still the best we have. I don't need to gesture at what they already know.

If we were talking about a blue dog, you might have me convinced, but there's not a blue dog among them.

[Jakes Progress]

14. Yeah. Don't come at me with a lot of facts and stuff.

I've got my opinion and all the facts that I want to hear are the ones that prove how wise I am.

[freddie mertz]

15. I'll cite it anyway...

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_HEALTH_CARE_OVERHAUL?SITE=CONGRA&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

Obviously you looked and found it was true, which switched your line from "YOU LIE!" to "IT DOESN'T MATTER!".

I would argue that it DOEs mater, since it provides an insight into the WH's thinking and strategy.

We can differ as to how to read it, but to claim that "it doesn't matter because it's not over" is pure sophistry.


:patriot: :spray: :nuke:

[John Q. Citizen]

17. Yes. It's the Democratic version of Repo kool-aide drinking.

[freddie mertz]

19. How far and wide is the spread of this disease?

It certainly seems strong around here these days....

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

23. "Cite it" is not synonymous with "you lie".

And the praise was for getting a health care reform bill to a point that it's never been, which is true. If he wanted to praise Baucus or the bill itself, believe me, he would have.

Keep misreading the tea leaves and getting pissed because you jump to the wrong conclusions.

[freddie mertz]

33. Whatever pal.

No one understands anything and everyone should shut up till it's over.

I get it.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

80. No, just you and the handful of morons making DU a darker place. (nt)

[freddie mertz]

86. Sorry I dodged you effort to trick me into a personal attack.

Looks like you went there instead.

[bvar22]

47. LOL.

You can take his edit as a complete and total surrender.
Anyone reading this thread will recognize the edit for what it is.

:patriot:

[freddie mertz]

48. That is how I took it.

I laughed out loud, actually.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

95. The edit came one minute after the post.

There was no surrender at all, but small victories for small people, right?

[freddie mertz]

96. But after you realized that what I said was true,,,

But hey, you can't always be right in the fast-paced world of the internets.

[dolphindance]

30. When we finally get a good health care bill we're going to look back on this

minutia and laugh. Why allow ourselves to get whipped into a worrying frenzy until it is really warranted.

[freddie mertz]

34. What me worry?

Let the politicians handle this and stop complaining.

They'll do what's right for us all.

They always do.

O8) :party: :dunce:

[John Q. Citizen]

39. Learn to play follow the leader all ready for crying out loud. We work for them

after all.

[bvar22]

49. The FACT....

...that a weak Public Option could NOT pass, or even get close to passing in a committee with a Democratic Chairman and a Democratic majority is more than just note worthy.
It is a cause for a very public condemnation.
NOW is the PERFECT time for shining a spotlight on the corrupt wing of the Democratic Party.

A response of immediate OUTRAGE is merited.


It puts these weasels on notice that:
WE are WATCHING.
WE are Taking Names.
We WILL hold you accountable.


Thank You, Internet and Liberal Blogs.

[karynnj]

18. I think it is clear that Obama just wants to get a bill, that can then be fixed, out of Finance

That would explain the call to Rockefeller and the following comments by Durbin and Reed

"But Durbin and Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) both defended Obama’s strategy, saying the former Illinois senator is being careful not to push his ex-colleagues too hard.

“He’s said on a number of occasions that he’s in favor of the public option — he’s made that very clear,” Reid told The Hill.

“It’s too early anyway,” said Durbin. “This is all about the Senate Finance Committee, and I don’t think it’s fair to say the White House is expected to lobby in favor of an amendment.”

It might be that with neither Conrad or Lincoln showing any sign of budging -the PO is impossible in the Finance committee. (I would include Baucus, except he did seem to somewhat support in merit Schumer's PO, but voted against it because he thinks it will not get 60 - that suggests that if we can get to the point where we could pass it, he might not be a problem.

[John Q. Citizen]

21. Baucus is a big whore for the health care industrial complex. He will protect his cash flow

no matter what.

[Dr Fate]

60. Well, if "Fighting" Harry Reid likes the strategy, it MUST be one hum-dinger!!

Geeze- for a second I was worried- but now that you say that Mr. Brass Knuckles himself- good 'ol "Fighting" Harry Reid agrees with the strategy, I can rest easy.

Reid knows that you don't want to push anyone too hard- that's how he always get so much done for us and all.

[DrToast]

20. There's no point in lobbying a committee vote

They're obviously going to let some conservadems vote against the bill when it comes to a final vote, so why would you ask them to do so now?

[BeyondGeography]

22. Is there a bill?

What have I missed?

[Aramchek]

26. Obama knows the Baucus bill is shit.

Why waste his time on it now when it is going to have to be rewritten in Conference anyway?

[quantass]

61. Actually it is a glimpse to what he values -- He doesnt care for PO...

Although this bill is shit his making the effort for such quality ammendmants are hints to what he values most in a bill...Providing support for those ammendmants, and lets say they were included, would help boost the effort for having a PO in a final bill, even when this particular bill is shot down in the end, for him to sign....His not even wanting to take part in such ammendmants is a definite clue he doesnt want it, or at the very least, considers it worthless.

Shame...but it has been a consistent theme from the WH. My entire hope is now with congress and people like Grayson and Weiner who are fighting tooth and nail to get the PO included at all costs.

In the end i expect a PO in the final bill...but sadly i strongy think it will have a stupid trigger which essentially waters down the bill to nothing...satisfying the WH (because it is like not having a PO at all -- rememer: those closed door deals the WH made with corporations are more important to them) and the Insurance companies.

[IndianaGreen]

63. Obama called Rockefeller to tell him to support Baucus bill, without a public option

Here is the LBN link:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4085289

[quantass]

64. That makes things worse....Geez...is this Obama or Bush III??!?!?

Very disappointed. Thank god for stand-up democrats in congress or i'd be totally pissed. I am hoping over the years Obama will "grow" to be a strong democratic president.

[Generator]

71. Wow. Just wow.

The worst health care legislation in 30 years that everyone despises and THIS is what Obama wastes his energy and time supporting. Actions speak so much louder than words.

[brentspeak]

27. The unrec'ers are like little children who put their fingers in their ears

and make loud noises to drown out what they don't want to hear.

[freddie mertz]

32. Lots of that around these days.

"Shut up and don't say anything till it's over" is my favorite among the forest of the lame-o unrec-bot arguments.

[Cha]

35. Wah Wah Wah WAH..

The president didn't do this..gee, maybe the PRESIDENT has a strategy that those on an internet board know nothing about?:think:

Carry on.

[freddie mertz]

38. Yes, he's alway right.

Obama ha sempre ragione.

[bvar22]

42. K&R... back UP to 0

Thanks for the new "Top Tens Page".
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=greatest_threads&topten=1

Now my Homepage.

A strike against the anonymous Middle of the Herd political Correctness Commissars at DU.

The OP contains INFORMATION that some at DU don't want YOU to have.

[freddie mertz]

44. It's got ONE REC now!!!

This is just a REPORT and yet there are legions who don't want you all to read it.

WHY?

[bvar22]

46. Information...

...is the enemy of the propagandists.
And "they" are here at DU.

The new "Top Tens Page" is a godsend.
It actually works against the anonymous unrecommendeers.

I would not have found your thread without the new Top Tens Page.

[freddie mertz]

50. It's at 50/50, recs and unrec!

That's amazing.

[Raine1967]

53. You have no way of knowing that.

Un-recs are not recorded.

[freddie mertz]

54. The proportion is given on the new "Top Ten" page.

Check to see for yourself...

[bvar22]

55. Man, you gotta keep up!

Check out the new Top Tens Page.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=greatest_threads&topten=1

[ipaint]

52. On the one hand it's get behind insurance reform!" and then

if you happen to ask what specifically the president wants us to get behind it's "shut up, you don't need to know".

Heaven forbid you post an article like the one you did, then it's a version of "if your not with us your with the terrorists". Helen Thomas is getting skewered in another thread for having the audacity to press Gibbs on the presidents lack of enthusiasm for a government run option.

Authoritarian bullshit.

[freddie mertz]

57. They are just like the Bush Republicans

When they attack this stalwart journalist.

You'd think a moment of reflection would give them pause... but no....

[budkin]

43. It makes me goddamn sick

[Dr Fate]

56. Obama could prove them all wrong in 5 seconds:

"I support a strong public option that gurantees competition against private insurance. I will be calling on every Blue Dog in the Senate and let them know not to send me anything less. If they refuse, I'll campaign against them in the primaries, and I'll call on all of my supporters to do the same."

That would take him 5 to 10 seconds.

Until he does something similar to that, more or less, I'll assume he does not support a strong public option. Since he wants me to play the guessing game, there is my guess for you.

[freddie mertz]

58. We can only wonder why he has NOT said this....

I THINK I know the answer (he's given up and will take anything he can get)...

But it's all a product of speculation, left by a failure of clarity and leadership.

[Dr Fate]

65. People can attack me all they want- but I dont think Obama wants a strong public option.

If he does, then he has a funny way of showing it.

I have no doubt that he would support "a" public option as defined by the likes of Harry Reid & Our Blue Dog Masters.

I hope he blows my mind-we end up with REAL reform and this "keep the base guessing" strategy all turns out to be some master strategy.

I've never seen anything quite like it, either way.

[freddie mertz]

76. He's shown no evidence of it that I can see.

I've pretty much given up on him, frankly.

And not just on this issue.

He's been a colossal disappointment.

[grahamhgreen]

75. +44 million (uninsured).

[Clio the Leo]

59. Obama and Rockefeller met face to face a week ago...

... how soon we forget.

And Sen. Rockefeller was nothing short of elated after he left. How soon we forget.

Was on MSNBC that night talking about it. How soon we forget.

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/59065-wh-requests-rockefeller-for-meeting-

[IndianaGreen]

62. Obama called Rockefeller to tell him to support Baucus bill, without a public option

Here is the LBN link:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4085289

[Dr Fate]

66. Thanks- I was about to point that out myself. "How soon we forget" indeed. n/t

n/t

[Clio the Leo]

67. And when the final bill passes with a public option...

.... I expect both of you to remember this moment.

You want the bill to get out of committee?

Or do you want the Republicans to read, re-read, re-read one more time to make sure for the next 600 years?

[Dr Fate]

68. LOL! "A" Public option as defined by who? Harry Reid? Some ass hole Blue Dog?

Sure- if we get a STRONG public option, I'll be the first to admit I'm wrong.

I've been wrong about Obama before- and I've held my tounge on going after him until a day or so ago- I'm afraid that I'm starting to see the writting on the wall very clearly now.

Funny how the language is "a" public option now- I can see where that is going. They are going to call whatever we get "a" public option no matter what now.

I dont give a shit what Republicans read and re-read- its the Blue Dogs who are holding this up- we dont even need GOP votes.

600 years? Who's bright idea was it to get them so involved in the first place?

[Clio the Leo]

70. Apparently Sens Schumer and Rockefeller ....

et al

http://wonkroom.thinkprogress.org/2009/09/24/schumer-and-rockefeller-call/

.... and as vain as I am, I'm at least willing to conceed that they know more about the matter than I do.

[Baltoman991]

72. Use your damn

head for a minute instead of wasting all your time digging for things to slam Obama with.

Yes, he wants the fucking bill out of committee so they can get on with finalizing a damn bill.

4 out of 5 are out. This one is being held up because of bullshit.

Obama doesn't want the bill out because he wants a bill without the PO. He wants the bill out so they'll quit fucking around and delaying things.

[freddie mertz]

79. The why won't Gibbs say the public option is NOT dead?

If it isn't, he should say so.

If it is, let us now and get it over with.

[Baltoman991]

81. Obama has said

time and time again that ANY bill he signs must have a public option. Gibbs doesn't need to keep answering the same damn question over and over again.

It's not Obamas fault that there are those who need everything spelled out for them.

[freddie mertz]

82. He's also said, over and over again, the opposite.

That its something HE "supports" but that he is open to other ways of achieving its postulated "end," which is "increasing competition."

BUT WE ALL KNOW THAT and it's been gone over a thousand times.

NEXT.

[Baltoman991]

89. Theres been

tons of proof here showing that Obama, without a shadow of a doubt, wants a public option. Care to show me one shred of proof from Obama himself, not some unamed source, saying he'd be ok signing a bill without it?

[freddie mertz]

91. If you can't pay attention to what the man says in public...

Don't expect me or anyone else to link it up for you.

Click on the Helen Thomas-Gibbs thread.

Do a keyword search on "sliver."

In other words, educate yourself.

[Honeycombe8]

69. I'm saddened to hear this. Very much saddened. nt

[polichick]

73. Whatever his strategy is, I sure hope it works. Too much bipartisanshit...

...and not nearly passionate enough about the PO imo, but we'll see.

[grahamhgreen]

74. Unreccers on this - you have your head in the sand (or your hands in my pockets!)

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

77. What matters is what happens once it's out of Committee. nt

[freddie mertz]

78. Everything that happens matters, and has consequences...

I hope the bill dies in committee, forcing the issue back to square one.

[DailyGrind51]

83. Where is the leadership on this thing? If only we could bring FDR back to life!

[csziggy]

84. So what about the story today that indicates the WH is making calls?

Health care reform: Privately, Barack Obama strongly backs public option
White House discreetly labors to weave coalition on health care
By Noam N. Levey and Janet Hook Tribune Newspapers
October 4, 2009

WASHINGTON - -- Despite months of seeming ambivalence about creating a government health insurance plan, the Obama White House has launched an intensifying behind-the-scenes campaign to get divided Senate Democrats to take up some version of the idea in the weeks just ahead.

President Barack Obama has long advocated a so-called public option, while at the same time repeatedly expressing openness to other ways to offer consumers a potentially more affordable alternative to health plans sold by private insurers. But now, senior administration officials are holding private meetings almost daily at the Capitol with senior Democratic staff to discuss ways to include a version of the public plan in the health care bill that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., plans to bring to the Senate floor later this month, according to senior Democratic congressional aides.

Among those regularly in the meetings are Obama's top health care adviser, Nancy-Ann DeParle, aides to Reid, and Senate finance and health committee staff, both of which developed health care bills.

At the same time, Obama has been reaching out personally to rank-and-file Senate Democrats, telephoning more than a dozen lawmakers in the last week to press the case for action. Administration officials are also distributing talking points and employing other campaign-style devices to rally support for passing a bill this fall.

The White House initiative, unfolding largely out of public view, follows months in which the president appeared to defer to senior lawmakers on Capitol Hill as they labored to put together gargantuan health care bills.

More: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-tc-nw-healthcare-obama-1003-oct04,0,1969667.story

Also: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=8684095&mesg_id=8684095

I've never particularly trusted The Hill.

[freddie mertz]

87. More confusion to add to the mix.

Is anyone running the show over there?

[SpartanDem]

88. That Obama didn't arms on the finance committee markp

doesn't mean that he isn't going to do it for the overall bill

[freddie mertz]

90. Who knows what he's going to do?

There is some mysterious contradictory shit coming out of the WH these days.

We are so far from the open, accountable government we heard so much about.

[csziggy]

92. One discussion of what is happening in the WH now

Talked about Obama's "gang of rivals" selection of cabinet and other appointees and how diverse the range of opinions in the WH is. Most of the discussion was on how the leaks are coming from different factions inside the WH, each trying to influence public opinion and Obama to their point of view.

If this is what is going on, it makes more sense. But if it is true, then IMO Obama needs to get his people under control. Leaks with all different views are just confusing matters. And crap like McChristal is pumping out is definitely not doing Obama any good.

[freddie mertz]

97. Good point. It's not clear who is minding the store....

Or who really has the president's ear.

I suspect there is a bit of passivity and/or uncertainty at the very top.

[MasonJar]

93. Obama is not pushing the public option and I assume that means he is the

Blue Dog he has acted like since he took office. He is not the "change" agent he campaigned as. I am tired of excuses for his lack of committment.

[Baltoman991]

94. Wow, just wow!!!

All those weeks out on the road, hitting state after state talking about the public option and how important it is and you can sit here and pretend none of that happened?

In case you forgot, this is Democratic Underground where most people know the score. Now perhaps on a right wing hack site your post would stand up as factual. Here, well, it's just bullshit.