Feinstein Throws Obama Under the Bus

[FourScore]

Updated: Feinstein - We Don't Have the Votes for Obama's Plan
by askew
Sun Jun 21, 2009 at 01:35:28 PM PDT

Senator Feinstein today on CNN's State of the Union show

"I don’t know that he has the votes right now," Feinstein said today on CNN’s "State of the Union" program. "I think there’s a lot of concern in the Democratic caucus." Controlling costs of the new system is a "difficult subject."

When even Feinstein is bailing on health care reform, we have a serious problem. The Senate Republicans are sensing our Democrats weakness on health care and are pushing to delay the bill until next year or to weaken the reform so much it becomes worthless.

How is it that the Senate Democrats are so damn weak and so politically tone-deaf? How can they not see that bailing on reforming health care is going to cost the Democrats their majority? Is there any way to get through to them????

Since phone calls and e-mails don't seem to be working with Senator Feinstein, any suggestions on how to pressure her? Sit-ins at her CA office, rallies, marches in CA?

Senator Casey (D-PA) was the lone voice of sanity on Health Care today:

The last thing the American people "want us to do is to wait and delay for 2010 or 2011, because this is the economic threat to our country," Casey said. "If we don’t get this right and get it done, American families are going to pay far too much."

Please contact Senator Casey to thank him for standing strong. His phone number is [phone].

Updated: Here's the link to submit questions to ask President Obama at his ABC townhall meeting on health care.

Updated2: According to The Hill (h/t to rontun), Feinstein is threatening to vote against the bill:

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), who has proven critical in forging compromise on major issues in the past, says she feels cut out of negotiations to overhaul the nation’s healthcare system.

Feinstein fired off a warning Tuesday by threatening to vote against the bill if it takes tens of billions of dollars in Medicare funds away from high-cost areas such as New York and California to cover uninsured patients in low-cost and rural areas of the country.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/6/21/745267/-Updated:-FeinsteinWe-Dont-Have-the-Votes-for-Obamas-Plan

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. Feinstein isn't much of a Democrat...

She's more DINO than not, IMHO.

:shrug:

[blm]

11. In many of our opinions....even the not so humble ones. ;)

.

[CreekDog]

20. Feinstein always points out how she is different than the Democrats when they are in a bind

the schtick is getting old though.

[aquart]

2. "EVEN" Feinstein? Please.

[BlooInBloo]

3. You'll have to let me know how that ends up working for her.

[Justitia]

4. This should surprise no one, coming from her. -eom

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

5. DF is constantly whining about being overlooked in discussions about everything

and now is "threatening" to vote against it? I am more than over DF. She's like Newt Gingrich being insulted over his seat on Airforce One and then shutting down the government over it. Not to mention her questionable conflicts of interest while sitting on Appropriations not to mention making a gazillion dollars on the Iraq War. California should vote her out to enjoy her more than comfortable retirement.

[960]

6. So telling the truth is throwing Obama under the bus?

The "plans" being floated do not solve a single problem and cost a fortune.
They are designed by the insurance companies to make it look like universal healthcare is a costly burden.... and Obama is playing right into their hands.

We need REAL reform, not a bailout for the insurance companies touted as "reform".

[babylonsister]

7. You must have missed this plan. And from what I've read, it's

gotten good reviews so far. Nothing is a done deal yet, but to make such a blanket statement shows you don't know what you're talking about. Now, the Senate is another story...


House Democrats "Anxious To Take On" Health Care Reform Opponents

snip//

Where the Senate Finance Committee's outline of a bill didn't include a public health insurance option for people to buy into, the House version includes a robust public plan that would operate nationally and compete with private insurers on a level playing field to keep them honest.

The public plan would be self-sustaining and not subsidized by the federal government, although an upfront infusion of capital would be needed. It would initially be tied to Medicare reimbursement rates, to capitalize on the existing infrastructure, but would evolve into a separate plan that paid higher rates. Participation by doctors would be voluntary.

Rangel described the public plan as "the best of Medicaid, best of Medicare, then kick it up a notch." The chairmen estimated the plan would cover 95 percent of Americans.

more...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/06/19/house-democratsanxious-to_n_218177.html

[960]

8. Sorry, but that's just spin. The only "plans" being developed are

designed to fail.

[babylonsister]

10. And you know that how? That's right, you don't. nt

[960]

15. more babbling from you.

you'll see soon enough if your eyes are open.

[babylonsister]

18. oooh, that's a good argument.

:rofl:

[OHdem10]

9. Look, I think we all know you cannot reform Health Care without

Cutting Medicare and Medicaid.

Most States are in financial crisis or close to it. Cutting
Medicare and Medicaid looks like GOP on Steroids. This will
throw States into real turmoil.

What did the Reform offer to get Seniors and Poor over the Hump??

[spanone]

12. congress, both sides of the isle, is not our friend....we pay a pittance of their salaries

not a single congressperson could run for office on their salaries....they are beholding to the corporate lobbyists, and that's how they vote.

[OHdem10]

13. Look, I think we all know you cannot reform Health Care without

Cutting Medicare and Medicaid.

Most States are in financial crisis or close to it. Cutting
Medicare and Medicaid looks like GOP on Steroids. This will
throw States into real turmoil.

What did the Reform offer to get Seniors and Poor over the Hump??

[s-cubed]

14. Check out the TYT on

change congress
http://change-congress.org/

Chttp://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x327591

Send them a donation today. Their next target, after nelson, is mary landreiu (sp?) of LA. Sounds like a good approach.

[Serial Mom]

16. look to see if her husband gains anything from no public option....

he has LOTS of government contracts, and yes I know they are not in health industry, but one can't help wondering.

It always seem congress does what helps their pockets more than what helps their constituents!

[bvar22]

17. When AntiWAR Democrats in The House....

...balked at Obama's $100Billion additional funding for The WARS, Obama GOT TOUGH.
Obama, Hillary and Rahm bulldoged enough of them into agreement.
AntiWAR Democrats were told that they would be "locked out of the White House",
and that "We will come to your districts and campaign against you."

I would LOVE to see Obama get tough with the traitorous Senate Blue Dogs on Health Care....
or maybe he doesn't think real Health Care is that important.

Feinstein is a piece of shit.

[Canuckistanian]

19. Feinstein doesn't have the credibility to throw ANYONE "under the bus"

She's a co-opted corporate operative.

Why she gets any press coverage as a "Democrat" is a mystery to me.

She might as well change parties, She hasn't accomplished a DAMN thing for Democrats. And that goes back to when she was mayor of SF.

[Peacetrain]

21. What my Canadian friend said