Dean: "There Will Be Primaries" For Dems Who Vote Against Public Option

[Me.]

Thank God for Howard, he never fails to deliver

“Former Democratic National Committee chair Howard Dean fired one of the clearest warning shots at hesitant Democratic lawmakers on Thursday, insisting that if the party was unable to produce a health care bill with a public plan, there would be electoral consequences.

"I do think there will be primaries as the result of all this, if the bill doesn't pass with a public option," Dean said, in a phone interview with the Huffington Post.

The former Vermont governor added the caveat that he thought "cooler heads" would ultimately prevail and that a government run option for insurance coverage would be passed. But his remarks are some of the most threatening yet to be directed at Democrats from within the party.

Dean, who is a keynote speaker at the Netroots Nation conference at Pittsburgh this week, said he was "in favor" of holding recalcitrant senators and congressman accountable on health care related issues.” Cont…

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/08/13/dean-there-will-be-primar_n_258813.html

[loyalkydem]

1. You tell them

Daddy Dean. Blue Dogs, your on notice now

[Sub Atomic]

2. He's 169% right.

Their votes have consequences. It's long past time for them to remember that.

[Me.]

3. 'Zactly

And we know the good doctor is able to deliver on his promises. The 50 state strategy proved that.

[glitch]

4. Good! nt

[Just-plain-Kathy]

5. As a memeber of the democratic party, I say cool. But...

if republicans did this, forget about it...we'd say THEY were handling their party like a dictatorship.

I wish we would just fame the proposal as being willing to be honest by exposing and getting get rid of corrupt members of our own party...because they're in the pockets of lobbyist.

[Me.]

14. Generally I'd Agree With You

But I think the time is long past due when some need to be reminded what party they're in and the type of people they're supposed to be representing. Maybe a trip to the woodshed will wake some of them up.

[redqueen]

6. Fuckin A.

[travelingtypist]

7. Makes me wish he was still DNC chair.

But I'll take this, too.

The people want real reform. It's the providers/hospitals/insurance companies that are trying to stop it. The Blue Dogs need to be reminded of who they really work for.

Thank you, Doctor-Governor-Chairman Dean.

:loveya:

[jsamuel]

8. if he were, he probably wouldn't have said it

but I am glad he did

[travelingtypist]

11. Yeah, good point.

Instead of saying it, he'd be busy picking his primary candidates, which would be even sweeter, even if I didn't know about it until way later.

"I'm from the Democratic wing of the Democratic Party." Fucking-A.

[bemildred]

9. Word. nt

[texasleo]

10. Yup.

[Sub Atomic]

12. kick

[HughMoran]

13. Oh dear god, thank you Howard Dean!!

This is not a fucking game Blue Dogs. We're going to kick your fucking asses if you fail us now.

[Me.]

15. I Second That Emotion

[BlooInBloo]

16. yeeeaaarghh!

[Junkdrawer]

17. Oh. there'll be a "Public Option"...But it will be whittled down to nothing...

http://pnhp.org/blog/2009/07/20/bait-and-switch-how-the-%E2%80%9Cpublic-option%E2%80%9D-was-sold

[xchrom]

18. oops! -- there it is. nt

[Me.]

19. The Unions Are Fighting Back Too

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=367&topic_id=22231&mesg_id=22237

[burning rain]

20. It pays to remember Howard's a Vermonster.

The former governor of a state in New England, where the citizens' role in governance through participation in town meetings is traditionally vital. Not for Howard the idea that citizens and grassroots are useful for corralling votes, but they can shut their traps once they've gotten you into office.

[Me.]

22. Yep

Nate Silver writes that Blanche Lincoln's numbers are going soft, which is not where an incumbent should be. Maybe she needs to start rethinking her positions.

[Odin2005]

21. You go, Howie!!!

:yourock:

[donheld]

23. !

[UrbScotty]

24. As there darn well should be! More - and BETTER - Democrats!

[Me.]

26. So They Think They Can Get Elected Without Us

We're the people who make phone calls, write postcards, letters to the editors, walk the precincts...It's time we demand payback for all our hard work, not to mention the money and votes. Quid pro quo senators. You know how it works, you've had plenty of practice with corporations and lobbyists.

[abumbyanyothername]

25. My letter to "my" Senator

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/08/13/dean-there-will-be-primar_n_258813.html

Dear Ms. O’Brien:

I came down to Senator Feinstein’s office to speak with her staff about healthcare on Wednesday, August 12 (it was my birthday). Because you were overwhelmed by the response of the coordinated visits set up by Organizing for America I spoke briefly with Ben, left a written explication of my position and left.

I would like to re-emphasize that I am extremely disappointed in what I have seen in public from Senator Feinstein on the healthcare issue. Her concerns over the creation of another entitlement program do not match or address my concerns at all. I am not worried about the health care insurance companies’ profits, I am not worried about federal deficits, I am concerned about people dying because they are being denied care for lack of money. The handout on the Affordable Health Choices Act does not address my desire for a vigorous public option (actually, I support HR676, public (true public) option is the minimum I would accept) at all.

I fully support Dr. Dean in the threat that he makes in the above article, and even before reading this article, had posed the question to some friends, “Can we primary her?”

I certainly hope that the Senator can see her way clear to somehow support a vigorous public option so that we can focus on defeating Republicans in the next election rather than fighting incumbent Democrats who vote like they are Republicans.

Your constituent,

(abumbyuanyothername)

[Me.]

27. !

:thumbsup:

[Dinger]

28. K & R

I posted a dupe on this sorry. Anyway, kudos to Howard Dean!

[goclark]

29. Why is he the Former ?

He is one of my all time favorites and I love him working on Health Care! Can't he be the main Spokesperson?

[autorank]

30. A HUGH K and R for this one. There are consequences

These clowns pretend they have to vote on the right since they're from conservative districts.

Their districts have people in them who need health care reform.

There is no risk for responsible health care reform.

Therefore, the members of Congress are craven cynics for pursuing their policies.

Primaries all around!!!

[Me.]

31. We Been Subjected To A Lot Of Urban Myths

They come from conservative districts, we can't bring a bill forward 'cause they'll filibuster and do on. One of my current favs is senators who have the best health care system in the world, and which is run by the government saying we need to keep government out of the health business. I think any senator who doesn't vote for viable reform should be stripped of their government run system. Let them find out what it's like out there. How about Cobra senator, that will only cost you abut a grand a month for you and your spouse.

[autorank]

32. COBRA for Senators - decent plan, $500 deductible per person = $1500.00 a month

Yep, but they'll have the guv pay for it, I'm sure. Revolting creeps like Grassley who deliberately lie
about the bill should be censured. It's time.

[BirminghamExaminer]

33. K&R thank god for Howard Dean

[Mithreal]

34. Not what Rahm says.

[Me.]

35. IIRC

The WH has had to walk back several things he said on health care