Netroots Day 2: Howard Dean

[proud2BlibKansan]

Dean said the next 8 to 10 weeks are "critical".

Primary care docs are paid less in the US than in other countries.

The current system will not control costs ever.

The teabagger protesters are angry for 3 reasons:

1. The GOP runs on anger. Rove has a history of polling for anger points.

2. These people did not vote for Obama and feel threatened. There is a younger generation in charge now.

3. There is a president in the White House who looks different from every other president we have ever had.




Their objections and anger are not about the bill. This is a major generational change. There are new folks in power in America.

We are winning this debate. That's why they are making stuff up.

When asked why the Democrats didn't start with Single Payer, Dean said "single payer" had become a bad word like "liberal".

Public option is a reasonable compromise. But if Single Payer had been on the table we would have had a better debate.

Dean was shocked that the AMA endorsed Waxman's bill.

He is grateful to the Blue Dogs. They made the bill better.



When asked how to lobby and what to say when we talk to our reps, he said to remind them the American people want reform. Will they vote for what the people want or what the campaign donors want.

About bipartisanship, Dean said Obama is doing the right thing.

Let the GOP speak for themselves and let the American people see the GOP. The GOP wants to kill health care reform so they can get Obama. The American people will see that and won't like it.

Dean would give everyone under 25 or 30 free Medicaid. They are the largest group of uninsured, they don't abide by mandates and will sell any vouchers we give them on ebay, and they are too hard to insure since they are in school, out of school and change jobs a lot. He would also let 55 year olds buy into Medicare.



Edited by Admin with proud2BlibKansan's permission to reduce image dimensions for Journal compatibility -- EarlG

[Myrina]

1. Very similar theme to BigDawg last night ...

... I watched him live on CSPAN and your summary of Dr. Dean (who will ALWAYS be my hero!) sounds alot like the way Clinton explained the current right-wing frenzy.

Wonder if the Dems are working on developing a theme or a response-strategy (finally)?

:patriot:

[madfloridian]

3. But I gather Clinton told someone there are other options as well as public.

Someone posted it here a few minutes ago.

[Myrina]

6. Very likely - I didn't see it all ...

... and what I did see, was focused on his theme of comparing now to 1968 and how the righties reaction both then and now was to make people terrified of 'change' (that was going to happen, or had already happened, anyway).

[proud2BlibKansan]

4. I sure hope so!

[tooeyeten]

8. we can only hope

they can't seem to get it that we need cohesiveness within the party. Haven't we learned anything this last election, and btw thanks to Howard Dean!

[wryter2000]

2. Right on all points

Dr. Dean is awesome.

I think he's 100% right that Obama and the Dems in Congress had to try for bipartisanship. At this point, they obviously have every right to throw up their hands and say "We tried."

I think he's right, too, that the Rs are showing themselves for what they are. They have a few, loud, obnoxious supporters, but that's about it.

[madfloridian]

5. Great pictures.

I loved the question early on that asked Dean if he would apply for a position on the death panel.

[proud2BlibKansan]

7. So glad you saw this!

:hi:

[PassingFair]

9. Still speaking for me...

and for the good of us all.

Still inspiring me to DO.