Dean No Longer Urging Dems To ‘Kill’ The Bill: ‘Let’s See What They Add To This Bill ...

[ProSense]

Dean No Longer Urging Dems To ‘Kill’ The Bill: ‘Let’s See What They Add To This Bill And Make It Work’

This morning, Howard Dean walked back from earlier statements encouraging Democrats to “kill” the Senate health care bill. On Thursday, Dean wrote that “this bill would do more harm than good to the future of America,” but during his appearance on Meet The Press, Dean argued that yesterday’s manager’s amendment significantly improved the legislation. “I would let this thing go to conference committee and let’s see if we can fix it some more,” Dean said:

Well, let’s start with the positive things. Over the last week, there were things that were improved. There were some cost containment mechanisms that were gutted. They got restored. I would certainly not vote for this bill if this were the final product, but there are, the House bill is quite a good bill. This bill has improved over the last couple of weeks, I would let this thing go to conference committee and let’s see if we can fix it some more…so there are a lot of things that need to be fixed, but if they are fixed you may actually get the foundation of a bill, coming out of the House. If most of the House provisions survive, then we can have a bill that we could work with….I hope this isn’t the compromise that’s been achieved. I think we have yet to see the compromise that we could achieve.

Watch a compilation:

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Dean didn’t advocate for pushing the bill through the reconciliation process or restarting reform after the midterm elections, as he had suggested several days earlier. Instead, the former Vermont governor expressed optimism that the bill could be improved in conference, going so far as to say that some of the goals of the public option could be accomplished through regulatory means.

“Here is the major problem,” Dean said. “We have committed to go down a path in this country where private insurance will be the way that we achieve universal health care. That means we’re going to have a 30-year battle with the insurance industry every time we try to control costs and try to get them to do things.” “My position is let’s see what they add to this bill and make it work, if they can make it work without a public option, I’m all ears. I don’t think that’s possible,” he said.

DailyKos founder Markos Moulitsas, who strongly opposed the Senate bill, also appeared to soften his position. “This, this is not a done deal, we still have reconciliation to go to,” he said during a round table following Dean’s appearance.

[depakid]

1. Since it's obvious that the administration has sold everyone down the river

and sided with Lieberman, Nelson- and the insurance industry (rather than actually stand up and fight for ordinary Americans) not much else Dean could say at this point other than to see what sort of cojones the House has.

[cliffordu]

Dean goes under the bus.

I wonder what's going to happen when Kucinich votes for it.

[donco6]

2. "I don't think that's possible."

Je$u$, the $pin mei$ster is really at it today.

[ProSense]

4. No one has to spin Dean's comments

“I would let this thing go to conference committee and let’s see if we can fix it some more,”

He's all over the place, and the reason why is clear: he's trying to walk back his comments and save face at the same time, which is fine.

The fact is the above comment is a clear departure from killing the bill. Also note, he started it by saying, "I would..."

[Davis_X_Machina]

5. Sellout. Corporatist. Primary him!

Oh, wait, he's not running for anything....

[graywarrior]

3. They got to him....they ate his braaaaains. Ooooooooooo.

[NJmaverick]

6. Howard Dean I think there might be a large bus in your future

[Forkboy]

9. You guys already threw him under last week.

Forget so soon?

[NJmaverick]

11. He couldn't fit, what with Paul Krugman and President Clinton already tossed there by you guys

oh and the horrible tossing of Viki Kennedy

[Forkboy]

12. So maybe both sides should grow up, no?

[NJmaverick]

13. Now you suggest both sides? You should have led with that

[Forkboy]

14. You led with trashing one side for something both do.

Take your own advice about what to lead with and maybe my responses will be different.

[ClassWarrior]

7. Translation: "The bill still deserves killing, but - like most Progressives...

...I'm open-minded and optimistic."

:shrug:

NGU.

[tblue]

8. I still stand with Dean. I will stand with anyone trying to improve this bill.

Wish our president was

[Cha]

17. Oh, our President is.

[mcablue]

10. Dean wanted the unchanged bill killed. He advocates changes

Unlike others who love the bill the way it is.

John Podesta's blog gave its opinion that he is "no longer" asking to kill it.

Podesta is Obama's closest ally and a strong supporter of the Senate bill.

[highplainsdem]

15. Exactly. He never recommended killing an improved version.

[ProSense]

16. You're just proving the kill the bill comment was irresponsible.

If he wanted it fix, why not advocate that? The fact, when Dean first tried to walk back his comment, he stated that he never advocated killing the bill.

The problem is that some people will continue to say that's what he said, even as he tries to clarify his position.

[TomCADem]

18. I Stand With Dr. Dean! He Speaks For Me!

[Clio the Leo]

19. He knows he's lost this round....

.... interesting to see what other tricks he has up his sleeve. (and how much more campaing fodder the former DNC chair will give the GOP)

[GreenPartyVoter]

20. Glad he thinks that. I do too. FIx the dang Bill!