Key House Progressive: It's Time To Ditch Chuck Grassley From Health Care Negotiations
Yesterday, I noted that Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA)--the powerful ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee and chief Republican negotiator in the bipartisan Gang of Six--said he'd vote against his own health care compromise if it didn't win more than a handful of GOP votes.
That seems to have gotten the attention of some progressives, one of whom took to the cable channels this morning to suggest that the White House ditch Grassley.
"I don't know what's the point of negotiating with Chuck Grassley, frankly, if he says himself he can't deliver any Republicans," said Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY) on MSNBC this morning.
Grassley's been putting on quite a public show of late, falsely affirming the concerns of some health care reform skeptics that House Democrats will create death panels, and then blaming the controversy on liberals.
For his part, Weiner has become a leading public spokesman for robust health care reform, criticizing the administration for its willingness to compromise, and insisting that health care reform will die in the House without a public option.
Josh
Matt
Eric
Brian
This guy is absolutely right on with his points. White House needs to be listening here and not taking the progressives for granted. I want a new National party for the progressives and this guy and Bernie Sanders speak for the truth!
August 18, 2009 10:33 AM | Reply | Permalink
Weiner is exactly right!
August 18, 2009 10:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
Weiner's right but has about as much influence over Senators as I do
August 18, 2009 10:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
Persuading either the President or Senators is not the goal; standing tall for liberalism and genuine health care/insurance reform is.
Single-payer, the only real solution, is not on the table because virtually no one was willing to stand up and say "This We Must Do."
The public option is in danger because virtually no one was willing to stand up and call out the motherfucking liars for lying about fucking their mothers.
Weiner's reality-based attack on Grassley is a step in the right direction.
With luck, it will revive progressives and encourage others to take the next steps.
August 18, 2009 12:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Weiner's going to kill healthcare reform? Thank you sir, we conservatives applaud your efforts. Heh.
August 18, 2009 11:21 AM | Reply | Permalink
Here's a good look by Ezra Klein at how this thing is going to play out once you get past the current blather of the 24 hour news cycle. The real bill is the one that comes out of Conference. Howard Dean nailed it yesterday on MSNBC's Morning Joe:
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/ezra-klein/2009/08/when_health_care_does_become_a.html
August 18, 2009 11:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'm getting a little bored with talk of why we need the public option. When is someone going to go on TV and say they know how to get the Gang of Six to include a strong public option in their bill? That's who Obama should listen to, not someone telling them what they already know.
August 18, 2009 11:40 AM | Reply | Permalink
Gee, I wonder if the conference bill is going to be posted for comment, or voted on unread? I'm betting unread.
August 18, 2009 12:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
"I don't know what's the point of negotiating with Chuck Grassley, frankly, if he says himself he can't deliver any Republicans,"
This pretty much sums up the situation. Hope the White House is listening.
August 18, 2009 1:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Keep it up Weiner! It is genuine wonder to behold a Democrat with all vertebrae intact. Wow!
August 18, 2009 7:49 PM | Reply | Permalink