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Blue Dog Rep. Tanner Opposes Health Care Bill

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Rep. John Tanner (D-TN)

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Rep. John Tanner (D-TN), a member of the Blue Dogs, has announced his opposition to the current health care bill from the House Democrats:

"After careful review of the current legislation pending in the House and the Congressional Budget Office's analysis, I believe the bill will not help control the long-term costs of health care and puts in place an infrastructure that is not fiscally sustainable over time. I am unable to support this legislation in its present form.

"Most of us realize that serious reforms are needed to fix what is broken in our health care system. Specifically, we should work to reform health insurance; ensure no one can be denied health coverage because of a pre-existing condition; and slow the upward curve of health care costs. I will continue talking with Tennesseans and working with others to achieve these goals, improve our health care system and ensure our reforms help solve, rather than contribute to, our nation's long-term fiscal challenges."

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17 comments

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November 6, 2009 6:06 PM   

Primary challenge.

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November 6, 2009 6:08 PM    in reply to tosh

Say buh-bye, Mr. Tanner.

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November 6, 2009 6:13 PM    in reply to Powkat

Sure. NOT!

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November 6, 2009 6:19 PM    in reply to Powkat

He is from TN. What do you expect. I'm guessing here, but I guess all he has to do is ask Obama his birth certificate to get reelected.

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November 6, 2009 6:22 PM    in reply to kash79

Exactly right! These people screaming "primary challenge" are every bit as stupid as the wingnuts who engineered the Hoffman fiasco in the 23rd of NY.

Of course, these are the same people who criticize the Republicans for going after Collins and Snowe whenever they work with Democrats.

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November 6, 2009 8:22 PM    in reply to FreeRider

It wouldn't be the first time progressives shot themselves in the face.

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November 7, 2009 10:51 AM    in reply to FreeRider

Actually, Jane Hamsher of firedoglake.com spearheaded a primary challenge of Joe Lieberman who lost. Which is why he had to run as an independant. He won with a large number of Republican votes and independants who have lived to regret it. Jane has now dared Blanche Lincoln to vote against the bill. If she does, Jane has said she'll find a challenger for her. The fact that Lincoln's state of Arkansas support the public option has made this truely interesting. Care to restate just who it is who's stupid?

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November 8, 2009 9:34 AM    in reply to roxanne

You're stupid!! Connecticut is a BLUE STATE, you moron! It was a good idea to primary Traitor Joe. If he had not run as an Indie, Lamont would be the senator.

If we primary Blanche Lincoln, she might lose the primary but the Democrat will lose the general election. Then we will have a Republican senator who will vote with the Republicans 100% of the time, instead of a democrat who votes with the Republicans 20% of the time.

Which would you prefer? Since you're an idiot, I know your answer.

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November 6, 2009 8:21 PM    in reply to kash79

You took the words right out of my mouth!!!

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November 6, 2009 8:02 PM    in reply to tosh

Tanner's district voted heavily for the GOP pres. ticket, so it's not really ripe for a primary.

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November 6, 2009 6:07 PM   

The REAL answer:

"After careful review of the health insurance industry's contributions to my past (and future) campains, OH, and the Congressional Budget Office's analysis, I believe the bill will not help me get votes from republicans in my district, and so I have to pretend that it will not control the long-term costs of health care and puts in place an infrastructure that is not fiscally sustainable over time. I am unable to support this legislation in its present form because I am just too effing selfish.

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November 6, 2009 6:20 PM   

I don't know why TPM obsesses with sideshows like Bachman. It's bozos like this guy who are ruining this country by denying Americans a means of fighting the wingnuts. Vichycrats.

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November 6, 2009 6:48 PM   

I assume that Pelosi has her votes, so the blue dogs are free to vote against it if they think it will help them get re-elected. I'm hoping that's what is going on. Tanner's release is basically for his constituents, and so that he can eventually say "I voted against the health care reform bill" and take away that attack point from his GOP challenger.

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November 7, 2009 6:21 AM    in reply to Walter Mitty

Is that why one seeks public office?. Should a politician have principles or simple vote against his/her conscience in order to remain a representative?. I guess that job wouldn't be for me.

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November 7, 2009 2:04 AM   

He should resign.

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November 7, 2009 11:21 AM   

The Dems will likely pick up unexpected seats (See NY 23) so even if he's not primaried he'll continue to be a member of an ever shrinking party with wingnuts and teabaggers as it's leader which is just how we Dems like it. By the way, I'm watching the healthcare debate on CSPAN. What a bunch of clowns the Republicans are constantly interrupting with stupid parlimentary objections. One bright spot was a speech by that idiot Marsha Blackburn stating that in the wee hours of last night the Dems stripped out every amendment that was put in the bill by Republicans. I'm sorry I missed it. A nice bitch slap to the impotent Republicans!

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November 7, 2009 10:01 PM   

There should another name for blue dog Democrats. Maybe something like regressive Democrats.

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