TPMDC
MoveOn Starts TV Campaign Against Democrats Who Opposed Health Care, Planning More
Rep. Heath Shuler (D-NC)
Share
Send to a friend!
MoveOn is targeting Blue Dog Democrats and one Republican who voted against the House health care bill Saturday night with tough TV ads suggesting they are supportive of a "broken" status quo.
The "first round" of 30-second ads go after Reps. Mike Ross (D-AR), Jason Altmire (D-PA), Glenn Nye (D-VA), Rick Boucher (D-VA), Larry Kissell (D-NC), Heath Shuler (D-NC) and Lee Terry (R-NE).
(For more on these Dems check out Eric's smart post on their districts.)
"The health care bill that passed the House this weekend was a historic opportunity to fix our broken health care system," said MoveOn executive director Justin Ruben.
"MoveOn members will make sure that Representatives who did the right thing know they can count on the support of their base, and that those who stuck with the insurance companies and voted for the status quo will face real political consequences," he added.
They also are planning thank-you events and print ad campaigns in the home districts of members who voted for the plan.
Here's the ad targeting Ross:
Comments (24) | Join the Conversation!
Leave a comment
Follow us!
Most Popular
TPM Stories Now Surging on Digg.com
TPM Top News
© 2010 TPM Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
The Commenter Formerly Known as NCSteve
November 9, 2009 5:22 PM
Shuler and Kissell would be replaced by Republicans if they lost a primary. And, if they were, no one would notice much of a difference in House votes as a result.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Indie Pro
November 9, 2009 5:48 PM
members of MoveOn should read Marcia Angell's (editor of the New England Journal of Medicine) article where she writes:
Is the House bill better than nothing? I don't think so. It simply throws more money into a dysfunctional and unsustainable system, with only a few improvements at the edges, and it augments the central role of the investor-owned insurance industry. The danger is that as costs continue to rise and coverage becomes less comprehensive, people will conclude that we've tried health reform and it didn't work. But the real problem will be that we didn't really try it. I would rather see us do nothing now, and have a better chance of trying again later and then doing it right.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Indie Pro
November 9, 2009 5:50 PM in reply to Indie Pro
and:
If a similar bill emerges from the Senate and the reconciliation process, and is ultimately passed, what will happen?
First, health costs will continue to skyrocket, even faster than they are now, as taxpayer dollars are pumped into the private sector. The response of payers -- government and employers -- will be to shrink benefits and increase deductibles and co-payments. Yes, more people will have insurance, but it will cover less and less, and be more expensive to use.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
mans_best_friend
November 9, 2009 5:59 PM in reply to Indie Pro
"...and have a better chance of trying again later..."
Maybe in another 10-15 years.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Indie Pro
November 9, 2009 6:03 PM in reply to mans_best_friend
She doesn't give a time, where do you get yours?
Generally, when a bill fails after conference, you begin again. Doess the Dem leadership not care enough to bring it back to the floor?
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
mans_best_friend
November 9, 2009 6:07 PM in reply to Indie Pro
Those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it. How long ago was the last attempt at health care reform? And the one before that? And before that?
If this goes down in flames it will take a lot of people with it. No one is going to have the stomach to take it on again for a long time.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Indie Pro
November 9, 2009 6:09 PM in reply to mans_best_friend
how sad that the democratic party cobbled together a piece of shit.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Progressive Party
November 9, 2009 6:16 PM in reply to mans_best_friend
I highly suggest that you really study this bill and not blindly accept talking points. We are not getting what what we were promised and we still have Senate to go thru.
I see merit in letting this bill go down, camapaign the shit out of the GOP and Blue Dogs and get single payer when the House and Senate will do the people's business or they will be unemployed and not in Congress~
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
mans_best_friend
November 9, 2009 6:21 PM in reply to Progressive Party
"...and get single payer..."
We'll all be long dead.
What color is the sky where you people live? In this world they're barely going to get this bill through.
Single payer? Please.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Indie Pro
November 9, 2009 6:23 PM in reply to mans_best_friend
This person asked you to give up the talking points.
doesn't have to be single payer to be better than what we are headed for.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
mans_best_friend
November 9, 2009 6:36 PM in reply to Indie Pro
Can this bill be made better? Sure.
Can this bill be made better and still pass? No.
It's far from perfect, but it's the best that can get passed, and if you have learned anything from the history of health care reform, it's that if this dies it will be a generation before anyone attempts it again. It will be a hell of a lot easier to improve on this a couple of years from now than it will be to start from scratch.
Half a loaf really is better than nothing.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Indie Pro
November 9, 2009 7:38 PM in reply to mans_best_friend
I disagree. I don't think this is the only thing that can pass. This is the best big giveaway that can pass.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Viva!America!
November 9, 2009 7:05 PM in reply to Progressive Party
Who's going to campaign the shit out of the GOP and the blue dogs? The Left? I have as much faith in that group as I do in Conservadems. You talk as if it's something that can be done within a year or in time for 2010. A lot of blue dogs come from red states/districts, how do you plan on getting a Lefty elected in those places? Do you guys have candidates lined up that are willing to run on getting single payer passed and then stick to it once they get elected, IF they get elected? How do you chase out the centrists and moderates in the Dem party without alienating the centrist and moderate voters that your candidate is going to need in order to win the general?
I get that you want single payer, but I wish people would stop making these sweeping statements as if it's so easy. I'm sure I'll get slammed for this, but the Left has done a horrible job with pushing single payer. You talk amongst yourselves and fail to educate the public on what it is and why they should demand it from their representatives. And you waited too long to turn up the volume. It appeared to me that as more Dems in congress came out against a robust public option, the more some on the Left insisted on single payer. Why? How can you demand to go all the way, when these guys won't even meet you half way?
What you are talking about doing will take a good, detailed political strategy, excellent candidates, a lot of money, realistic expectations and a lot of TIME. Until then........
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Indie Pro
November 9, 2009 7:37 PM in reply to Viva!America!
atleast you separate yourself from liberals and the left. Well done.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
larue
November 12, 2009 2:32 AM in reply to Viva!America!
All the more reason to fail this present effort, and begin again for a better PO, and educate the public about the joys of single payer, or perhaps, further reinforce the message of corporate abuse of we the people.
More time works for OUR side, too, ya know.
The more time to tell the masses about the abuse at the hands of the corp feudalists, the better!
As to the abuses of the GOP, Tea Party's, and 23% whackaloons?
They are headline news even in the MSM anymore.
As Jagger/Richards once penned long ago, 'Time Is On My Side'.
Or was that Nanker/Phelge?
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
kash79
November 9, 2009 9:02 PM in reply to Progressive Party
I see merit in letting this bill go down, camapaign the shit out of the GOP and Blue Dogs and get single payer when the House and Senate will do the people's business or they will be unemployed and not in Congress
Wow. That statement is fully divorced from the American political reality. You should read the history on mid-term elections.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Indie Pro
November 9, 2009 6:17 PM in reply to mans_best_friend
maybe democrats could show their "change" in Washington by not trying to pass an industry giveaway just to get a win! or because it's too hard to start over when the end result of the current HCR is not better than nothing.
they def shouldn't throw women under the bus, as well as, those who'll be forced to buy insurance, yet be left too poor to actually use it!
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Progressive Party
November 9, 2009 6:03 PM
Shuler lives at 'C' Street and should be regarded as a dim intellect. He needs to primaried and I support Move On and contribute to them for this exact kind of political support.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Walter Mitty
November 9, 2009 6:51 PM in reply to Progressive Party
Shuler also votes with Dems 85% of the time. If you primaried him from the left could that candidate win in the general in Heath's district? How often would that Republican vote with the Dems?
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Mr.E.
November 9, 2009 6:13 PM
I support MoveOn's support of those who voted yes, but I am skeptical of going after no votes without a better understanding of why each voted the way they did. It has been well-known and discussed that Pelosi was only looking for a pass, not a landslide. Having enough votes allowed some to vote no, and thereby, maybe, still be around to vote on the next round, or the next issue that needs their support.
Shorter, let's not rush to punish until it's clear that the time is right.
Similarly, by not punishing Lieberman earlier, there is still the possibility of the threat to do so now, if he actually participates in a filibuster (not just blows smoke to puff up his own ego). Then THAT will be the time to strip him of his chair and kick him out of the caucus.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Walter Mitty
November 9, 2009 6:48 PM
Blue Dogs will wear the "MoveOn.org doesn't like me" ad like a badge of honor. If their opponent calls them an evul librul, they can simply say "MoveOn.org ran ads against me"...
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
sunnysteve
November 9, 2009 11:13 PM
Shuler is not pandering to his constituency. He voted for the climate bill because he believes it is a good bill for future generations. He voted against the health care bill because he believes it is a bad bill for future generations -- too expensive, at a time when deficits are at unprecedented levels. He is very well informed about the overall themes as well as the details of both bills. He is my congressman, and I do not always agree with him, but I like his work ethic and his commitment to his principles. I do worry about the C Street connection. He is young and very serious about his religion. I hope he finds new bedfellows who are less hypocritical about their faith. I see him as a centrist in our party with a promising future. But, yes, Heath, be careful of the company you keep.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Ron Thompson
November 10, 2009 12:25 AM
and Lee Terry (D-NE).
Uh, Lee Terry is not a Democrat.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
ejg3
November 10, 2009 9:46 AM
Terry is not a Democrat. This looks like a reverse of the Fox listings of Republicans in trouble as Democrats. He does have the seat in Nebraska that has been the closest in the last couple of elections and is in a district which was carried narrowly by Obama which gave him one of Nebraska's five electoral votes under that state (and Maine's) procedure of splitting votes by Congressional district and state wide results.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?