Would you donate to the opponent of any congressperson that votes against public option?

[Dawgs]

I would, and I think it would be a great idea for a website. Kind of like what people did to Norm Coleman (https://services.myngp.com/NGPOnlineServices/contribution.aspx?X=Ded7FwPHDshrGtqFOE7vW9VcwgIMiaBGhXdSUiuRDlw%3d).

The site would ask the visitor to pledge to give at least $1 to every democratic opponent of any democratic congressperson that voted against a public option; even if the a public option bill passed.

For instance, say 30 house Democrats and 8 Democratic Senators vote against a public option bill. The visitor would have pledged to give $38 times the amount they choose to anyone that runs against the congressperson. If someone pledged $5 per vote, then the pledge would total $190. It wouldn't matter if the bill passed.

100,000 pledges at 1$ a piece would be $3,800,000 for every opponent.

Bad idea?

[bigwillq]

1. I hardly ever donate to a candidate.

So, No, I would not.

[noamnety]

2. Need more info about the opponent.

I'm certainly not going to donate a dime to anyone voting to fund troops to stay in Iraq or escalate the occupation of Afghanistan, or anyone who opposes marriage equality, or anyone who won't support full reproductive freedom for women. I'm sure there are some other things on that list as well, things that will likely happen but I can't be part of funding them.

[Rabrrrrrr]

3. Good idea in concept, but not automatically in execution.

I believe firmly that one-issue voting is the act of a childish nincompoop.

I love the idea of letting our leaders know that if they vote against a public option my money is going to a different candidate; however, the problem is that one does not know in advance of said opponent is worth a shit. Sometimes one might still be better off with the no voter, overall.

However, a web-site such as you propose, and a grass roots movement such as you propose, might in and of itself be enough fear-causing threat to get the bastards to vote for a public option.

[Dawgs]

4. I agree. The problem is in the potential opponent.

But, you are right about the purpose. There are two things that politicians care about; power and money. This approach would threaten both.

[depakid]

15. Anyone standing in the way of this is very likely to be corrupt

and will likely sell pretty much ANYTHING down the river.

[nevergiveup]

5. I live in a very conservative district

where the centrist Democrat house candidate barely squeaked by in 2008. If a liberal Democrat challenges the centrist and wins the primary then the general election in 2010 will be a blood bath. I therefore doubt I would make a contribution to the liberal Democrat even though he more closely represents my views. I don't like it but it is the way it is.

[cmd]

7. I kow just what you are saying

I also live in a conservative district. I'll compromise my beliefs to keep my Dem in office.

[TankLV]

6. A repuke - never...

a more LIBERAL DEM - in a heartbeat...

[Occam Bandage]

8. Maybe. Depends on the opponent.

What if a Representative is from a conservative district, and she voted against the bill because she's facing a strong challenge from the right in the Democratic party? What if the Representative is from a conservative district--say he's one of those 2006 or 2008 triumphs who is the first Democrat to have won that district in decades--and there's a liberal challenger who would clearly hand the district back to the Republicans if nominated?

[uponit7771]

9. If the opponent was a progressive democrat then hell yes, fighting for insurance cos is evil

[slipslidingaway]

10. Not necessarily, here's why...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=6041515&mesg_id=6041515

This may not be popular, but if the public option leaves millions without HC, costs a trillion and is funded by saving from Medicare/Medicaid, when the estimates are 30 million + new enrollees to Medicare over the next 20 years...then we need to go back to the drawing board IMO.

We will not get a second chance anytime soon.

[Doremus]

11. Yes I would, and no, not a bad idea.

That is essentially the message that I have been emailing to every congress and senate critter:

If they don't support a strong public option, I will be supporting their primary opponent.

[Phx_Dem]

12. Depends who the opposing candidate is. n/t

[LoZoccolo]

13. So what you're saying is you'd give money to Lyndon LaRouche - unrecommend. n/t

[depakid]

14. Yep, sure would

and it's high past time that people organized and did this.

[DrToast]

16. Don't do that....do this instead

Donate money to those that have pledged that they will vote against any health care bill that lacks a strong public option.

[bvar22]

17. I've aready started doing this.

I have not donated the DCCC or DSCC sice 2006, and have not donated to the DNC since the DLC coup 2008.
I ONLY donate directly to Progressive Democrats who:

1)support the immediate withdrawal of US troops from the Middle East...NO "residual" forces.

2)who have co-sponsored HR676 (Medicare for ALL).

I will donate to a Progressive challenger to Evan Bayh in 2010, and hope that The Left can organize nationally around his unseating.