Health Care Reform could not be passed without the DLC.

[denem]

If Obama had marginalized or ostracized the DLC from the outset, a powerful, well connected group of legislators, well versed in strategy and tactics, would be on the outer, hard to reach, let alone persuade. Instead, Tim Kaine, Chariman of the DNC, is targeting ads at Blue Dogs and others thinking of opposing the final Bill, Rahm Emanuel is persuading, as only he can, and Hillary Clinton who, more than anyone else knows what another failure would mean, is third in Cabinet.

A Coalition, the 'Big Tent' is often seen as soft compromise. In the hands of a skilled politician it is anything but. Cast the proposals as wide as possible at the outset, then tighten the circle. The longer the deliberations go on, the harder it is to jump. As Obama continues to draw lines in the sand, the authority of the President is clear. Very clear

It we had started with 'there must be a strong public option', the Insurance Industry would have been running disinformation for months. The real fight is commencing now, with only a few weeks to go. The DLC will play an important, influential, if not essential part of the battle. Count on it.

Edited. Freudian slip ;)

[rucky]

1. What would we do without them?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x8536194

[denem]

3. The president set the agenda. Rahm (and others) prestige

is on the line, let alone their future influence. BTW, the DLC has little regard for the 'Blue Dogs' as such. They are seen more as lazy foot soldiers.

[ChimpersMcSmirkers]

12. You're wasting your time trying to explain political reality to the purist.

You're correct though.

[Forkboy]

14. The purity charge is projection.

[bertman]

2. Denem, I don't trust the DLC with anything, but I sure hope you're right on this.

Given the implementation dates on some of the "options" we have seen, I hardly see this as a major victory for reform. Just a placebo to allow the insurance industry to say that they compromised in '09 and keep shoring up their defenses against real reform.

Recommend.

[Sebastian Doyle]

4. Fuck the DLC

If we had 60 REAL Democrats in the senate right now, including a majority leader with a spine, we would have passed a single payer bill already.

FUCK the DLC and all their corporatist fellation.

[brentspeak]

5. What "reform"?

[dflprincess]

8. Exacly

between the DLC and the Blue Dogs, we are screwed.

[donco6]

6. Wow. I didn't realize how utterly compromised one could be.

If the standard is "Don't speak about something because people with money will oppose you", then we're all pretty much fucked.

[Better Believe It]

7. What has the DLC ever accomplished outside of winning elections against liberals ....

in primaries of course and beating down, isolating and marginalizing the "liberal wing" of the Democratic party?

[kenny blankenship]

11. Well they've caused a great many people to give up on the Democrats and tune out politics entirely

and that's something.

[backscatter712]

9. I hope you're right on Obama's strategy.

One thing that's positive - a lot of the politicos in DC that would have laughed off reform now have skin in the game. We're down to a few stragglers in the House - I think a bit of wheeling and dealing, combined with some tasty pork earmarks, will get enough of them to cave that the bill will pass the House. The Senate will be harder to manage, but hopefully, Obama's got a few more tricks up his sleeve to twist the arms of Ben Nelson, Max Baucus and their ilk.

At the least, the Blue Cross Dems will be called out frequently, and they're gonna be pulling their hair out from all the pro-health-care advertising in their states...

[Arkana]

10. The (D)own(L)oadable (C)ontent?

I agree.

[Jennicut]

13. Well, how many of them are there in the Senate? I would say unfortunately

we do need them. Sucks but that is the way it is.

[billyoc]

15. "The DLC will play an important, influential, if not essential part of the battle. "

Yes, on the REPUBLICAN side.


DLC delende est.

[denem]

16. The DLC all but authored Sen. Clinton's (DLC) 2008 health plan,

;'American Choices.' The Plan being thrashed out in Congress, you know,the one being bitterly opposed by Republicans, is very close to Hillary's (and Edward's) proposals in the Primaries. If anythinfg 'American Choices' was more progressive: Expanding MEDICARE (as well as Medicaid, )tax credits for lower income earners capping health costs at no more than 7.5% of income, taxing employee benefits for those earning more than $250,000,, and a stronger public option starting with medicare plus, while also offering the full range of choices available on the plans available to congress Congress, no if nor buts. All strongly backed by the DLC, and oh, so very REPUBLICAN. NOT.

For Bill and Hillary Clinton, DLC leaders, Health Care is personal, very personal. 'The Clintons don't forget'.