Snowe does not support a public option from day 1

[Mass]

Yesterday, DU and many progressive blogs were extolling the virtues of Olympia Snowe, who apparently had endorsed the public option from day 1. Some even proclaimed her better than Democratic Senators.

Not so much. In a move that should remind us that you CANNOT ALWAYS BELIEVE WHAT MEDIA AND BLOGS PRINT, here is today's version, published as well by many blogs.

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2009/07/shes_slippery_that_one.php
Snowe Still Opposing Pure Public Option -- Despite Weekend Reports to Contrary
By Brian Beutler - July 22, 2009, 12:07PM

Yesterday, I noted that reports had emerged out of Maine that, at a health care rally this past weekend, Sen. Olympia Snowe had changed course and come out in support of a trigger-free public option--a public option "available from day one," as reformers like to say.

...
And here's the full quote, provided by Sen. Snowe's staff:

I believe that the reforms we are creating will result in more competitive, affordable and innovative options for Mainers, yet we can all agree that we must not leave universal access to chance. That is why I support a public plan which is available from day one--in any state where private plans fail to ensure guaranteed affordable coverage."

...

While I am not surprised because she has said that all along, it may be good to remind people that rumors are not always true.

[Thrill]

1. So she lied?

Typical Republican

[Mass]

2. More like it was reported poorly, as often, and other people decided to trust what was reported.

Not the first time it would happen. (Read what was reported, then what was actually said, at the full link).

[DrToast]

5. No, people can't read...

Here's the thread: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=8538559&mesg_id=8538559

It was there all along:

Now, it's possible that Snowe's idea of a public plan is much less potent than many of us would like.

[Mass]

6. You're one of the few to have got it the first time. Way too many people missed it.

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

3. I don't know why anyone thought she supported a public option from day one

because she didn't. A couple of weeks ago there was a snafu when she said she and Schumer were talking about "triggers" for a public option and he said they didn't. She had some horrific quote at the time about how the private plans wouldn't be able to compete because a public plan would be cheaper. Duh, Olympia! She completely revealed herself. It was posted here and other places.

[Mass]

4. Email from Organizing from America. Call the two Senators from Maine.

Friend --

With the health care debate coming down to the wire in Congress, we need every vote we can get. Both of your Massachusetts senators are fighting hard for reform, but the two senators from nearby Maine -- Senator Olympia Snowe and Senator Susan Collins -- are under tremendous pressure to cave to special interests. They need to hear from constituents who want them to stand with the President -- and you can help.

Using our simple online tool, you can call voters in Maine, let them know how crucial their senators are, and ask them to speak up.

Making these calls is surprisingly easy. We'll provide a list of like-minded voters in Maine and give you all the information you need -- including the Maine senators' phone numbers. If the folks you call want to add their name as a Mainer for health care reform, you can sign them up with one simple click.

Make calls to Maine today.
Call Maine today

By calling these crucial senators' constituents and asking them to sign on in support of the President's principles for reform -- and then call their senators -- you'll be making a vital difference in the fight for reform.

With special interests pouring millions of dollars every day into lobbying Congress to block progress, Senators Collins and Snowe must hear loud and clear that their constituents are counting on them to stand up for reform.

No prior experience is required, and you can call from anywhere you have a computer and a phone. We always hear back from callers about what a rewarding experience it is.

There are voters in Maine who want to fix our health care system as much as you do, and they may not know how much power they have to make it happen. Let them know, and help bring our country one big step closer to the reform we need.

Please start calling Mainers today:

http://ma.barackobama.com/CallMaine

Thanks so much,

Jeremy

Jeremy Bird
Deputy Director
Organizing for America

[ProSense]

7. That's the exact same thing that was posted.

It's still says the same thing:

That is why I support a public plan which is available from day one...

This: "in any state where private plans fail to ensure guaranteed affordable coverage" doesn't change the her "day one" claim or the fact that she supports a public option.

I suspect almost every state will qualify.

[Mass]

8. --in any state where private plans fail to ensure guaranteed affordable coverage."

The second part was missing from the original article.

Anybody who follows Snowe knows she favors a trigger. She has said so again and again. And today, most blogs are saying they were a little too quick.

The point is that she has NOT changed her position and spent a lot of time saying so today.

Amyway, the dkos post you were referring to was at least careful. The answers, as well as most of the blog posts that were published yesterday, not so much.

[ProSense]

9. It makes a difference. She said "day one"

A trigger isn't day one. The state trigger, if it can be called that, means that almost every state in which the uninsured reside will qualify. What does affordable mean if the person has no coverage?

Snowe is a lot further down the path in meeting the Democrats that some of the holdouts in the Dem Party. This is major step. It may not be exact, but it's significant.

[backscatter712]

10. Obama needs to give her more of the LBJ Treatment... n/t