Ironically - Republican intransigence on Health Care Reform strengthens Progressive Caucus

[grantcart]

The Republicans have made a major stragic misstep, one that actually strengthens the negotiating position of the Progressive Caucus in the House.


If the Repubilcans had seriously engaged the process then Baucus and the others would have the opportunity to make the case that dropping the Public Option was essential in getting it passed. Dropping the Public Option isn't going to bring in any significant votes at all.


Now that the Republicans have taken such an absolutist position and it is obvious that they will not provide any votes to pass health care legislation Baucus and others realize that they must have every Progressive vote or the legislation will not pass.


The Progressive caucus needs to remain dug in and hold up any legislation that doesn't have a strong Public Option.


In the end Baucus, Landrieu, Bayh and others will not have the guts to stand up and defeat the most important Democratic Legislation in 50 years.


They may vote against the bill but they will never cross the aisle to sustain a filibuster.


By completely opting out of negotiations they have handed the Progressive Caucus veto power.

[grytpype]

1. Good observation.

[Jakes Progress]

2. That would be wonderful.

The country had enough of the nasty republicans and voted in a Democratic Lege and Admin.

Now if only the office holding Dems could be just as repulsed by the republicans as the rest of the country.

[BzaDem]

3. You really think Lieberman wouldn't be thrilled to destroy healthcare reform?

That's all it takes to kill a strong bill (one that doesn't have to be weakened going through reconciliation).

[grantcart]

4. If he is the one that upholds a filibuster - no I don't think he has the guts

He would lose his chairmanship and caucus privledges.


He can vote against the bill as long as he doesn't vote to uphold the filibuster. They will provide someother face saving canard for them to sign on.


If it really comes down to that then they can say fuck it we will do it by reconciliation, but I don't think any of these last hold outs will want to be remembered in history as the one that killed health care reform.


Its not a profile in courage type of moment, and in the pressure by your caucus peers to fall into line will be tremendous.


I don't doubt that they will try and negotiate as much pork as possible but actually stand up and deny the legislation and lose his committee - no I don't think any of them will do it.

[babylonsister]

5. Yes. We will see reform! nt

[bleever]

6. S'gonna happen.

Deep and wide beats high and mighty.

[grantcart]

9. and the script IMHO has already been written

They have a path to get it passed but if that fails screw it - they will do it with reconciliation.


The only question is - "What face saving measure will they offer to Senators that have gone against the Public Option"


There will be some trade off - largely superficial - that will allow the blue dogs to come back home and say "See what I did".


Pathetic but that is how the game has been played for 60 years.

[bleever]

10. Make the Blue Dogs vote for cloture, then let them vote against the bill.

Everybody wins. Even the losers.

[grantcart]

12. exactly correct

and there will be some other face saving part - maybe reducing the subsidy part of it that they will give as a face saving gesture.


Right now they are negotiating and stripping them off one by one.


The progressive caucus, the AFL CIO and the House of Representatives all say MUST HAVE PUBLIC OPTION

[depakid]

7. One can only hope...

[Demeter]

8. Progressives Had Nowhere To Go But Up

and we are sick of being down. Besides, nobody is offering money for our souls---yet.

[Cha]

11. The republicons always cross the line of stupidity

into oblivion..and the corporatewhore dinos better get a new spiel.

[nxylas]

13. Not sure about the "not having the guts" part

The only time Blue Dogs ever show a spine is when standing up to their fellow Democrats.