Best of Luck Sen. Harkin as the new Chair of H.E.L.P. Comm.

[IADEMO2004]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-ia-harkin-healthcomm,0,874034.story

snip


DES MOINES, Iowa - Iowa Democratic Sen. Tom Harkin on Wednesday was named chairman of the Senate health committee, succeeding Sen. Ted Kennedy as the leader of a panel that is key to passage of broad health care reforms.

In a telephone interview with The Associated Press, Harkin said he wanted a bipartisan deal on reforming health care but was willing to push forward without Republican support.

Asked how he would push such changes through the Senate, he said that would depend on how Republicans respond.

"It's a question to ask Republicans," Harkin said. "Would they rather stay with the status quo or make constructive changes

end snip

We all need some luck. After town hall meetings with Grassley and King I don't see any path that will include Republicans.

p.s.

Katrina vanden Heuvel on Ed Schultz just said "Snake in the Grassley"

[Bluzmann57]

1. Congrats to the esteemed Senator from our great state

And kudos to Katrina Vanden Heuvel too. that woman is the total package. Looks and brains. What could a guy want?

[Peacetrain]

2. Best wishes from the western part of the state

[rurallib]

3. Good for Harkin - but it is sad that a small state like Iowa

will have so much influence on the health care process. Shows how those old institutional rules can really screw things up.
Hopefully Harkin can at least neutralize Grassley.