Hoyer Steps Up, Speaks Out For Public Option....

[BlooInBloo]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/01/hoyer-maintains-support-f_n_274632.html

"WALDORF, Md. — House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer told cheering and jeering constituents Tuesday he still supports a public health insurance option as part of a health care overhaul.

Previously he's said there's room for compromise.

At a packed high school gym, Hoyer, D-Md., was shouted down repeatedly during a town hall meeting where a crowd of 1,500 appeared to be evenly split between supporters and opponents of the health care overhaul effort.

One woman pressed the Democratic leader on whether he'd give in on the public option if Republicans refused to compromise.

"If the question is do I plan to vote for a public option with or without Republican support, the answer is yes," Hoyer said.

A public option would lower insurance premiums for everyone through competition with private insurers, he said. The House, he said, would not pass an alternative calling for nonprofit cooperatives, which has been floated in the Senate.

Last month, Hoyer seemed to contradict House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on the essential ingredients of a health care overhaul package when he said he wanted a bill that would pass. A public option provision in any bill would face strong opposition."

[NYC_SKP]

1. Sweet. Hoping others like him come forward in droves.

great news, recommended

[Overseas]

8. +1

[Canuckistanian]

2. I guess Pelosi took him to the woodshed

Glad that he's seen the light.

[BlueMTexpat]

3. I'd like to believe that the scathing email I sent to him last week

might have had some effect. Particularly if it was not the only one sent.

[BlooInBloo]

4. :)))))

[defendandprotect]

5. Anyone notice we have politicians who are talking out of both sides of their mouths????

[BlooInBloo]

6. That's why I quoted as far as I did, so yes.

[Hippo_Tron]

11. They wouldn't be politicians if they did anything else

[bleever]

7. Secret: the "left-wingers" who want a public option are 70% or more of the U.S.

Congresspeople should weigh that against "message-shock" created by the window-smashers on the anti-reform end of things.

[BlooInBloo]

9. Sure, but it doesn't count if the vast minority out-shouts us...

Thankfully it appears that's beginning to change.

[TomCADem]

10. K&R - About Time!

[jannyk]

12. We will hold you to that you slimy worm. nt

[WorseBeforeBetter]

13. Yikes, Waldorf.

As a former Marylander who voted for Hoyer, do the right thing, Steny!

[bridgit]

14. well good for somebody