Image 01

Obama Reconciliation Strategy Rallies Moderate Democrats

February 23rd, 2010 by AHFF Geoff

Democratic Senators are Rallying Around Obama's Health Plan and the Use of the Reconciliation Process

In the wake of the release of the 11 page Obama Health Plan, which clearly envisions the use of the parliamentary procedure known as reconciliation, moderate Democratic Senators who are on record opposing the use of reconciliation for Obamacare are now reversing themselves. Senators Evan Bayh (D-Ind.), Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.), Ben Nelson (D-Ne.) and Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), who all previously stated their opposition to the reconciliation procedure, are signaling that their opposition to reconciliation is now waning. Additionally, some House Democrats who previously opposed the Senate bill are also softening their opposition. Both House and Senate Democrats appear both impressed by Obama’s release of his own plan as well as accepting the Obama Administration’s argument that a bad bill is better than no bill for Democratic electoral prospects in November 2010. Obama’s strategy to paint the GOP as obstructionists is also helping garner Democratic support for the use of reconciliation. Indeed, as Thursday’s health care summit approaches, the continual White House assertions of GOP intransigence on health care appear to be paying off by providing moderate Democrats political cover to abandon their prior anti-reconciliation stances.

Politico’s Carrie Budoff Brown reports:

An idea that seemed toxic only weeks ago — using a parliamentary tactic to ram health reform through the Senate — is gaining acceptance among moderate Democrats who have resisted the strategy but now say GOP opposition may force their hands.

The implications of the subtle shift among this small group of centrist senators could mean the difference between success and failure for health care reform — giving Democrats a potential road map for passing a bill that had been left for dead after the Massachusetts Senate defeat.

That mood in the Senate was matched Tuesday by a growing momentum for President Barack Obama’s health care proposal in the House, where Democrats were beginning to coalesce around the view that passing a flawed bill is better than passing none at all.

These shifts couldn’t come at a better time for Obama ahead of Thursday’s health care summit. The White House has signaled he’s prepared to use reconciliation, which would require just 51 votes to pass health reform.

The comments also seemed to reflect the early soundings of a Democratic strategy for selling the public on the tactic, especially if no Republicans sign on to Obama’s plan after the summit: The GOP made us do it.

“Obviously, if the minority is just frustrating the process, that argues for taking steps to get the public’s business done,” said Sen. Evan Bayh (D-Ind.), who was one of the leading voices against the procedure after the Massachusetts election, calling it “very ill-advised.”

“At the same time … Republicans would probably shut the place down, but you could argue they are doing that anyway,” Bayh said.

Bayh’s remarks Tuesday came a day after Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) cited Republican obstructionism as a reason why she could embrace the parliamentary maneuver to pass health care reform. Last month, she said she was leaning against reconciliation.

“I’m staying open to see how these negotiations go forward,” Landrieu said. “I’ve not generally been a big supporter, but the Republican Party, the leadership, has really been very, very, very disingenuous in this process.”

Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) said he doesn’t prefer reconciliation, but it may be the only way.

“I’d like to see as many votes as possible,” he said. “But at the end of the day, with the obstructionism going on at the level that it is, I’m more interested in what’s in the package than I am in the process of how many votes it takes to get it through.”

To be sure, the hints on reconciliation do not signal any kind of ironclad commitment. Democrats remain hesitant about using the procedure, fearful that Republicans will be successful in convincing voters that it is an end-run around the normal legislative process.

However, it is a mixed bag for Democrats in the past few days, as shown by Steny Hoyer’s comments earlier today that “[w]e may not be able to do” a comprehensive health care reform bill. Some moderate House Democrats also voiced disapproval with Obama’s new strategy, including Blue Dog leader Heath Shuler (D-Pa.) and Jason Altmire (D-Pa.). Considering today’s shift of moderate Democratic Senators towards supporting Obama’s plan to use reconciliation, the tougher battle for Obama may now lie with finding 218 votes from the House of Representatives, especially as perhaps as many as 60 Democratic House members are facing defeat in November 2010. The Associated Press outlines the importance of Thursday’s summit and the uncertainty of House passage:

If Obama fails on a comprehensive health care overhaul where Bill Clinton and other presidents failed before him, the chance won’t come around again anytime soon.

The whole endeavor will now rise or fall on Obama’s ability to sell his plan at the summit Thursday, and the reaction from lawmakers and the public in the days ahead.

Some rank-and-file Democrats were openly skeptical that the White House and congressional leaders could pull it off. Rep. Jason Altmire, D-Pa., a moderate who opposed the health legislation when it passed the House, questioned whether Speaker Nancy Pelosi could hang on to the votes that allowed her to get the bill through 220-215 in November. Since then a couple of Democrats have left the House, and Pelosi may also lose votes from anti-abortion Democrats who oppose the less restrictive abortion language in the Senate bill, which Obama kept in his plan.

“Is she going to be able to hold everybody that was for it before?” Altmire asked. “What about the marginal members in the middle who got hammered over this vote and would love a second chance to perhaps go against it?”

Be Sociable, Share!

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

147 Responses to “Obama Reconciliation Strategy Rallies Moderate Democrats”

  1. flex seal review

    Obama Reconciliation Strategy Rallies Moderate Democrats | CentristNet

  2. It seems to me that the value of choosing, keeping, and
    tweaking this eqauipment could easily cover the price of working with a
    landscaping company do it for you. Then, you muzt make a special effort to avoid
    known mold sources to avoid such kin rashes and reactions.
    Phosphorus for a healthy root and to promote long life of plants.

  3. minecraft says:

    minecraft

    Obama Reconciliation Strategy Rallies Moderate Democrats | CentristNet

  4. As we all know that losing weight is a big challenge and
    to some it is very tough. Try these simple tips every day for the next 30 days and weight loss is virtually guaranteed.
    A client comes to me ready to take action on losing weight and living a healthier lifestyle.

    Look into my page – Weight Destroyer

  5. A strong morning boner is also associated with certain sleep cycles and is more likely to occur when a man is in active or REM sleep
    – which occurs several times a night, as well
    as just before waking in the morning – though men do have
    woodies outside of REM sleep. While a head full of hair seems like an issue of vanity, for many it is a very serious medical problem.
    In women, hair thinning or hair loss can occur during menopause or childbirth.

    My website; products for baldness

  6. amulets says:

    What’s up, its nice piece of writing about media print,
    we all be aware of media is a wonderful source of information.

  7. Wow, superb weblog layout! How long have you ever been running a
    blog for? you made running a blog glance easy. The entire
    look of your web site is excellent, as smartly as
    the content!

  8. You might be also cost-free to eat something you would like, supplied not surprisingly which you stay as far away as possible from starch and sugar.
    It was a happy accident to be sure, but still an accident.

    7: House Foods Tofu Shirataki nutritional facts: It contains 10
    percent calcium, 2 percent vitamin C, 2 percent iron,
    1 gram protein, 15 mg sodium and only a half a gram of fat per serving.

    Visit my weblog :: hcg weight loss denver

  9. People have died on the operating room table even with the best of care.
    How do shooting is getting worse, falls into folds and the chin line to create an area of the jaw, jaw lines, marionette.
    Some are dissatisfied with their natural noses, some have incurred injuries to their noses, and some do not like how aging has
    changed their noses.

    My site – surgeon general

  10. They want you to come to the salon on a regular basis so they tell you that
    you need to get a haircut every four to six weeks,
    but it’s just a way for them to make more money. Eventually this can cause hair
    thinning or patches of bald spots. light of one wavelength, not of an entire spectrum like a light bulb.

    Here is my site; igrow hair laser hair-growing helmet

  11. If you want to obtain a good dea from this popst then you have to
    apply sucxh techniques to your won web site.

    Here is my web page :: Family Custody Lawyer Mn

  12. gangsta boo says:

    Having read this I believed it was rather informative.
    I appreciate you taking the time and effort to put this information together.

    I once again find myself spending a significant amount of time both reading and posting
    comments. But so what, it was still worthwhile!

  13. Hi friends, its wonderful article concerning cultureand entirely defined, keep it up all the
    time.

  14. I thiink thjs is one of the most significant information for me.
    And i am glad reading your article. But should remark on some general things, The site style
    is wonderful, the articles is really nice : D. Good job, cheers

    My website website building

  15. Well, should you be read on since we’re about to be discussing the best 10 crazy
    weight loss secrets to assist you to get the most from your hard work.

    While weight loss pills can be effective in helping the loss of
    excess fats, most women fear them because some pills are associated
    with serious side effects some of which may be long term.
    Just remember, you can learn what it takes to lose weight pretty quickly and easily.

  16. My relatives every time say that I am killing my time here at net, but I
    know I am getting know-how daily by reading such fastidious articles or reviews.

  17. Stefan says:

    You do not foot locker champaign illinois mention their ability to take full advantage of browsing,
    specifically, is what keeps your ankles. Again, I asked Costa
    which shoes were also the piece edges design characteristics of the ugly shoe is completely dry out and cause an accident.
    Do you have whether you want the style will surely appreciate.

    My website mosser shoes champaign – Stefan,

  18. I’ve been surfing online greater than three hours as of late, yet I
    by no means discovered any fascinating article like yours.
    It’s beautiful value enough for me. In my opinion, if all site owners and bloggers made excellent content as you probably did, the web shall be much more useful than ever before.

  19. Hi there mates, its great paragraph on the topic of tutoringand entirely explained, keep
    it up all the time.

  20. What’s up, yes this article is really pleasant and I have learned lot of things from it regarding blogging.
    thanks.

  21. You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but
    I find this matter to be really something which I think I would never understand.
    It seems too complicated and very broad for me. I’m looking forward
    for your next post, I’ll try to get the hang of it!

  22. Very quickly this sitye will be famous amid all blogging viewers, Ԁue tо it’s pleasant
    content

  23. Pretty section of content. I just stumbled upon your website and in accession capital to claim that I get in fact loved
    account your weblog posts. Any way I will be subscribing for your
    feeds or even I achievement you get admission to constantly fast.

  24. I am really thankful to the holder of this site who has shared this
    great post at at this place.

  25. Hi and thank you for the actual blog post ive been recently searching
    about this specific advice on-line for sum hours these days.
    thanks.

  26. twitter.com says:

    Have a choice of 2 or 3 different breakfast options,change your
    veggy and starch selection on a weekly basis and ensure that your protein selection doesn. In fact, it is best for you long-term health to find a diet that gets you the maximum nutrients for the minimum calories.
    There are plenty of medical conditions that can contribute to weight gain.

  27. Particular person tests and projects at the accelerators are backed by way of the participating languages like german and
    unfamiliar institutions, which inturn are frequently freely backed.

    Of the doris storage ring was originally the place that the alteration on the w-meson into its antiparticle,
    the zero-t-meson was viewed.

  28. If some one desires expert view regarding running
    a blog after that i propose him/her to visit this web site, Keep up the good work.

  29. EyeDerm X Reviews

    Obama Reconciliation Strategy Rallies Moderate Democrats | CentristNet

  30. That is bigger than China exactly where the thriller has discovered its way to $22.6M as it heads
    into its final frame.

  31. What’s up to every one, it’s really a pleasant for me to go
    to see this web page, it includes helpful Information.

  32. sohbetet says:

    I already bookmarked this website and visit occasionally..

  33. hi there, this is a great post! thank you for sharing

  34. Great post and nice article. Thank you

  35. Greatings feel nice job. Thank’s

  36. If some one desires expert view regarding

  37. songs says:

    mp3 song collections are favorite pastime for people.
    In honor of Midnight Memories, One Direction is releasing a new song every two days leading
    up to the album’s release. As these wedding songs play, try and pick your
    favorite parts of these wedding songs so that you can possess a well formulated opinion.

  38. You mentioned the issue bi nice thank you I follow without getting bored

  39. skrotbiler says:

    I am really thankful to the holder of this site who has shared this
    great post at at this place.

  40. Hello there, just became aware of your blog through Google,
    and found that it’s really informative. I’m going to watch
    out for brussels. I’ll be grateful if you continue this in future.
    Numerous people will be benefited from your writing.
    Cheers!

  41. Hi and thank you for the actual blog post ive been recently searching
    about this specific advice on-line for sum hours these days.
    thanks.

  42. Particular person tests and projects at the accelerators are backed by way of the participating languages like german

  43. …[Trackback]

    […]Check out AXA – one of the most popular Bosnian rock bands from the late 90’s – early 00’s. The band was later renamed to INGRAY, moved to the US and recorded some awesome albums for different labels. It’s founder, popular visual artist, Haris…

Leave a Reply