Polis Pushes Public Option In Reconciliation

The public option is dead

dead, buried, then exhumed again to make sure its really dead, lit on fire, stomped out, and then buried again.

" The webinar is free, however, there are only 250 spaces available "

Some douche

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by: Fidel's dirt nap @ Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 20:12:17 PM UTC

Good thing...

...we have you to know, and share, the facts, lest we be tempted to listen to someone actually in Congress!

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by: JO @ Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 23:12:21 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

go ahead JO

Pray to our anointed patron saints of false hope JUST ONE MORE TIME. This time its gonna be different, I tell ya !  Why would someone actually in Congress lead you wrong anyway ? I mean hell, Michael Bennet is there.

" The webinar is free, however, there are only 250 spaces available "

Some douche

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by: Fidel's dirt nap @ Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 23:21:49 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

actually,

with Polis' comments in the past about "tax and spend" democrats on health care, this might make up for that misstep.
I am pretty sure dems are very, very aware of how bad their numbers will go down if the health care bill in its current form, passes.
I have heard it is polling in the 30% range, while the public option is in the high 70% range.
Polis might not be worried about a republican challenger, but you never know about a primary.

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by: wade norris @ Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 23:28:15 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Yes

I'm sure Rep. Polis is very concerned about a primary. I'd put the odds of a CD-2 primary right up there with Bill Ritter jumping back in the race to run a primary against Hickenlooper.

Polis was always a strong supporter of the public option, so this really doesn't differ with anything he's said in the past. I'm glad that he's trying to get the Senate to get off their asses, but it would have been nice if he wasn't parroting GOP talking points on HCR from the get-go.

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by: redstateblues @ Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 23:38:28 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

If I were in Congress I'd cosponsor it too...

HB3048 - "The healthcare reform didn't happen so now I'll cover my ass for next election by pushing for something well after the battle has been lost so I know won't pass anyway don't blame me bill; subtitled the looking like you are doing something while not really making any difference whatsoever, good for political cover BILL"

Apologies in advance for being so cynical.

" The webinar is free, however, there are only 250 spaces available "

Some douche

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by: Fidel's dirt nap @ Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 23:51:56 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

No apology necessary.

NBC had a poll last night and 79% thought the government was an absolute failure. About the same numbers for how people think Congress is doing.

You know I'm a pragmatist but I gotta tell you, I think this is actually doable and at this point, I don't give a fuck who gets credit for it if it works. Yes, it's a slim chance (and that's the understatement of the year) but even Nelson said he would be willing to go the reconciliation route and that only requires 50 votes.

And the progressive bloc is really the only group left where there are potential pick up votes.

So, in order to move health care through the House, Democrats either need to pick up progressives or conservatives. And the budget reconciliation process does not lend itself to altering abortion language reform, because that wouldn't have a direct, substantial impact on the budget.

That leaves progressives as the bloc available to pick up. Their demands -- changes related to the tax on insurance, a Medicaid or Medicare expansion, and a public option -- would likely be allowable using reconciliation. (The Senate parliamentarian would have the final say.)

So here's wishing for the best while bracing for the worst.  

"I wouldn't characterize caloric intake as "professional development." c rork

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by: Middle of the Road @ Thu Jan 28, 2010 at 00:19:59 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

agreed.

honestly if this works to get the PO back in through reconciliation, Polis will be a hero.

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by: wade norris @ Thu Jan 28, 2010 at 00:18:38 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Good for Jared

He is making the one last push to get the damn Public Option done...  Go you Polis

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by: TheDeminator @ Wed Jan 27, 2010 at 21:15:32 PM UTC

Phoenix

My initial reaction to his statement was to cheer. How wonderful Congressman Jared Polis is to champion health care reform in such a loud, firm, clear way!

I admire him very much and think his motives are out of genuine concern for Americans.  That said, after his annoucement, I talked to some health reform experts in the state. There is a huge coalition of health care groups under the Umbrella of HCAN. Some of the leaders of the coalition groups told me this is a very unlikely strategy and would make derailing health reform more likely, rather than less. These people study polling data and speak with experts in the field all day, every day. I give them credibility.

The best thing Congressman Polis could have said to this voter is, "I am working with Health Care for America Now and all of its member organizations to devise the best strategy to get real reform." Unfortunately, it is not nearly as sexy as saying, "I am saving the public option".  

I wish him luck. I really do.  

Buck Stops Here.

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by: peacemonger @ Thu Jan 28, 2010 at 15:00:06 PM UTC

The best strategy, I am told,

at this point, is for the House to pass the Senate bill quickly, and work to get more under reconciliation.

Buck Stops Here.

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by: peacemonger @ Thu Jan 28, 2010 at 15:04:15 PM UTC

Glad to see Polis doing this

I'm happier now with him than I was last year. He seems more like a leader of the team than a leader of a rebellion, which is much more helpful.

"Have a Bobby bar! My dad made them." --Jon Huntsman Jr.

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by: sxp151 @ Thu Jan 28, 2010 at 21:02:31 PM UTC

Way to go Polis

I'm happy he's fighting for the Public Option. It makes sense from a business perspective to help the middle class and he's one example of someone who is realizing that if we don't restore the middle class in this country we will not recover. Single payer would be better but the PO is the next best thing.  

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by: Sharon Hanson @ Fri Jan 29, 2010 at 12:59:01 PM UTC

The public option is not going to happen

and all of these people have failed you, and yet you praise them anyway for "fighting for the Public Option".

They are all culpable for this failure.  Stop fawning and hold them responsible.  

" The webinar is free, however, there are only 250 spaces available "

Some douche

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by: Fidel's dirt nap @ Fri Jan 29, 2010 at 16:13:54 PM UTC

[ Parent ]