08-20-2009, 09:41 AM
Democrats Planning Healthcare Vote Without GOP Support
Wednesday, August 19, 2009 7:12 PM
WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama is broadening his push for overhauling healthcare even as congressional Democrats quietly pursue ways to achieve their goals without any Republican help.
After two days of silence on healthcare, Obama reengaged Wednesday, urging religious leaders to back his proposals and preparing for a pep talk to a much larger audience of liberal activists whose enthusiasm has been questioned. Polls continued to show slippage in support for the president's approach, although Americans expressed even less confidence in Republicans' handling of healthcare.
The administration said it still hopes for a bipartisan breakthrough on its far-reaching goals of expanding health coverage, controlling costs, and increasing competition among insurers. Privately, however, top Democrats said a bipartisan accord seems less likely than ever, and they are preparing strategies for a possible one-party legislative push soon after Congress reconvenes next month.
Democratic researchers have concluded that a strong-arm Senate tactic, which could negate the need for any GOP votes, might be more effective than previously thought, officials said.
The strategy, called "reconciliation," allows senators to get around a bill-killing filibuster without mustering the 60 votes usually needed. Democrats control 60 of the Senate's 100 seats, but two of their members — Robert Byrd of West Virginia and Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts — are seriously ill and often absent.
Although the reconciliation maneuver always is controversial, it lets the Senate pass some measures with a simple majority vote. Non-budget-related items can be challenged, however, and some lawmakers say reconciliation would knock so many provisions from Obama's healthcare plan that the result would be Swiss cheese.
Democratic aides say they believe those warnings are overblown.
On Wednesday, a spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., warned Republicans that reconciliation is a real option. The White House and Senate Democratic leaders still prefer a bipartisan bill, Jim Manley said, but "patience is not unlimited and we are determined to get something done this year by any legislative means necessary."
In a conference call with liberal religious leaders Wednesday, Obama called health coverage for Americans a "core ethical and moral obligation." He disputed claims that Democratic bills would create "death panels," offer healthcare for illegal immigrants, or fund abortions.
"I know that there's been a lot of misinformation in this debate and there are some folks out there who are, frankly, bearing false witness," Obama said. "I need you to spread the facts and speak the truth."
Administration officials and congressional Democrats were deeply discouraged this week when key Republican lawmakers seemed more critical than ever about various Democratic-drafted healthcare bills pending in the House and Senate. They said they still hope Senate Finance Committee efforts to craft a bipartisan compromise can succeed, although private remarks were more pessimistic.
"The president believes strongly in working with Republicans and Democrats, independents, any that seek to reform healthcare," said White House press secretary Robert Gibbs. "The president strongly believes that we're making progress."
Many Republicans believe that millions of Americans, and especially the GOP's conservative base, ardently oppose Obama's healthcare plans, which they consider too costly and intrusive.
Obama's approval ratings "continue to inch downward," a Pew Research Center poll concluded Wednesday. Favorable ratings for the Democratic Party also have fallen sharply, although they still exceed those of the Republican Party.
Nearly all sides agree that conservatives showed more energy than liberals this month at often-raucous town halls and other forums on healthcare. Valerie Jarrett, a top Obama adviser, warned liberal bloggers recently that the healthcare push is "an uphill battle, and it won't happen unless we energize our base."
Many conservatives think they see the first big chink in Obama's political armor, and Web sites and radio talk shows have encouraged the attacks against his proposals.
Democratic officials, meanwhile, say the often complex and slow-moving healthcare debate has not captivated millions of liberal activists who campaigned tirelessly for Obama last year.
Organizing for America, the president's political organization based at the Democratic National Committee, is trying to rally its members. Last week about 60,000 volunteers sent messages to lawmakers, urging them to support Obama's healthcare agenda.
Obama plans Thursday to promote his plans in a conference call and online address to supporters that could draw huge numbers of listeners. He also will speak with Philadelphia-based radio talk show host Michael Smerconish, who will broadcast from the White House.
Smerconish is generally seen as a conservative, although he endorsed Obama last year and supports abortion rights.
Vice President Joe Biden will meet with healthcare professionals in Chicago on Thursday to push the administration's plans. Joining him will be Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.
Republicans are keeping up their criticisms, and a prominent GOP Senate negotiator warned Democrats Wednesday not to shut them out.
"If the Democrats choose to go it alone, their healthcare plan will fail because the American people will have no confidence in it," said Sen. Mike Enzi of Wyoming. He is one of three GOP senators who have met regularly with Finance Committee members to seek a bipartisan bill.
© 2009 Associated Press.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009 7:12 PM
WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama is broadening his push for overhauling healthcare even as congressional Democrats quietly pursue ways to achieve their goals without any Republican help.
After two days of silence on healthcare, Obama reengaged Wednesday, urging religious leaders to back his proposals and preparing for a pep talk to a much larger audience of liberal activists whose enthusiasm has been questioned. Polls continued to show slippage in support for the president's approach, although Americans expressed even less confidence in Republicans' handling of healthcare.
The administration said it still hopes for a bipartisan breakthrough on its far-reaching goals of expanding health coverage, controlling costs, and increasing competition among insurers. Privately, however, top Democrats said a bipartisan accord seems less likely than ever, and they are preparing strategies for a possible one-party legislative push soon after Congress reconvenes next month.
Democratic researchers have concluded that a strong-arm Senate tactic, which could negate the need for any GOP votes, might be more effective than previously thought, officials said.
The strategy, called "reconciliation," allows senators to get around a bill-killing filibuster without mustering the 60 votes usually needed. Democrats control 60 of the Senate's 100 seats, but two of their members — Robert Byrd of West Virginia and Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts — are seriously ill and often absent.
Although the reconciliation maneuver always is controversial, it lets the Senate pass some measures with a simple majority vote. Non-budget-related items can be challenged, however, and some lawmakers say reconciliation would knock so many provisions from Obama's healthcare plan that the result would be Swiss cheese.
Democratic aides say they believe those warnings are overblown.
On Wednesday, a spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., warned Republicans that reconciliation is a real option. The White House and Senate Democratic leaders still prefer a bipartisan bill, Jim Manley said, but "patience is not unlimited and we are determined to get something done this year by any legislative means necessary."
In a conference call with liberal religious leaders Wednesday, Obama called health coverage for Americans a "core ethical and moral obligation." He disputed claims that Democratic bills would create "death panels," offer healthcare for illegal immigrants, or fund abortions.
"I know that there's been a lot of misinformation in this debate and there are some folks out there who are, frankly, bearing false witness," Obama said. "I need you to spread the facts and speak the truth."
Administration officials and congressional Democrats were deeply discouraged this week when key Republican lawmakers seemed more critical than ever about various Democratic-drafted healthcare bills pending in the House and Senate. They said they still hope Senate Finance Committee efforts to craft a bipartisan compromise can succeed, although private remarks were more pessimistic.
"The president believes strongly in working with Republicans and Democrats, independents, any that seek to reform healthcare," said White House press secretary Robert Gibbs. "The president strongly believes that we're making progress."
Many Republicans believe that millions of Americans, and especially the GOP's conservative base, ardently oppose Obama's healthcare plans, which they consider too costly and intrusive.
Obama's approval ratings "continue to inch downward," a Pew Research Center poll concluded Wednesday. Favorable ratings for the Democratic Party also have fallen sharply, although they still exceed those of the Republican Party.
Nearly all sides agree that conservatives showed more energy than liberals this month at often-raucous town halls and other forums on healthcare. Valerie Jarrett, a top Obama adviser, warned liberal bloggers recently that the healthcare push is "an uphill battle, and it won't happen unless we energize our base."
Many conservatives think they see the first big chink in Obama's political armor, and Web sites and radio talk shows have encouraged the attacks against his proposals.
Democratic officials, meanwhile, say the often complex and slow-moving healthcare debate has not captivated millions of liberal activists who campaigned tirelessly for Obama last year.
Organizing for America, the president's political organization based at the Democratic National Committee, is trying to rally its members. Last week about 60,000 volunteers sent messages to lawmakers, urging them to support Obama's healthcare agenda.
Obama plans Thursday to promote his plans in a conference call and online address to supporters that could draw huge numbers of listeners. He also will speak with Philadelphia-based radio talk show host Michael Smerconish, who will broadcast from the White House.
Smerconish is generally seen as a conservative, although he endorsed Obama last year and supports abortion rights.
Vice President Joe Biden will meet with healthcare professionals in Chicago on Thursday to push the administration's plans. Joining him will be Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.
Republicans are keeping up their criticisms, and a prominent GOP Senate negotiator warned Democrats Wednesday not to shut them out.
"If the Democrats choose to go it alone, their healthcare plan will fail because the American people will have no confidence in it," said Sen. Mike Enzi of Wyoming. He is one of three GOP senators who have met regularly with Finance Committee members to seek a bipartisan bill.
© 2009 Associated Press.
It is about time they said **** the Republicans. For god sake, Mr. Grasshole said he wouldn't even vote for his own plan if the rest of the Republicans didn't vote for it. I don't know about you but that sure the hell sounds like the Republicans aren't interested in fixing the system unless it is completely written by Republicans. THEY WANT OBAMA TO FAIL AT ALL COSTS.