Democrats fear Obama health care plan 'on the rocks'

[Better Believe It]

Democrats fear Obama health care plan 'on the rocks'
CNN
June 19, 2009

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Several senior Democratic advisers to the White House are urging President Obama to further step up his personal involvement in the health care debate, as administration allies privately warn the president's push for a major reform bill is hitting major roadblocks at a critical juncture on Capitol Hill.

"We're going to need the White House to step it up a little bit and get more engaged," said a second Democratic adviser, who acknowledged concerns that Republicans are gaining steam in the message battle. "We've got some time to sort this out, but decision time is just around the corner."

Jim Manley, a senior aide to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada, told CNN that while there are some ominous signs for Democrats right now, party officials are confident they're just bumps in the road.

"Be very careful to sort out the wheat from the chaff, the noise from the reality," Manley said. "It's not easy, but we can do it."

But in a sign Democrats may be nervous that they will not be able to reach 60 votes in the Senate for Obama's plan, Reid reminded reporters this week that in order to pass the health legislation he still reserves the right to use arcane budget rules known as "reconciliation" that require only a simple majority of 51 votes.

Please read the complete article at:

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/06/19/health.care/index.html?iref=werecommend

[Teaser]

1. "Democrats" always fear something

it's their nature.

[rocktivity]

2. WE are what the Democrats fear.

They know that three quarters of us want a single payer-based option, and more important, they know that we know that there's no good reason why we can't have one. First they try to ignore us by saying single payer isn't on the table. Then the try to demoralize us by pretending that there aren't enough votes. Now they're trying to claim that it's out of their hands!

:headbang:
rocktivity

[MarjorieG]

3. Easier to let GOP almost kill what public wants, using 51 without seeming unccooperative.

I still think we haven't begun the out of committee process.

[AtomicKitten]

4. They should fear the 72% of Americans that want the public option. n/t

[billyoc]

5. They don't. The fear the 0.01% of America that pays them.

[Soylent Brice]

10. i wish i could rec your post.

[TomCADem]

6. There Is A Freakin ABC Special On Wednesday! What else do they need?

President Obama mentions healthcare everyday, yet where are the Democratic members of congress. Instead, all we hear are Republicans spouting off talking points about socialism.

[Jakes Progress]

7. republicans fear everything in the world,

Democrats fear republican disapproval.

Better the plans that have a chance of passing go on the rocks than be compromised to death.

[Better Believe It]

8. We only need 51 votes in the Senate to pass legislation without reconciliation

Why do the Democrats agree with the Republicans when they insist that 60 votes are needed to pass healthcare legislation if reconciliation isn't used?

Oh .... the Republicans might be obstructionist and threaten to filibuster against a public plan which 72% of the people favor!

Let them filibuster.

They will isolate themselves even more from the public!

And all filibusters end.

Actually, we only need Senate 50 votes to pass a strong public option. A 50 vote tie breaker can be cast by Vice-President Biden.

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

13. What does he mean 'arcane rule'? It was used by the GOP over and over

during the Bush years to get around any possibility of Democratic resistance. For the Repugs to get a bill passed it took 51%, for the Dems it takes 60 votes in the Senate. What give?

[Araxen]

9. FINALLY

Reid threatens to use the 51 vote clause(aka the nuke option). About time!

[Thrill]

11. Why should they fear. Just fucking support it. You idiots. If they all support it

the bill will pass.

[Doctor_J]

12. Reid is an "administration ally"?

Who knew?

[dflprincess]

14. Obama doesn't have a health "care" plan;

he has a health insurance plan. I wish we would stop buying into the terminology of those whose main goal is to protect the insurance companies.