Roll Call: Emanuel Reassures Democrats on Public Insurance Option

[flpoljunkie]

Emanuel Reassures Democrats on Public Insurance Option
By Steven T. Dennis

Roll Call Staff
July 7, 2009, 9:11 p.m.

White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel reassured House Democrats on Tuesday night that President Barack Obama strongly backs a government-run health insurance plan, seeking to quell a firestorm among liberals upset at Emanuel’s comments in the Wall Street Journal that suggested such a plan could be delayed.

Progressive Caucus Co-Chairwoman Lynn Woolsey (D-Calif.) warned Emanuel that he would lose the caucus’ votes if the White House compromised on the issue and included a “trigger” that could delay a public insurance plan indefinitely. The trigger idea is backed by conservative Democrats but is anathema to liberals.

“We have compromised enough, and we are not going to compromise on any kind of trigger game,” Woolsey said she told Emanuel. “People clapped all over the place. We mean it, and not just progressives.”

House Energy and Commerce Chairman Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) said he was reassured by Emanuel. “He doesn’t stand by that trigger,” Waxman said. “He said the president and his administration and he are for a public plan as one of the options.”

more...

http://www.rollcall.com/news/36564-1.html

[Jennicut]

1. So is Rahm in the doghouse? Sounds like he needed to backtrack what he said

per Obama.

[flpoljunkie]

2. I doubt it, particularly after reading this from Slate's John Dickerson...

Liberal Democrats and their allies were concerned enough about Emanuel's remarks to seek clarification from the White House. But the president's statement, while aimed at reiterating his commitment, doesn't actually contradict anything Emanuel said. If, in the end, Obama decides that a trigger or a cooperative plan keeps insurance companies honest, then he will say he's kept his word on the goals of the public option. So Obama's statement today can be read as both a walk-back of Emanuel's remarks and support of them. When I pointed this out to a White House adviser, the response was succinct: "Mission accomplished."

http://www.slate.com/id/2222406/

[Jennicut]

3. That won't work. Its not a public option and if the WH thinks so then they are much more

stupid then I thought.

[Enrique]

4. I'm with Woolsey

I would have absolutely no problem with the Progressive Caucus opposing this bill if it didn't have the public option. That's already a compromise from the single payer system which we should have.

[Arkana]

5. Looks like Obama gave Rahm a phone call

and gave him the phone equivalent of an atomic wedgie.

[mkultra]

6. lynn is still fighting the primary

[depakid]

7. No, Lynn is telegraphing what could well happen in 2010

[masuki bance]

8. But Rahm, those quotes of yours were lies!!111!1

Why are you clarifying? You're falling for the spin!!!11!1111