Liberals Threaten to Strip Baucus of Chairmanship

[Mass]

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2009/07/30/liberals_threaten_to_strip_baucus_of_chairmanship.html

July 30, 2009

Liberals Threaten to Strip Baucus of Chairmanship
"In an apparent warning to Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT), some liberal Democrats have suggested a secret-ballot vote every two years on whether or not to strip committee chairmen of their gavels," The Hill reports.

Baucus "has frustrated many of his liberal colleagues by negotiating for weeks with Republicans over health care reform without producing a bill or even much detail about the policies he is considering."

Said Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA): "Every two years the caucus could have a secret ballot on whether a chairman should continue, yes or no. If the 'no's win, he's out."

Thanks to them, and to those who think it is showmanship, sorry, but sometimes it is good to remind your constituents you're fighting for them and you will continue...

So, to those senators who have protested against Baucus, thanks.

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/dems-warn-baucus-with-gavel-threat-2009-07-29.html

Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), a member of the HELP Committee, said it would be very difficult for him to support a healthcare package that did not include a strong public option. On Tuesday he grumbled about the slow pace of Finance Committee negotiations: “I’m not happy with the slowness there.”

Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.), a senior liberal lawmaker, complained to reporters last week about being left out of Finance Committee talks despite serving as chairman of the panel’s Healthcare subcommittee.

[xchrom]

1. just do it. nt

[wroberts189]

20. Or to quote the new young version of Capt. Kirk: "DO IT! DO IT! DO IT! DO IT!" nt

[madfloridian]

2. Brown was very impressive on Countdown last night.

Sherrod Brown on Countdown

Dean gave him plenty of talking space, and he made many good points.

Baucus is acting like a Republican who is trying to stop our agenda.

[City Lights]

3. I'm all for it!

:thumbsup:

[TheCoxwain]

4. Liberal dems have grown a SPINE ... Yaaaaaaaaaayy!!!!

[karynnj]

5. Who do people think would become the chair if this were to occur?

Here is the list in order of seniority.

MAX BAUCUS, MT
JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER IV, WV
KENT CONRAD, ND
JEFF BINGAMAN, NM
JOHN F. KERRY, MA
BLANCHE L. LINCOLN, AR
RON WYDEN, OR
CHARLES E. SCHUMER, NY
DEBBIE STABENOW, MI
MARIA CANTWELL, WA
BILL NELSON, FL
ROBERT MENENDEZ, NJ
THOMAS CARPER, DE

Now, Senators can chair only one committee.
Here are the top ones currently hold:

Rockefeller - Commerce
Conrad - Budget
Bingaman - Energy
Kerry - Foreign Relations

I think it would go to the highest person who is willing to give up the Chair they have. Rockefeller is a solid pro-public option, but I have no idea if he would prefer Finance to Commerce. I really know nothing about what Conrad or Bingaman would prefer. Kerry is highly unlikely to give up SFRC.

If we get Rockefeller or Bingaman or Kerry, the committee will move significantly to the left.

[Bleacher Creature]

7. Conrad and Bingaman are almost as bad as Baucus.

They are part of the "bipartisan" negotiating team.

[karynnj]

8. I'm not sure what role Bingaman has played in the gang of 6

He is listed as supporting the public option - other than that I know very little about him. Conrad is, as you said almost as bad as Baucus.

If Bingaman is not an improvement, the only likely improvement would be Rockefeller.

[Bleacher Creature]

16. Not sure about Bingaman either, actually.

I usually check FDL for updates on who supports the public option. This is the last thing they have on him.

http://campaignsilo.firedoglake.com/2009/06/23/bingaman-backpedaling-on-public-plan/

[Mass]

9. No real clue, What is a real improvement is that people are getting somewhat vocal against Baucus.

I wished more did that. I know it is just wishful thinking. So, I posted that to thanks Harkin and Brown, and the half dozen Dems who think that staying silent and hoping for the best is not an option. As you know, they are too few for my taste.

[backscatter712]

10. Rockefeller's one of the good guys, and he's next in line if Baucus is out!

Give the chair to him!

[petersjo02]

6. Baucus and Grassley are negotiating...

but only with each other. I say take them down.

[Phx_Dem]

11. Please God! Amen. n/t

[DevonRex]

12. He needs to get on our side or get out, IMO. Time to put pressure on

on him, big time.

[Cha]

13. Good..something's up with baucus and

it's not good.

[AllentownJake]

14. Fuck it just kick him out of the Caucus

This 60 votes nonsense is killing us.

[democracy1st]

15. good call the guy is basically saying FU to their face

[Bleacher Creature]

17. I oppose this proposal.

I want him gone now -- not in January of 2011.

[Vidar]

18. K&R

[ProSense]

19. Baucus is more concerned with getting Republican support

because he doesn't want a public option. In fact, he's trying to push through a bill that gives the appearance of reform.

He sucks!

[backscatter712]

21. DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!!

THROW HIM OUT!!!