Centrist Dem under fire for opposing Obama healthcare

[babylonsister]

Centrist Dem under fire for opposing Obama healthcare
By Ian Swanson
Posted: 05/28/09 11:24 AM


Centrist Democratic Sen. Ben Nelson (Neb.) is under attack from an advertising campaign that criticizes his opposition to President Obama’s healthcare plan.

The Web and direct-mail ads specifically take on Nelson for opposing Obama’s proposal to create a public health insurance program consumers could choose instead of private plans. The $10,000 ad campaign is paid for by Change Congress, an advocacy group that is calling for publicly financed elections.

The Change Congress ads charge that Nelson’s opposition to a public health insurance plan is linked to campaign funds he has received from health insurance groups. Citing data from the Center for Responsive Politics, the ads say Nelson has accepted $2 million from health insurance companies over three Senate campaigns.

Nelson argues a public health insurance plan would ruin employer-sponsored private health insurance plans. He told CQ the inclusion of a public plan in a healthcare reform bill was a deal-breaker for him.

In a lengthy press release, Nelson’s office warned Nebraskans not to fall for a “misleading fundraising gimmick by a special interest group.”

snip//

Adam Green, chief executive officer of Change Congress, said it’s difficult to believe money Nelson received from health insurance interests don’t influence his position on healthcare reform. “Nelson can prove he’s not captive to special interests by supporting Obama’s public option and co-sponsoring the Fair Elections Now Act that would give democracy back to the little guy,” he said.

more...

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/centrist-dem-under-fire-for-opposing-obama-healthcare-2009-05-28.html

[sandnsea]

1. Would be better to educate Nebraska

as to why they should support the public plan. His voters are the only ones who can make him switch his vote.

[babylonsister]

2. Or educate them about Nelson and what a milquetoast DINO

he really is.

[sandnsea]

3. What if they're all milquetoast DINOs?

Or at least a large majority of the Democrats there, then what? People who watch Fox News really think they're watching the news and they really think they're being told the truth. We have to organize, just like with the campaign, to educate them.

[sandnsea]

7. Health Care Conference Call

They're going to fire up the call lists and walk lists and take the health care plan to the people.

Pretty Cool!

[Vinca]

4. According to an article at Huffington, it sounds like Nelson

is rethinking his position.http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/05/28/public-health-care-plan-g_n_208679.html

[babylonsister]

5. Thanks for the link. He's seeing the light?! nt

[cascadiance]

10. "open minded"... Hell no! He's just afraid he's going to get his ass kicked in the next primary!

[dgibby]

6. If Nelson's a centrist Dem, then I am the Queen of England.

[cascadiance]

9. There are no real "centrist" Dems. That's code for "corporatist"!

Any real "moderate" or "centrist" Dems not obeyant to corporate masters get weeded out of the system early like Paul Hackett did.

This is the illusion we have to lift ourselves away from...

Ben Nelson is a pure corporatist, period!

[cascadiance]

8. Hey Ben, you IDIOT. Employer funded plans is what is putting GM out of business!!

Take the leeches OUT of the system, and not only will patients and doctors benefit from more money being spent on actual HEALTH care instead of the crap the insurance companies spend it on/steal it for others, but it ALSO helps many of the corporations that have to pay for parts of these health plans be more competitive with overseas firms that don't have this expense!! Wake up you corrupt dingbat!