Obama meets union leaders over healthcare concerns

[ProSense]

Obama meets union leaders over healthcare concerns

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"It was a frank and productive meeting between friends about moving forward with healthcare reform," Trumka said.

A White House spokesman said the president and labor leaders had "an exchange of views and had a productive discussion about their shared commitment to health reform."

Neither statement mentioned the contentious issue of the tax on high-cost plans, which some economists say could help rein in long-term healthcare costs.

Unions argue that many members pay more for healthcare, not because their plans are generous, but because they cover those more costly to insure, like older workers.

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[Clio the Leo]

1. but WHAT does the silence mean!????..........

.... very interesting.

A dozen labor leaders, most of whom object strongly to parts of the pending health care legislation, met at the White House tonight with President Obama, in a meeting that seems to have been as much about a show of respect to the union chiefs as any changes to the Senate bill.

The leaders "laid out" their "standard lines" in opposition to the excise tax included in the bill, one person familiar with the meeting said. Obama "reaffirmed his position."

The White House issued a brief statement following the meeting:

The President and labor leaders had an exchange of views and had a productive discussion about their shared commitment to health reform that will lower health costs for American workers and their families, protect them from unfair insurance company practices, and enable employers to create jobs and raise wages.

Most of the union chiefs and their aides were being uncharacteristically tight-lipped about the gathering -- "Gag order," one emails, adding only that it was a "productive, good, frank" meeting.

http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0110/Labor_at_the_White_House.html?showall

[firedupdem]

2. Excellent

Glad to know they met, which means they are working the issues out. Excellent news.

[Clio the Leo]

3. And today, the SEIU announced a major ad buy for that 60th vote from Mass...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x7450636

There's the answer I was looking for.

[depakid]

4. Doubt that would have happened if the seat was safe

which brings us to the question of why it may not be....

[Clio the Leo]

5. More importantly.....

..... doubt it would have happened if the President wasn't able to do some reassuring at the meeting yesterday. If that 60th vote will help pass a tax that will overburden union members, why spend money to help make it happen?

[depakid]

6. That's conspiracy theory- as opposed to simple economics

and influence purchase.

[Clio the Leo]

7. Ok then, explain the opposite theory to me....

.... I'm not trying to challenge you, I'm really trying to think it through.

So the unions left the meeting NOT reassured about the Caddy tax, NOT pleased with the President and the next day, they spend money to help secure that 60th vote because......

And if they weren't pleased, why haven't they said anything? .... There's been silence.....

[depakid]

8. The "opposite theory" is the status quo in America

an interest group (a labor group in this instance) provides money and other resources (issue ads, etc) in return for support of legislation to benefit the group.

This is most effective when the politician and the campaign actually needs the support -or perceives that they do. (the cheap polls have been all over the board- but we don't know what the internal research showed and they're are not generally cheap- whic is why they're more accurate).

That of course doesn't mean the topic wasn't broached at the meeting, nor that some pressure wasn't exerted (as would be expected if in fact the race looks questionable- or far closer than it ought to be).

[Clio the Leo]

9. internal polling has Coakley up by five....

http://twitter.com/marcambinder/status/7683544568

Kerry has told HIS supporters that it's a "dead heat"
http://twitter.com/marcambinder/status/7678368593

And the DSCC is buying ad time...
http://twitter.com/TheFix/status/7673977957

[depakid]

10. Internals are usually held very close to the chest

On the other hand, these numbers wouldn't surprise me.