Breaking: Senator Kent Conrad has just said he WILL vote against Public Option

[Hutzpa]

yes, you heard that right, here;

CARRINGTON, N.D. — Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D. presented his cooperative health care proposal here Thursday and told an audience of 100 that he would not vote for a government-run health care program.

http://campaignsilo.firedoglake.com/2009/08/14/senator-conrad-says-hell-vote-against-the-public-option-in-senate/


My hypertension just went up 20 folds......

Goddammm!!!! :grr: :grr: :grr: WHY???? :mad:

[wryter2000]

1. When is he running again?

Howard Dean says his ilk will face a primary challenge. I'll send some money to his challenger.

[derby378]

32. I'm afraid we're stuck with Conrad until 2012

Potential primary candidates in North Dakota might want to start cross-training and eating their vitamins now...

[Hutzpa]

43. Damn!!

thats not good...:grr:

[jasi2006]

72. So will he vote to abolish Medicare and the VA???? nt

[CrispyQ]

2. Is that a (D) I see behind his name?

:grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr:

[Hutzpa]

8. Damn skippy it is n/t

:grr: :grr:

[BlooInBloo]

3. They're trying to put the knife in it before our side builds up steam.

[zulchzulu]

4. Why would a Senator want to have others have the same health care as him?

The people obviously are not worthy and don't deserve what he has... he is a senator, after all.

:puke:

[ProSense]

5. Time to make Conrad irrelevant

Howard Dean: Dems Will Pass Health Care Reform Through Reconciliation, Without Republicans

[tekisui]

6. Is the asshole also against Medicare, Medicaid and the VA system?

We need a purge from the Democratic Party.

[atreides1]

14. It's Possible

Maybe one of his constituents here should write or call him to find out.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

7. How much money does he get from the health care/insurance industry?

Follow the money.

[kirby]

16. Here you go...

http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/industries.php?cycle=2010&cid=N00004613&type=I&mem=

Health related industries are all in the top 10.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

40. Senator Kent Conrad 2005 - 2010

Health Professionals $230,033
Insurance $223,625
Pharmaceuticals/Health Products $157,700
Hospitals/Nursing Homes $136,430
Health Services/HMOs $111,015

[DPBismarckND]

95. SENATOR CONRAD CALLED OUT BY DEMS IN ND TOWN HALL

Real Democrats in North Dakota put the pressure on Senator Conrad over the public option! This video was taken in Center, ND on August 20th, 2009.

Links to Conrad Town Hall

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtOs3J7VL5o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_CZ8qEtZo8&feature=chan ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBEjtirNHQ4&feature=chan ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqJ8dZM4uIQ&feature=chan ...

[mkultra]

117. you have to wonder why more of this isnt happening.

Harry Reid should have to shove his way into his car in the morning.

[Teaser]

9. doesn't matter. he won't filibuster it.

.

[Freddie Stubbs]

124. Yes, but are there 50 votes in the Senate for it to pass?

:shrug:

[rhett o rick]

125. YES THERE ARE. Continuing to cast doubt on our success is a Faux News technique. Thanks for the

support Freddie (not).

[Hell Hath No Fury]

10. LET THE BASTARD HAVE IT!!!

Senator Kent Conrad
530 Hart Senate Office Building
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510-3403
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
https://conrad.senate.gov/contact/webform.cfm

[grantcart]

20. Called him here is what was said

me: "Yes good afternoon are you aware that there are numerous reports that Senator Conrad has just announced that he will vote against any health care reform bill that includes a public option?"

Conrad staffer: "We are not aware of any of those reports".

me: "Please relay a message to the Senator that I am not a constiutent of his but if he votes against a public option there will be milions of Democrats that will be pressuring their Senator to strip Senator Conrad of any of his committee Chairmanships."

Conrad staffer: "I will relay the message to the Senator, thank you".

[PA Democrat]

26. Just called. Said I would be donating to a real Democrat to run against him.

[graywarrior]

31. Called AND emailed.

[Cant trust em]

37. Form submitted successfully -- Thank You.

[PretzelWarrior]

62. WOOOHOOOO!!! I just called his office

and was polite but firm. When the staffer refused to state where the Senator stands on the public option, I identified myself as NOT a constituent but as someone who's interested in the broad implications of this bill for everyone. I let her know if he does follow through with his pledge to vote against a public option, I will do everything in my power monetarily and otherwise to see him unseated by a primary opponent.

[beac]

77. Thanks for the contact info.

Emailed tonight and a call is on my "TO DO" list for tomorrow.

[beac]

79. dupe n/t

[mkultra]

118. sent an email. Thanks

[valerief]

11. Well, let's remove his, then. nt

[graywarrior]

12. What's his email and phone number?

[Hutzpa]

see post #10 n/t

[graywarrior]

17. Ahhh, calling right now.

I need to get relief by yelling at a putz.

[grantcart]

22. no need to yell at an innocent staffer - see # 10 above.

[graywarrior]

35. Didn't.

I was polite. I also emailed him.

[goclark]

15. good question, what is the number

[BattyDem]

13. If there's no public option, then why bother?

We'll be forced to buy insurance from the companies that are killing us now.

What's that you say? Prices will be lowered and there will be more regulations in place? Bullshit! We all know that the insurance companies ALREADY have their legal teams looking for the loopholes and coming up with ways to do an end-run around the regulations.

[ProSense]

18. OMG, his reasons are RW talking points

Conrad said he would not vote for any health care reform that funded abortions, care for illegal immigrants or a plan that mandates end-of-life counseling.

link

[mohc]

29. So in other words....

Conrad said he would not vote for any health care reform that funded something its not going to fund, care for people its not going to care for or a plan that mandates something it does not mandate.

Technically that should mean he's not against the public option...

[Hutzpa]

46. He will continue taking lobbyist money n/t

[treestar]

104. Now that's frustrating. None of that stuff is even right.

How does such a dumbo get elected?

[sweetloukillbot]

113. Is he saying he's going to vote against the bill because of those points...

Or that he's not going to vote for a bill that contains those points?
Not defending the idiot too much, but there's a difference between those two statements.

[Thrill]

19. Not a surprise. He fucked up Obama's budget too

Looks like Reconciliation is the only way to get this done.

[AzDar]

21. Well, then... he needs a real ass kicking.

Let's see that he gets it.

:grr:

[seafan]

23. The ConservaDem barketh.

By the way, Kent ("I will not vote for a public option") Conrad is up for re-election in '12. May as well be an eternity.


Chuck (Mr. Bipartisan Buddy of President Obama) Grassley already made his similar pronouncement.

[chelsea0011]

24. If there is no public option whatever, what is the reform?

Everyone may as well vote against any bill that doesn't have a public option in the bill. The idea about reform is to put the for profit insurers on notice that if you can't compete you can fold.

[dgibby]

25. Forwarded to Big Eddie. n/t

[ncteechur]

36. me too

[rurallib]

27. well just called and left my commentrs

If there is no public option the insurance companies will collude and continue their current practices. And who is going to stop them?
Suits will be filed, but the costs of court cases will just be a cost of doing business and be passed on to customers.
And they can always buy judges to rule in their favors. They buy Senators don't they Kent?

[Cant trust em]

28. I don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows. nt

[AngryAmish]

30. asshole

[Critters2]

33. Time for a primary....

and a lot of out of state contributions.

[PretzelWarrior]

66. it will happen. WE WILL BURY YOU, KENT CONRAT

[Cant trust em]

34. Regional co-ops are not going to work. The minimum co-opt option must be national. nt

[HopeOverFear]

38. Is he on twitter?

[kirby]

41. Aren't all the twits? n/t

[rudy23]

39. Put him on the list.

And let's never relent against those on the list. We can't let the uninformed right outmuscle us on this.

[kirby]

42. Didn't he tell Maddow or Olberman he supported it?

I thought I remember him on one of those shows saying he supported a robust public option.

[andym]

44. It's not just the influence of insurance companies

He represents a state where the prevailing culture is individual freedom. Government run programs do not sell well there. It's highly unlikely that a liberal/progressive could be elected there in the near future. He's probably as "liberal" as can be elected there.

[kirby]

45. People are free to not choose a public option.

Why isn't he hitting that point?

[Enrique]

48. ND ranks #8 in receiving federal money per capita

see p. 12

http://www.census.gov/prod/2009pubs/fas-08.pdf

[andym]

55. Ironic, but it doesn't change the culture

Montana has a similar culture. Before the President's town hall today, CNN had a lead in talking with a few locals, including one receiving government money (Medicaid, I think). All were against big government programs. The woman receiving government money made a point that anything pot the government touches turns 'black.' But she didn't mind the government spending a small amount of money on people.

[Arugula Latte]

108. Oh, gee, that was swell of her.

I'm sure she has no problem with spending trillions on the military, however.

Fucking idiots.

[Arugula Latte]

107. Ha ha ... So much for the "rugged individualist" bullshit put out by red state rightwingers.

[MadMaddie]

120. Yet the retirees use their medicare that's not real individualism

according to their definition.

[Joanne98]

47. Fucking coward!

[Ganja Ninja]

51. Fear has nothing to do with it.

Don't give these people such an easy excuse. I don't believe for a second that they are being swayed by phone calls and faxes. They know what the majority of people in this country want. They are simply looking for a reason so they can take the money from the corporations. They pull this crap every time before they sell us out and the act is starting to wear thin with me.

[The Magistrate]

49. Then The Reptile Must Be Stripped Of His Chairmanship, Sir

And a strenuous primary challenge mounted in 2012.

[Hutzpa]

50. Wouldn't agree more Magistrate

wouldn't agree more....

[mvd]

63. Agreed, my friend

:hi:

We need to let people know that it's the insurance companies he cares about, not his constituents.

[geek tragedy]

90. I am afraid the latter is impossible, sir.

In the great state of North Dakota, Senators Conrad and Dorgan do not belong to the state Democratic party. They are the state Democratic party.

[Cha]

52. What a stupid pandering little

fuck. bye, conrad.

[City Lights]

53. Bite me, Kent!

:thumbsdown:

[senseandsensibility]

54. kick

:argh:

[DrDan]

56. Democratic Majority in congress my butt

[IndianaGreen]

60. Emma Goldman: If voting changed anything, they'd make it illegal.

But then, you knew that already.

[DrDan]

61. insightful

[tonysam]

57. These People Make Me Sick

They are ALL on the take; they don't represent "we the people" at all.

We've GOT to have public financing of elections.

[flpoljunkie]

58. Lieberman has said the same thing on MSNBC. No surpirse he's lined up with corporate interests.

[Thrill]

59. Just vote for cloture. Thats all we need from him

He doesn't have to support the bill

[Better Believe It]

64. Will he vote to end debate if the Republicans engage in a real filibuster?

That's a more important vote.

I would imagine some conservative Democratic Senators would vote to end a real Republican led filibuster while they would vote against a healthcare bill with a strong public option.

A healthcare bill needs 50 votes in the Senate to pass, not 60.

[Sebastian Doyle]

65. Hey Conrad

You're a nutless piece of shit coward who has no right to call himself a "Democrat".

Fuck off and die, useless swine. :grr:

[Mass]

67. Why is it surprising? He would not have spent time promoting his coops if he was ready to vote for a

public option?

This was never a vote I was counting on.

[BREMPRO]

68. that doesn't mean he won't vote for a government administered health INSURANCE program..?.

is he hedging for his audience?

[workinclasszero]

69. F'in traitor

Damn republican skunk in a dem disguise. How much health insurance money is lining this aholes pockets?

I hope a real, progressive dem will take out this Bush clone ASAP.

[phleshdef]

70. His spokesman is saying this is BS.

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2009/08/14/conrad_spokesman_denies_earlier_report.html

[Hutzpa]

76. Looks like he is playing with words

this is someone you cannot trust, I don't trust him.

[Emit]

71. Developing: Conrad DID NOT Rule Out Pub Opt.

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/8/14/767099/-Developing:-Conrad-DID-NOT-Rule-Out-Pub-Opt.

[fadedrose]

73. Then, you mean he's not a cockroach? nt

[Hutzpa]

74. I'll believe it when he comes out and says it

other than that, he is still an ass and will not be surprise to see him act
as that.

[trocar]

92. Old News

That Daily Kos quote is from Aug 14. How much money has the insurance industry given him in 10 days to change his mind?

[ShadowLiberal]

115. That was two weeks ago, we're talking about new stuff he said today

[Raine1967]

75. Conrad will have a come to jesus moment.

I predict a Presidential Town hall in North Dakota. ;)

[nini]

78. so he's technically saying he's against medicare/ VA care etc??

His senior constituents may be a bit alarmed if he's against government run health care.

[GodlyDemocrat]

80. First Countrywide got to you, now the insurance companies?

Conrad is one of the most corrupt Senators in the Senate. :mad:

[DPBismarckND]

81. SENATOR CONRAD CALLED OUT BY DEMS IN ND TOWN HALL

Real Democrats in North Dakota put the pressure on Senator Conrad over the public option! This video was taken in Center, ND on August 20th, 2009.

Links to Conrad Town Hall

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtOs3J7VL5o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_CZ8qEtZo8&feature=chan ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBEjtirNHQ4&feature=chan ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqJ8dZM4uIQ&feature=chan ...

[SpartanDem]

82. You could've started a new thread instead of bumping this old thing up

[graywarrior]

94. Holy crap!

Thanks for posting these.

[Barack_America]

83. So Conrad is against Medicare?

Sounds like something his more senior constituents should know about.

[Cha]

84. Conrad is using right wing talking points=lies..

How much is he getting from Insurance companies?

[madamesilverspurs]

85. Well, senators have local offices,

as do representatives. I'd make myself a big sign and walk back and forth in front of said office. On the side facing the street the sign would read "Public Option!". On the side facing his office the sign would read, "Judas!" And I'd take the same sign to all his appearances, turning it occasionally so he'd be sure to get the message.

[DPBismarckND]

97. SENATOR CONRAD CALLED OUT BY DEMS IN ND TOWN HALL

Real Democrats in North Dakota put the pressure on Senator Conrad over the public option! This video was taken in Center, ND on August 20th, 2009.

Links to Conrad Town Hall

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtOs3J7VL5o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_CZ8qEtZo8&feature=chan ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBEjtirNHQ4&feature=chan ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqJ8dZM4uIQ&feature=chan ...

[Onlooker]

110. That's encouraging

Didn't watch all of it, but what I saw was very good.

[karynnj]

86. The timing on this, when everyone is mouning Kennedy, is pathetic

[Colobo]

87. Piece of shit.

[ncteechur]

88. Let's check our dates people.

[BlueIdaho]

89. Dead man talking...

Lets see if we can't end his political career at his next election.

[DPBismarckND]

96. SENATOR CONRAD CALLED OUT BY DEMS IN ND TOWN HALL

Real Democrats in North Dakota put the pressure on Senator Conrad over the public option! This video was taken in Center, ND on August 20th, 2009.

Links to Conrad Town Hall

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtOs3J7VL5o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_CZ8qEtZo8&feature=chan ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBEjtirNHQ4&feature=chan ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqJ8dZM4uIQ&feature=chan ...

[RagAss]

91. Another frightened turd !

[Samantha]

93. Here is a link to recalling an elected official in North Dakota

Perhaps we should all be studying it to see if its doable:


http://books.google.com/books?id=u_u8dJm95KEC&pg=PA70&lpg=PA70&dq=North+Dakota+state+constitution+recall+senator&source=bl&ots=2GXeX3e2iQ&sig=o5hzS_9ypbrx94webZ-aYnraCXk&hl=en&ei=JP2VSpviKcitlAeSnLicDA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1#v=onepage&q=&f=false

Please note not all states allow for the recall of elected officials, but North Dakota does. I have begun reading it but by no means am finished.

Sam

[LittleBlue]

98. Scum. Time to use the Draino and flush this fool.

I will make sure that no $ I donate to Democrats can possibly go to this man ever.

I urge everyone to do the same. Let him use his payoffs from big insurance/pharma to get re-elected.

[Doctor_J]

112. Good luck. This deal will get him enough $$ from Big Insurance

to get elected for the next 8 cycles if he wants.

[Divine Discontent]

99. and this to go along with Nelson's (FL) announcement on TUE that Obama needs to 'slow down' on HC!

[workinclasszero]

100. He is bought and paid for

A whore for the health insurance industry.

And here you thought this scumball actually worked for the..people?

What a f'in joke! If it votes like a republican it IS a republican!:grr:

[LaydeeBug]

101. Breaking: The Pope is Catholic. nt

[Phx_Dem]

102. Real classy to announce that after Kennedy's death and before he's even buried.

The fact that his audience only had 100 people should tell him something.

[SpartanDem]

106. This over a week old

and he later recanted the same day



http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x8587729

[Phx_Dem]

109. Okay, my bad. He's still a baffoon though, and that's being generous.

[treestar]

103. Why do these Blue Dogs never give a reason?

Do they agree with the Repubs about nothing good ever being government run, or are they just avoiding saying they need campaign money from the special interests in order to win?

[Arugula Latte]

105. Contact information ... Let's get his local offices, too.

Contacting Senator Kent Conrad

Due to security measures, there is a delay in mail delivery to Senator Conrad's Washington, D.C. office. It is recommended that correspondence to Senator Conrad be sent via e-mail. If your prefer, you can send a fax to [phone].

Click here to contact Senator Conrad via e-mail.

The Washington, D.C. office is where all legislative activities occur. These activities include developing and introducing his legislative initiatives, as well as tracking all legislation before the United States Senate. Letters from constituents in North Dakota are answered from here along with the fulfilling of constituent requests.
Senator Kent Conrad
530 Hart Senate Office Building
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510-3403
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Online: http://conrad.senate.gov/contact
E-mail: https://conrad.senate.gov/contact/webform.cfm
State Offices

Senator Conrad also has a state staff specializing in helping individuals with questions or concerns they have with the federal government as well as helping individuals or groups apply for federal grants. The North Dakota state offices gives you a good place where you can personally visit or call toll free and discuss these matters.

Toll-free Phone: [phone]

Minot:
U.S. Federal Building, Room 105
100 1st Street SW
Minot, ND 58701

Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Grand Forks:
U.S. Federal Building, Room 104
102 North 4th Street
Grand Forks, ND 58203

Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Bismarck:
U.S. Federal Building, Room 228
220 East Rosser Avenue
Bismarck, ND 58501

Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Fargo:
U.S. Federal Building, Room 306
657 2nd Avenue North
Fargo, ND 58102

Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

[Doctor_J]

111. Soooo....what can we do about it?

Nothing. Except get ready for our health insurance costs to go us another 25% or so next year.

Man we are the weakest people on Earth. Even the Chinese government is more afraid of the people than ours is.

[and-justice-for-all]

114. Then he should not call himself a Democrat...nt

[Dappleganger]

116. Exactly.

[WI_DEM]

119. He's not a surprise imo. It has to be either his stupid coop plan or nothing with him.

[Odin2005]

121. Conrad is a fully owned and operated subsidiary of Blue Cross of ND.

[Honeycombe8]

122. Not good. Not good. Still, he HAS to vote how his constituents tell him to,

if he wants to be re-elected.

A full-out campaign selling the P.O. needs to be done, aimed at the general public. There has been some of that, but not a lot.

[DailyGrind51]

123. I hope Ed Schultz cuts him a new one, especially before his next campaign!