Daschle Now Claims He Never Opposed Federal Public Option

[devilgrrl]

Tom Daschle was almost the Obama administration's health czar before tax problems foiled his nomination. But in the months since he withdrew from the White House, he's not abandoned health care. This week, he was back in the news: He released a proposal for reform that was co-signed by Bob Dole and Howard Baker, and reports emerged quoting him saying that the public plan option could be sacrificed for the good of health-care reform. Last night, we talked about his new plan, his support for the public option, and whether Democrats should use the reconciliation process. A lightly edited transcript follows.

Tell me a bit about the genesis of this proposal.

The whole idea with the Bipartisan Policy Center is for four former majority leaders to come together and see what common ground we can find on common issues. This was one of the biggest projects we've ever done.

A lot of people will look at it and say, well, that's a bit late, isn't it? Why didn't they come to an agreement back when they were serving together?

I think the answer is, first, we didn't all serve together. Bob Dole and George Mitchell and I worked together on this 15 years ago and failed. The question is what we learned. And what we laid out yesterday was the answer.

The realization first and foremost that universal coverage was a goal we have to embrace wasn't true 15 years ago. But the real issue is that the three major problems in health -- access, quality, and cost -- have gotten so much worse than 15 years ago. We all agree now that whatever we propose will be superior to the status quo.

Reading the final plan, it struck me as a pretty pure collision of philosophies. It's what would happen if some smart Republicans and smart Democrats locked themselves in a room and hammered this thing out. How different was the process from the one you experienced inside the Senate? How much, in other words, are electoral, partisan and interest-driven incentives a force versus simple philosophical beliefs?

Something happens within the legislative bodies that changes the chemistry between parties and among members. I wish I knew what it was completely. I think it's true almost across the board that I've gotten closer to every leader who I worked with actively since I left. Bob Dole, Trent Lott, Newt Gingrich. I only wish you could somehow create that camaraderie and trust and friendship that seems to come so much harder when you're in active, combative politics.

more: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/ezra-klein/2009/06/an_interview_with_tom_daschle.html

[gratuitous]

1. Terrific Tom

It would enhance Mr. Daschle's credibility quite a bit if he actually started to, you know, work for a public option. But I guess putting together a proposal that would benefit (by Republican estimates) 119 million Americans just isn't attractive enough.

[Vinnie From Indy]

2. LOL!

Is there anything funnier than whores chatting about their virtues and common interests?

I wouldn't give you a warm bucket of spit for any of the folks mentioned in the above article. They laughably put forth that they represent two ideologies when in fact they are tightly bound to the same philosophy - making money regardless of the pain, suffering and death caused by their consensus.

Daschle and the lot of them are perfect examples of how our government has been acquired by corporate interests. Getting paid is job one for these people.

[Cleita]

3. Daschle in his book about health care reform admits that single payer like

the Canadian Medicare system is the most efficient way to deliver comprehensive and quality health care, but then he flip flops and says, but it wouldn't work here. Yet, he fails to give a cogent argument other than the weak, people want to keep their health care plans who are happy with them. But of course, he was a health care lobbyist for the for profit industry. Then it makes sense as to where he is coming from. Talk about a Faustian deal with the industry. I can understand people not trusting that government secured health insurance might be the way, because they have listened to too much propaganda, but to actually know what is the best way and then sell oneself out for cash is really being nothing more than a whore.

[CanonRay]

4. What a weasel

I'm sorry there isn't a Dem in the seat, but I never did like him much.

[Skidmore]

5. Daschle never stands up when it counts.

Remember, he and Gephardt handed Congressional war powers over to * and ushered in the wars that are draining the the piggy banks. I really have no use for this person.

[EFerrari]

6. That's right. He was the Amazing Disappearing Leader.

I want to like Daschle. Maybe he'd be a good teacher or something. He's a rotten policymaker.

[marmar]

7. He was for it before he was against it before he was for it.

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