McAuliffe On Public Option's Chances: 'Probably Not, No'

[Thickasabrick]

In an exclusive interview with TPMDC this afternoon, former DNC chair Terry McAuliffe said that from his vantage point, the public option is likely dead in the health care debate.

In the past, McAuliffe has said he any bill without a public option would be a failure. Today, though, he said he'd support a compromise bill because "we've got to pass something."

McAuliffe spoke with TPMDC before he heads out on the campaign trail next week for fellow Democrat Creigh Deeds, who defeated McAuliffe in the Virginia gubernatorial primary. McAuliffe touched on a number of subjects, including the Virginia race (more on that in a later post.)

Asked about the chances for a public option now that health care reform bills have reached the floor in both houses of Congress, McAuliffe -- an ardent supporter of expanding government-run care as part of health care reform -- said he he wouldn't bet on one being part of a final bill.

More: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/10/mcauliffe-hc-reform-probably-not-going-to-include-a-public-option.php?ref=fpb

Really, really hope he is wrong.

[senseandsensibility]

1. He's a well known sell out

I rec'd this because we need to be aware that the battle is far from won. Please keep fighting, people.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

2. I'll rec for the same reason.

[Thickasabrick]

4. Thanks - I keep thinking of his quote "we've got to pass something"

and at the end of the day - I am still not that confident that we will actually end up with anything other than some minor restrictions on the insurance companies.

You are right - we cannot let up until it is over.

[Egnever]

3. He is just trying to get back in the news

That dude will say anything for attention.

[CoffeeCat]

5. W...T...F

Terry says that he'd "support a compromise bill because 'we've got to pass something'".

What in the WORLD are these liars and corrupt clowns talking about? The Democrats
have a MAJORITY. We have the White House. They all act as if this is so hard and
it's just such a delicate dance, and oh no---we must compromise.

We have the MAJORITY! When Bush was President, how many times did the Dems bend
to his will? Too many to count! Bush called all Dems into his office to ensure
that they'd be voting for the Iraq war and the Patriot Act.

Why do the Dems act as if they're in the minority?

[HughMoran]

6. Motherfucking failure piece of shit lame ass loser

Shit talk like this boils my blood.

[KeepItReal]

18. Word!!

He should be called "Epic Failed DNC Chair"

[rucky]

7. This is good news!

He's wrong about everything!

[Egnever]

14. +1

[nadinbrzezinski]

8. No PO no vote, or money from me

I told that much to the DNC the day before yesterday when they called begging for money.

They keep hearing this... but seems they don't get it.

[bertman]

10. I got a call from them three days ago and politely told the nice lady that I would not send

them one penny until they adopted a PROGRESSIVE AGENDA. I told her I was sick of hearing about Democrats trying to be centrists and I wasn't going to give my money to any group that leaned that way. She started telling me how they were for healthcare reform and I asked her if they wanted a STRONG public option. She was off her talking points and sort of hemmed and hawed. I told her I was giving my money to individual candidates and to DFA and ActBlue.

She started trying to convince me that the DNC is really working hard and I cut her off. Politely. "Ma'am, I've been a Democrat for over 40 years. I'm sick of how the party is acting now. Change to a Progressive agenda and I'll come back."

I asked her to please pass that along to her boss. She said "thank you, I will."

I suspect they are hearing this from more and more folks. Just thought you'd like to know that you are not alone.

[nadinbrzezinski]

12. Thanks so you know

I can sort of confirm this. We got another call two weeks ago. I told the lady the same thing, another lady... she confided that they are hearing this A LOT.

So I told her, this should tell you the base is pissed, now when you adopt a progressive agenda call back.

So she asked, so who are you going to vote for? I mean the other party...

Green ma'am, the duopoly is not just the only game in town.

You could hear air escaping like if somebody hit a real bad nail.

[bertman]

19. "Green". Like a silver bullet to the "duopoly" vampire. I'm going to remember that.

I like the air escaping part.

[bertman]

9. DLC Sack of Shit McAuliffe pushes meme that public option isn't essential. Corporate Dems

SUCK!!

He's one of the Emanuel confidantes. No wonder he's spouting this poisonous bullshit.

[dmr]

11. To pass something for the sake of passing "Something" is sabotaged bullshit

Ol' DLC Terry can go to hell.

:grr:

[Sebastian Doyle]

13. Fuck off McUseless

Who the Hell asked your failure ass anyway?

[OHdem10]

15. Just like a true DLCer--look out for Corporations and throw the

Middle Class under the bus. There is a reason some
people think they are Moderate Republicans.

[JDPriestly]

16. So, we're still in Iraq and Afghanistan. We've had not prosecutions for torture

and the investigations seem to be taking forever. And now no public option. Why did I bother to vote? Why did I do all that house to house stuff? Might as well just stay home next time. Or, maybe I'll "throw away my vote" on a third party candidate. At least I could make a statement that way. I think Obama is sincere, but he seems to allow himself to be used. He just isn't enough of a fighter. Great speeches but no muscle.

[Hekate]

17. I will take Dr. Howard Dean's assessment over Terry McAuliffe's any day of the week.

At least I get to have some optimism out of listening to the good doctor.

Hekate