Troubletown : How to negotiate like a Democrat

[n2doc]

[BzaDem]

1. Why do people think that this healthcare bill was a "negotiation" in any way?

We need 218 votes in the House to pass a bill. That means we need the votes of the 41st most conservative Democrat on down. Many of these people would rather not have any bill than have a bill that progressives want.

So why do people think this is a negotiation? The "negotiation" is a dog and pony show. In reality, we are giving the 41st most conservative Democrat a pen and asking him to write the bill. Any "negotiation" occurs only because conservadems are OK with it.

If we want to change this dynamic, we need the 218th vote to be a progressive. Not a conservadem. Until this happens, the conservadems will be writing the bills, and the best any of us will be able to do about it is complain on DU.

[HughMoran]

2. You can't argue with perception

Yep - people have already made their minds up and won't listen to any "reasonable" arguments.

[mdmc]

3. well.said