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List of Dem Senators who oppose, don't support the public option
So you know where to direct your angry calls and letters, here's a breakdown of members of the Democratic caucus who either openly oppose the public option or haven't indicated their position clearly. Needless to say, zero Republicans have any chance of supporting it. Most of this information comes from Howard Dean's website.
Openly opposed to the public option: (2)
*Mary Landrieu, D-LA
*Joe Leiberman, D/I-CT
Can't make up their minds: (20)
*Ben Nelson, D-NE
*Bill Nelson, D-FL
*Blanche Lincoln, D-NE
*Byron Dorgan, D-ND
*Diane Feinstein, D-CA
*Evan Bayh, D-IN
*Harry Reid, D-NV
*John Tester, D-MT
*Kay Hagan, D-NC (though she recently said she would support the public option)
*Kent Conrad, D-ND
*Maria Cantwell, D-WA
*Mark Begich, D-AK
*Mark Pryor, D-AR
*Mark Udall, D-CO
*Mark Warner, D-VA
*Max Baucus, D-MT
*Michael Bennett, D-CO
*Robert Byrd, D-WV
*Ron Wyden, D-OR
*Tom Carper, D-DE
If Howard Dean's info is to believed, there are 38 Senators on board already. So assuming no Republican support, every one of these members needs to be convinced to achieve 60 votes.
Openly opposed to the public option: (2)
*Mary Landrieu, D-LA
*Joe Leiberman, D/I-CT
Can't make up their minds: (20)
*Ben Nelson, D-NE
*Bill Nelson, D-FL
*Blanche Lincoln, D-NE
*Byron Dorgan, D-ND
*Diane Feinstein, D-CA
*Evan Bayh, D-IN
*Harry Reid, D-NV
*John Tester, D-MT
*Kay Hagan, D-NC (though she recently said she would support the public option)
*Kent Conrad, D-ND
*Maria Cantwell, D-WA
*Mark Begich, D-AK
*Mark Pryor, D-AR
*Mark Udall, D-CO
*Mark Warner, D-VA
*Max Baucus, D-MT
*Michael Bennett, D-CO
*Robert Byrd, D-WV
*Ron Wyden, D-OR
*Tom Carper, D-DE
If Howard Dean's info is to believed, there are 38 Senators on board already. So assuming no Republican support, every one of these members needs to be convinced to achieve 60 votes.
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I just got an email back from Michael Bennet (d-co), and it was so full of words about fiscal responsibility, modernizing hospitals and streamlining technology, blah, blah, keeping medicare and medicaid secure for providers (ugh, bad form!)and he didn't even answer public option.
I do not know why gov. bill ritter ever appointed him. I sure hope he has a great primary challenger!
July 6, 2009 4:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
I just wrote to Bennet, Udall, Polis, and I may as well write to the speaker as well. I am calling everyone's office and as CT pointed out 'faxing' is most effective so I'll do that to.
However what I am talking about in this communciation is not only that I want single payer and think it is inevitable based on the realities of our overall health, the outrageously hight profits adding to its costs, our food supply, energy, resources, etc. So if we are only going to get a 'public option' right now, I want to make sure it is something that can lead to single payer and will not lock us into some system that is costly and obnoxious and hard to change as we move forward.
July 6, 2009 5:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, FAX. Synch: see my comment below for an additional fax to send out: Harry Reid!
July 7, 2009 3:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
The party should be renamed Blue Cross and Blue Dogs.
July 6, 2009 5:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ha! So should the company -- forget Blue Shield!
July 6, 2009 8:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
If Reid is not on board, how can we reasonably expect to rally the Senate?
July 6, 2009 9:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Reid couldn't rally his kids into the car to go on vacation. We have others in the senate to do arm twisting.
July 7, 2009 9:35 AM | Reply | Permalink
Thank you for the fax list.
Incredible, really, that Byrd is on it, when he represents a state with inordinately high unemployment as well as a state with inordinately high health problems caused by a century of unregulated toxic industries like coal.
July 6, 2009 10:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks for the list Carl. It seems my 2 senators have already made up their minds. One for and one against...Dodd and Lieberman respectively. It also explains Lieberman's e-mail reply to me which said nothing but "blah, blah, blah.".
Please keep us updated if you can...this info seems to change on a daily basis.
July 6, 2009 11:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
All righty then.
NO HOPE WHATSOEVER.
July 6, 2009 11:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Haha, I'm hope you're not right but I think you might be. I said that we need to get all of the people listed on board, but I should've mentioned that you could conceivably swap a Joe Lieberman or Mary Landieu for an Olympia Snowe. Either way, it's going to be an uphill climb against the lobbying industry.
July 7, 2009 12:36 AM | Reply | Permalink
How shocking it is to learn that so many alleged Democratic Senators can't make up their minds when it comes to doing right by the average citizen. Hmmmm? Could it be all the money flowing into their coffers from the parasites of the health insurance industry and other allied special interests that profit tremendously from the current horrendous system we now have in this country? I wonder...
What a bunch of unprincipled weaklings and cowards they are. How is it that this pack of hyenas deserves anything other than the scorn and contempt of decent people everywhere? Even Harry Reid---the supposed leader of the Democrats is not squarely behind a public option. What a fucking joke!
July 7, 2009 12:16 AM | Reply | Permalink
Reid is a joke. Our leader. And I'm very disappointed that there are still murmurs from the White House that compromise could be possible with the public option. The one little tiny thing we're asking for.
July 7, 2009 2:20 AM | Reply | Permalink
HEY!!!!!!
We don't need 60 votes. We need 50 votes. We've never going to get bought republicans and democrats on board. So screw 'em.
July 7, 2009 2:17 AM | Reply | Permalink
First off, let me remind everyone that you should send a fax to your elected official to make the most impact.
People to send letters to are both your Senators. Even if they are already supporting the bill you like. Might as well remind them that they shouldn't be changing their mind.
Also, don't forget your Representative. Sure, he can't vote in the Senate, but, again, since you already have a nice little letter, you should send it onto him.
Now, there is one person that everyone should FAX bomb: Harry Reid. He's *undecided*? One of the largest issues of all and he's undecided?
Let me translate that for you: he's against. Not only that, he can't now enforce a party discipline here. His indecision allows every other Dem Senator to vote their mind (or their patrons in industry).
So you know what I say? Fax bomb Harry Reid. He's up for re-election in 2010. Tell him that despite being a Democrat, you are planning on giving money to his GOP opponent in 2010 for his lack of Dem leadership and you will do you best to see him defeated. Want to get really nasty? (And I hope you do!): Remind Reid of Tom Daschle, who lost his seat despite being a Majority Leader. Tell Harry that he is next, unless he gets the Dems to round up the vote.
I mean, do you really care if Reid isn't representing Nevada if you aren't living there? And if you are living there, you are Reid's boss. Remind him.
Either way, it's time to send Reid packing unless he gets around to doing the people's business. *Undecided*???? Not acceptable!
July 7, 2009 3:27 AM | Reply | Permalink
Right on. Time to fax Harry f'n Reid. Jeez, what a moron for a leader.
July 7, 2009 12:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
Four Reid offices. Should we fax 'em all?
July 7, 2009 12:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
FAX the DC Office. Call the local offices (doesn't hurt to get the numbers and you never know if they carefully correlate things -- you might get counted twice with this strategy....)
July 7, 2009 1:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Pollywanna's right though, we don't need 60 votes on this to get it done. Doesn't mean we should let up at all, especially with harry (spineless) reid at the helm.
Thanks for bringing our attention to this. Unreal that one of my senators, Maria Cantwell, is undecided when I've been getting nothing but a steady stream of healthcare related emails from my other senator Patty Murry. I've got to get on her to kick my junior senator into shape.
July 7, 2009 4:41 AM | Reply | Permalink
This is a classic battle of good versus evil; the money changers and those they own versus the American public.
The amount of money these Senators get from the money changers involved in this bill should be published far and wide.
July 7, 2009 9:24 AM | Reply | Permalink
Call them now and then call another one of their offices every day straight August 8th when the senate recesses. What we, the grassroots, do this month will determine what kind of health care, and along with it what kind of economic recovery we have from here on out. We're going to live whatever they pass for the rest of our lives.
We have public Social Security and privately run 401Ks and IRAs. We have public and private universities. We have Public FHA loans and private mortgage companies. Most other countries operate public and private health insurance plans that work better and cost less.
Call them and then call them again. Tell them you want the choice of a strong public option, anything less is unacceptable.
July 7, 2009 9:42 AM | Reply | Permalink
I find it hard to believe Byrd, Reid, and Warner are not supporting this. Especially Reid, he's the Leader (umrph). How is he suppose to rally the troops. Wonder where Franken stands?
Bayh? He's from Indiana, that does not surprise me.Bacus is owned by the drug companies
July 7, 2009 11:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
Very helpful info. Thanks for sharing...
July 7, 2009 12:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
I fear we are hosed. This is the response I recieved from Oregon's Ron Wyden
If a reliable liberal like Wyden is already talking trigger and state by state considerations. Then we are already fucked.
(yes I sent faxes today too anyway).
July 7, 2009 12:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm beginning to think that any waffling on the Dems that represent you get the same message: if you refuse to show leadership on this issue (and any member of Congress can show leadership), then I, a lifelong Dem, will donate money to your GOP appointment.
All House members are up for re-election in 2010.
Here is the list of Senators up for re-election in 2010:
http://www.electoral-vote.com/evp2009/Senate/Maps/Jul04-s.html
To answer the question above: FAX the DC office of your elected officials.
And it wouldn't hurt to call their local offices.
I think the message has to be clear: if you are voting on the basis of your career rather than the will of the people, I -- as your boss -- will work to end your career.
July 7, 2009 1:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
FYI: Blanche Lincoln, D-NE should actually be Blanche Lincoln, D-AR
July 7, 2009 1:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
For anyone who is having trouble getting motivated to write, call, FAX or e-mail the Senators on this list, I have a suggestion. I urge you to go to firedoglake.com (I don't know how to do the link thing) and read the article by Dr. Murphy. Suffice to say, the good Doctor will help you get your game face on.
July 7, 2009 8:19 PM | Reply | Permalink