How to push the Senate to a public option
The battle for health care reform will be fought in the Senate. With too few resources at hand to push the entire Senate into supporting health care, we have to carefully target our efforts.
Dr. Howard Dean's site lists 37 senators who support a public option, 40 who don't and 22 who "don't know."
For a public option to pass the Senate, we need at least 14 more Senate votes--or probably 23 to withstand a filibuster attempt.
There are 20 Democratic senators that "don't know" if they would support a public option. Add to that list of fence-sitters Independent Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut and Republican Sen. Olympia Snowe of Maine. The sole Democratic "No" vote is Sen. Mary Landrieu of Louisiana.
It might be easiest to just target the "don't know" senators who've jumped the shark, like Sen. Diane Feinstein of California, and a few of the moderate Republican holdouts.
We won't convince the conservative Republicans or even some of the Blue Dog Dems. A mostly party-line vote, while not ideal, is fine with me if that's what it takes. I personally think the bi-partisan approach is a pipe dream. So let's get to work applying pressure where it hurts.
How about using the same tactics that got Obama elected? A massive advertising and phone campaign targeting voters in the states where senators need motivation. I understand that Health Care For America is running ads in some 10 states. How can we organize phone banks to inform voters in those states and request they demand action from their reluctant senators?
Will someone who blogs at Kos or has contacts with SEIU or other major advocates do a little testing of the waters and see if they would support this? We need to keep turning the screws.
Please list your nominations for who to target below in the comments. And any other ideas you have.
Dr. Howard Dean's site lists 37 senators who support a public option, 40 who don't and 22 who "don't know."
For a public option to pass the Senate, we need at least 14 more Senate votes--or probably 23 to withstand a filibuster attempt.
There are 20 Democratic senators that "don't know" if they would support a public option. Add to that list of fence-sitters Independent Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut and Republican Sen. Olympia Snowe of Maine. The sole Democratic "No" vote is Sen. Mary Landrieu of Louisiana.
It might be easiest to just target the "don't know" senators who've jumped the shark, like Sen. Diane Feinstein of California, and a few of the moderate Republican holdouts.
We won't convince the conservative Republicans or even some of the Blue Dog Dems. A mostly party-line vote, while not ideal, is fine with me if that's what it takes. I personally think the bi-partisan approach is a pipe dream. So let's get to work applying pressure where it hurts.
How about using the same tactics that got Obama elected? A massive advertising and phone campaign targeting voters in the states where senators need motivation. I understand that Health Care For America is running ads in some 10 states. How can we organize phone banks to inform voters in those states and request they demand action from their reluctant senators?
Will someone who blogs at Kos or has contacts with SEIU or other major advocates do a little testing of the waters and see if they would support this? We need to keep turning the screws.
Please list your nominations for who to target below in the comments. And any other ideas you have.
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Probably the best way Ripper is to send letters to your senators and representatives, especially if they are Democrats, like the one I just sent to my senator, who just happens to be up for reelection in 2010.
July 1, 2009 12:18 AM | Reply | Permalink
Libertine,
I respect your activism greatly. But we happy few here at TPM will not be enough to turn the tide. We must enlist others who reside in the states where Dems lack backbone and where some Republicans may be willing to compromise.
July 1, 2009 12:32 AM | Reply | Permalink
Talk it up to like minded family and friends. Do it yourself. A movement has to start somewhere...and it starts with one person, then another and another and it builds.
July 1, 2009 12:35 AM | Reply | Permalink
If I have to turn the Senate single-handedly, I'm out. I don't suppose you meant directed that literally at me alone, right? Even if not, it would take to long. We need to mobilize mechanisms already in place.
July 1, 2009 12:47 AM | Reply | Permalink
Do it however you prefer but however it is done pressure needs to be put on the D's...they have a full grasp of power and can make all the calls right now.
July 1, 2009 12:49 AM | Reply | Permalink
Do you realize how much traffic this blog gets Ripper? For every poster there are probably at least 100 lurkers who are watching and and paying attention to what is said. I wouldn't downplay how much attention what is said here gets and how it might cause people to start taking action like that. That is all I'm saying...but like I said previously no matter what an effort has to be made.
July 1, 2009 12:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
Try Dr. Dean at DFA: http://www.democracyforamerica.com/
July 1, 2009 4:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
OK. First, Dems are not going to join repubs in a filibuster. AINT GONNA HAPPEN. No way could a dem withstand that kind of pressure. They can vote no with some leave...when the vote is going affirmative anyway.
Out of two independents, Lieberman can cause trouble. But he has his own problems.
July 1, 2009 12:22 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'm not sure the math changes all that much, assuming you are correct. What am I missing?
July 1, 2009 12:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
According to Nate Silver's analysis on fivethirtyeight.com, here are the democratic senators who are currently uncommitted but most likely to support a public option (in order of likelihood):
Mark Begich (Alaska)
Robert Byrd (West Virginia)
Maria Cantwell (Washington)
Byron Dorgan (North Dakota)
Jon Tester (Montana)
Ron Wyden (Oregon)
Bill Nelson (Florida)
Kay Hagan (North Carolina)
Joe Lieberman (Connecticut)
Mark Udall (Colorado)
Tom Carper (Delaware)
Diane Feinstein (California)
Michael Bennet (Colorado)
Kent Conrad (North Dakota)
Mark Pryor (Arkansas)
Harry Reid (Nevada)
Evan Bayh (Indiana)
Blanche Lincoln (Arkansas)
Ben Nelson (Nebraska)
Mark Warner (Virginia)
Max Baucus (Montana)
See the analysis in context: http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/2009/06/special-interest-money-means-longer.html
July 1, 2009 12:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
That's the hit list. I would also suggest as a motivational tool, the formation of an organization to promote a primary challenge to any Dem who votes against or works behind the scenes against a viable public option. These bastards all ready took single payer off the table. If they can't bring themselves to support a public option, let's throw the bums out. There's a cause I'll donate to.
July 1, 2009 1:23 AM | Reply | Permalink
Start your list with Senator Feinstein
(Not much known for her stiff and strong spine).
It's a crime that our "leader," Harry Reid
Won't follow the people and lead where they lead.
I want to win this fight--you too?
Max out the credit card against Landrieu:
https://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/5148/t/3392/shop/custom.jsp?donate_page_KEY=2560
Don't give up--we're on the cusp. Keep the telephones lines of the bastards warmed up.
July 1, 2009 11:51 AM | Reply | Permalink
R,
I have called ALL 435 Congresspersons and all 99 Senators.
I actually signed up for the Verizon "call all you want for one low price" plan to make the calls. It helps to have a zip code for the state and district of the official you are calling because they tend to pay more attention if it is from someone "on vacation taking the time to call" or someone that "had to take a new job in their state and was getting ready to move there".
What really bothers me is how fast we have gone from single payer to a public option without much of a fight. I firmly believe that until profit is taken out of health care there can be no real reform. I also believe that we must make the distinction between Health CARE and Health Insurance or Health coverage, the terms can not be allowed to become interchangeable!
July 1, 2009 12:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Good news with Franken's election is public option is surely now 38.
I think Harry Reid deserves extra pressure, since he is supposedly our leader in the Senate.
We also need to keep up on the pressure on the Senators who are committed to it. Take a look at Ripper McCord's post regarding a meeting with Senator McCaskill, who supports the public option:
http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/blogs/ripper_mccord/2009/06/a-funny-thing-happened-on-the.php
July 1, 2009 5:08 PM | Reply | Permalink