Liberal Groups Take Direct Aim At Rahm, Demand White House Take “Stronger Stand” On Public Option
In recent weeks, liberal groups have largely refrained from directly pressuring the White House on the public option — even as there’s been lots of grumbling behind the scenes that Rahm Emanuel is the leading force within the White House trying to trade it away in exchange for compromise.
No longer. A coalition of liberal groups is now openly calling out the White House, demanding it take a “stronger stand” in support of a robust public option — and in an unusual move, the letter is specifically targeting Rahm and demanding he make it happen.
A source sends over a letter signed by several dozen leading liberal groups — including MoveOn, the Campaign for America’s Future, the American Federation of Government Employees, the NAACP, the Progressive Congress Action Fund — that will be sent to the White House today:
Dear Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel:
We, the undersigned alliance for a robust public option, write to request that President Obama heed the will of the people and the organized progressive grassroots and take a strong leadership position in support of a robust public option. The public has spoken and the majority of members of Congress have spoken: Health care reform must include a robust public option…
The House has shown leadership by moving forward health care reform that includes a robust public option. We respectfully ask that the Office of the President take a stronger stand on a robust public option in order to enact true health care reform this year. We request a meeting with you at your earliest opportunity to further discuss this matter.
That’s pretty confrontational; it’s questioning Obama’s commitment to the public option and demanding that he show stronger leadership. The decision to call out Rahm is also suggestive, since he is widely seen on the left as the main voice within the White House pushing to trade away core liberal principles for moderate support and calling on liberal groups to refrain from training fire on their own.
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Interesting that the NAACP is involved. I’m thrilled!
Paging Patrick Gaspard…
“I agree with you, I want to do it, now make me do it.”
Whether strategized or not, it looks functionally the same.
Greg, wrong framing again. “Liberal” groups are doing what their President asked them to do – Make me do it. Nothing “confrontational” about it. If they framed the letter with “we regret that the President is not publicly supporting a robust P.O.”, that would be confrontational. Your reading is wrong, imo.
Confrontational would be more like, Mr. President the public option or Bo gets it.
I’m with you amk. This is all about building critical mass from the ground up as opposed to top-down dictation.
The line I’m surprised wasn’t included in that letter was:
“…a public option similar to the one candidate Obama promised the American people while running for President.”
This is already not to a tee what was promised – but it seems a worthy jab to point out that compromises have already been made, and that this would be another step back from what he campaigned on…coming from those who worked for him because of those promises.
But still, a pretty bold letter to be sending at this point. I don’t imagine Pres. Obama will get substantially involved publicly until the House and Senate bills are being combined to produce a final bill. Then he’ll sheperd it to his liking, and then push hard for it’s passage.
Until then, he (rightfully) doesn’t want to get bogged down in the sausage making or appear to play favorites before they are in final negotiations.
mike – lol. What did poor Bo ever do ? (except may be pee in the Prez’s office)
BBQ- co-sign.
amk, he pooped on AF1 I heard too!
Mr. Sargent:
“No longer. A coalition of liberal groups is now openly calling out the White House, demanding it take a “stronger stand” in support of a robust public option — and in an unusual move, the letter is specifically targeting Rahm and demanding he make it happen.”
Yeah, that’s the ticket! Push the rope HARDER.
I actually have to give the Alleged Hawaiian and his crew chops on this one.
Politically, it’s smart to let the PO/Single-Payer/Socialist Utopians charge the barbed wire for their OWN pet project while saving his rapidly dwindling political capital for the feature presentation.
But also, constitutionally, he’s doing the right thing.
It’s Congress’ duty and power to make the laws, not the President’s.
And since this President had so very little experience actually legislating, he’s being very wise to see if your PO dream can make it under it’s own steam.
Either that, or he reads the same polls as I do, (and not what you PO absolutist folks do).
co-sign BBQ.
I guess both sides now agree that Rahm is a two-faced liar?
@Greg: Are you going to cover the Feingold pool incident at all? The White House trying to dictate to the press pool who should and shouldn’t be included – and you’re not gonna cover that?
@sbj
Both sides? When did the progressive left like Rahm in the first place?
@BBQ: You are correct, methinks. So let’s get rid of the guy!
sbj:
“@Greg: Are you going to cover the Feingold pool incident at all? The White House trying to dictate to the press pool who should and shouldn’t be included – and you’re not gonna cover that?”
Are you high right now?
Of course he’s not going to cover that,if he’s aware of it, it doesn’t fit his narrative.
D’you recall when I and others tried to have him comment on the WaPo’s Saturday piece that actually credited the EIT program with gaining intelligence and stopping terrorist attacks?
He spent nearly a week on “Unicorn Watch” up on the roof of the joint.
Plum Line isn’t “newsy”, it’s a moonbat partisan blog.
And it’s out-of-touchiness is exemplified by their endorsement of Creigh Deeds, who’s about to be elected “Citizen” of Virginia.
Presidents often are involved in negotiations-after all. Why write a bill that you know will get vetoed?
sbj – stop whining about press pool. shrub did it often by way of canned questions. At least, this prez is being open about it. You wingnuts can all vent your spleen in 2012 and enjoy the benefit if you can. Till then, elections have consequences. Live with it. Fvcking whiners.
It’s about time for this letter. As far as I’m concerned Obama can start leading or face a primary challenge in 2012.
“stop whining about press pool”
Umm…no?
First Rahm outright lied about what the previous administration did for the Obama admin regarding Afghanistan strategy – a matter of national security. Now the Obama administration is trying to control the press – a matter of free speech and censorship.
You might not be troubled but I am.
Have I ever told you to shut up? No? Well, perhaps I should consider it – if only I weren’t so darn civil.
sbj – yeah, “national security” – that meme has worn thin. As for you being civil, I don’t give a fvck about that. However, I do about your trolling by raising stoopid distractions.
“yeah, “national security” – that meme has worn thin.”
That ‘meme’ propagated by President Obama?
sbj, enough with the press pool. Dems had to put up with 8 years of being accused of being unAmerican. Grow up and take it like a man,
Actually, the Physicians for National Health Program is a grassroots organization with 15,000 members. Since it advocates single payer — the only policy on offer that can actually be shown, by evidence, to save lives and money — so-called “progressives” have marginalized it.
So, when the “progressives” claim, in their letter, to be “the organized grass roots,” they’re at best disingenuous, and at worst intellectually dishonest. Quelle surprise…
ah but just two weeks ago, this line was considered “shrill”
“sbj, enough with the press pool. Dems had to put up with 8 years of being accused of being unAmerican.”
This from the fellow that for it to be a double-standard the “two wrongs” would have to be comparable.
Robust is the new “buzz” word from the polling groups.. liberals love buzz words.. can hardly wait for the talk shows Sunday… mmmm mmmm mmm
OPT OUT = COP OUT!!!
why should people have to move to a state that accepts the public option? the whole idea of “OPTION” is just that! if you don’t want better, less expensive care then OPT OUT on an individual level. i don’t want… MY HEALTHCARE options decided by Gov. Goodhair OR Kay BH (should she become the next governor
Why robust Public Option doomed:
(1) Reduce donations to politicians.
(2) Increase unemployment by 3%.
(3) Reduce all profits in the medical industry.
(4) Reduce goods and services produced by healthcare a full 6% of GNP.
as with the recovery act, too much was given away before negotiations even began, so to health care reform (if we insist only on health insurance reform, the problems with health care – understaffed hospitals, health insurance monopolies dictating and rationing what primary care physicians can and can not do, to bloated, inflated costs dictated again by the health care monopolies to be reimbursed by we the taxpayer – will still exist.
the public option was the compromise to the only makes sense solution of universal health care and yet even this rahm has attempted to give away.
president obama has been poorly served by his administrative chief of staff.i realize now, even during the campaign, then senator obama was fuzzy on exactly what kind of health care reform he would favor; and unfortunately, we are seeing his lack of leadership reflected now.
The opt out option is horrible for the southern states ex. Texas that will opt out of the program.However it is time for the people to stand up against these elected state officials in one voice “opt us out and we will opt you out” It’s time that the people who need it the most get to the polls! and stop sitting at home letting other people take up the fight for them. No politican should be re-elected who are against the people, and for the Insurance companies period!Nor should we continue to pay for their insurance! If we can’t have it they can’t either!
I live in Chicago in Rahm Emanuel’s old 5th Congressional District. I won’t waste your time and my energy detailing Rahm;s extensive uber-corporate P.O.V. and his support of the Political Machine of King Richard II.
But many of us in the Progressive Movement knew that Obama’s giving Rahm the Chief of Staff post would lead to not just “centerist” politics but that his heavy slightly fewer fingered hand would constantly be pushing the uber-corporate agenda.
I also do not like Rahm’s Zionist views nor that fact that in the Gulf War, he flew to Israel and joined their Army. Yes, it has the right to choose to join their Army as he’s a dual citizen, but I think his being such a central player in this administration is a disaster.
The Progressive Movement is the most impatient, immature group of people I have ever observed. If they kill healthcare over a “robust public option”, they don’t care about the poor or the uninsured, pre-existing conditions, being dropped from ins. because you are sick. All types of reforms for a power play because they feel weak & frustrated because all their attacks on fellow dems have not helped. Why not just go for the President?? Are you chicken or something?? I don’t know who is more immature, the Republicans or the Progressives?? Oh, by the way, Obama let’s Rahm do the dirty ****. Why these people are so irrational over one little, short, man I will never understand. They hate him because he recruited the Blue Dogs and everything they do is his fault. What a friggin joke they are! Rahm is responsible for bringing the Dems power by any means necessary for total control of congress, so the immature little urchins always have their little knives out stabbing at him. Good luck with that, hear?? When health care fails, my finger will be pointing at you because it will be your fault. I have excellent health insurance and so does the Admin. Who the Hell do they think they are hurting???? Sorry about the fit, but the progressives throw one everyday. So tired of these hissy fits. GROW UP
While I agree that he should let the House and Senate come up with the health reform bills, He should make it clear to the leadership of both Houses that he is fully supporting a robust public option. NO TRIGGER.
We will see if his campaign pledge of “YES WE CAN” will prevail, or if he will chant the republican mantra…
NO WE CAN’T. We will soon find out.
Cat- The Progressive Movement, as you put it, is not asking for anything that Pres. Obama didn’t himself promise, and with a super majority in the House and a majority in the Senate, why should they have to settle for anything less!
Cat, get an education. (Maybe that’s too progressive?)
If this plan passes and we are all mandated to purchase insurance from profiteers, and you cannot go join your neighbors in insuring yourselves (yes the government is you and I) then this country is just taking the next step up on the staircase of “you are fvcked”.
You stand with “free-market” capitalism even when that capitalism has left you and your country barren, and ran off to plunder another country. How sad is that?
What **** to say Rahm trades liberal principles for moderate support!What he means by “moderate” is right wing! Progressive principles are mainstream. The majority of Americans want a public option.
Bilgeman calls Obama the Alleged Hawaiian!
Bilgeman is the Alleged American! Prove it , Bilgeman, cough up that birth certificate!!!
As a counter to the poster who called Rahm’s views “Zionist”, I have nothing against Rahm’s positions on the middle east. But I am totally at odds with him on health care in this country. Plus, he should know better being once an Israeli citizen (or, dual citizenship) — since that nation has a very fine universal health care system, like the rest of the westernized, industrialized world, living in the age of computer technology and space travel. IOW, Rahm Emanuel has both the luxury of our taxpayer subsidized deluxe government plan for all the corporate whores in Washington, along with a universal health care plan under his Israeli citizenship — a citizenship I have no problem with, in and of itself — since I support Israel. I’ll also point out — that Emanuel’s brother is a physician actively opposing single payer — and stands in stark contrast to the majority of his profession that does.
Rahm Emanuel is a Republicrat, and the Blue Dog “Democrats” are largely his doing. I will never understand why President Obama chose him as chief of staff, when there were so many real Democrats to choose from.
Emanuel has been whispering bad advice in Obama’s ear from the start. I have never felt comfortable with that guy.
If Emanuel has his way, Obama will make all the same mistakes Clinton made.
Emanuel needs to have a serious “awakening” and realise that watering things down to please Republicans doesn’t actually help them get passed.
Either that or needs to get fired.
For the record, the violent right wing extremist bilgewater is more than just not an American, bilgewater is anti-American, he said so himself, he wants to destroy America and break it into little pieces, starting with Texas.
Why do you hate America, bilgewater?
More importantly, why aren’t more patriotic right wingers calling out the anti-American extremism of thugs like bilgewater?
We have lost 6 million jobs since Nancy Pelosi became speaker and have added over 1.4 trillion in new debt under the Democrats this past year, with plans for trillions more in debt. All the Democrats are obsessed with increasing spending, taxes and regulations at an unprecedented rate while doing NOTHING to actually turn the economy around. It’s sad and pathetic. They laid people off in my company this week, and all the Democrats can do is dream up more ways to make it even harder to hire. And how can a MANDATE that FORCES people to buy expensive health insurance or pay a tax/fine be aynthing other than that?
This kind of blind ideological madness will make the people flee the Democrats in droves.
http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/president-obama/did-obama-decline-to-express-a-preference-for-public-option-last-night-white-house-official-clarifies/
“i don’t want… MY HEALTHCARE options decided by Gov. Goodhair OR Kay BH” – Neither are cruel enough to dictate to you like the wannabe despots pushing single-payer one-size-fits-all-serfs form of healthcare.
If you love freedom, you hate mandates. If you love mandates, you hate freedom. Any ‘robust’ Government plans are built on mandates and ergo are destructive of freedom.
The only good healthcare policies are build on a foundation of freedom, choice, and cost ‘containment’ by simply getting people to be as responsible for their own healthcare costs as they can afford.
“We have lost 6 million jobs since Nancy Pelosi became speaker and have added over 1.4 trillion in new debt under the Democrats this past year, with plans for trillions more in debt.”
Why don’t you call Christopher Cox, Bush’s SEC secretary and ask him why he allowed the Wall Street Firms to leverage $30 to 1, instead of the $12 to 1 before, and without checking their books like they agreed to. And maybe you can call Henry Paulsen who was then the head of Goldman, and was in the meeting with Cox, in the SEC’s basement. Ask him what a Credit default swap is.
If my President Mr. Obama and/or his staff fail to push a robust Public Option (with no trigger whatsoever)into a bill that he can sign with clear conscious and the satisfaction of accomplishing a historic step “for the people” of this country (who clearly want this robust Public Option) then unfortunately, I will have to succumb to “YES WE CAN and WE DID (keep our end of the challenge) but YOU, Mr. PRESIDENT, WHO COULD but WHO DID NOT (keep your end of the promise)” reality. What a waste of an opportunity and a loss for majority of the people to a few. And this country will keep on “living” with the fact that 45million goes uninsured, 45000 per year die due to lack of health insurance and a million lose their homes every year due to health care cost on its conscious. How could we really call ourselves the greatest country, a developed country, a country with the “best medical care”?
Right winger Patrick doesn’t know history.
So again:
Republican President Reagan increased the US debt by 260%.
Republican President Reagan and Bush I’s reign increased the US debt by 400%.
Republican President Bush II more than doubled the US debt and left US on the hook for trillions.
And all the while the right wing was alternately silent or openly supportive of the Republican Party’s massive debt.
But amnesiac right wingers always rediscover the debt when a Democratic President is in charge.
For the record, the out of Reagan, Bush I, Clinton, and Bush II, the only President that paid DOWN the debt was the Democratic President.
Every Republican President INCREASED the US debt.
The Republican Debtor Party is the Party of Frauds and Con Artists.
And now the Republicans are using the debt Republicans ran up as an excuse to keep from saving the lives of over 44 THOUSAND Americans a year.
As long as the public option remains on the table – there is no political will to make it happen.
If President Obama would just draw a line that includes the public option, everyone could move on to implementation.
Instead, millions of hours and lobbyists dollars are focused on killing the public option because the president has made it clear that they CAN!
One of the ways they want to kill it is to replace it with Opt out. Opt out is NOT a public option. Opt out ERASES federal legislation.
What are the progressive democrats’ positions on Opt Out? They have compromised with the public option, but are they compromising on that as well?
If they had hired Howard Dean the man who build the Democratic party back to what it was, and not this neocon hack you wouldn’t have all these angry progressives now would you.
Get on your knees and kiss Howard’s ***.
If the public option is watered down to a trigger or made optional by states those of us with catastrophic injuries or illnesses will be forced to lose their life savings and file bankruptcies to relieve medical bills or will have to pick up and move from states that opt out to states that have opted in
Rahm needs to get on board. We want a ROBUST Public Option. We’re not interested in Opt out and especially no triggers. Triggers just never get pulled.
Democrats created New Deal Legislation, Social Security, Medicare all without the help of republicans. We don’t need or want them now. What we need is to make it clear that not voting for coiture will result in some unpleasant outcomes for turn coats.
Rightwing nutcase ‘patrick’ is also unfamiliar with statistics and macro economics.
A deficit of 1.2 trillion was projected for 2009 – before our president ever took office on 1-20-09 – thanks entirely to the prior administration’s profligate spending.
Due to the crash that occurred under that prior administration, some infrastructure spending was necessary under Obama to jumpstart our economy – programs that added marginally to that already-projected deficit.
The reason the Blue Dogs are in power in the first place is because of Rahm E. He financed their campaigns and starved the more liberal candidates. This is blowback. Rahm’s a conservative democrat, bordering on fascist. Obama has been consistent in one thing–everyone in his cabinet is either conservative, from Wall Street, or incompetent.
When I heard Mr. Rahm was kept on in the President’s new cabinet, I understood that progressive, positive change would be slow, if at all certain or fundamental. Now I see it will be invisible if not frighteningly non-existent. At least, and until, Mr. Rahm with his heartless calculus is ejected from this key position of influence and power. He is a calculating spoiler on all issues requiring wise and just leadership in current American public policies, both domestic and foreign.
Very interesting story. Thanks! Along that line, check out the quotations by John Conyers in this story last week. David Swanson wrote them up, but I haven’t seen them elsewhere — or indeed anything else much so strong from a Democratic leader. “Will An Oct. 27 DC Hearing Make History For Health Rights?” (Oct. 20, 2009) http://www.huffingtonpost.com/andrew-kreig/exclusive-will-oct-27-dc_b_325905.html
I didn’t vote for Rahm..he is not the President..he is a Chamber of Commerce, DLC corporations a**-kisser..he is not for the people, he is for Chamber of Commerce big Busines..because they have control of our loot…money talks..Government of the people, by the people, for the people walks..get rif of “private campaign funds” (get Corporations out of our Congress!!) if “we” insist/force public campaign funding ….maybe the people will get control of their own government back ..Rahm and his “moderates” will concede to the “will of the people” (like the Constitution intended) instead of the “will of the Corporations”
I couldn’t agree with the letter being sent to Obama more.
I’ve noticed that the more the progressives compromise, the greater the number of Dems that cave and sound like Repugnuts. I was totally incensed when Sen John Kerry said after Teddy’s death that Teddy would have compromised on the PO just to get a “bill passed.”
In my mind I keep hearing Ralph Nader saying, “There is no difference between the two parties,” and after seeing Obama play the turncoat from the candidate of change to the President of caving in at the least little bellow from the Repugnuts, I agree. Next move? Dump Obama “2012.” This time let’s really get a voice of the people and this time we won’t be fooled by an imposter.