Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) comments on Warren's chances in Michigan

[5starlib]

On Morning Joe, Mike Barnicle said that Sen. Peters told him off camera that Warren will have a tough go at it in Michigan due to her Medicare for All plan as union members don't want to get rid of their health care plans.

I'm sure this is the same for other states in the rust belt as well. I'm not sure why Warren didn't leave herself some wiggle room on this issue like Harris did. I don't know why she attached herself so hard to Bernie's plan even though it's politically unpopular. If she doesn't win the nomination, it'll all be because of MFA. I can't imagine the party nominating someone that would almost assuredly lose the midwest.

[Ninga]

1. My personal opinion is that health care tied to a job is a very bad idea. My opinion is that not one

auto worker is guaranteed his job will not be eliminated...ever. My opinion is that a rising tide lifts all boats and that the auto workers will not suffer as badly with new health insurance as those who have died because they didn’t have health care. My opinion is that we Are our brothers keepers and to look away from the greater good because they have theirs is not how America works.

[Thekaspervote]

4. Agree! Why would one want to give up a great health insurance plan for something unsure

The old bird in the hand!

[Ninga]

10. It's patriotic, it's one way of serving your country, it's selfless, it's for the greater good. Nt

[Thekaspervote]

18. Say what?

[DownriverDem]

8. Yes, but

this is where we are. I live in Michigan and you are oh so wrong about them losing their jobs. The auto companies are closing plants. They will not go along with Warren's insurance plan either. Right now Biden is winning here against trump.

[5starlib]

19. People are selfish in this country. We are not some utopian nordic country

If we cared about one another, Trump wouldn't be president. This is the reality. It's easy to run on giving people something, but it's hard to run on taking something away. People are scared of the unknown. You can't go into places and tell people we're going to dump your healthcare for a govt run system and expect to not have blowback. Fear is powerful.

[Perseus]

28. its not selfishness, its ignorance

Actually, USA citizens are one of the most generous people in the World, its ignorance, the fear republicans bring to the campaigns.

[Demsrule86]

33. My personal opinion is that we can' lose his election and those union who want to move were

given jobs when Lordstown closed...this is what usually happens...not like non-union who are tossed out on the steet...MFA is a deal breaker and will get Trump re-elected.

[LovingA2andMI]

2. Actually, Senator Warren had a great turn out early in her campaign

In May, In Michigan....

"DETROIT (AP) — Elizabeth Warren launched her first tour of Michigan as a Democratic presidential candidate on Tuesday with a proposal to boost domestic manufacturing, including the creation of a Cabinet-level department charged with "creating and defending" American jobs.

The Department of Economic Development she would create would replace the Department of Commerce and consolidate several agencies, including the Small Business Administration and the Patent and Trademark Office. She's also pledging to "more actively" manage American currency, focus more on promoting exports and require companies that get federal research money to keep related production in the U.S. She'd spend $20 billion on apprenticeship programs and invest $2 trillion in environmentally friendly manufacturing.

The Massachusetts senator, who launched her 2020 White House bid in February, is billing her latest plan as part of a broader "economic patriotism" agenda. The measures are the latest in a series of ambitious policy proposals that have become a trademark of her campaign."

https://wsbt.com/news/regional/in-michigan-elizabeth-warren-touts-plan-to-boost-us-manufacturing

"At 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, about five hundred people came to the Focus: HOPE building in Detroit to hear Elizabeth Warren speak. Warren spoke against a backdrop of the American flag and two machine arms, a nod to Focus: HOPE’s mission in community education and job training and the manufacturing history of Detroit.

Warren began her speech by talking about America’s current economic plan, which she said doesn’t suit the average American or America itself.

“America’s had an economic plan for a long time, and it’s been, ‘Do whatever giant corporations want,’” Warren said. “Those giant corporations, they do not care about American workers; but I do, and I’m going to fight for them.”

Warren has been campaigning to hold big companies accountable and focused heavily on this throughout her speech. She also focused on the “climate crisis,” which she highlighted as a problem, not only for the earth, but also for the economy. She proposed the creation of new jobs for Americans as a way to combat climate change.

“What is it going to take to save our planet?” Warren said. “The answer is it’s going to take a whole lot of new science, a whole lot of (research and development) and a whole lot of manufacturing — technological manufacturing. My plan is to do all that right all in America.”

https://www.michigandaily.com/section/government/presidential-candidates-warren-and-inslee-visit-detroit

Also, Senator Peters will MOST DEFINITELY support Senator Warren if she becomes the nominee.

[James48]

3. Not the case at all.

While it may be true that SOME UAW workers wouldn't support Medicare for all, as opposed to the plans they currently have under UAW contracts, its important to remember another fact-

and that is that there aren't anywhere NEAR as many UAW workers covered by those plans as there used to be.

Total Union membership in Michigan is only 14.5% of the workforce, and that is ALL Unions. UAW only makes up a small percentage of that number.

In short, there are far more people who don't have any insurance, or who are on poor plans, that would greatly benefit from Medicare for All, than there are UAW members of the Big Three auto makers, who have decent insurance coverage.

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/autos/2019/03/29/uaw-membership-dropped-last-year/3314861002/

[LonePirate]

6. Some people think that only blue collar manufacturing workers in the Rust Belt matter in America.

Those people should not be believed. Nor should we believe people who say that only rural workers/people deserve to have their voices heard.

[DownriverDem]

9. Biden

is winning here in Michigan right now.

[LonePirate]

5. Health care change is unpopular. MFA is not unpopular once people understand it.

People - both on the left and on the right - are trading on this ridiculous notion that MFA is bad for America and exorbitantly priced private insurance is good for America. I can understand why the right does it since they are in the pockets of corporate America. I just don’t understand why people on the left do it as well. Fear? Ignorance? Resistance to change? Some other reason?

[DownriverDem]

11. What about those already

on Medicare? They get Part A because they paid for it during their work years. They pay for Part B through their Social Security deductions. Then they get a Medicare Advantage policy to cover what Part A and Part B doesn't cover.

So tell how it will work for those already on Medicare? No ones talks about them.

[Perseus]

12. In this particular case on this particular post it is because it fits Biden's narrative

I mean, who doesn't love their private insurance? Who doesn't enjoy fighting with insurances for months because they won't pay what is supposed to be covered? Who doesn't love the wonderful surprise of your employer announcing they are signing up with a new insurance company and find out that your coverage is not as good as the one you had last month? And the fact that having fought with them you have gotten to know them, I mean, Nancy is nice, she may be denying your claim, but she is fun to talk to.

And who doesn't love paying the huge premiums, and monthly insurance costs? So that is what some of the Democratic candidates are saying, "some people love their insurance"...yeah, sure they do, and Biden is one of them.

[Thekaspervote]

22. Nothing is free including health insurance. Health care should be a budgeted mntly expense

Most that have suffered a serious illness will tell you money is nothing if you don’t have your health

[Perseus]

25. No, we will have to pay more on taxes, but when you do the math

it will be less than what we pay today for private insurance. Talk to any Canadian, French citizen, Norwegian, or anyone whose country has "Universal Healthcare" and you will find that everyone loves their "Universal Healthcare". You have seen the riots in England when a politician even suggested to go to private insurance?

Yes, we will pay more taxes, but we won't be able to worry loosing our house, go bankrupt because of medical bills.

[TwilightZone]

24. The polls disagree with you.

Biden is generally correct. A solid majority of poll respondents like their job-based insurance coverage, including a majority of Democrats. In some polls, it's in the 70% range.

"Among Democrats surveyed, 68% have favorable views of job-based private health insurance, which is the most common form of coverage for working-age adults and their dependents. "

A majority also prefer improving on the ACA vs. M4A.

"when asked to choose between Medicare for All and proposals that augment the Affordable Care Act, 36% of Democrats chose Medicare for All and 57% preferred plans that build upon Obamacare"

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/medicare-for-all-poll-obamacare-public-option-biden_n_5d3f13d1e4b01d8c977f25cf

[Perseus]

27. I bet 100% of those people only know what they have heard about Medicare

They only know about private insurance, but ask them once they loose their job, or their employer decides to change insurance to save money...the tune will be very different.

I have family who live in Europe, they love their Universal Insurance, they would never dream of going through what we go through with private insurance, they actually laugh when they here that talking point "people love their private insurance".

[NYMinute]

15. No one can understand MFA because it is just a concept

The hard work of policies, regulations and systems have not been formulated. Most importantly, how much it will cost and how much taxes have to be raised for it is all in a black box.

[Thekaspervote]

20. It's human nature. Having once had really good insurance if someone asked me to change I'd say why

Someone promises me something that I already have? But the other is an unknown. No brainer

It may be ignorance on the part of some, but really? It’s a great idea, one we need to work towards but for now it’s just talk, no way of passing it into law with a gop senate, taxing the rich yes, but in reality how far will we get with that?

[Demsrule86]

34. BS...it would be a nightmare and there is no way to pass it...Po is doable MFA is not.

They won't like it in time for us to win in 20

[Perseus]

7. I have not been disappointed

Every time I see some "news" like this where the title pretty much tells the story, I look first for a Biden photo at the bottom of the post, and as I said, I was not disappointed.

Whenever a post like this one goes against Biden, all his supporters yell "this kind of post doesn't help anyone, it surely doesn't help Democrats and only feeds republicans", and some other stuff, but Biden supporters will praise this type of post whenever it seems to be good for Biden.

Can't have your cake and eat it too.

[Thekaspervote]

21. I just reread the posts by Biden supporters and I don't see a one where anyone is yelling or

Being unfair to other candidates. Just stating how they see it

[Perseus]

29. There is a reason they put blinders on horses, so they look straight to the road

We are all human and we tend to see and accept things that agree with us, some people don't bother to see it any other way. but when the future of the country is at stake it is important to see behind the fog.

You haven't read people at DU saying that the more things they read about Biden that doesn't agree with how they think the more they love Biden? Is that how they see it or how they decide to not see the rest? Are they putting blinders on to make sure they only look one way?

[Thekaspervote]

30. I will side step the horse comment and keep my comments unemotional

Yes, I have read that comment, it’s a come back to an affront against who they see as best qualified.

Most Biden supporters see bernie as unelectable in the general

Would love to see a fe prez and am envious when I see other free world countries with a fe prez or PM. EW is very smart, has a good heart and wants only the best for this country but is lacking the poll numbers to win the general. In particularly with the AA voting block. No dem has won without them.

There are lots of polls that attest to that. Happy to provide some links if you want

[Demsrule86]

35. Tired of hearing about 'Biden' supporters in such a negative way...we are part of DU you know

and as such should not be targeted.

[DownriverDem]

13. Guess why

Sen. Peters is my Senator and he's right about Warren. Biden is our best chance to win the Electoral College. He appeals to the middle and independents. If he runs with a strong, progressive, Dem woman, trump will lose. Beating trump is all that counts.

[NYMinute]

14. Actually, it is not just union members

Many large companies like Boeing, Microsoft, GE, General Dynamics, large airlines provide excellent coverage to their employees.

They will oppose MFA as well. The left wing miscalculated.

[oasis]

16. Joe also has a plan. nt

[BlueMississippi]

17. k&r nt

[Jane Austin]

23. Well, at least with Warren

her campaign won't have to come along after her trying to explain what she meant with every utterance.

Cleanup on aisle . . . Everywhere!

[Cha]

26. And yet Biden is still ahead.. with so many

trying to take him down all over the place.

I know things can change.. but here we are right now.

[Demsrule86]

36. Seriously.

What a nasty uncalled for remark.

[Freethinker65]

31. Call it Medicare for All that Want It. Or Medicare BuyIn

Allow people to buy into Medicare at an earlier age. Some would retire earlier, freeing up jobs. Some would leave their current jobs if they knew they had access to Medicare for healthcare.

Allow employers to continue to provide health insurance. Those employers that want to retain top talent will continue to offer "Cadillac" type plans with very liberal (generous) coverage and low out of pocket costs and deductibles for their employees (the employers subsidize the group cost).

Truth is, not everyone has the often excellent employee provided health insurance unions negotiate for. Many are stuck with high deductible plans that cannot afford to fully fund their tax free health savings accounts. They must pays thousand before their insurance kicks in for a medical emergency.

The ACA requires all current policies cover some tests, vaccines, and preventative care. If the GOP is successful in dismantling the entire ACA, a lot of people will lose their insurance and affordable access to care.

Democrats must stay on message that Trump and the GOP are actively trying to gut the insurance coverages everyone currently has. A Medicare BuyIn provides one alternative option.

Warren could modify her stance saying she sees Medicare for All as the best option for the future, but would begin to roll out her plan by initially opening it up to those that want it.

[Gothmog]

32. Why Elizabeth Warren Is Trump's Weakest Opponent"

Link to tweet

Even if voters aren’t dwelling on policy specifics, their ideological perception of the candidates makes a huge difference. Democrats deliberately avoided invoking polarizing cultural issues when competing for swing districts last year—a strategy that allowed them to comfortably win back the House majority. The relative few who invoked a populist message like Warren’s lost winnable suburban seats.

It’s Politics 101: When there are more conservative (and moderate) voters than liberal ones, it’s very difficult to put together a winning coalition with just a progressive base. The only way to do it is by betting that Trump is so toxic that a critical majority of voters will automatically reject him. That strategy didn’t work well for Hillary Clinton in the last election.

Warren also carries other specific vulnerabilities into a matchup against Trump. She currently relies on a faction of white liberal support, struggling to win over African-American voters to her side. If Democrats believe the key to winning is by rallying their diverse base, it’s hard to see Warren accomplishing that goal. Her nomination threatens to be a double-whammy: turning off swing suburban voters without any gains in nonwhite voter turnout.

But make no mistake: They’re playing with fire. Trump is highly vulnerable, but he has the ability to win a second term if the Democratic nominee appears as extreme as he is. Warren has a realistic chance of becoming the next president, but she also could jeopardize it all for the Democratic Party.

[Blue_true]

37. I wonder whether the recent GM move does not play into her hands?

Once Unions realize that companies can use removal of healthcare as a bargaining chip, mindsets will likely change.