Stern: Dems will lose congressional majority without healthcare reform

[ParkieDem]

http://blogs.abcnews.com/thenote/2009/08/obama-ally-dem-majority-is-history-if-health-reform-fails.html

I don't think he's exactly right, but he is correct that there is no way we can blame failure on the Repugs with our large majorities in Congress.

Backbone, anyone?

[Laelth]

1. Bull. This is not 1993, and I do not fear a repeat of 1994.

The political climate is really very different now than it was in 1994. In 1994, the Republican Party's approval ratings were not in the toilet. The ghost of Ronald Reagan was much more powerful then. Whereas Clinton followed Bush I, Obama follows one of the least popular politicians in American history, Bush II. Clinton was elected with less than 50% of the popular vote. Obama was elected with well over 50% of the popular vote. The religious right had not completely taken over the Republican Party then. Now, Republican politicians are generally insane, reflecting their rabid base.

I think Obama blew his first chance at health care reform by pushing for a weak plan. I think he should table the idea, for now, and push for single payer in 2011. The current system is unsustainable, and everyone knows it. Change will come. Let's not settle for a bailout of the insurance industry. Let's insist on the eradication of it.

I expect the Democratic Party will pick up 3 seats in the Senate and between 3-6 seats in the House UNLESS Congress passes a disastrous "insurance reform" bill. At this point, I would rather do nothing than to pass any of the bills under consideration in Congress.

:dem:

-Laelth

[zoff]

11. self delete

[CanonRay]

2. They'll at least lose a bunch of seats

if not the majority. I know I'm done if they don't pass a public option at a minimum.

[emulatorloo]

3. I think the guy is just trying to light a fire under the Senate. (P.S. we do not have a large

majority in the Senate -- I am hoping that can be rectified in 2010. More Republicans is not the answer).

[burning rain]

9. It's our largest majority since the 95th Congress, 1977-79...

when Democrats held 61 seats.

[SDiegan]

4. Hello

What happens every time is most people don't think rationally, and they cast their votes based on perceptions and not on any kind of detailed analysis....

[Laelth]

7. Welcome to DU.

:dem:

-Laelth

[lyonn]

5. Well, with the help of the media that is a possibility

Obama needs to hang tough with his original plan, speak to the media constantly, repeating the issues and facts and letting the repubs know their complaints are nonsense and that if they want to make a point against Obama, get real with their argument rather than shouting Nazi, un-American BS.

He did well today with the conservative host, he just needs to hammer the facts. If he makes a poor showing and doesn't insist on real reform we could truly lose in Congress next election. This is critical to America and the party. No more Mr. Nice guy, we want a tough guy. Obama can.

[barbtries]

6. i could see them losing the majority over this issue

but not without a viable alternative. and i don't see the republican party constituting a viable alternative, especially not to voters who want health care reform. sigh.

[emulatorloo]

8. I suppose it is possible if only the teabaggers come out to vote. Pretty horrifying

because trust me, MORE REPUBLICANS is not the answer.

[BlueMTexpat]

10. Wishful thinking. Bad as some Dems may be, today's GOP is totally insane.

But yes, I would LOVE to see some Dem backbone.
Sooner rather than later.

[salguine]

12. I DO think he's exactly right. The Democrats do have a history of

fucking up can't-lose elections, and I'll bet you any amount you care to name that if they fuck us over on health care, the Republicans will come roaring back like they never left. Bet on it. And it will be nobody's fault but the Democrats'.