Dem, GOP centrists meet in secret

[stevedeshazer]

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/dem-gop-centrists-meet-in-secret-2009-06-16.html

Centrist House lawmakers from both sides of the aisle are working together privately on healthcare reform.

The talks have been so secretive and politically sensitive that some members interviewed by The Hill refused to name other legislators involved in the bipartisan effort.

Members of the centrist GOP “Tuesday Group,” the New Democrat Coalition and the 52-member Blue Dog Coalition have been discussing both the policies and politics of moving their middle-of-the-road ideas in a body of Congress usually dominated by liberal or conservative ideology.

Those centrist factions are wary of the proposals their respective leaders will introduce this month. Blue Dogs are leery of the so-called public option in the healthcare reform bill that is expected to hit the House floor this summer. Meanwhile, GOP centrists opted to release their own healthcare plan a day before House GOP leaders are scheduled to unveil their reform package.

----

more @ link

[Eric J in MN]

1. "the likelihood of the Senate passing healthcare reform is low"

Quote is reporter's paraphrase of conservative Democrat Rep. Ron Kind (Wis.).

I disagree.

I'm expecting a healthcare reform bill to pass this year, whether it's good or bad; whether it changes the status quo or only pretends to.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

2. Oh, yeah. THIS sounds promising.

:sarcasm:

[FarPoint]

6. Let's add that now

"that cats out of the bag" as the secret is now common knowledge as well.

[Mari333]

3. no wonder he doesnt want people to know who visits the WH

the centrists own him. big money wins again.

[MarjorieG]

5. Why such a knee-jerk slam at Obama's motives? Problems predated him, unfortunately.

Maybe he doesn't want every WH visiter to be fodder for media innuendo.

[Mari333]

7. I prefer transparency in my government

not Imperial Presidents. like Bush.
Obama promised transparency. He lied.

[Juche]

4. How is it centrist to ignore the desires of 73% of the public

73% want a public option. I have heard 88% support either single payer or a public option. So how is representing 12-27% of the public 'centrist' exactly?

What all issues do the GOP and to a lesser extent blue dogs support that have more than 50% of the public behind them? Everything they support (prohibiting gay rights including civil unions, opposing public healthcare, keeping up the war in Iraq, opposing labor law, opposing serious action on energy) are supported by 40% or less of the public.

Why are these people centrist? I prefer the term 'minority opinion' not 'centrist opinion'. It is not centrist to ignore the desires of 88% of the public.

[Mari333]

8. they are beholden to big money

big pharma, big insurance companies, big money. they have been lobbied . we, the people, can eat worms for all they care.

[Juche]

9. We need public financing of elections

I think it would cost $2-3 billion a year to publically fund federal elections, but it would save at least $30 billion a year in ending subsidies and kickbacks to companies.

[OHdem10]

10. Bet you, the "Centists" will come up with a RepublicanLite Plan.

It is their very nature.

The Democratic Centrists do not have the conviction of GOP Centrists.
The GOP has said the Public option is a "non-starter".

Why is Public Option a non starter. The GOP being the party of Big
Business simply will not permit competition if it means the Drug
Insurance and Health Companies have to lower prices and thus lower
profits for Investors.

Remember how the Big Pharma etc made out with the Medicare Prescription
Bill passed by the GOP.

They are insisting that Business (Medical Entities) come financially
ahead. The people can have any crumbs left over.

I have not heard one Democrat defend the Public Option with the
same resolve as GOP in try to get rid of it.

The Democrats in the Senate have a long history of appeasing Republicans
and giving in to their demands.

Just watch the Democrats; they will come to the activists and say
this is the only way we could get GOP support and the activists
will forgive them as usual.

Yelling about Obama, is a waste of time. Your enemy is the Senate.
Obama cannot do one thing without the Senate formulating the bill.
If you are concerned;you will watch the Senate and apply pressure
there.

I still say, No Bill is better than a bad bill.