'I would tend not to' support the public option, says Landrieu

[Freddie Stubbs]

Source: CNN

WASHINGTON (CNN) – A moderate Senate Democrat who is a possible swing vote in Republicans’ favor on health care reform said Sunday she is not likely to support a robust public health insurance option and believes that reform proposals should focus on lowering health care costs.

“I would tend not to,” Sen. Mary Landrieu of Louisiana said Sunday on CNN’s State of the Union when asked whether she would support a public health insurance option included in health care reform bills passed by committees in the House of Representatives. “But, we’ve got to keep working to find solutions,” Landrieu added.

“There are some portions of our health care system that are working, but it’s all too expensive.”

The Democrat told CNN Chief National Correspondent John King she thinks costs could be contained without the inclusion of a public health insurance option. She said she supports an alternative proposal co-sponsored by Sens. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Bob Bennett, R-Utah, that focuses on “providing insurance through the free marketplace with the right regulations and safeguards.”

Read more: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/08/30/i-would-tend-not-to-support-the-public-option-says-landrieu/

[Davis_X_Machina]

1. Vote against cloture, or just vote against the bill?

I don't see too many Democratic Senators (Lieberman is another story) voting against cloture....

[Becky72]

3. Good question

There is a difference.

[Freddie Stubbs]

26. Since there are exactly 60 Democrats in the Senate, it would only take one to sustain a filibuster

[rhett o rick]

30. We would need all the Democrats, plus the two Independents plus one repuke to kill

a filibuster.

[3waygeek]

2. "We would tend not to" support Landrieu in 2014, say LA Dems n/t

[Skittles]

4. 'I would tend to' be a DINO whore, says Landrieu

[NewJeffCT]

5. Umm - the public option will cut costs

and, it will over the long-term. Maybe not as much in the short-term, but the longer-term will see lower costs.

[elocs]

6. There is only 1 way to get rid of DINOs and Blue Dogs and that is to get rid of them.

Unless, of course, we enjoy having Philistines in the camp who we trust but will stab us in the backs when it suits them.

[Freddie Stubbs]

24. If you 'get rid of them,' who is likely to replace them?

Keep in mind that most of them come from states and districts where Republicans outnumber Democrats.

[rhett o rick]

31. Why are you so against the public option? Isnt that the republican stand? Why do you support the

republican stand on this issue?

[Freddie Stubbs]

32. When did I say that I was againt the public option?

:shrug:

[rhett o rick]

45. We never get answers from you Freddie, only questions. You are a corporatist and cant hide it.

You may claim to support a public option, but I am betting you wont support a public option similar to Medicare not run by a corporation. Blue Dogs are corporatists and support the republican agenda.

[Name removed]

49. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[DireStrike]

43. Depends if the DNC keeps trying to crush progressive candidates

before they even get a chance to run against hand-picked blue dog darlings.

[Freddie Stubbs]

50. How many 'progressive candidates' did the DNC 'crush' when Dean was Chairman of the DNC?

:shrug:

[rhett o rick]

46. Another question? republicans are low but at least they dont pretend to be Democrats.

Nothin lower than a Blue Dog DINO. We dont need them.

[Freddie Stubbs]

51. How do you get a majority in the House without Blue Dogs?

:shrug:

[rhett o rick]

59. Do you support single payer health care reform? Or at least a strong public option

that includes a government run option like Medicare?

[Freddie Stubbs]

60. Like President Obama, I oppose single-payer

I support a public option, but I would be fine it if it was not government run.

Now, do you dare to answer my question: How do you get a majority in the House without the Blue Dogs?

[rhett o rick]

61. I dont want a majority if it requires me to accept you fucking blue dog republicans. Go to hell

straight to hell, do not pass go, do not collect your fucking greedy money from the health insurance lobby.

[Freddie Stubbs]

63. Did you like the legislation which the Republicans passed when they were in the majority?

:shrug:

[rhett o rick]

64. I dont like republicans and i hate blue dogs. nt

[Freddie Stubbs]

66. Without the Blue Dogs, the GOP will be back in the majority

Is that what you want?

[rhett o rick]

68. I will not yield to the black mail of the blue dogs. I'd rather fight repubs than put up with blue

dog bastards. The line is drawn. Either you are for the middle class or against. Blue Dogs are against and can go to hell with their republican friends.

[Freddie Stubbs]

74. No one is blackmailing anyone

There is simply yet another a policy dispute going on in Congress. We don't have a rubber-stamp legislature as they do in places like Cuba.

[rhett o rick]

77. This "policy dispute" is costing human lives. You put profit above human lives. Despicable. nt

[Freddie Stubbs]

89. All the better to come to a quick compromise rather than political absolutism

Or is sticking it to health care insurance company executives more important than saving lives?

[Hawkeye-X]

83. Fuck you Freddie, and your stupid Blue Dog ideaology.

This is WHY wer'e in this friggin mess - thanks to your stupid ultraconservative bullshit.

I'm still waiting for my delivery..

Hawkeye-X

[rhett o rick]

86. Hey, I was going to say that. The blue dog bastards are republicans. nt

[Freddie Stubbs]

94. If the Blue Dogs are Republicans, why do they vote with the Democrats the majority of the time?

:shrug:

[Freddie Stubbs]

88. Perhaps your time would be better spent at anger management classes instead of

politics.

[Hawkeye-X]

78. Nice self outage

See ya later.

[Freddie Stubbs]

96. No outrage from me

[Rick554]

7. Uh oh

But of course, "tending not to" really doesnt mean a thing. Mary will vote for anything she's told. Not to worry!!

[sandnsea]

9. Told by who?

Have you followed her record? She usually votes with Republicans.

[Rick554]

10. oh she'll vote the right way

She knows who butters her bread. Big Phrmaand the UAW wont let her forget!!

[mdmc]

11. welcome to du

:/

[sandnsea]

8. If the public option will be too cheap to compete against

Then clearly it is the best method of lowering costs.

[eagertolearn]

12. How is Wydens bill going to bring down costs for insurance?

He wants to require that eveyone buy health insurance but how can you get the insurance companies to bring down the prices. They may agree to something but as soon as the democrats are out of office bale on all agreements. We have to do something long term that will work and it only makes sense to put everyone in the same pool...single payer like the rest of the world. Every person working in Washington has to be willing to lose their job to pass the best bill for all!

[AlbertCat]

18. How is Wydens bill going to bring down costs for insurance?

It's great! Everyone will have to get health care! But why not slim it down, cut out the middle man? If EVERYONE has to pay for coverage, why not just make it a tax and then the Government could see that everyone got covered and...
....oh...
...wait a minute....

[tomm2thumbs]

13. I would tend not to do anything that would jeopardize my gravy train of corporate money

I would suggest she should not tend to be re-elected.

[Zorra]

14. What a surprise. Typhoid Mary opposes public health care.

Who knew?

[sellitman]

15. Will this bitch give up her Public Health Insurance and show us her conviction?

I have no use for Blue Dogs assholes.

[PSPS]

17. It wouldn't matter if she did "give up" her "public health insurance."

These people are all millionaires so they can easily afford even the most expensive "gold-plated" policy. (Of course, the insurance companies would probably comp them their coverage anyway as a perk for being on their payroll.)

[sam sarrha]

16. cut off all party campaign support, replace her in the next election

[RandomThoughts]

19. Notice how they always talk about 'if there are votes'.

And when people say they do not support the Public option they do not explain why. They do not make the arguement why they think it is bad, they just say they don't support it. Like we are suppose to accept that what they think is for the best of America when they do not make the arguement for why they don't support it.


Why some do not support programs that actually help people? they don't want to help people?

Some think only the best people should have care that leads to living and reproducing. And best is defined by how much you make according to 'The Family' doctrine. So if you can't get a job that gives good health care you are suppose to die in their view. If you do not conform to 'its only business' view of profit is best, even if it hurts people, you are not worthy in the view of some. After all profit is only making the decision of who should live and die, and many believe how productive or how much money someone has should make that decision. A minimum wage mother that shows great love somehow does not have as much worth in the money first world, so they should be thinned from the herd so more productive cattle can live. That is the view of money first people, we are resources to be managed, and productivity and conformity is the required factor for any good slave. It is also an attempt so that fewer people of compassion live, while more people enslaved by money continue to live.

What is the argument supporting an industry that shows it will refuse care for people to make millions in profit for a few people. How do people think they have any authority to make policy?

What is the argument against the public option. I hear many people say what they want people to believe it doesn't have votes, it is to hard to pass, or that it is bad, but they do not say why they are against it. Explain your position. Why are you for profit over health care.

[spanone]

20. d i n o

[Kingofalldems]

22. OP supports Landrieu and repubs IMO

[Freddie Stubbs]

25. Incorrect. I do not support any Republicans

[rhett o rick]

28. What do you support freddie? Do you support the public option? Do you support the

Blue Dogs?

[Freddie Stubbs]

33. I support the public option and I support the Blue Dogs

[rhett o rick]

39. You support a public option with a govenment run option? or some mickey mouse private run

option?

[Freddie Stubbs]

53. I support a public option that can garner enough votes to pass Congress

[rhett o rick]

62. You are a liar and a blue dog. You dont support a true public option, only one which

the health insurance companies can make more billions. you are lower than a republican.

[Freddie Stubbs]

69. Who appointed you to decide what exaclty is a "true public option?"

:shrug:

[rhett o rick]

81. There are two sides, the corporate side and the people's side. You apparently side with the corporat

ions. A public option to buy insurance from the companies that are killing us today, isnt a real option.

[Freddie Stubbs]

91. Sounds a lot like ""You're either with us or against us"

Grown ups are intelligent enough to discern that there is often more than two sides to most arguments.

[rhett o rick]

82. Why do you side with the republicans and not with the people? Why? nt

[Freddie Stubbs]

92. Why must you lie and insist that I am siding the Republicans?

I suppose that when you have a very weak position, the arguement "you are siding with the Republicans" is the best that you have, regardless of the facts.

[t0dd]

27. If it quacks like a duck..

Oh, he just supports republicans that call themselves democrats. Big difference!
I don't understand the need to be cagey about it. Grow some blue dog balls and call yourself a republican. Or I guess there's a certain rush in getting to hold conservative views while also supporting deceptive obstructionists.

[Freddie Stubbs]

34. Who are these mythical Republican pretending to be Democrats that I supposedly support?

Can you name one Democrat who I support that votes with the Republicans more often than with the Democrats?

[Sebastian Doyle]

38. Landrieu, for one

When was the last time she voted correctly on anything that matters?

[Freddie Stubbs]

54. This year alone, she has voted with Democrats 89.9% of the time:

http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/111/senate/party-voters/

[rhett o rick]

41. In today's situation, no votes with republicans are acceptable. On important issues blue dogs

support the republicans. That is not acceptable.

[Freddie Stubbs]

55. In the House, only 2 of the 255 Democrats have not crossed party lines this year

Nancy Pelosi and Hilda Solis:

http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/111/house/party-voters/

And Solis was only there for a short time before she was appointed Secretary of Labor.

[rhett o rick]

42. We are at war for our literal lives Freddie. Pick a side. republican/blue dog or

Democrat. You pick.

[Freddie Stubbs]

56. Sounds a lot like ""You're either with us or against us"

[bobbolink]

21. And she has received how much $$$$ for her "opinion"?

There should be huge billboards put up in her state, advertising this fact, and how much she has received from the insurance industry.

[smalll]

23. So sad the way Senator Hottie breaks our heart like this, time and time again --

but isn't that the way of the world, vis-a-vis hotties and our hearts? :shrug:

[rhett o rick]

29. So you support Sen Landrieu's attempt to kill health care reform? nt

[Freddie Stubbs]

36. I have not seen any evidence that she wants to kill health care reform

She may have a different idea as to what exactly health care reform entails as to opposed to what you want, and that view is likely affected by the fact that she represents a state that overwhelmingly supported McCain over Obama.

[rhett o rick]

37. You avoided the question again. Let me try again. Do you support her efforts to kill the public

option? Meaning a public option with a government run system as the option.

[Freddie Stubbs]

57. I reject the premise that a public option must be government run

[rhett o rick]

65. As do your fellow republicans. nt

[Freddie Stubbs]

67. As do many Democrats in Congress. If they all agreed, the law would have been passed in July

[rhett o rick]

70. Democrats support a robust public option are you with us or the repukes, Freddie?

not that i have to ask.

[Freddie Stubbs]

71. How do you measure 'robust?'

:shrug:

[rhett o rick]

76. You do not support a public option with out private insurance involvement.

You are on the side of CorpAmerica. You are the enemy. We are at war for our lives. Thousands die every year because CorpAmerica demands profits. If you deny all Americans decent health care you have no morals. You put profits above human lives. You will have to account to your god.

[Freddie Stubbs]

90. You seem to have a difficult time making a convincing argument without demolishing the truth.

I have never said that I do not support a public option without private insurance involvement. What I did say is that i support a public option, and that if private insurance involvement is what it takes to pass a public option, so be it.

[Kingofalldems]

48. You trumpet every Democrat who is remotely against the public option

or for that matter every Democrat who sides with repubs.

[Freddie Stubbs]

58. I don't even know how to play the trumpet

[Kingofalldems]

84. The republican site is down the street---------->

In fact there are many gop sites where you could find people who agree with you. Instead you come here. Why is that? :shrug: :shrug:

[Freddie Stubbs]

93. I come here because I am a Democrat

How about you?

[dugaresa]

35. they can't guarantee the lowering of costs, so she should support the public option

[Individualist]

40. DLC members are not "moderate"

"The Democratic Leadership Council's agenda is indistinguishable from the Republican Neoconservative agenda," - Dennis Kucinich

[Freddie Stubbs]

95. Kucinich's myopic views have translated into him having little influence in Congress

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

44. Louisiana has the highest healthcare costs in the nation.

At least according to my Congressman Jay Inslee. Anyone know if this is true?

[jus_the_facts]

99. Louisiana has had CHARITY hospitals for decades....

....unlike the majority of other states...maybe that's why the costs here are considered higher than others. :eyes:

[jus_the_facts]

101. BTW...I recently went through our charity system...jumped through the hoops....

...to provide all the information they asked for RE: NO INCOME....they have now turned me over to a collection agency for 172.00!!!!!

[Feron]

47. Attention Louisianans:

Write a letter, send a fax, or call her office. Don't just sit on the internet and complain.

Don't let a tiny band of shouting townhall idiots speak for you. My letter is being mailed tomorrow.

And that goes for all of y'all in other states as well.

[MountainLaurel]

85. Have done and will continue to do

And am going to a vigil tomorrow night in front of her offices.

[jus_the_facts]

100. Oh like that's gonna help...NOT...

....she doesn't give a flyin' FUCK through a flamin' hoola hoop about THE PEOPLE...only her own elitist self...and I KNOW PERSONALLY THIS IS THE TRUTH....you've been a Landrieu asskisser here for years. :puke:

[lonestarnot]

52. Welp, I de Clare.

:eyes: :wow: not.

[Cha]

72. Is she a "moderate" or a fuckin' dino?

Who pays her bills..big pharm assholes?

[Freddie Stubbs]

98. She is a moderate

[Cha]

103. Bullshit.

[Freddie Stubbs]

105. Voting with the Democrats in the Senate over 89% isn't a moderate?

:shrug:

[treestar]

73. I would tend not to vote for her

In the primary if I lived in her state.

[Freddie Stubbs]

102. She probably couldn't win a Democratic primary in DE

But then, Biden probably couldn't win a Democratic primary in LA.

[PM Martin]

75. I would tend not to support Landrieu, says PM Martin

:puke:

[Freddie Stubbs]

97. She is likely more concerned about support for Louisianians rather than Canadians

[spanone]

79. i'd tend not to support landrieu

[kenny blankenship]

80. And I would tend to support your opponent, who'er he or she be.

ES&D blew dog scum.

[voc]

87. Makes sense...

She "tended" not to support the people who were hurt by Katrina.

[Horse with no Name]

104. She votes republican more often than not

This is not a surprise.

[Freddie Stubbs]

106. That is a lie. She voted with Senate Democrats more tha 89% of the time this year:

http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/111/senate/party-voters/