Don't panic about Obama not having a public option in his plan.

[backscatter712]

First: The Bennet public option letter was a long-shot. It always was a long-shot this late into the game, but does that mean it's not worth making a hard push with Bennet's letter and make the public option happen? HELL NO!!! There's a chance, and there's still a chance! Keep pushing! At the same time, keep your expectations realistic. It got a hell of a lot further than anyone thought it would get, and the momentum's still on our side!

Second: The only thing that Obama's proposed bill today proves is that he was sticking to his game plan that got put together before Bennet sent out his letter. Does that mean he's suddenly against the public option, or for the public option? No. The thing to do is to keep pressuring. Keep calling the White House, keep calling your senators and congresscritters, keep pushing.

Third: Assuming it isn't killed, the way the public option is going to get back into the health care bill is as an amendment. We're a good chunk of the way to 51 votes, we've got fresh polls on our side showing that the public option is still popular, so the best tactic is to get one of the senators to introduce the public option into the reconciliation bill, and dare the Democrats to vote no on it. We already know Lieberman, Lincoln, Landrieu et al are going to vote against it, but we don't need them. We just need 51. We might not get it, but if we push to put them on the record with a formal vote, it's the best chance we've got.

But above all, KEEP PUSHING!!! And keep your expectations realistic. It's not time for ashes and sackcloth yet.

[Cha]

1. It's time to work! Not unrec.

[HughMoran]

3. Agreed

So, of course the nitfuckingwits who want failure unrec.

[Go2Peace]

8. Why do we have to "keep pushing" the President? We have already "pushed" over and over?

I understand why me might need to work on a congressperson who is resisting, but I don't get why we should have to "push" Obama on something he already knows his BASE wants>

Sounds like game playing to me. I don't like it.

[FrenchieCat]

9. We don't get to just sit on our asses and wait......

he never said that it would be that easy.

Are you not familiar with the plan????
and if not, where were you election night or Inauguration day for that matter?

"I know you didn't do this just to win an election and I know you didn't do it for me. You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead. For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime - two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century.....

The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America - I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you - we as a people will get there.

There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who won't agree with every decision or policy I make as President, and we know that government can't solve every problem. But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And above all, I will ask you join in the work of remaking this nation the only way it's been done in America for two-hundred and twenty-one years - block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand. " - Barack Obama, Acceptance Speech at Grant Park
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ynews/ynews_pl135

"Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America — they will be met.

On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.

On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics.
snip
In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of shortcuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the faint-hearted — for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things —
some celebrated but more often men and women obscure in their labor, who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom.
snip
What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility — a recognition, on the
part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task.

This is the price and the promise of citizenship."

http://www.reobama.com/SpeechesJan2009.htm

Doh! :crazy:

[jaysunb]

11. Why do we have to keep pushing progressives to do

their part ?

Get off your ass and be an activist for what you want. !!

[Go2Peace]

23. I have for likely more years than you have been alive friend.

[jaysunb]

24. Well, I'm 65, so you are pretty damn old.

:evilfrown:

[damonm]

2. K&R

[FrenchieCat]

4. I see it slightly differently.

First I look at some things that occurred that are facts and their timeline:

#1 fact: Bennet's letter went out on February 16, and most were shocked it came from him.

#2 fact: Coincidently (or not)Obama campaigns with Bennet in Colorado on February 18,
just 2 days after the letter comes out.

#3 fact: White House states that Obama would sign a bill with a Public Option if Reid works that in with his fellow Senators, via a reconciliation or not.

#4 fact: Obama campaigns for Reid in Nevada on February 19.

#5 fact: Reid comes out supporting the Public Option on February 20.

What does this tell me?

Obama understands that if he comes out forcefully for a Public Option BEFORE the meeting on the 25th,
than the Republicans/Media will fixate on that, and nothing else. A losing proposition when you provide a target for the opposition, and your plans are for a different target.

Obama understands that as long as there are 50 Senators to sign their support for a Public Option, than the Public Option can be added to the reconciliation bill which is the only way it can pass the Senate....so him including this bill in his plan would do little good in the real scheme of things...except for winning brownie points with his "base" (but brownie points don't make bills pass).

Obama expect us to pressure our Senators to get them to sign the public option letter.
He always said he needed our help, and this is how we can help get ourselves what we want.
The point is that the people must want and demand and make noise. That's what community activism is all about, and Obama understands this.

If Pres. Obama had included a PO in his plan, the Republicans would be screaming, and we would be clapping, AND sitting on our hands forgetting to contact our Senators because we'd consider it a done deal, when it ain't.

I think Obama is playing it right, and at the end of the day, it is just as democracy is supposed to work.....we the people demand from our Senators what we want in order to get it, and then the President signs it.

[ChicagoSuz219]

5. Sounds good to me. n/t

[backscatter712]

6. Good points.

Obama's not dumb, and I see you're with me in not immediately going into full panic mode upon hearing the public option wasn't in the bill going into the Senate.

Between wanting to keep the summit and the media focused on the Republicans' refusal to be constructive, and not wanting to be punk'd supporting a bill only to not have the votes, I can understand his decision.

It's up to us. We can get a public option, but we have to want it really, really, bad, and make it crystal fucking clear to the Senate.

[FrenchieCat]

7. and considering that it would only take 50 senators, not 60,

it's quite doable......

so that's what we need to continue doing....
cause everything else will not get us a Public Option....
since President could French kiss the Pubic Option right in the mouth on national television,
but without the senate count of at least 50, it wouldn't matter....would be wasted tongue.

[vaberella]

16. Oh agreed. Ugh, thank God your on DU. Great insight. n/t

[Jennicut]

10. Great points. The media would totally be fixed on that.

The Senators are the ones that need to be pressured.

[vaberella]

18. Me too. I agree. n/t

[vaberella]

15. Oh my God!!! Frenchie!! That deserves it's own thread with links to keep pushing.

Why don't you make this it's own thread. It really gives some speculative insight into the dealings going on in the white house. I never even put all this together. Wow Frenchie----that is so impressive. And we never really know what's going on behind close doors just make assumptions on the outside. If O did come out with this before hand it would have destroyed the public option and health care before hand. Oh man. You are so right.

The republicans would have said Obama doesn't want to compromise---however his plan gives major but beneficial compromises. Make it it's own thread Frenchie.

[FrenchieCat]

17. I already did,

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=433&topic_id=192948&mesg_id=192948

[BR_Parkway]

21. But can we get "our" Senators to act? Every poll I see puts the public

option at 58% or higher - yet there are plenty of Senators who still act like it's straight from the 'looney left' and completely out of the mainstream. Or they've decided it's in their financial interest to pretend like this doesn't have big majority support

I called Hagan's office yesterday (and Burr's for whatever good that did) - She needs pressure still - she's still fairly non-committal on public option or repeal DADT (69% of public says it's time to go, including 62% of Republicans polled)

[bkozumplik]

22. EXCEPT!

you say:

"Obama understands that as long as there are 50 Senators to sign their support for a Public Option, than the Public Option can be added to the reconciliation bill which is the only way it can pass the Senate....so him including this bill in his plan would do little good in the real scheme of things...except for winning brownie points with his "base" (but brownie points don't make bills pass)."

OK. Except that Obama is supposed to lead. Lead the country and lead the party. This means he has to suit up and show up on the issues-- To hold the banner of what we stand for. That means to have the public option in his plan.
"Winning brownie points with his 'base'", is the job of the president. Its a figurehead job as well. HE leads and we follow, thats how it works. If he's not leading, NO ONE IS F'ING FOLLOWING.

This recently in vogue, 'You have to force me go in the right direction' canard is tired nonsense. We elected him to lead in a certain direction. The Majority elected him to lead a certain way, and he's not leading in that way. Your trying to create cover for him by saying he doesn't need to lead doesn't negate the vacuum of leadership we all feel-- which is his presidency.

I like the way you doublequote "base" too-- as if with scorn. You detest the "base" dont you? Its the base who is fairweather basards you think, not (the chosen one) Obama right?

[stevenleser]

12. I seem to remember a book/movie talking about "Don't Panic" just before the earth ended

:-)

[FrenchieCat]

13. That or else....

[vaberella]

14. Agreed. If there is enough votes its going to go through. n/t

[NYC_SKP]

19. Kicking this up, and rec. n/t

[lamp_shade]

20. Agreed. Save it until the timing is perfect. In fact... I'm betting that if it's

brought up at all on Thursday, it will be only as a suggestion. This is okay with me.