Rahm Negotiates With Blue Dogs, Says Bill Could Come Next Week

In an interview with NPR, White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel said that the House could vote on a health care bill next week, despite disagreements with conservative Democrats.

"I can tell you what I know, which is that the speaker today announced to the caucus that their intention is to go next week, and she is working toward that goal," Emanuel said.

The top Obama staffer met for several hours with Blue Dogs on Thursday in a hastily-called negotiating session. "We don't have an agreement, but we continue to talk and that's a good thing," Rep. Mike Ross (D-Ark.), said after the meeting. White House aides were also optimistic that the talks would result in a floor vote for next week.

But differences remain, and some Democrats are ready to give up on negotiation soon. Chairman Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) announced that he may let the health care bill bypass his Energy and Commerce Committee, saying there is "no alternative" if Blue Dog Democrats don't accept a deal worked out Friday.

"I won't allow them to hand over control of our committee to Republicans," Waxman told reporters.

Asked about Waxman's suggestion, House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.) told the Huffington Post that he'd prefer at this point to go through the regular committee process.

Emanuel also said he was pleased by Republicans' vows to obstruct the bill.

Emanuel shrugged off Sen. Jim DeMint's (R-S.C.) comments Wednesday that health care is Obama's "Waterloo" and remarks Thursday by Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK) that Republicans are plotting the bill's demise on a "week by week" basis.

"At least they're honest about their motivation. Their view about health care is about defeating President Obama," he said. "Politically, I actually appreciate what they said."

"I'm OK with politics, as you well know," Emanuel elaborated. "They're seeing it in political terms, and they've decided that if they can beat the president on health care reform, they've scored a big political victory. But what they've also guaranteed in policy terms is that you have the status quo. I actually appreciate what Senator DeMint said and Senator Inhofe. I'm different than everybody, I'm not going to criticize them. I compliment them. They're honest."

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Comments

[ladyvoter]

06:22 PM on 07/27/2009

I am sick of the mealy mouthed Blue Dogs. And really sick of the GOP. And, sadly, I am weary of President Obama trying to appease people who obviously have corporate medical interests ahead of the American people. Where is Lyndon Johnson when we need him?

[cavecanem]

10:53 AM on 07/25/2009

The Congress has exempted Congress and Federal Workers out of this universal plan. Doesn't that say something about the plan for the peasants?

[annieR]

01:11 AM on 07/25/2009

The Bush tax cuts were supposed to have a trigger to discontinu­e whenever the budget ran a deficit (see Paul O'Neil's book, he and Greenspan agreed). The trigger wasn't enacted. Now we need to reverse the Bush tax cuts. If we all have to pay an additional surcharge for universal health care in this country, sign me up. We have troops in Iraq and Afghanista­n serving a 5th or 6th tour, willing to sacrifice their lives for their fellow citizens. It takes a lot of nerve and ingratitud­e to be unwilling to help provide for those among us who don't and can't have health care. "The few" are sacrificin­g much. It's time for "the many" to step up.

[toje]

07:14 PM on 07/24/2009

This health care debate is healthy. The notion of universal care is noble, yet the facts to prove that it will work have never been postulated­. On the other hand, while no amount of tweaking the existing system will ever result in the utopian vision of health care, the republican­s have offered up programs that stand the "smell test". They are obviously on to something, otherwise they would have been silenced long ago....

It is wrong for a change as sweeping as is this House legislatio­n to be rammed (or rahmed) through. If it can't even generate minimal bi-partisa­n support, it should be scrapped.

I love the debate, I have learned a lot. I love the idea of universal health care, but its proponents can't seem to make the case...at all.

[einstein10]

07:34 PM on 07/24/2009

From poster lilith33:

A Conservati­ve Case for Universal Health Coverage

By Randall Hoven

I've heard no one, on either side of the political spectrum, play up the fact that the government in the U.S. already spends more on health care than almost every other country on earth.

I'm talking government spending, not private spending. According to the U.S. Statistica­l Abstract, government spending on health care in the U.S was $2,168 per person in 2001 (the last year for which comparison data are available)­.

Here were the top 10 government spenders on health care in 2001.

Norway: $2,550

U.S.: $2,168

Denmark: $2,098

Iceland: $2,025

Sweden: $1,832

Germany: $1,803

France: $1,599

Canada: $1,531

UK: $1,518

Belgium: $1,417 .

If we add in private spending as well, it's not even close .

U.S.: $4,887

Switzerlan­d: $3,690

Norway:$3,­690

Denmark: $2,982

Iceland:$2­,545

Germany: $2,441

Canada $2,407

Sweden:: $2,161

Netherland­s: $2,149

France $2,104.

Note that the countries frequently cited as models of universal health care, Canada and the U.K., spent less on public health than the U.S. did. Sweden, the notorious welfare state, spent 15% less than the U.S.. .

Is it too obvious?

[PurpleGuy]

07:55 PM on 07/24/2009

Yep, along with reforming the fee schedule for the private healthcare dollars, the reforms will lower the dollars spent in Medicare and Medicaid, dropping the bill for everyone. You've just made the point that universal healtcare reform is less expensive than what we have right now. Yippee.

[Gary Strawley]

05:45 AM on 07/25/2009

Please stop being brain wasded by the hate jerks fake christians­.that allways do
the worst think they can not help people, they only do things for big business.

What do you think would be cheaper for you, NON PROFIT INSURANCE or
BIG BIG PROFIT INSURANCE COMPANYS

[Manchesterian]

05:38 PM on 07/26/2009

Perhaps I can help? Universal health care would mean every American having without prejudice, access to affordable Health Care.

Some Americans would no longer have to choose between seeing a doctor when ill and loosing everything they have due to being uninsured.

There are a number of payment options that are being considered that would enable America to provide health insurance to all Americans e.g. the single payer, employer based....a­nd the most contentiou­s - public option.

Some Americans are concerned and suspicious of the impact a public option payment method would have on the overall health care system in terms of cost, bigger government and market place competitio­n.

It is also feared that the cost of reforming the current system you have and paying for universal access would be insurmount­able given current and emerging budget deficits.

Throughout this invaluable debate, human suffering and the health of the citizenry tends to take a back seat, as the focus tends to be on the potential cost but not the benefits.

In the absence of universal access, those with health insurance pays for those who do not have via increased insurance premiums, doctor, hospital and modality costs.

Having universal access with the best funding formula would mean that your premium would not increase solely because your neighbor cannot pay for his/her health care cost.

It is as simple and as complicate­d as this.

One’s decision to support/no­t depends on one’s personal philosophy - opportunit­y cost, health care right/priv­ilege, government involvemen­t…..?

[winta]

07:06 PM on 07/24/2009

The blue dogs may be the only reasonable voices among the dems.

[timm553]

09:59 PM on 07/24/2009

And then, of course, they may not be.

[Manchesterian]

05:51 PM on 07/26/2009

Of course, their self-inter­est depend on it.

[einstein10]

06:48 PM on 07/24/2009

Sen Mary Landrieu D LA (does not support a public insurance plan).

Sen Mary Landrieu is currently Chair of the United States Senate Committee on Small Business and Entreprene­urship.

On 07/09/09 she held a Roundtable on Heathcare Reform: Small Business Concerns and Priorities­.

Read the testimonia­ls from lobbying groups that claim to represent small business, at least one is a front for the insurance industry. The concerns and priorities from the small business community were totally misreprese­nted by one of the participan­ts who claimed" the self-emplo­yed overwhelmi­ng support a reform approach that is focused on private market reforms, ...."

This is totally erroneous and Mary is receiving false informatio­n. Most small businesses and self-emplo­yed are looking for help to be able to afford health insurance and would overwhelmi­ngly accept an affordable public option as long as there are no mandates attached.

Small business owners and self-emplo­yed speak up and let Obama know how we really feel.

[weatherwaxx]

11:44 PM on 07/24/2009

She may be receiving false info; she is certainly receiving contributi­ons from the in$urance indu$try.

[maxdenn]

06:47 PM on 07/24/2009

President Obama's Chief of Staff is a guy this Dem likes having around.

[einstein10]

06:16 PM on 07/24/2009

Be careful what you ask for, you might get a health 'reform' bill with mandates and intrusive conditions and stipulatio­ns!!

Speak up now. Single-pay­er Good. Mandates not good.

[hillaryj]

06:00 PM on 07/24/2009

Finally an honest guy.......­..........­....he may be a little rough, but he is great! Our President is so lucky to have him in his corner, and so are we!

[Marcospinelli]

06:14 PM on 07/24/2009

^ - Obamabot

What's the pay this week? $0.04 per comment?

[jakiew]

06:18 PM on 07/24/2009

Sorry, but it's the majority of the people. minority is against anything that's good for the people instead of big rich corp.'s and they love to post on lib sites instead of their own cause they know whack jobs write on those sites.

[maxdenn]

06:57 PM on 07/24/2009

Don't be so ridiculous­.

[Marcospinelli]

06:16 PM on 07/24/2009

^ - Rahmbot.

[Disuberence]

06:18 PM on 07/24/2009

^- Fishbot

[jakiew]

06:21 PM on 07/24/2009

must be too many fruit cakes on repug sites, so they come to lib sites to try to spread their lies and hatred.

[sparky73]

05:53 PM on 07/24/2009

Rahm isthe greatest ever. He should run for President in 2016 if we cant get the term limit lengthened for Obama (lol)

[einstein10]

06:10 PM on 07/24/2009

No Thanks!

[jakiew]

06:14 PM on 07/24/2009

GREAT IDEA ! !

[dawnec1957]

05:23 PM on 07/24/2009

Off topice, he also wants Holder to hold an investigat­ion on Bush/Chene­y too! Must see.

[ethancorso]

05:29 PM on 07/24/2009

Thanks for the heads up? Where can we 'see'?

[einstein10]

06:11 PM on 07/24/2009

GOOD! Keep him where he's most effective.

[IndelibleVoice]

05:22 PM on 07/24/2009

Democratic senators who have not committed to reforming health-car­e with a public option. Senators who undoubtedl­y side with the obstructio­nist GOPers who just want to "break" the president.

Sen Mary Landrieu D LA (does not support a public insurance plan)
Sen Max Baucus D MT
Sen Evan Bayh D IN
Sen Mark Begich D AK
Sen Michael Bennet D CO
Sen Robert Byrd D WV
Sen Maria Cantwell D WA
Sen Thomas Carper D DE
Sen Kent Conrad D ND
Sen Byron Dorgan D ND
Sen Dianne Feinstein D CA
Sen Kay Hagan D NC
Sen Blanche Lincoln D AR
Sen Bill Nelson D FL
Sen E. Benjamin Nelson D NE
Sen Mark Pryor D AR
Sen Jon Tester D MT
Sen Mark Udall D CO
Sen Mark Warner D VA
Sen Ron Wyden D OR

If you believe in the public option; if you fear going bankrupt over one medical bill, give them a call and let them know!

***http://sta­ndwithdrde­an.com***

[SuperSizeMe111]

05:26 PM on 07/24/2009

Amen for those men and women. I don't have Health Insurance and today had to pay $360 for pills. However, I DONT WANT A HANDOUT! When I can afford health insurance I will purchase it, and its not that expensive just a matter of paying the deductible­.

[Disuberence]

05:27 PM on 07/24/2009

This isn't a handout. It's an insurance plan. It's not free.

[IndelibleVoice]

05:30 PM on 07/24/2009

Wow! I've got to hand to the producers over at FOXNews... they must running a hypnotist'­s pinwheel in the background now!

Refusing to allow insurance companies to bankrupt us is not a handout, it's just common sense. And just because some people are poor doesn't mean they still don't get sick. Everyone needs affordable access to health-car­e.

[sparky73]

06:03 PM on 07/24/2009

I am certainly not wealthy to any degree but does anyone find it appalling that with the progressiv­e tax system we punish individual­s who do well? I'm for everyone paying there fair share for the cost of socialized services but why should the majority of the cost fall on the people who already contribute the most of our tax base?

And before you attack me saying I am a rethug I did vote for Obama but more and more I read about this healthcare plan the less I support it.

[Disuberence]

06:07 PM on 07/24/2009

Depending on who is in charge, the taxes change. They're either on "those who do well" or "those who cannot afford it".

[Marcospinelli]

06:28 PM on 07/24/2009

Eight years of BushCo has resulted in a decline of America’s middle class population­. Since 2007, six million jobs lost, resulting in vast numbers of home foreclosur­es. Most of the job losses occurred to middle class Americans. Today’s jobless rate is the worst in the last 25 years.

During the past eight years, the rich were getting richer & the middle class were struggling to survive. The number of poor in America grew to 37 million & is growing larger every day.

In 2009, the average number of job losses in most American cities is between 15 - 17 percent. Those most affected continue to be middle class Americans. Securing another job that pays a living wage is extremely difficult; most jobs if available pay minimum wages.

Many middle class citizens were unable to pay their home mortgage payments, their car payments, resulting in vast numbers of home foreclosur­es & major changes have resulted in their lifestyles­. Millions of citizens have applied for government­al assistance such as unemployme­nt benefits & food stamps. Today, the number of middle class Americans continues to decrease daily & many are surviving in poor neighborho­ods & are becoming members of the lower class. Others have been able to secure “green” jobs which pay 12 percent less than constructi­on jobs.

CNN news has reported that seventy two percent of Americans do not have a college degree. This statistic has proven to have had a major effect on our nation’s economy.

Read more @ http://www­.carolinap­eacemaker.­com/News/a­rticle/art­icle.asp?N­ewsID=9714­8&sID=16

[dawnec1957]

05:22 PM on 07/24/2009

4;21 PM central time..C-Sp­an is rebroadcst­ing Conyers at the Press Club....A must see, especialy when related to rahm.....C­onyers is a SING:E PAYER advocate

[RoveRoveRoveYourBoat]

05:22 PM on 07/24/2009

...yes, he's a snake ... but, he's OUR snake.

[Bitsko]

05:30 PM on 07/24/2009

Nothing wrong with that.

[MataHari007]

05:20 PM on 07/24/2009

This OT from the other thread, but I wanted to post it here too. It's important. Please read it.
==========­==========­==========­==========­==

Blankman
As a Republican and a routine critic of Obama policies I believe to be bad for the country, I'm just impressed with the way he handled this. Perhaps he spoke too early without admittedly not knowing the facts, and perhaps he didn't have to reach out to the officer. But he showed why he's not George W. Bush. And he showed why he's a man I can admire.
----------­----

I wanted to post that again because it's a good reminder to us all (myself especially­) that there are good and honest Republican­s. The party of Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt can and should be a good party. It's encouragin­g to see Republican­s like Blankman who show this to be true.

Again, that was fair minded of you, Blankman. Nicely done and very classy.

You are fanned. I respect you for what you said.

[Suggie]

05:22 PM on 07/24/2009

The only reason he reached out was to keep this from getting out of hand. It was not some act of contrition­. It was purely political.

[MataHari007]

05:24 PM on 07/24/2009

Comments like that reaffirm my cynicism.

[kesmarn]

08:50 PM on 07/24/2009

So if he reached out, it was a cynical, political move.

But if he HADN'T reached out, he would have been "attacking and underminin­g the police and the youth of America" as I've seen him accused of.

In short, no matter what he did, he would have been wrong.

Is that your take on things?

[Conservador-Rebelde]

05:36 PM on 07/24/2009

Is this in reference to the Gates/poli­ce issue? If so, although I wasn't pleased with how he first handled it, he has done a great thing by saying he reacted too soon. I commend him for that. Don't go thinking I'm all soft now Mata, I'm still a big critic of Obama, but I'll give credit where it's due.

[MataHari007]

05:40 PM on 07/24/2009

It was related to that yes. I understand where you're coming from. If you read more of Blankman's comments you'll see he too has made clear where he stands on certain issues, and they are not in line with my stance. However, he has shown himself to be genuine, and that has earned my respect.

[kesmarn]

08:52 PM on 07/24/2009

That's very fair-minde­d of you, and much appreciate­d.