Kent Conrad Says He Won't Vote For Public Option (UPDATE)

Update: Conrad's spokesperson told Salon that the story was inaccurate. Conrad told his constituents that he won't let the government run their health care, but that this position does not preclude the public option.

From the Jamestown Sun:

Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D. presented his cooperative health care proposal here Thursday and told an audience of 100 that he would not vote for a government-run health care program.

Conrad stopped in Carrington as part of his a statewide tour touting the Senate Finance Committee's cooperative health care proposal.

Comments

[emiliob6]

How can the Democratic Party ever be united if the party allows for another Party to be created within the Democratic Party, I am referring to the BLUE DOG TRAITORS who are align with the Re-pukes ideals and philosophy, I will be donating more to MOVE ON . ORG so that they can exposed them for what they are the TRAITORS that will stop health reform with a public option, because without a public option we might as well let the Insurance Companies write the bill.

[SOLERSO68]

as big a jack-a conrad is, he has taken the "blue dog" leadership on this issue so that a$$hat evan bayh can have some cover. im thinking they think conrads seat is safer from a primary challenge. so primary him anyway! but dont forget bayh who is trying to hide out of sight right now. bayh, nelson, conrad and baucuss all need a good stiff primary challenge with support from DFA and move on

[emiliob6]

I can't stand Republicans but there is one trait that they have that the Democrats don't have and that is that they stick together on the issues, it does us no good to have the majority if we are not united, I am very afraid that this bill is going to killed by DEMOCRATS and if does the Republicans will again be the majority in 2010. " I for one will not vote for a Republican , but will also not vote for a Democrat, COME ELECTION DAY "I WILL STAY HOME, WHY WASTE MY TIME VOTING FOR DO NOTHING DEMOCRATS.

[emiliob6]

Question? Are there 11 Democrat Senators who will vote against the public option ? does anyone know ? if so name them. because all we need is 50 votes and the VP to get bill passed.

[RedWilma]

Let me say again, it is not fair or logical for all states to have two senators. Not all states are equal. He represents so few people, relatively. He just shouldn't count. He most certainly shouldn't be re-elected.

I'd like to see how much money he gets from insurance companies. I'd like to know this about Baucus too.

[timhere]

It seems that Pharma and the Insurance industry are going to be the big winners. Pharma already received their guarantees. Now we are going to get a health reform bill with no public option. Yet, everyone is going to be required to have insurance. That means billions for them. Anybody remember how much auto liability insurance went up when it became mandatory. They should just let the insurance companies and pharmaceutical companies get together and write the bill.

[SOLERSO68]

""They should just let the insurance companies and pharmaceutical companies get together and write the bill.""


they HAVE done that.

[Totto]

And, Senator, I will make contributions to your Democratic primary opponent so that fewer vote for you.

[Xenopus]

The only way the Democrats are going to be a strong party is to get rid of the Blue Dog Democrats and end the "southern strategy." The disease is within our own party.

[banja]

why is he chairman ?

[IrishRose2]

I have a modest proposal for anyone out there who wants real health care reform with a strong public option (let alone single-payer!). Dig up any medical bills you have tucked away, make copies, and mail them to all the Congresscr­itters--Bl­ue Dogs, Rethugs, whoever--with a note to the effect that a) you want a public health-care plan, and b) if they're not going to vote for one, then they and their lobbyists can pay your bills. Let's drown 'em in paper. (I wish I could claim credit for this, but I got inspired when I read about a woman at a town hall meeting in New Orleans--run by Republican Rep. Ahn Cao--who plunked down a stack of medical bills in front of him and told him and his lobbyists to pay them (as she herself was uninsured, despite having a job and a college education).

Heck--can't hurt, and might attract a little media attention for sheer stunt value.

[DebbieinPhx]

From the mom of a $2.6 MILLION dollar heart baby I can only say Here! Here! My little one was born with multiple heart defects, and after four major surgeries which saved her life, my God... the bills never stopped. We finally had to declare bankruptcy, it was degrading and hideous Nonetheless, we consider ourselves the most fortunate people on Earth. First because she survived and secondly, after spending months upon months in Pediatric ICU's you tell yourself every day, There but for the Grace of God go I... I saw a weeping hysterical mother sign away all parental rights to her gravely ill daughter in order to make her a ward of the state, just so that she could ensure that her child got the multiple surgeries and procedures she would need to survive.

God save us all from these idiotic, fearful morons at these rallies. They know NOTHING! If you want to see heartless, soul wrenching agony in the hands of a cold, calculating and morally deficit overlord, you need only to walk into ANY pediatric ICU and spend a day. The insurance companies already have claimed that role and they play it with despicable skill.

[Clayton139]

Why Not ?!!

I am going to Help VOTE You OUT Kent Conrad !

[DebbieinPhx]

Thank you, I am glad to see a democratic voter or two waking up around here!!! Spread the word... Blue Dogs will LOSE their primaries in 2010!

[water57]

Ken Conrad wants to be the poster boy for the proud blue dog the bravely said no to the public opposition. However, this will come with a huge price tag. First, he will be remembered for the democrat that stop public opposition. He will have trouble claiming to be democrat in that state. Let just see I far he going get in the next election with very little democrat support. The last I heard, the republican party numbers are disappearing, so he will have a interesting time he to claiming to be half republican and half democrat. Brilliant move.

[whatizz]

Kent Conrad is a conservative Senator that needs to go out to pasture. He is bought and paid for. He received loans that got a free pass from the ethics committee. That tells him he can do anything he wants to as a Senator.Hi­s co-op thought pattern is a scam. He said the Finance committee "might " be able to have a bill by mid September. Who needs a Republican opposition when you have Senators like Kent Conrad. I wonder what his mother thinks.

[OliverTwist]

Conrad's gold tie tells his values.

[anghiari]

How many seniors live in his state and how many are on that public option government run Medicare? Perhaps we ought to warn his senior constituents if he opposes a government run health care plan, how do they think he might vote if someone wants to revoke Medicare? Start some mess around this guy and his statements­...

[drjasonmd]

How many of those constituents realize Medicare is a government-run program?

You have to understand what kind of people we're dealing with here.