Blue Dog Democrat Comes Out Against Public Option

WASHINGTON — A leader of a pivotal group of moderate House Democrats says he can no longer support a new public insurance plan in a health overhaul bill.

Rep. Mike Ross of Arkansas made the announcement Tuesday as members of Congress returned from Washington after their August recess.

It could be a sign of big trouble ahead for President Barack Obama and Democratic leaders trying to push health legislation through Congress. Most House liberals say they won't support a bill without a public plan.

In July, Ross took the lead in negotiating changes to House Democrats' health overhaul bill to make it more palatable to moderates. He voted for it in committee with a public plan.

But Ross said that after hearing from constituents over the recess he could not support a bill with a public plan.

Comments

[MN-Nedley]

07:48 PM on 09/29/2009

there are a lot of people who are upset about this but what I have not seen is a url for any organization that's collecting money to run more liberal democrats against these corporate tools in their home states primaries. They claim to be with the dems but really support insurance and pharma. If such an organization exits, could someone please post their URL. Seeing dollars pour into anti blue dog coffers might just move a few of them and if not let's dump them.

[dbailey]

10:21 AM on 09/09/2009

Well, lets put him on the list to take down in the interim elections. Does anyone know yet who's going to run against him? We need a new candidate that we can support 100%. I'm saving money for the opposing candidates of these blue dogs. If they can't support our party, they've got to go.

[rosiebond007]

10:21 AM on 09/09/2009

He is in a hospital bed with the healthcare industry and big Pharma !! Listening to them and not to his constituents.

He will be on the outs next time around.

[sailor422]

10:06 AM on 09/09/2009

I will donate to any candidate running against him in the Dem primary ... and i don't live in ark

[TomInJax]

07:53 AM on 09/09/2009

Not sure if this has been posted, but here's why he won't back the public option:

http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/summary.php?cid=N00009571&cycle=2010

[fredamae]

09:44 AM on 09/09/2009

Wow, he Takes A LOT of Big-Bucks from them, eh? I wonder if someone has a "Quick reference" list of The Entire "opposition crew's" take from this industry?!???

How Much More Proof do We, the People Need?

It is So Blatantly Transparent!!!!!!

[elizlucinda]

07:00 AM on 09/09/2009

Mr. Ross..you had better pray you never need a favour from the White House in the next 3.5 years!!

[phylliscooper1]

04:36 AM on 09/09/2009

I have written to him, and Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor and my congressman every day for 2 months imploring for the public option. Most of the time all I get back is a request for campaign contributions. They do not care about making the right decision for the majority of their constituents.

[keepemhonest]

07:26 AM on 09/09/2009

I called ALL Ross's Arkansas offices & told them that "sure it's great to get donations from insurance company employees - but it is the "People" who will get in the voting booths and vote him OUT in the Primary."

[cyndeewi]

08:14 AM on 09/09/2009

Agreed!

[hughie]

02:17 AM on 09/09/2009

VOTE HIM OUT VOTE HIME OUT VOTE HIM OUT HE HAS BEEN PAID OFF

[NCarolinaObserver]

03:15 AM on 09/09/2009

if you vote out a blue dog dem...you'll end up with a.....wait for it.....REPUBLICAN...they're blue dogs b/c in their districts they can't be any more liberal and win re-election.

Someone more liberal who is for the public option isn't going to be able to carry a blue dog district, esp. in 2010 mid-terms with out odama's coat tails to ride

[keepemhonest]

07:27 AM on 09/09/2009

yeah, blue dogs bark AT the "People" ... they are not barking to PROTECT the "People."

[dukesman2000]

02:07 AM on 09/09/2009

You won't vote for the bill, thats OK; that is your right as a senator. But keep in mind that registered democrats will not vote for you in 2010.

[wdw505]

02:12 AM on 09/09/2009

good

[keepemhonest]

07:28 AM on 09/09/2009

duke,

Ross is not a senator ... and he is up for re-election (in the House) in 2010.

I called ALL Ross's Arkansas offices & told them that "sure it's great to get donations from insurance company employees - but it is the "People" who will get in the voting booths and vote him OUT in the Primary."

I also told them that I will work as hard as I can for his Primary opponent if he votes NO to Public Option.

[NCarolinaObserver]

01:09 AM on 09/09/2009

i live in a blue dog district, if these dog dems get replaced in the primaries by more liberal democrats they're only going to get crushed by the republicans in the election...they're blue dogs for a reason...you can't be nancy pelosi liberal in these rural areas...

[Montgriz]

03:17 AM on 09/09/2009

That is the problem. Once upon a time in this country we had leaders elected to make decisions for the people and some of those decisions required courage. But a good leader votes for what is best for the people. Today, we have none....our politicians are bought and sold openly and we do nothing about it. Had Abraham Lincoln not defied the majority he would not have freed the slaves. He did, and we are better for it. Roosevelt defied the congress, shamed the corporations and got the peoples' support because he had the courage to limit the corporations, initiate social security, and provide power in the Tennessee Valley, ironically, the very heart of conservative and radical GOP. Now, all we have is the hand out and the fear of losing the next election.....it is over for America as we knew it.

[keepemhonest]

07:29 AM on 09/09/2009

NCarolina,

Fearmonger much?

[whiskeytangofred]

01:07 AM on 09/09/2009

Bad dog. Bad, bad dog.

[Tim303]

01:01 AM on 09/09/2009

My schizophrenic bro. in the UK gets to choose his doctor, like everyone else there. He didn't like having to travel to see his doc. so he changed to a clinic round the corner. No paperwork was required. No reasons. Just his choice. Choice. CHOICE. Eat that, righties.

[PublicAdvocate]

12:44 AM on 09/09/2009

Boot him in 2010. He is unworthy of representing our nation, and only a stealth Republican trying to protect corporate profits at the expense of citizens and the well being of our nation.

[poobah]

12:22 AM on 09/09/2009

I suggest we challenge those in his district to write and e mail him telling him what they really think. It probably won't change his mind, but then he can't get by with saying that it is what THEY want.

[max hp]

12:14 AM on 09/09/2009

Throw this rosscal OUT.