Dems Challenge Theme That Health Care Vote Makes Members Vulnerable

Democrats are unhappy and a bit worried about a theme developing in the mainstream press that the House's vote on health care legislation puts dozens of the party's members in electoral vulnerability.

In the days since the House of Representatives passed legislation by a 220 to 215 vote, a slew of stories have emerged -- fed by an aggressive posture from the Republican Party -- that supporting members now find themselves in hot water.

The Washington Post's Chris Cillizza identified the "five toughest votes" in the House -- they were all cast by Democrats. Politico, likewise, noted on Monday that 12 Democratic lawmakers now find themselves with a political bulls-eye on their backs related to their vote.

"They're taking GOP talking points," complained one Democratic strategist. "Passing reform is extraordinarily popular. Just look at the polling."

"Who's walking the plank?" a perplexed Rep. George Miller, Chair of the Education and Labor Committee, said when asked about vulnerable Democrats. "For national health care?"

Part of it has been strategic maneuvering. Republicans, simply, are being far more aggressive at leveling post-vote threats.

In the immediate aftermath of the vote, Andy Sere, a regional press secretary for the National Republican Congressional Committee, sent 16 separate emails attacking Rep. Tom Perriello (D-Va.) for his vote; the first of which was titled, "BREAKING: The end of Tom Perriello's political career." The rest of the committee, meanwhile, is publicly going after a host of other Democratic lawmakers, including Gabby Giffords (Ariz.), Harry Mitchell (Ariz.), Mary Jo Kilroy (Ohio), Zack Space (Ohio), Steve Driehaus (Ohio), and Vic Snyder (Ark.).

"It is akin to the Washington Redskins talking trash after losing to the Falcons," said Doug Thornell, an adviser to Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee chairman Chris Van Hollen, in response to the taunting. "Two words for House Republicans: Win something."

Democrats and health care reform proponents, for their part, have chosen a different tack. The non-profit Health Care for America Now, for instance, is running television ads thanking 20 vulnerable members for their support. And while the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee sent out individual emails targeting roughly 30 Republicans, the hard-hitting stuff seems to be coming on the local level.

The Delaware Democratic Party sent out a note from Chairman John D. Daneillo in which he warned that Republican Rep. Mike Castle (a potential Senate candidate) had just cast a vote that would lead to his ouster "next November." U.S. Senate candidate Alexi Giannoulias, likewise hit Republican Rep. Mark Kirk (also a Senate candidate) for selling his soul on health care in pursuit of former Gov. Sarah Palin's endorsement.

All of which may be resonating locally. But at least three separate strategists told the Huffington Post that they were concerned that the national story line was moving against their favor. Rather than just celebrating "a historic vote," said one, Democrats should be "putting national Republicans on the defensive for being on the wrong side of history."

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Comments

[ropadopa]

What's going to hurt the Dems is not the vote. Most of my Republican friends are concerned more about the idea that it will be so popular it might result in a permanent Democratic majority.

On the other hand, what is hurting the Dems most is their "wishy washy" approach to implementing the much needed healthcare reforms.

[prettyinpink]

You are right.

Next up Amnesty for all Illegals!

If you thought the voters got cranked up about HC wait until you give 20 million a free pass.

[MaryMay]

If the Democrats are going to risk losing their seats in Congress with the currently flawed, watered-down public option provision, then they might as well reach for the brass ring and do "Medicare For All" which is what the polls show the American public is most in favor of. If they give us that, and sooner than 2013, they won't be ousted, they'll be re-elected by a landslide. Democrats 81% in favor of Medicare for All; Republicans, 47%; 65% top line result. Is anyone in Congress really listening?!

[midatlantic girl]

Please, keep the public option alive in the Senate. Public Option NOW!

[liberalOrgonian]

We spent 8 years during the Bush/Cheney era being told outrageous lies. Where FEAR was used on us on a daily basics. With their lies, threats and wars, we are now acting like an abused person, unable to think clearly.
We as a country need to move beyond FEAR.
It is bad for the morality and the health when FEAR is the emotion which leads.
We need to get beyond the abuse of the last administration.

Dems, we trust you. Follow the path to help Americans and you will see we will support you.
Pass a good health care reform bill, get the banks and wall st under control, create green energy and you will come out of these dreadful times ahead.

[liberalOrgonian]

The repub are showing how dirty they can really be. They are uncooperative and don't show a concern in the world about the living conditions of many American. They are trying to shut down DC with their inaccurate shenanigans. They are so upset they lost, they will got to any length to rip this country apart. They lie, distort and do not represent most Americans. They have NO concern for the uninsured, poor, minorities, woman, or any one not Christian. But a strange kind of Christianity with twisted values, out right lies, deceitful activities, which do not represent what Jesus stood for. They are just angry, and acting out like spoiled children. They do not want to regulate Wall St and banks. I suspect they would be happy to see them fail again, so their cronies can suck more money from the system, and leave more citizens broke.
They may say they are going to win, but I do not believe they have Americans interest at heart. And frankly, they are not to be trusted in word or deed.
Dems, get that health reform, and like medicare you will be on the side of the people. Get bank regulations and you will be the hero in this country.
Anyone supporting the repub just have not been informed at where this party has gone.

[alnc]

Are Democrats finally waking up to the FACT that the US media is right leaning? That the media takes wha the GOP feeds them as news and time for them to all BE ALAN GRAYSONS????

Attack back and be ready to sell the positives to your oppostions Negatives, Scare tactics and total fear and fear alone sales pitch.

Please all Dems.....you have the mometum and power.....do not FEAR!!!! Be positive and move fast and and FORWARD!!!!

[Littlewords]

We should also ask our local news papers and favorite news sites to run an expose on private health insurance donations by Rep and Senator.

[Littlewords]

We each need to contact our local news papers and favorite news sites and ask them for expose stories on

"Why do politicians vote against the wishes of those who elected them on something as important as fixing health care and resists every possible form of a public option, especially when medicare seems to work well?"

[Littlewords]

There is a dearth of national stories about the Repub vulnerability in states that are in strong favor of HC reform?

The Dems have a point. While this may endear/entrench or alienate/risk their seats based on their HC vote, the media is not covering the other side of the isle on this for some reason.

There are more than a couple Repubs now on record as voting partisan and deliberately against the majority of their own constituents on this matter (that in itself is the whopper story lacking many articles in the big media outlets) and that will surely come back at them during their upcoming elections. Further, for those not up until 2012, assuming a final bill is passed in a couple months, there is ample time for the program to deliver benefits and to become a noose for some of the "no" voting repubs where only a public option can provide coverage reach to some of the currently neglected rural areas in states.

It is surprising that mainstream media is not pounding on this story already well teed up for them to expand and publish.

[Epiphany2b]

It seems to me the tactic here is to repeatedly tell the lie, so that when those who don't have a mind of their own, or take the time to search for truth themselves, go to vote, they will vote for the opponent because they already "know" he is going to win. Unfortunately, if those supporting the public option refuse to play the game according to these rules, there will be losses of those who voted for it. I guess the only thing to do is shout the same thing, only louder and longer. YOU GUYS WHO VOTED AGAINST IT ARE IN SO MUCH TROUBLE!!!!!

[fictioneer]

Well, also, the polling shows Dems and Obama independents in favor of Healthcare reform---as well as many conservatives. The polling indicated the ones likely to be vulnerable are the ones voting AGAINST reform. This appeared right as the vote was going down. Here on this site, even.

http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/2009/07/dear-mr-blue-dog.html

[FACTISFACT]

I for one would like to see how bad it is as is speculated or it is OK as is claimed. Before the bill was passed there had been so much of hue and cry to stop the bill, but it did get through with the participation of the Republican Party too or whatever. I presume it is better always to wait and see before making any comment.

I feel the government wouldn't be that stupid to make a wrong move knowing full well the price they would have to bear. Therefore, I am hopeful and not at all pessimist, yet. The people worried because of the press threatening will end up ultimately in nothing. They need not be worried at all. These are all tricks of the political trade played by politician to cow down the weak.

The opposition will try to do these in any case, they did more than they should have but then could they stop it pass. Now what happened? The opposition had been also a participant in passing the bill, can it be denied?

[parlimentMike]

Involvement of for profit insurance companies in health-care is the primary cause of our heath care problems, their role has been expanded.

This is not reform, this is exacerbation!

[unite4change]

I just heard on Racheal Maddow that some of the blue dogs voting no on the health care bill are member of the Family and live at the C Street house.

[lthuedk 1]

http://www.light-to-dark.com/The_Family.html

[onegandolf1]

Republicans blathering about how voting for one of the most popular pieces of legislation in my lifetime could be harmful for the voter's re-election is insane.

It's sorta like voting to enable our current recession to take place and not expecting any consequences.

OOPS !!!