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Blue Dogs

Counterfeit 'Public Option' Holds Americans Hostage to Inflationary Private Insurance Costs

Michele Swenson | Posted 11.19.2009 | Politics

Read More: Blue Dogs, Jacob Hacker, Kip Sullivan, Comprehensive Coverage, Cost Control, Health Care Reform, Congressional Revolving Door, Physicians for a National Health Program, Market-Based Public Option, Medicare-for-All, Stephie Woolhandler, Health Care Lobbyists, Public Option, George Mcgovern, Don McCanne, Pharmaceutical Lobbyists, Deficit Hawks, Politics News
Michele Swenson

Democratic leaders have short-circuited the reform "debate" and permitted the process to be hijacked by health insurance and pharmaceutical industries.

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Obama Gets 11-Dimensional Chess Win; Epic Fail for Media, GOP

Matt Osborne | Posted 11.20.2009 | Media

Read More: Senator Harry Reid, Blue Dogs Public Option, Ben Nelson, Obama Blue Dogs, Public Option, Ben Nelson Health Care, President Barack Obama, President Obama, Ben Nelson Health Care Reform, Ben Nelson Reconciliation, Obama, Blue Dogs Health Care Reform, Blue Dogs Health Care, Barack Obama, Consensus-Building, Ben Nelson Nebraska, Consensus Building, Consensus, 11-Dimensional Chess, Health Care Reform, Democrats Public Option, Blue Dogs, Harry Reid, Joe Lieberman, Healthcare Reform, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Health Care Public Option, Harry Reid Public Option, Obama Public Option, Media News
Matt Osborne

The Republican strategy of delay escalated their misfortune; their "tea party" movement is a great, big Teabagger Fail, and the media's credibility is shot right along with them.

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10 Reasons Why Democrats Who Opposed the Health Care Bill Made a Political Mistake

Robert Creamer | Posted 11.13.2009 | Politics

Read More: House Health Care Vote, Democratic Health Care Bill, Politics of Health Care Reform, Public Health Insurance Plan, Public Option, Frontline Democrats, Health Care Reform, Blue Dogs, Republicans, Pre-Existing Conditions, Health Insurance Reform, Health Care, Politics News
Robert Creamer

Even ignoring how critical it is to overhaul our broken health care system, most of the 39 Democrats who voted against reform in the House last week still made a political mistake. Here's why.

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Sam Stein

MoveOn Targets Dems Who Voted Against Reform

HuffingtonPost.com | Sam Stein | Posted 11.10.2009 | Politics

Read More: Blue Dogs, Moveon, Conservative Democrats, Democrats Health Care, Health Care Moveon, Moveon Ad, Health Care Reform, Dems Targeted, Politics News

In the wake of Saturday night's historic health care vote, the main lines of attack have been extremely partisan -- Republicans insist that politicall...

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One More Step

Mike Lux | Posted 11.09.2009 | Politics

Read More: Blue Dogs, Health Care Reform, House of Representatives, 2009 Obama Administration, Speaker Pelosi, Politics News
Mike Lux

When people over the weekend asked why getting the votes for the health care bill was so hard, I would have to say: it just is -- it is the nature of the beast.

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Absolute Corruption Is the Rule in America

David A. Love | Posted 11.09.2009 | Politics

Read More: Treasury Department, Capitalism, Wall Street, Blue Dogs, Health Care Reform, Max Baucus, Bernard Madoff, Joe Lieberman, Health Care, Healthcare, Blue Dog Democrats, Corruption, Citibank, Bank Bailout, Stock Market, Corporations, Banking Crisis, Sec, Corporate Greed, Citigroup, Regulation, Madoff Ponzi Scheme, Ponzi Scheme, Deregulation, New York, Criminal Justice System, Glass-Steagall, Politics News
David A. Love

Often, people will look at a high-profile example of corruption, and conclude that the egregious act is an exception to the rule. In reality, it might be the tip of the iceberg.

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Why We Can't Afford to Fail: A Blue Dog for Reform

Rep. Patrick Murphy | Posted 11.07.2009 | Politics

Read More: Patrick Murphy, Blue Dogs, Health Care Reform, Health Care, House Vote, Politics News
Rep. Patrick Murphy

As a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dogs, I believe this health care reform legislation is an opportunity our nation cannot afford to miss.

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Senate "Moderates" Delaying Health Care Bill With Demands

The Washington Post | Shailagh Murray and Lori Montgomery | Posted 11.04.2009 | Politics

Read More: Olympia Snowe Health Care, Senate Moderates, Mary Landrieu Health Care, Mary Landrieu, Senate Health Care Reform, Senate Moderates Health Care Reform, Blue Dogs Health Care Reform, Evan Bayh, Blue Dogs, Olympia Snowe, Blanche Lincoln Health Care, Health Care Reform, Ben Nelson, Blanche Lincoln, Health Insurance Reform, Politics News

Moderate lawmakers are exerting their outsize influence in the divided Senate to secure changes to health-care reform legislation, potentially adding ...

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Centrism and Swing Voters

Mike Lux | Posted 11.02.2009 | Politics

Read More: Blue Dogs, Ny-23, Wall Street, Centrism, Banking Industry, Swing Voters, Dede Scozzafava, Politics News
Mike Lux

In some ways, in some elections, at some times, centrism and swing voters are closely connected. But the connection is growing more and more tenuous.

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Best Political Halloween Costumes: Put Your Costume Where Your Mouth Is

Katie Halper | Posted 10.28.2009 | Comedy

Read More: George Bush, Blue Dog, Public Option, Rush Limbaugh, Manuel Zelaya, Too Big to Fail, Manuel Zelaya Honduras, Pope Benedict, Roe vs Wade, Sarah Palin Wolf Hunting, Pope Benedict XVI, Catholic Church, Hitler Youth, Roe v. Wade, Astinence Only, Nancy Pelosi, Sarah Palin, Anglican Church, Blue Dogs, Honduras, Anti-Choice, Opt-Out, Public-Option-Opt-Out, Anti-Choice Movement, Blue Dog Dems, Blue Dog Democrats, Halloween, Comedy News
Katie Halper

Wear a fancy suit with a top hat and a cane. Stuff yourself with pillow so you look as bloated as possible. Wear a dollar sign around your neck (you can make it out of tin foil.) You're... Too big to fail.

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Arianna Weighs In On The Senate Health Care Bill And The Challenges Ahead

Huff TV | Posted 10.27.2009 | Media

Read More: Big Pharma, Ben Nelson, Blue Dog, Public Option, Countdown With Keith Olberman, Health Insurance, Democrats, Opt Out, Mandate, Pharma, Pharmaceutical Industry, Blanche Lincoln, Senate, Blue Dogs, Health Care Reform, Gop, Health Care, Media News
Huff TV

Arianna appeared on MSNBC's Countdown With Keith Olbermann on Monday to discuss news that the Senate's health care bill would include an opt-out publi...

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Want Healthcare Reform? Pick Up The Phone.

Chris Weigant | Posted 10.25.2009 | Politics

Read More: President Obama, Senator, Obama, Reform, Democratic Party, Telephone, Pelosi, Call to Action, Switchboards, 2010, Nancy Pelosi, Health Care, Re-Elected, Reid, House, Contact, Congressmen, Democrat, Congress, Call, Democrats, Representative, Organizing for America, Barack Obama, Election, Pick Up the Phone, Congressman, Elections, Self Interest, Chris Weigant, Phone, Health, Hcr, Blue Dogs, Harry Reid, Healthcare Reform, Senate, Healthcare, Politics News
Chris Weigant

Yesterday, over 300,000 people picked up the phone and called Congress demanding health care reform this year. The phones ringing off the hook certainly did not go unnoticed by Congress.

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Keep Going, Republicans! You're Doing Great!

Bob Cesca | Posted 10.21.2009 | Politics

Read More: Pat Buchanan, President Obama, Rush Limbaugh, Democratic Party, Michelle Malkin, Mark Halperin, Michele Bachmann, David Brooks, Political Parties, Blue Dogs, Erick Erickson, David Frum, Glenn Beck, Christopher Buckley, Republican Party, Chris Cillizza, Republicans, Politics News
Bob Cesca

If recent polling is any indication, people don't want to be associated with the party that elevates the self-satirical wackaloons. Especially when they refuse to be honest about who they are.

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Can Progressives and Conservatives Agree on Health Care Reform?

Mike Lux | Posted 10.16.2009 | Politics

Read More: Blue Dogs, Mike Ross, Medicare for All, Public Option, Cbo, 2009 Obama Adminsitration, Politics News
Mike Lux

Open up the perfectly good public option we have -- Medicare -- to anyone. That would actually strengthen Medicare because younger, healthier people would be joining the risk pool.

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Why We're Breaking With the Blue Dogs on the Public Option

Rep. Jane Harman | Posted 10.13.2009 | Politics

Read More: Jane Harman, Public Option, Health Care Reform, Blue Dogs, Loretta Sanchez, Health Care, Obama Public Option, Blue Dog Democrats, California, Politics News
Rep. Jane Harman

We understand the fear of many insured Californians that health care reform will revoke their current doctors and coverage. But the grim reality is that many more insured people will lose their coverage without reform.

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Friday Talking Points: Is Opt-Out The Answer?

Chris Weigant | Posted 10.14.2009 | Politics

Read More: Tax Code, Blue Dog, Progressives, Ways and Means, Compromise, Reform, Charles Schumer, Howard Dean, Tripled Down, Midotw, Nancy Pelosi, 60 Vote, Most Impressive Democrat of the Week, Health Care, Nationwide, Public Option, States Rights, Democrat, Congress, Democrats, Barack Obama, Im in My Place, Nobel Prize, Schumer, Progressive, Mddotw, Put Her in Her Place, Health, Opt Out Plan, Blue Dogs, Americas Next Great Pundit, Healthcare, Senate, George Bush, President Obama, Teddy Roosevelt, Cloture, Senator, Dr Dean, Public Plan, State, Filibuster, Obama, Democratic, Charlie Rangel, Woodrow Wilson, Friday Talking Points, Bush, Dean, Republican, Pelosi, Double Down, Simpsons, Co-Op, Triple Down, Doubled Down, Most Disappointing Democrat of the Week, Taxes, Trigger, Tax Laws, House, Nobel, Marge Simpson, Playboy, Nobel Peace Prize, Opt Out, Tenth Amendment, Rangel, Chris Weigant, Clockwork Orange, Afghanistan, Politics News
Chris Weigant

The plan isn't going into effect until 2013. Think you're tired of TV ads and screaming folks at town hall meetings now? Picture a more local version of that for the next four years -- not a pretty sight.

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Et Tu, Blue Dogs?

Julie Farby | Posted 12.01.2009 | Politics

Read More: Health Care Reform, Blue Dogs, Max Baucus, Republicans, Senate Finance Committee, Health Care, Blue Dog Democrats, Politics News
Julie Farby

Everyone knows there's more than one way to eat a Reese's, but turns out there's also more than one option when it comes to a public option. For health care, of course!

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25 Blue Dogs Have Said They Support a Public Option

firedoglake.com | Jane Hamsher | Posted 11.28.2009 | Politics

Read More: Blue Dogs, Blue-Dog-Public-Plan, Public Option, Blue Dogs Health Care, Blue Dogs Coalition, Blue Dog Democrats, Politics News

The fact that a Blue Dog has supported a public option in the past does not mean that they will support one now -- their principles tend to be lobbyis...

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Friday Talking Points [95] -- A Call To Action

Chris Weigant | Posted 11.25.2009 | Politics

Read More: Progressives, Al Franken, Chief of Staff, Reform, Alan Grayson, Paul Kirk, Aid of the Party, Emanuel, Midotw, Glenn Greenwald, Nancy Pelosi, Department of Justice, Most Impressive Democrat of the Week, Health Care, Peter Paul and Mary, Reid, Public Option, Democrat, House Progressives, Congress, Mary Travers, Democrats, Barack Obama, Ted Kennedy, Acorn, Progressive, Constitution, Mddotw, Rahm Emanuel, Party, Health, Blue Dogs, Harry Reid, Republicans, Senate, Healthcare, President Obama, David Kris, Sherrod Brown, Obama, Democratic, Democratic Party, Friday Talking Points, Fourth Amendment, Republican, Paul Wellstone, Pelosi, Defense Contractor, Co-Op, Baucus, Typewriter, Most Disappointing Democrat of the Week, Rahm, Representative Grayson, Trigger, Time for All Good Men, House, Franken, Rahmbo, Surreal, Fraud, Chris Weigant, Max Baucus, Kris, Politics News
Chris Weigant

The progressives and Blue Dogs are going to have a showdown. It is going to culminate not in statements to the press (or the lack thereof), not in some whispered whip count, but rather in a very public vote.

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Blue Dog Leader Works With Theocratic "Mafia" Opposed to Health Care Reform

Bruce Wilson | Posted 11.25.2009 | Politics

Read More: Health Care, Blue Dogs, Bart Stupak, Family Research Council, John Ensign, Demint, C Street House, The Family, Todd Tiahrt, C Street, Politics News
Bruce Wilson

Those in the powerful, secretive, Washington Christian fundamentalist association known as The Family have led some of the most virulent opposition to health care reform and especially a "public option".

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Ryan Grim

Blue Dog Opposition To Public Option Fades In Whip Count

HuffingtonPost.com | Ryan Grim | Posted 11.24.2009 | Politics

Read More: Blue Dogs, Blue Dog Public Option Whip Count, Blue Dog Whip Count, Blue Dogs Public Option, Politics News

Blocking a public health insurance option is a relatively low priority for conservative Blue Dog Democrats, according to an ongoing survey of its memb...

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Ryan Grim

Dog Fight: Dueling Whip Counts Hold Fate Of Public Option

HuffingtonPost.com | Ryan Grim | Posted 11.23.2009 | Politics

Read More: Blue Dogs, Health Care Fight, Health Care in House, Health Care Whip Count, House Health Care Fight, Politics News

The Blue Dog Coalition is engaged in a member-to-member whip operation in the House, beginning with a survey of its 52 lawmakers, to find out where th...

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Ryan Grim

Frank Bites Back, Demands Retraction Of Blue Dog Comments In Politico

HuffingtonPost.com | Ryan Grim | Posted 11.21.2009 | Politics

Read More: Retraction, Walt Minnick, Council, Barney Frank, Recession, Larry Summers, Reform, Regulation, Community Banks, Blue Dog Coalition, Wall Street, Cfpa, Consumer Financial Protection Agency, Financial Services Committee, Politico, Blue Dogs, Banks, Economy, Politics News

Backers of President Obama's cornerstone financial regulatory reform proposal pushed back Monday against the Blue Dog Coalition, which is promoting a ...

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Blue Dogs Aim To Scrap Obama's Financial Product Safety Commission

Politico | Victoria McGrane | Posted 11.20.2009 | Politics

Read More: Blue Dogs, Obama Wall Street, Product Safety Commissin, Obama Wall Street Regulation, Wall Street Regulation, Walt Minnick, Financial Product Safety Commission, Politics News

Blue Dogs and other conservative Democrats -- uneasy with a key element of President Barack Obama's plan to regulate Wall Street -- are rallying aroun...

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Daily Pulse: Dissecting the Baucus Bill

Lindsay Beyerstein | Posted 11.17.2009 | Politics

Read More: Blue Dogs, Health Insurance Industry, Baucus, Individual Mandate Plan, Public Option, Tapped, Health Care, Ted Kennedy, Tim Fernholtz, Capitalism: A Love Story, Politics News
Lindsay Beyerstein

In capitalism, if your product is too expensive, people don't buy it. Under Baucusism, the government forces you to buy insurance and kicks in some money to help you afford it.

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