Don’t Take Blue Dog’s Word for It: It’s Worthless
Rep. Mike Ross, head of the House Blue Dogs, says he can no longer abide a deal he made with White House chief of staff (and Blue Dog patron saint?) Rahm Emanuel. Ross' vision of the public option already made liberals queasy, but now the Arkansas Democrat says even that version is too much.
Rep. Mike Ross, head of the House Blue Dogs, says he can no longer abide a deal he made with White House chief of staff (and Blue Dog patron saint?) Rahm Emanuel. Ross’ vision of the public option already made liberals queasy, but now the Arkansas Democrat says even that version is too much.
This isn’t a total surprise. The August recess has weakened proponents of serious health care reform (including a public option), and it doesn’t help that President Obama and leading Democrats have indicated a willingness to cave.
We’ll see what happens at Obama’s big speech Wednesday, but we’re not holding our breath. — PS
WAIT BEFORE YOU GO...Washington Post:
Rep. Mike Ross (Ark.) of the Blue Dog Coalition said he could no longer support any bill that included the creation of a public option, a key element of a proposal he helped craft in July in marathon negotiating sessions with party leaders and White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel.
“An overwhelming number of you oppose a government-run health insurance option, and it is your feedback that has led me to oppose the public option as well,” Ross said in a statement to constituents.
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