The Confusing Courage of Our Senate Candidates
Submitted by Anthony Fossaceca on Tue, 03/16/2010 - 2:13pm.
When President Obama appeared in Lorain last month, OhioDaily tried twice to pin down Lt. Governor Lee Fisher on whether or not he believed the U.S. House should pass the Senate health care bill. Fisher's answer was less than decisive. He nodded "yes" but he said he'd "leave it up to those in DC to figure out what the best process is." I felt at the time that Fisher's response exposed a vulnerability that others had been calling him out for - a lack of courage to take a stand.
In sharp contrast was the response of Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner who several weeks ago, when asked should the House pass the Senate version, responded "no."
Here's the video:
Now, I'm fine with her answer. I appreciate the quick response. She delivers it without hesitation and offers a follow up to explain her rationale. I came away impressed.
Today, however, my jaw is on the ground as I see in an email blast from her campaign, Brunner calling on the House to pass the bill because "this is a time for courage."
To the best of my knowledge, nothing has changed in the past month to warrant such a sudden turnaround. The bill hasn't changed, right? It's a straight vote on the Senate version, correct? Then why the change in position?
I happen to agree with Brunner - this time. I did not agree with her a month ago when she said the bill shouldn't pass. So calling her out now seems as confusing as praising her a month ago. However, if I'm going to be expected to cover this race with some degree of fairness, I think I owe it to our readers to say "WTF?" every once in a while.
So, Velvet Inferno...WTF?
WHY?
Brunner just lost my vote. I can not vote for someone who does not support healthcare. This shows the desperation the Brunner campaign is in. I do not like Lee Fisher all that much. He doesn't give me that warm friendly feeling that makes me want to go and support him among my friends and neighbors but I can not vote for any "D" who does not support Health Reform. Her statements remind me of commercials from 2004 of John Kerry flying in the wind.
Historyapollo, I think you only read half the post
She IS in favour of voting for the bill. I think like a lot of people she may have thought a month or two ago that more things would be changing - and some will be – but she is in favour of it. Pay attention. Also, John Kerry has been a strong progressive, and if you were buying Republican hit adds, I wonder how much of a Democrat you are.
Seriously
OK, I admit, my reference to John Kerry could have been construed negatively. My point was that I can already see the ads now. I think the Democrats should show some fortitude and get this bill passed. Period. I do not care what they have to get it done, to just get it done. Please, I seriously doubt there are very many people that can question my dem/progressive bonafidas.
Reconciliation Fixes
Aren't the reconciliation fixes what has changed? Because of Congressional procedure the House will technically pass the Senate bill, but then immediately amend it with the excise tax tweak and removal of many of the special deals. I also think the subsidies are getting tweaked upwards, but I could be wrong.
This may mark a change in position for Brunner (though I think it's subtle if it is), but it's one I support.
I think so
I think it's also a sense of political reality. Last summer, my congresswoman Marcia Fudge said she would not vote for a bill without a public option, but she was also convinced then that there WOULD be a public option. Since then, she has obviously taken a good look at the bill, decided it helps far more than it hurts and is going to vote for it. I don't have a problem with this, nor do i have a problem with Jennifer's stand because some of the things she objected to – a lot of us objected to — like special treatment for Nebraska, are not going to be in there.
Apparently not (there are amendments included)
To quote DKos
(emphasis added)