| The vote is in, and the Reid bill has passed on to debate by a vote of 60 - 39. And we don't even need to write the list, we can name them by memory. Debate will begin following the Thanksgiving break. I watched the last several hours of discussion, and was struck by the following: 1. The IIE lied. Not stretched the truth, just plain lied. Every time their turn came, it was the "when did you stop beating your wife?" discussion. 2. Robert Menendez (NJ) was masterful. He spoke not in terms of anecdotes, nor morality, but of the specific improvements that implementation of the reform bill would make to his constituents if enacted. 3. These are what the arguments will be as the bill moves to discussion, and later to conference. And it's important to notice who said what, and what they really meant. For the Republicans, the simple truth is that they had YEARS to make the incremental changes they claim they want. They had YEARS to improve the situation. They were the majority, the knew the deal. And they chose to do nothing. Their argument will be deficit spending, and that can take hold if the Democrats do not volley back with the comparative cost of doing nothing. For this is not just about health care, but also about the ability of our businesses to be competitive in a global marketplace. For the Democrats, it will be necessary to fight the lies quickly and simply, to explain what this bill means for the specific constituencies of workers with insurance, workers with no insurance, the unemployed uninsured, the elderly on Medicare, etc. etc. etc. While it IS a moral and ethical obligation for a country to provide health care for its citizens, that will not be the argument that will reach the masses. In the second sentence of the first paragrah, I mentioned that we know who voted in what manner. And we do: those of us who are political junkies. We can name all 100 Senators. (If you personally cannot, please keep it to yourself...I'm betting you can.) However, the majority of Americans can not name THEIR two senators, much less 20 senators. What THEY heard tonight, if they watched, or what THEY will read and see on news clips is the few lines that will resonate with their most base instincts. For the Fox News crowd, this means the idiotic speeches by McConnell and Bennett and Hatch - hard to deny because when you never beat your wife, you cannot have stopped beating her. Therefore, our words must be structured, on message, clear and to the point. I will try to find the Menendez speech and get it posted tomorrow so you can all see what I mean. THAT is the way to win this thing. Floor is open... |
