Legal Commentary

Who Are The Dems Against A Public Option In The House?

By Big Tent Democrat

As longs as the Progressive Block holds, no health care reform bill without a public option will pass the House. But with Mike Ross' "shocking" opposition to the public option, the question came to me - what Democrats are against the public option in the House (of course all Republicans will oppose any health care reform bill). The Hill provides this handy dandy list of the 23 who have announced their opposition:

John Adler (N.J.), Jason Altmire (Pa.), John Barrow (Ga.), Dan Boren (Okla.) Rick Boucher (Va.), Allen Boyd (Fla.), Bobby Bright (Ala.), Travis Childers (Miss.), Jim Costa (Calif.), Henry Cuellar (Texas), Parker Griffith (Ala.), Frank Kratovil (Md.), Betsy Markey (Colo.) Eric Massa (N.Y.), Jim Matheson (Utah), Charlie Melancon (La.), Walt Minnick (Idaho), Tom Perriello (Va.), Earl Pomeroy (N.D.), Heath Shuler (N.C.), Bart Stupak (Mich.), John Tanner (Tenn.), Gene Taylor (Miss.)

As you can see, of the 23, 16 are from the South or other Deep Red states. They were always nos, and nos to any health care reform. Who are the other 7? Let's discuss them on the flip.

Eric Massa is opposing because he is for single payer. Somehow I think his No will become a Yes. Adler is in New Jersey, Costa is in California, Markey is in Colorado, Kratovil is in Maryland, Stupak is in Michigan, and Altmire is in Pennsylvania. My own view is that these representatives are almost certainly toast for 2010 whether they vote for a public option or not. Indeed, they are probably more likely to lose by voting against a public option.

My point is Pelosi can't worry about these reps. And they can't block a public option. At least, that is how I read it.

Speaking for me only

Full post as published by TalkLeft on September 08, 2009 (boomark / email).