Legal Commentary

What Does Snowe Bring To The Table?

By Big Tent Democrat

Steve Benen writes:

Republicans aren't looking for concessions; they're looking to kill the legislation. . . . It's hard not to be impressed with these negotiations. Dems say, "How about a public option that would offer consumers a choice, and lower prices through competition?" Republicans reply, "No." Dems say, "OK, how about a system of non-profit co-ops"? Republicans reply, "No." Dems say, "How about a trigger, which would bring added competition to the system if private insurers fail to meet certain benchmarks?" Republicans reply, "No."

Anyone with a brain knew this. But here's the question, why do we need Olympia Snowe's vote? Steve writes "It's one thing to entertain the idea of a trigger to bring Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) into the fold[.]" Wait up, why do we need her in the fold? What do we get substantively for having Snowe in the fold? Can someone explain to me why Dems are even talking to her? There will be 60 Dem votes in the Senate soon enough (when MA replaces Ted Kennedy.) So why do we care about Olympia Snowe? What does she bring to the table? And at what cost?

It would be somewhat funny (in a tragic way) if Snowe goes for a public option but extracts the price of stripping out all the subsidies Ezra Klein loves so much. That would be damned ironic. All of Ezra Klein's deal breakers could become the bargaining chip for the public option. I wonder how he would feel about that? But that might be what is at stake if the fetishization of Olympia Snowe continues.

Speaking for me only

Full post as published by TalkLeft on September 07, 2009 (boomark / email).