Tweet
After the Republican ransom note on the health care summit, one could be forgiven for assuming that the whole thing would probably blow up and not happen. But for now, there’s a tentative agreement. Today, Minority Whip Eric Cantor said that he would attend the summit:
Cantor: Well Jane, first of all, we’re going to show up because we want to continue to try and reflect what the American people are asking for. And really, right now it’s up to the President and Speaker Pelosi to start listening to the American people…
Yadda yadda yadda. But when asked point blank if Republicans would show up to the summit, Cantor said, “absolutely.”
At this point I’m not sure what either side thinks they can get out of this meeting. Republicans have probably calculated that they would be seen as obstructionists if they declined to attend, perhaps reading polls showing that Republicans are being blamed more than Democrats for not reaching out on finding common ground. But getting a spotlight for “their ideas” doesn’t really seem possible, other than perhaps as a talking point to use later. Anyway, if they thought their ideas were popular, they wouldn’t be so invested in hiding them.
For the President and Congressional Democrats, they may want to prove that the process is open before moving forward on a vote. But there doesn’t seem to be any emphasis on corraling those votes necessary to move forward. The process is problematic, but the votes are more so.
I agree with Ta-Nehisi Coates on this one:
Is he seriously interested in changing the bill to include more Republican ideas. Seriously? If not then what is he doing? Trying to show the American people how broad-minded he is? I like how Obama has come out over the past week. But I can’t escape the feeling that there is no real plan. One day Rahm is telling us that health care is fifth on the list of priorities, the next day Obama is telling us that it’s still at the top–or some such.
I’m having a really hard time seeing how this is going to happen. They don’t have the votes. And by Obama’s lights, it doesn’t seem to much that can be done to create them. If Democrats lose this, with the kind of majority they command right now, with a Democratic president, why should any voter trust them to do any of the heavy lifting that’s needed in this country?
Indeed.
2 Comments
Support this site!
Subscribe to the newsletter
Advertise on Firedoglake
Send
us your tips
Make us your homepage
About FDL News Desk
We’ll get a huge amount of political theater with both sides talking past one another as neither wants to hear what the other has to say. Obama is set staying the course with the bills already in Congress and Republicans are set on opposing whatever bill there is, so this theatrical production wont accomplish anything substantive.
Just back from reading about the polls you link to – and, regrettably, the comments. Filled with Repub talking points, one after another, calling Obama or “libs” or “dems” Commies or socialists. Several, no surprise, incoherent or mangled spelling. (oh, sorry, was that “condescending?”)
Including of course, the listing of stuff that “should be” in a health reform bill – which ARE in the bill. As Rachel just reported.
The R’s have done their disinformation well. What Obama has been doing in the last couple of weeks is a year too late. How was it not obvious how the R’s (not to mention the Blue Dogs) would do?