There's a lot of noise around "town halls'' this summer, such as the one that Rep. Lloyd Doggett of Texas held, above, but the Senate's No. 2 Democrat says it is the White House that will "own the pulpit'' during the August recess.
by Mark Silva
For all the furor over protestors of the president's healthcare reform plans shutting down congressional town hall meetings this summer, Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), the Senate's No. 2 Democrat, says President Obama "will own the pulpit'' this summer, during an August recess that gives Democrats time to sell the plan.
. "Most presidents can't wait for Congress to leave town," Durbin says in an interview with Bloomberg News. "They own the pulpit" and can "really dominate the news."
As lawmakers return to their home states and districts, polls have shown growing disapproval with the way Obama is handling healthcare. "Although there's been a lot of misinformation out there, when the voters across America, all stripes, hear the basic goals of health-care reform, they come back," Durbin said.
Durbin opposes taxing health-care benefits provided to individuals by employers. Still, he says, to help finance the plan he may support taxing insurance companies that offer expensive plans.
"The number is important in terms of what the value of the plan is," Durbin said. "And whether it is a tax on the insurance companies, or the person being insured makes a big difference. If it's on the companies and the level of the tax is one that I can live with, I think that's an appropriate way to push."
If they can't reach a bipartisan agreement, Bloomberg's James Rowley notes, Senate leaders could invoke a "reconciliation" to pass legislation with just a 51-vote margin instead of the 60 votes normally needed to move legislation in the Senate.
"I wouldn't put it at the probable status, but I would put it in the possible status" because the Senate "left that opening" when it passed a budget resolution earlier this year, Durbin said. Quoting Obama, Durbin said, "obviously we're going to keep reconciliation as an option. We'd rather not go that route."
Comments
Don't worry, Senator Durbin.
Your friends in the media are already making sure that Obama's views are the only ones heard. On any issue.
Posted by: Change in 2012 | August 7, 2009 8:29 AM
I think the right wingers are going to lose the "health care debate" if Obama starts attending/holding this type of meeting.
Actually, Obama wins either way. Even if Replican money is able to buy enough votes to scuttle his plan, he'll still be seen as a hero.
So, paid Replitrolls: have at him.
Try to shout Obama down.
It will be an interesting contrast to how predecessor GWBush spent Augusts, sitting on his veranda in Crawford TX getting sloshed.
Posted by: ornery | August 7, 2009 8:38 AM
They can act as undemocratic as they wish, these hecklers and bought shills will not prevent healthcare reform from being enacted. The Insurance Corporations are bleeding Americans dry. Premiums are off the charts and out of pocket expenses are eating up, many a sick person's savings. Government run programs have served our nation well. Look at the G.I. Bill and how it allowed many returning Veterans, the means to go to college, which helped to develop the biggest middle-class in America's history. Look at our healthcare programs for our men and women in uniform. In spite of that lapse of care, during the Bush&Cheney years, their care has always been, second to none. Social Security is another government run program that has helped our elderly Americans, in some case saved their lives. What about Unemployment Insurance ? Medicare is another life-saver, to those who may have been hit with serious illness, or accident. What is so terribly wrong with helping those citizens who need help? We didn't hesitate when the Banks or the Corporations needed a bail-out and it was pure, unadulterated greed that caused that scheme !! It is about time America joined the other industrial nations and provided a government-run healthcare program for her citizens. As President Obama has said, repeatedly: " It is an option. No one is saying you have to choose the government program. If you like your health insurance, you can keep it. It is that simple."
Come on, America, use your head. Our economy can not sustain the Corporate Insurers Healthcare, much longer. It will definitely sink our economy. These Corporations need to be forced to reign in their greed and their callousness. One way to do that; support a government-sponsored healthcare option. It will force the private Insures to bring down their costs and provide real healthcare coverage to their patients.
Here is some very good reading material on the issue:
http://blogs.chicagotribune.com/news_columnists_ezorn/2009/08/never-mind-the-anecdotes-do-canadians-like-their-health-care-system.html
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, IL | August 7, 2009 8:49 AM
When it comes to the Swamp, Obama ALREADY owns the pulpit.
Take this month for example. A look at the August Swamp stories shows 37 stories featuring Obama and other Democrats, and attacks on Republicans, versus only 6 articles featuring Republicans or attacks on Democrats. There have been more articles on Obama's bowling, Obama's golf game, and the "young Obama", than articles on what the GOP says about Obama's programs.
37 to 6.
The Swamp pulpit has already been given to Obama.
Posted by: Bruce | August 7, 2009 9:13 AM
Sotomayor confirmed, unemployment rate unexpectedly drops, right-wing health care wackos going too far and alienating law-abiding ordinary citizens…
Things are looking up for the president…
http://www.political-buzz.com/
Posted by: matt | August 7, 2009 9:15 AM
Listen up Sen. Durbin, he may own the pulpit, but the American people are not going to swallow his message. Many of the people out there do not want their taxes raised to the hilt. The others that will swallow his drivel are looking for something for nothing. Of course that's all we have received from this President,nothing just a lot of talk and a lot of unemployment and a lot of taxes.I wonder what people were thinking when they voted this tax and spend man into office,?
Posted by: Paul | August 7, 2009 9:53 AM
Durbin has no creditability since he two faced with Burris senatorial selection.
A good description- " Obama Rubber Stamp".
Posted by: Inky | August 7, 2009 10:07 AM
August? I'd say Barack has the pulpit for the next 8 years.
He's sort of a combo of Billy Graham and JFK.
Posted by: ornery | August 7, 2009 10:37 AM
I am extremely disappointed with Sen. Durbin on many fronts.
He keeps mentioning a plan. All it is - is a proposed bill with little to no details that when revealed are of serious concern. The plan he is really referring to is the concepts that they keep feeding us as if they are on some campaign.
I for one will not be giving them a blank check made out to "Health Care Reform" with no way of knowing what that really means.
I also find it strange that he opposes taxing me for the benefits I get via my employer but is ok with taxing the insurer. In the end it will be the same thing my cost will rise one way or the other.
Tribune why aren't you cover the below article on the front page of the WSJ
**
France Fights Universal Care's High Cost
France claims it long ago achieved much of what today's U.S. health-care overhaul is seeking: It covers everyone, and provides what supporters say is high-quality care. But soaring costs are pushing the system into crisis. The result: As Congress fights over whether America should be more like France, the French government is trying to borrow U.S. tactics.
Posted by: MinisterR | August 7, 2009 10:44 AM
Posted by: Bruce: "There have been more articles on Obama's bowling, Obama's golf game, and the "young Obama", than articles on what the GOP says about Obama's programs."
Which is fair, considering the only thing the GOP ever says is "NO" Looks like GOP mob rule is trying to take over the podium at town hall meetings.
Posted by: mort | August 7, 2009 12:59 PM
The nutjobs who are disruptuing the Healthcare Townhalls are corporate sponsored teabaggers and they aren't there to discuss healthcare, they're there to SHUT DOWN the healthcare conversation for the health insurance industry and the RNC.
That's right: We wouldn't want an intelligent debate, would we? Because God knows what kind of horrible things might result if Americans were thoughtfully informed. Certainly the Republican/Conservative agenda would not be realized.
.
http://crooksandliars.com/david-neiwert/teabaggers-want-voice-health-care-fo
Posted by: not a skeptic | August 7, 2009 1:15 PM
You know the hired Teabagger thugs/Opponents of health-care reform for poor and middle-class Americans -- which obviously includes nearly every talking head who appears on Faux News -- are getting desperate when they start trying to scare elderly people by suggesting that President Obama's health-care plans will mean euthanization for old folks when they get hurt.
That's what the lunatic fringe crew at Faux & Friends on Monday morning did, led by "Faux News legal analyst" Peter Johnson Jr., and aided and abetted by Brian Kilmeade and Gretchen Carlson.
.
http://dneiwert.blogspot.com/2009/07/fox-friends-crew-frighten-elderly.html
Posted by: DrainYou | August 7, 2009 1:33 PM
These corporate sponored teabagger thugs who are being bussed in to purposely disrupt things, are taking away the opportunity for average Americans to discuss healthcare at townhalls with their law makers. If the Republicans actually had anything to contribute to the healthcare discussion they wouldn't have to hire teabagger thugs to perfom their fake outrage performance art all over the country.
Stephen Colbert EXPOSES the fake teabagger "protesters" for what they are - low income stooges for the Big Healthcare Lobby.
.
http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/240728/august-04-2009/the-word---hippie-replacement
.
Posted by: Teresa | August 7, 2009 1:46 PM
This is one of the many reasons why Americans are leaving the Republican party in droves.
BIG HEALTH INSURANCE LOBBY/CORPORATE SPONSORED REPUBLICAN TEA-BAGGER THUGS - THREATEN THE LIFE OF A DEM CONGRESSMAN OVER HEALTHCARE BILL:
.
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/08/dem-congressmans-office-his-life-has-been-threatened-over-health-care-bill.php?ref=fpblg
Posted by: Ken | August 7, 2009 1:50 PM
How To Recognize A Big Healthcare Lobby Corporate Sponsored Republican Teabagger Liar When You See One At A Healthcare Townhall Meeting:
"Just because I don't have sophisticated language, I can recognize a liar when I see one."
--Hired Teabagger Liar, Don Jeror
Q: How can you tell if the RNC spokesgoons are lying?
A: A hired Teabagger thugs lips are moving at a Healthcare Townhall meeting
.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/08/04/durbin-schumer-town-hall_n_251077.html
Posted by: Disgusted | August 7, 2009 2:08 PM
Bruce,
The Swamp is kind enough to post your musings. Why don't you copy & paste the GOP plan? You waste time complaining when you could be explaining. Do you and your pals have any plans?
Posted by: common cents | August 7, 2009 2:48 PM
According to the scoring of CBO on the prevention & wellness program, all fitness centers around the world should close down immediately and all media have to end reporting health tips about prevention.
Immune System & Levee System :
All of the excellent health systems seem to have one thing in common, a expansive, systematic preventative program requiring immense investments. I think a prevention system works as a 'levee' built against flood by the government, similarly, it also needs non-profit investments from the government 'on a large scale'.
This might offer us the clue of why all of the free states have public insurance policy in place.
It won't be easy to draw some specific numbers on the economic effect of the 'levee' , but the flood measure lacking a stable 'levee' would be a house on sand, as the too high level of 'preventable' chronic diseases in America shows.
At present, about 75 percent of each health dollar goes to treating chronic conditions.
When tests reveal patients are at risk of a chronic disease, physicians have no benefit to help them make necessary changes to stay healthy. Rather, the system today is designed around treating patients once they become sick.
If current health care system could shift a small percentage of total spending into programs that help prevent people from getting sick in the first place, in combination with the KEY 'pay for OUTCOME' reimbursement reform based on IT SYSTEM, it would dramatically reduce the overall cost of care.
Thankfully, the health care reform bill currently before Congress makes several key investments in preventive care, and those pieces of the PUBLIC OPTION must be maintained.
"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.", said Benjamin Franklin , and 'Early Detection' goes beyond monetary value as we see the recent case.
As far as I'm concerned, the congress affected by the special interests has impeded the budget request for prevention program in Medicare & Medicaid. Let's imagine the costs and invaluable lives following the levee breach.
Time is ripe for CHANGE !
To see the forest, get a big picture, massive job creation, promising stem cell research, several times more economic effects from bed to work, relief on the mental stress and keep-eating-habit caused by deep-seated financial anxiety, which are the epicenter of a number of different diseases, and beyond lie ahead, to be sure.
Thank You !
Posted by: HSR0601 | August 7, 2009 3:18 PM
"Durbin has no creditability since he two faced with Burris senatorial selection. A good description- " Obama Rubber Stamp". "
Gee, and someone who can't even write complete sentences or spell the word "credibility" has more than Durbin? What a riotous joke you illiterate bumpkins are.
Posted by: Diane | August 7, 2009 4:22 PM
The plan of Obama lovers: rant about how anyone who disagrees with them is a (and I quote from the above posters) "lunatics", "hired thugs", "nutjobs", "wackos", "paid Replitrolls" and "bought shills."
Ah, the soft voices of reason.... The words of adult discussion of issues....
Posted by: Community Organizer | August 7, 2009 5:03 PM
common cents u r correct.
All Replicans have are slogans and invective:
"Putting seniors to death" etc.
Plus outright thuggery at town hall meetings.
After 2 thrashings, 2006 and 2008, you'd think they'd learn.
I think that really needs to be underscored at every opportunity.
They had no plan.
They have no plan.
They have no hope of having a plan.
When you are trying to pilot a ship, it's hard to be bipartisan with a bunch of barnacles.
Posted by: ornery | August 7, 2009 6:23 PM
While Senator Durbin can call our troops Nazis. He'll probably miss his roomy lil' Chucky while on recess
Posted by: Terry | August 7, 2009 7:50 PM