Research Briefing

Dems Run From Obama And Pelosi As They Make Another Push For Government-Run Health Care

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THOSE WHO VOTED FOR THE BILL FLEE, WHILE THOSE WHO VOTED AGAINST STAND PAT

Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI): “Right Now, I’m A No Vote… It’s Not Just Abortion Language, It’s Plenty Of Other Issues.” (Kristin Jensen, “Obama Looks To Rally Public In ‘Uphill Battle’ On Health Bill,” Bloomberg, 3/8/10)

Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-IL) Will Oppose Legislation That Doesn’t Include The Stupak Language. “Asked if the congressman is ‘open to voting for a health care bill that lacks the Stupak amendment,’ Lipinski's spokesman Nathaniel Zimmer replied in an email to THE WEEKLY STANDARD: ‘No. Congressman Lipinski will not vote for a health care bill that provides federal funding for abortion.’” (John McCormack, “Illinois Democrat Lipinski Will Switch From Yes To No If Health Bill Lacks Stupak Amendment,” The Weekly Standard, 3/8/10)

“On Sunday, Congressman Michael Arcuri Of Utica Says He Intends To Vote No On The Senate's Version Of The Bill As It Stands Now.” (Gary Liberator, “Arcuri To Vote 'No' On Senate's Health Care Reform Bill,” WKTV.com, 3/8/10)

• Rep. Arcuri Favors An Incremental Approach. “I think the President wants action, but many people that represent moderate districts such as myself think that hey, you know, we need to take this thing and do it in a more incremental way, and we continue to think that.” (Gary Liberator, “Arcuri To Vote 'No' On Senate's Health Care Reform Bill,” WKTV.com, 3/8/10)

• Other New York Dems, Reps. Dan Maffei (D-NY) And Bill Owens (D-NY) Undecided. “As a result of their concerns about a final bill, Democratic Reps. Dan Maffei, Michael Arcuri and Bill Owens are emerging as a key block of swing votes that could make or break the historic legislation….Maffei, Arcuri and Owens say they have problems with the Senate bill. They claim it treats New York state unfairly by taxing expensive health care plans provided by employers, and by potentially shifting an extra $1 billion a year in Medicaid burden on the state.” (Mark Weiner, “Central NY Congressmen Emerge as Key Swing Votes on Final Health Care Bill,” Syracuse Post-Standard, 03/08/10)

Government Run Health Care So Unpopular In Alabama Rep. Artur Davis (D-AL) Will “Take A Break From His Campaign For Governor” To Oppose It. “Rep. Artur Davis (D-Ala.), who opposed the House version of the healthcare reform bill last year, will make sure to take a break from his campaign for governor to travel to Washington to vote against the final version of the bill… Lawmakers seeking higher office are prone to missing roll call votes as they hit the campaign trail but Davis's office told The Hill that he intends to make the trek north from Alabama to cast his vote against the legislation -- and his party's leadership.” (Jeffrey Young, “Alabama Dem Lawmaker Will Break From Campaign Trail To Oppose Health Reform,” The Hill, 3/8/10)

Rep. John Adler (D-NJ): “If The House And The Senate Can’t Work Out Cost Containment, I Don’t See How I Support A Bill That Doesn’t Help Our Business Community And Create More Jobs.” (FOX’s “Fox News Sunday,” 3/7/10)

Rep. Brian Baird (D-WA) Voted No And Suggests Pelosi Shouldn’t Count On Retiring Dems Changing Their Minds. “So at the end of the day, to say, well, do this for political reasons or don’t do it for political reasons, makes no difference to me.” (CNN’s “State Of The Union,” 3/7/10)

Rep. Jason Altmire (D-PA) Thinks The Bill Has Insufficient Cost Containment. “Rep. Jason Altmire (D., Pa.), also appearing on Fox, said he needed ‘to see a much clearer picture of the cost containment.’ He suggested strengthening provisions in the bill aimed at shifting the way providers are reimbursed, to be based on quality of care rather than the number of procedures performed.” (John D. McKinnon & Jared Favole, “Democrats Voice Health-Bill Doubts,” The Wall Street Journal, 3/8/10)

Wavering Blue Dog Rep. Mike Ross (D-AR) Will Stay A “No” Vote. “Democratic Rep. Mike Ross, a Blue Dog from Arkansas, will vote against President Obama’s health-care reform, a spokesman told The Daily Caller Monday. ‘He’s a no,’ spokesman Brad Howard said by e-mail, in response to an ongoing survey of all 38 House Democrats who voted against health care legislation in the fall.” (Jon Ward, “Arkansas Democrat Rep. Mike Ross To Vote No On Obama Health Care Proposal," The Daily Caller, 3/8/10)

WHILE VULNERABLE DEMS HIDE FROM OBAMA WHEN HE’S TRYING TO CAMPAIGN FOR THEM

Obama Campaigned For His Health Care Take-Over In Philly, But Dems In Close Races Stayed Far Away From Him. “As Pres. Obama makes his latest health care pitch, several Dems who will have to answer for the legislation didn't bother to join him on the first leg of his trip. Obama is in Glenside, PA, today, before traveling to the St. Louis area tomorrow. But Reps. Patrick Murphy (D-PA), Chris Carney (D-PA) and Tim Holden (D-PA), 3 incumbents who could face tough re-election fights, were not expected to attend the event, according to the WH.” (Reid Wilson, “Vulnerable Dems Absent From Obama Speech,” The National Journal’s “Hotline On Call” Blog, 3/8/10)

AND DEM CONGRESSMAN ERIC MASSA ISN’T LEAVING QUIETLY

Rep. Eric Massa (D-NY) Suggests He Was Forced Out So Health Care Will Pass Because Obama And Pelosi “Will Stop At Nothing.” “Mine is now the deciding vote on the health care bill… And this administration and this House leadership have said, quote-unquote, they will stop at nothing to pass this health care bill. And now they've gotten rid of me and it will pass. You connect the dots.” (Mike Allen, “Obama Warns Staff About Sniping -- Durbin Plays Hardball As Schumer Makes Deals -- Chris Anchoring 'Hardball' From Jerusalem -- Madden Joins Jim Dyke & Associates -- Putting The 'Hurt' On,” Politico’s “Mike Allen’s Playbook,” 3/8/10)

“Rahm Emanuel Is Son Of The Devil’s Spawn,” Massa Said, According To City Hall. “He Is An Individual Who Would Sell His Mother To Get A Vote. He Would Strap His Children To The Front End Of A Steam Locomotive.” (Ben Smith, “’Rahm Is The Devil's Spawn,’” Politico’s “Ben Smith” Blog, 3/8/10)

Massa Going On The Glenn Beck TV Show For A Full Hour To Slam Dem Leadership. “Rep. Eric Massa’s (D-N.Y.) scorching attack on Democrats — while a lot of attention is going to a silly story about Rahm Emanuel, he accuses his party of trying to 'shove the [health care] bill down our throats' — will be amplified tomorrow with a full-hour interview on Glenn Beck’s Fox News show.” (David Weigel, “Eric Massa To Rip Democrats On Glenn Beck’s Fox News Show,” The Washington Independent, 3/8/10)