TCUnation
social network for conservatives
WHITE HOUSE TO DEMOCRATS: 'PUNCH BACK TWICE AS HARD'
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0809/25891.html
Top White House aides gave Senate Democrats a recess battle plan on Thursday, arming the lawmakers with tips for avoiding disastrous town hall meetings while showing them polling on popular aspects of the reform effort.
Senior White House adviser David Axelrod and deputy chief of staff Jim Messina told senators to focus on the insured and how they would benefit from “consumer protections" in the overhaul, such as ending the practice of denying insurance based on preexisting conditions and ensuring the continuity of coverage between jobs.
They showed video clips of the confrontational town halls that have dominated the media coverage, and told senators to do more prep work than usual for their public meetings by making sure their own supporters turn out, senators and aides said.
And they screened TV ads and reviewed the various campaigns by critics of the Democratic plan.
“If you get hit, we will punch back twice as hard,” Messina said, according to an official who attended the meeting.
The hourlong session was the last opportunity for Democratic leaders and the White House to prepare senators for what will be a crucial month in shaping public opinion on health care. With no final legislation to promote, senators have expressed concern about dealing with questions and criticisms about the almost $1 trillion overhaul. The spate of confrontational town hall meetings have raised the stakes.
“They are just helping us understand the fringe that is trying to mess up our meetings,” said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.).
Senators were urged to zero in on the insured, who need to be convinced that there is something in the bill for them. “The next five weeks is about closing the sale with the insured population,” Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) said.
Axelrod and Messina also presented polling that showed the insurance reforms were popular with women and rural residents.
“There is unprecedented insurance reforms — things that have never been done,” said Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.), a member of the Health, Energy, Labor and Pensions Committee, which approved its health care bill last month. “In our committee, we had to vote, and 10 Republicans voted against all those insurance reforms — every single one of them. Not many people know that but if I have anything to do with it, they will know it.”
The Senate Democratic caucus meeting followed a sitdown earlier Thursday at the White House between President Barack Obama and the six Finance Committee members who have been trying to negotiate a bipartisan bill.
The president urged the group to continue work on a compromise, but it also discussed the possibility of Democrats going it alone if the talks proved fruitless.
"If Republicans aren't there, it could get to the point where sometime after the recess. ... Democrats may have to go in a different direction," Baucus said. "I hope not, but we have to face facts."
But, he added, "I don't think it will become a reality."
The six senators met for about an hour with Obama and discussed policy issues including the expansion of Medicaid. For part of the meeting, they kicked their staff members out of the room, Baucus said. The group includes Baucus, Sen. Kent Conrad (D-N.D.), Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.), Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Sen. Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.) and Sen. Olympia Snow (R-Maine).
"He encouraged us to continue with the effort and we talked about what policies are better than some others, and how we should keep working through the August recess," Baucus said. "We may reach a point though where have to take stock when we get back. At that point, if things are going great, fine. If not then we may have to go in some other direction."
Snowe said they told Obama there would be no hiatus in their talks through the break, and they agreed to assess their progress in September.
“He is concerned about timelines throughout the fall,” Snowe said. “And he didn’t issue, frankly, any timelines, which I think we also appreciated. He understands there needs to be flexibility, but he obviously knows that time marches on. So he just wants to see what the standing will be at that point so he knows how to proceed himself in moving forward.”
Top White House aides gave Senate Democrats a recess battle plan on Thursday, arming the lawmakers with tips for avoiding disastrous town hall meetings while showing them polling on popular aspects of the reform effort.
Senior White House adviser David Axelrod and deputy chief of staff Jim Messina told senators to focus on the insured and how they would benefit from “consumer protections" in the overhaul, such as ending the practice of denying insurance based on preexisting conditions and ensuring the continuity of coverage between jobs.
They showed video clips of the confrontational town halls that have dominated the media coverage, and told senators to do more prep work than usual for their public meetings by making sure their own supporters turn out, senators and aides said.
And they screened TV ads and reviewed the various campaigns by critics of the Democratic plan.
“If you get hit, we will punch back twice as hard,” Messina said, according to an official who attended the meeting.
The hourlong session was the last opportunity for Democratic leaders and the White House to prepare senators for what will be a crucial month in shaping public opinion on health care. With no final legislation to promote, senators have expressed concern about dealing with questions and criticisms about the almost $1 trillion overhaul. The spate of confrontational town hall meetings have raised the stakes.
“They are just helping us understand the fringe that is trying to mess up our meetings,” said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.).
Senators were urged to zero in on the insured, who need to be convinced that there is something in the bill for them. “The next five weeks is about closing the sale with the insured population,” Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) said.
Axelrod and Messina also presented polling that showed the insurance reforms were popular with women and rural residents.
“There is unprecedented insurance reforms — things that have never been done,” said Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.), a member of the Health, Energy, Labor and Pensions Committee, which approved its health care bill last month. “In our committee, we had to vote, and 10 Republicans voted against all those insurance reforms — every single one of them. Not many people know that but if I have anything to do with it, they will know it.”
The Senate Democratic caucus meeting followed a sitdown earlier Thursday at the White House between President Barack Obama and the six Finance Committee members who have been trying to negotiate a bipartisan bill.
The president urged the group to continue work on a compromise, but it also discussed the possibility of Democrats going it alone if the talks proved fruitless.
"If Republicans aren't there, it could get to the point where sometime after the recess. ... Democrats may have to go in a different direction," Baucus said. "I hope not, but we have to face facts."
But, he added, "I don't think it will become a reality."
The six senators met for about an hour with Obama and discussed policy issues including the expansion of Medicaid. For part of the meeting, they kicked their staff members out of the room, Baucus said. The group includes Baucus, Sen. Kent Conrad (D-N.D.), Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.), Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Sen. Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.) and Sen. Olympia Snow (R-Maine).
"He encouraged us to continue with the effort and we talked about what policies are better than some others, and how we should keep working through the August recess," Baucus said. "We may reach a point though where have to take stock when we get back. At that point, if things are going great, fine. If not then we may have to go in some other direction."
Snowe said they told Obama there would be no hiatus in their talks through the break, and they agreed to assess their progress in September.
“He is concerned about timelines throughout the fall,” Snowe said. “And he didn’t issue, frankly, any timelines, which I think we also appreciated. He understands there needs to be flexibility, but he obviously knows that time marches on. So he just wants to see what the standing will be at that point so he knows how to proceed himself in moving forward.”
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by James on -
I believe some of the libs are seeing their 'jobs' going away and will get away from this socialized health care crap when the time comes to vote on it . Their attacks on our efforts are proof....it is working!!.... this administration is sinking and it will gather speed on it's down-hill spiral!.. I have been Praying to God for our rescue and I believe it is working. Keep praying and protesting, t-partying, emailing fishy stuff to other angry mobsters and strive to be heard!! I thank the libs for finally showing everybody who they really are ...at least all the people that had their heads in the sand for some time, and even allowed this arab to be elected!! I believe the "senate-night live" will not pass this crap. (well, of course franken will vote for it ....that's why he was 'placed' there)
-
-
Permalink Reply by MMS on
-
James, I believe that too!! If it happens to pass (PLEASE, GOD DON'T LET THAT HAPPEN) it will the dumbocrats carrying the ball and will be wiped out come 2010. It is sad to see them not "listen" to the people. Besides the town hall meetings.......they had a clue that "we the people" do not like this plan. They have been flooded with emails, faxes, letters, and phone calls. Their blatant ignoring of "we the people" is STUPID AND STUCK ON DUMB.
-
-
Permalink Reply by Gilia R on
-
The thugocracy at work! After all, during the election 0bama said of campaign tactics: "If they bring a knife, we'll bring a gun." Welcome to Chicago politics, USA!
-
-
Permalink Reply by Dennis Bando on
-
What a surprise....the beloved turncoat Olympia Snow getting involved in how to calm the waters.....she's a snow-job if there ever once was...
-
-
Permalink Reply by Garfield Holmes on -
Olympia says she is done this time around. Not running again. Something tells me she has secured a position in the Obama administration. Good riddance!
-
-
Permalink Reply by Patty Pruett on
-
WATCH THIS VIDEO !! WOO-HOO !!! - Don't let the words - WHITES WILL RIOT - within the title offend you.
TRUST ME...
http://nalert.blogspot.com/2009/07/white-folks-will-riot-pastor-man... -- -
-
Permalink Reply by Freedom Rider on -
Prayer works! Let's work it.....can you feel the liberals squirming? Thew power of prayers is a force to be dealt with! 'o'bsama doesn't believe in God I feel. Time to introduce him to the power of prayer! Glory be to God!
-
-
-
If you get a chance read the Patriots Bible....an incredible reminder of how God has been involved in the building of the ideals of this country....these cowards Dems. are trying to remove God from everything because of the minority Atheists that open their squirmy mouths...this book would shut them.
-
-
Permalink Reply by Ralph "Graywolf" Hill on -
Today Aug 10, Watch Glenn Beck show on FoxNews. Reruns on later tonight. It is on as I speak but will be rerun several times tonight.
-
-
-
Who are the Denocrats supposed to punch back with, cowards like Spector? This Bozo would punch back like the inflatable Bozo's we punch for Christmas Toys. Maybe they're going to punch back with a real screamer like Robert Gibbs who can't complete a complete sentence. Maybe he's going to fight back with his pink tie.....come on Democrats...bring it on...I'm really scared.
-
© 2013 Created by Earl B.
