I, like Robert Reich, hope Olympia Snowe will vote against the Baucus health care bill. That's because, as Mr. Reich says:
If Snowe decides not to sign on, history moves in a very different direction. Most important, the Senate Dems know they won't possibly have 60 votes they need. So they'll have to say goodbye to bipartisanship -- perhaps even farewell to Nelson, Landrieu, Webb and Bayh -- and bundle healthcare reform into a "reconciliation" bill that can pass with 51. This new goal post strengthens the hand of Senate progressives on the Finance Committee, like Rockefeller.
Reich's whole opinion piece at Salon is worth a read. But it also led me to an idea. Why don't we organize an effort to call and write to Olympia Snowe, urging her to VOTE AGAINST the Baucus health care bill?
If Snowe votes for the Baucus bill, giving it that widely coveted air of "bipartisanship," that's where the center of gravity will be and the ultimate bill we get out of this weak-willed Congress will be far more to the Right than if Olympia votes against it. If she votes against the Baucus bill, forcing the Democrats to take a Dem-only road to reconciliation, the bill we get will be much better for America and probably will include a public option.
Why will Snowe's support for the crap Baucus bill be bad? In Reich's words:
Because her vote will give enough political cover to wavering Dems Ben Nelson, Mary Landrieu, Jim Webb and Evan Bayh to gain their support for the Baucus plan. Which means the White House and the Democratic leadership in the Senate will have a good chance to get the 60 votes they need when the bill goes to the Senate floor in a few weeks.
That Senate vote will push Nancy Pelosi and the House Dems toward the right. That's because it will embolden conservative and Blue Dog House Dems to threaten to vote against the far stronger bill that's already emerged from House committees...
So, I propose the following:
We call and write to Senator Snowe, telling her to vote against Health Care reform entirely. Do your best teabagger impression if it pleases you. But call her and tell her that her name should not be part of any Health Care reform bill.
Phone: (202) 224-5344
Toll Free: (800) 432-1599
Fax: (202) 224-1946
EMAIL
Screw bipartisanship. We want a bill that works for America, not one that can attract Republican votes. Because you know if it attracts these Republican votes, it's a watered-down giveaway to their corporate masters.
UPDATE: Here is Olympia Snowe's statementreleased today, opening the possibility that she might support this terrible bill:
We commend Chairman Baucus for his efforts to forge a health care reform proposal that has the potential to gain broad bipartisan support. We are encouraged by his commitment to work with both Democrats and Republicans in the Finance Committee, and believe there is a responsibility for both sides of the aisle to work together to develop a bill that will earn strong support from the full Senate.