by 21st Century Democrats, Fri Nov 06, 2009 at 07:58:36 AM EST
(Cross posted from 21st Century Democrats)
The 21st Century Democrats' Youth Leadership Speaker Series is off to a great start teaching and inspiring tomorrow's progressive leaders of the Democratic Party with speakers like Congressman Barney Frank, Congressman Dennis Kucinich, and--soon--Interior Secretary Ken Salazar.
by 21st Century Democrats, Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 05:55:10 AM EST
(Cross posted from 21st Century Democrats)
Congressman Dennis Kucinich is joining 21st Century Democrats' Youth Leadership Speaker Series tomorrow (November 4 at 12:30 P.M.), inspiring and education young progressive Democrats across Washington, D.C.
We are excited to have the participation of Congressman Kucinich, one of the fiercest fighters for progress and the welfare of the American people.
Congressman Kucinich recently appeared on MSNBC's The Ed Show, where he said of the healthcare bills in Congress that mandate health insurance without a single-payer or other public option, "What we're looking at here is another way that Wall Street's speculative engine can be fueled, this time with the help of the [health insurance] premiums of tens of millions of Americans."
by Senate Guru, Tue Sep 15, 2009 at 07:47:09 AM EDT
We've heard from a number of conservative Democratic Senators that a public option can't be included in a health care reform bill because the votes just wouldn't be there to pass it. (All emphasis added by me.)
Joe Lieberman (I/Dem caucus-CT), 6/16/09:
probably the most important, the votes are not there for a public health plan, government run option and this can stand in the way of a historic achievement for President Obama
Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), 6/21/09:
She told CNN's John King: "Well to be candid with you, I don't know that he has the votes right now. I think there's a lot of concern in the Democratic caucus."
"The fact of the matter is there are not the votes in the United States Senate for the public option, there never have been, so to continue to chase that rabbit is just a wasted effort," Conrad said on Fox News Sunday.
He also said there are not enough votes in the Senate to pass the "public option," based on public and private conversations he's had with his colleagues.
"My guess is that there are not votes to do it in the Senate, even a very modest public option like what he's talking about," Pryor said.
To Senators Lieberman, Feinstein, Conrad, Baucus, and Pryor, along with Senators Bayh, Johnson, Landrieu, Lincoln, Nelson and Nelson: you ARE the votes!
Saying that you oppose a public option "because the votes aren't there" is a nonsensical excuse when the votes would be there if the people claiming that the votes aren't there voted for it! You are the votes. Quit copping out.
For daily news and analysis on the U.S. Senate races around the country, regularly read Senate Guru.
by TarHeel, Wed Mar 28, 2007 at 06:17:08 AM EDT
The first glimpse of what Hillary will do to downticket races comes to us from Arkansas. The state in which Hillary was the first lady for 12 years. She and her husband were in power there for a long, long time.
Conservative Democratic Senator Mark Pryor is up for re-election in 2008 and will likely refuse to endorse anyone. He endorsed Lieberman in 2006 and has views closer to Hillary than any other candidate in the race but still will not endorse her.
Hillary was first lady of Arkansas for 12 years -- but does that guarantee that she'll have the support of the state's Congressional delegation and other prominent pols?...
Arkansas Senator Mark Pryor, who's up for reelection in 2008, may sit out the Presidential race altogether. "I'm just for everybody," he says.
Funny when Lamont was up against Lieberman in the general he chose sides.
by Matt Stoller, Tue Mar 27, 2007 at 01:37:04 PM EDT
Looks like the Cochran amendment was defeated and the withdrawal language stays in the bill, for now. That's a big deal.
My earlier cynicism notwithstanding, kudos to Harry Reid, Dick Durbin, and the Senate leadership! I'm told that we lost Pryor, held Nelson, and gained Smith and Hagel. I'll update as soon as I confirm.
Update (Chris): The vote is up on the Senate Roll Call page now, so it is confirmed. Senator Feingold, the first Senator to come out in favor of a timetable, and who once again has turned a majority of one into a voting majority in the Senate, just issued the following statement:Today marks an important step toward ending the war in Iraq . For the first time, the U.S. Senate will pass binding legislation requiring the President to begin withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq . While this is long overdue, it is a big step in the right direction and it brings us closer to ending our involvement in this disastrous war.The only Democrat who voted to strike the withdrawal language was Mark Pryor. I don't care what state he is from--that is the sort of issue that could cause you to lose either a primary or a general election. There isn't a state in the country that currently has a majority in favor of the war, or against this bill. Even moderate Republicans are split.
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