August Flashbacks: Dems Face Downpour of Criticism Over Healthcare Vote Back Home

Democrats Return Home to More of the Frustration and Backlash that Made Last Summer’s Town Halls So Memorable

(AZ-01) KIRKPATRICK

“Protestors in Show Low say 'no' to health care bill” (White Mountain Independent): “Protestors last Friday said they would not support the bill under its current status and if passed called on state lawmakers to get on the nullification bandwagon to keep it from coming to Arizona … Carrying signs saying ‘Kill the Bill’ and asking motorists to honk if they agree, opponents numbering about 50 to 60 strong lined the highway at the entrance to city hall off of the Deuce… Smart Girl Politics' Karen MacKean organized the protest and said she did it to send a message to the president that Smart Girl Politics and White Mountain Conservatives oppose ‘Obamacare’ and urge people to keep voicing their opposition…‘They are irresponsible idiots in Washington,’ she said. ‘And we elected them and they are all out, they're out, they're getting their pink slips in the mail in 2010. This is a message to our liar-in-chief, not now, not ever.’…  Immediately following the protest on the Deuce of Clubs both sides went into city hall and asked Kirkpatrick's Show Low representative to speak to them which met with the reply she would be available to meet on a one-to-one basis in her office, but not in the lobby.” (Mike Leiby, “Protestors in Show Low say 'no' to health care bill,” White Mountain Independent, 03/26/2010)

(CO-MULT) MARKEY, PERLMUTTER, SALAZAR

“Denver Tea Party rally draws hundreds” (KWGN): Passion. Anger. Excitement. Those were just some of the emotions brewing at the Tea Party Express III rally at the Colorado State Capitol Wednesday. ‘It's very frustrating and it's frustrating to watch how some of this stuff has come down,’ said one Tea Party member, standing at the curb holding a sign that criticized the federal government. The anti-tax movement drew a large crowd: about 500 people. It's not as large as the previous rally with 2,000 people, but they were just as fired up--this time for change in November. The group's mantra is 'Just Vote Them Out.' They're talking about politicians they say don't represent the people because of 'yes' votes on health care reform, deficit spending and bailouts. ‘There's a strong movement to have a replacement for Rep. Markey. Rep. Perlmutter, Rep. Salazar. Rep. Polis,’ says Tea Party Organizer Lu Busse.” (Tammy Vigil, “Denver Tea Party rally draws hundreds,” KWGN, 03/31/2010)

“Tea Party Express rolls through Denver, Grand Junction,” (Denver Post): “Hundreds of Coloradans ready to send Washington a message turned out Wednesday at separate Tea Party Express gatherings in Grand Junction and Denver. Bob McConnell, a Steamboat Springs rancher and ski patroller who is running to unseat U.S. Rep. John Salazar, said, ‘There is a wall of arrogance in Washington.’ ‘And on Nov. 2, we're going to march around that wall, a trumpet is going to come down, our voices will be heard in our votes and that wall of arrogance is going to come down," McConnell said at the Grand Junction rally. In Denver, Terry Gray of Henderson carried a homemade sign aimed at two Colorado Democrats, U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet and U.S. Rep. Betsy Markey. One side said, ‘Bye bye Mike’; the other, ‘Recall Betsy Markey.’” (Lynn Bartels and Nancy Lofholm, “Tea Party Express rolls through Denver, Grand Junction,” Denver Post, 04/01/2010)

(CT-04) HIMES

“Himes challenged at health care reform Q&A” (Stamford Advocate): “Fresh from his vote in favor of the historic health-care reform bill, U.S. Rep. Jim Himes on Thursday came home to answer to his constituents, some who weren't particularly happy with the result of the months-long political debate. Himes was at The Nathaniel Witherell nursing home to explain how the legislation will affect seniors, and answer questions about the reform in general…. Some in the audience challenged Himes over some aspects of the bill. Town resident Joan Pankosky, who is in her 70s, told Himes that she resented that the legislation requires people to purchase health insurance… ‘I want to make the comparison between my experience and the experience I think many Americans are going to have to go through.’… ‘I see your point,’ Pankosky told Himes, ‘but I don't agree with it.’” (Lisa Chamoff, “Himes challenged at health care reform Q&A,” Stamford Advocate, 04/01/2010)

(IL-17) HARE

“Discussion about health care reform in Quincy” (KHQA): “Healthcare reform was a hot topic in Quincy Thursday, April 1st. Congressman Phil Hare (D - IL) has been holding discussions on the newly enacted health care reform bill. He was at the Quincy Senior and Family Resource center Thursday to go over the benefits of the bill, but the crowd didn't see it that way… Congressman Phil Hare has been facing scrutiny after a healthcare discussion in Quincy Thursday. At the Quincy Family and Resource Center Thursday afternoon the democrat was faced with tough questions and plenty of criticism as he talked about the newly enacted healthcare reform bill. Some video from this meeting has been posted on you tube claiming Congressman Hare doesn't care about the constitution” (Jarod Wells, “Discussion about health care reform in Quincy,” KHQA, 04/01/2010)

(FL-24) KOSMAS

“Kosmas gets an earful during a tele town hall on health care” (WDBO): “Congresswoman Suzanne Kosmas took some heat from callers for her health care reform vote during a telephone town hall on the issue Wednesday night. More than 4,000 people called into the event, and many of them let her know they didn't like her yes vote. Most of the callers were civil. ‘What did you do about tort reform?’ asked one man. ‘I don't see anything in the bill.’ But a few callers like this man from Port Orange didn't hide their disgust. ‘How can a Congressperson that has been elected by the people just ignore the will of the people and allow their party to buy and bribe and extort votes to pass a bill that nearly 70 percent of the American public did not want?’ he asked. He ended his call by saying he didn't want to put Kosmas on the spot, but she changed her vote.” (Marva Hinton, “Kosmas gets an earful during a tele town hall on health care,” WDBO, 03/25/2010)

(NH-01; NH-02) SHEA-PORTER, HODES

“Spring forecast: Incivility with a chance of rage” (Politico): “If the experience of this state’s two Democratic House members is any indication, the raw emotion and mistrust emanating from last summer’s congressional town halls never really went away. Instead, the unrest simmered over the ensuing months, only to return to a boil when Rep. Carol Shea-Porter and Rep. Paul Hodes, who is running for U.S. Senate, returned home to meet with their constituents here during the first week of the Easter recess. Their public events provided a bracing reminder to Democrats that the political pivot from health care to economic and financial issues is going to be much more arduous than they expected… While the new landmark health care reform law is driving much of the hostility, at a handful of events here in the week after passage, voters expressed profound cynicism and suspicion not just about the legislation, but about Washington, government and virtually everything that came out of their legislators’ mouths… For her part, at back-to-back town hall meetings in Bedford and Merrimack, Shea-Porter faced consistent boos, heckles and catcalls after almost every point she rattled off in defense of her vote… When she told the crowd the obvious — that they had the chance to oust her in seven months — the notion prompted claps and a promise from one man who thundered, ‘And we will.’” (David Cantanese, “Spring forecast: Incivility with a chance of rage,” Politico, 04/04/2010)  

(NY-20) MURPHY

Poll: Americans Say Democrats Abused Power to Ram Through Healthcare Takeover

Democrats Used Bad Process to Pass Worse Policy

Democrats ‘Eager’ to Try to Sell Healthcare Takeover to Constituents:

“Play offense and ‘don't run away’ from health care reform. That's the advice Democratic leadership is giving rank-and-file members as they fan out across the country to their home districts with a health care victory in their pocket…‘Members were eager to get out of here, go back to their districts and start talking about this thing,’ Rep. Chris Van Hollen's spokesman Doug Thornell told TPMDC in an interview Friday.” (Christina Bellatoni, “No August Repeats: How the Dems Are Approaching Recess with HCR Victory Behind Them,” Talking Points Memo, 3/29/10)

Too Late: Americans Already Think Dems Abused Power To Pass Healthcare Plan:

“Now Gallup has released some new numbers that shed a bit of light on this: ‘Regardless of whether you favored or opposed the health care legislation passed this week, do you think the methods the Democratic leaders in Congress used to get enough legislation — were [they] an abuse of power, or were [they] an appropriate use of power by the party that controls the majority in Congress? Abuse of power: 53%. Appropriate use of power: 40%. No opinion 7%.’  A surprising 58% of independents, too, said Dem tactics constituted an abuse of power.” (Greg Sargent, “Gallup: Majority Says Dem Health Reform Tactics Were ‘Abuse of Power,’ The Plum Line, 3/31/10)

Boeing Takes $150 Million Healthcare Charge

Jobs Threatened In Washington and Illinois

“President Barack Obama used his weekly radio address to tout the economic benefits of overhauling the health care system, saying that reform would help build a ‘new foundation for our economy to create the good, lasting jobs and shared prosperity of tomorrow.’” (Nia-Malika Henderson, “Obama: Health bill will create jobs,” Politico, 1/9/10)

Boeing – Key Job Creator In Washington And Illinois – Takes Hit From Dems’ Healthcare Charge:

"Boeing Co. will take a charge of $150 million due to the recent health care overhaul legislation, the aircraft maker said Wednesday. The charge will hurt earnings by 20 cents per share in the first quarter of 2010. In 2013 Boeing will no longer be able to claim an income tax deduction related to certain prescription drug benefits for retirees. Accounting rules require that the company take the charge during the period the legislation is enacted… Boeing, which is based in Chicago, gave a cautious outlook for 2010 in January after dealing with program delays and declining orders in 2009… But Boeing said it will now review its guidance in light of the health care reform and update it when it releases first-quarter results. Shares fell 92 cents to $72.61 during morning trading.” (“Boeing to take charge on health care reform,” Associated Press, 3/31/10)

DEAL WATCH: Dem Lobbying Firm Hits the Jackpot in the Obama-Pelosi Healthcare Casino

The clients of Democrat lobbying firm The Raben Group made out so well in the Democrats’ government takeover of healthcare bill law that the firm decided it needed to brag about it. The Raben Group took a victory lap in an email sent to their Washington allies this morning with the subject line “Some Say Waterloo; We Say Success” and included a long list of special deals they scored for their clients.

The Raben Group is a veritable cornucopia of former staffers for Democrats and liberal causes. The lobbyists at the firm include alumni of: the Democratic National Committee, the 1992 Clinton-Gore campaign, the Clinton administration, the 2000 Gore campaign, Rep. Joe Baca (D-CA), Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Rep. Xavier Beccera (D-CA), Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX), Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA), Rep. Charles Gonzalez (D-TX), Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT), the late Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA), Sen. John Kerry (D-MA), Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick (D-MI), Rep. Chris Murphy (D-CT), Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Rep. Solomon Ortiz (D-TX), Rep. Silvestre Reyes (D-TX), Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-CA), Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-CA), Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Rep. Diane Watson (D-CA), the Democratic Lieutenant Governors Association, the Nevada State Senate Democratic Caucus, the National Education Association, NOW, People for the American Way and Planned Parenthood.

The nonpartisan Center for Public Integrity declared the Obama-Pelosi healthcare takeover a “bonanza” for lobbyists. According to their analysis:

“About 1,750 businesses and organizations hired about 4,525 lobbyists, total — eight for each member of Congress — and spent at least $1.2 billion to influence health care bills and other issues, according to a Center analysis of disclosure documents that included ‘health reform’ or similar wording.” (“Washington Lobbyists Cash in on Health Reform,” Center for Public Integrity news release, 3/26/10)

Among the special deals Raben Group lobbyists took credit for were:

• A $1.5 billion “home visitation grant program” to benefit the Nurse Family Partnership.

  $6.3 billion in Medicaid funding for U.S. territories, $1 billion in subsidies for insurance exchanges in Puerto Rico, and provisions to give Puerto Rico “new flexibility” on “how to best use funding to expand coverage” for Latinos United for Healthcare, an organization created by The Raben Group

•  Provisions to ease the approval of biotech drugs for pharmaceutical giant Amgen

  Provisions for training and development for direct care workers, a “health care workforce commission,” and the inclusion of the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) Act in the healthcare bill on behalf of the Direct Care Alliance

•  A provision that “requires health insurers in the public exchange to offer enrollees information on resources available for advanced care planning” on behalf of Compassion & Choices

Which Democrat members of Congress helped The Raben Group secure these special deals? We may never know. It turns out Speaker Nancy Pelosi was right: The Democrats had to pass the bill so that you could find out what was in it.

Healthcare Takeover Delivers $22 Million Hit in Obama’s Back Yard

How Will Illinois Tool Work’s 60K Employees Be Affected By Cost Hike?

President Obama Promised Economic Growth And Job Creation In Aftermath Of Dems’ Healthcare Takeover:

“President Barack Obama used his weekly radio address to tout the economic benefits of overhauling the health care system, saying that reform would help build a ‘new foundation for our economy to create the good, lasting jobs and shared prosperity of tomorrow.’” (Nia-Malika Henderson, “Obama: Health bill will create jobs,” Politico, 1/9/10)

Manufacturer in President Obama’s Home State Hit With $22 Million in Cost Increases:

“Illinois Tool Works Inc. lowered its first quarter and yearly earnings forecast Tuesday due to costs related to the health care legislation recently passed by Congress. The industrial equipment maker said it will record a tax adjustment of $22 million, or 4 cents per share, to reflect the fact that future Medicare prescription drug subsidies received by the company for retiree prescription drug coverage will now be taxable.” (“Illinois Tool Works Lowers Outlook,” Associated Press, 3/30/10)

NOTE: According to the website for Illinois Tool Works, the company’s “825 decentralized business units in 52 countries employ approximately 60,000 men and women.” (Illinois Tool Works Website, Accessed 03/30/10)