Change The Conversation

For any liberals or progressives who have the honor of being on TV whether as a member of Congress or a Democratic strategist or a DFH blogger, there is one way to help change the conversation that I think isn't being utilized. Right now the Villager media conversation centers on whether the left in Congress will cave on a public option. First of all it should be noted that the overwhelming majority of Democrats in Congress, not just the progressive caucus, endorses the idea of a public option and one has been included not just in the 3 House bills but also in one of the two Senate bills. So what we should be striving to do is change the conversation to put the pressure where it really belongs, on the ConservaDems in the Senate. A few points.

1. Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, has already said a health care reform bill will not pass the House if it doesn't include a public option.

2. The Blue Dogs in the House have already negotiated on a public option and have not blocked any bill from coming out of committee which includes one.

3. So far there have not been ten Democrats in the Senate who have come out and said they would vote against a bill which includes a public option so any speculation that it wouldn't pass in the Senate is just that, speculation.

4. Ted Kennedy's committee passed a bill out of committee in the Senate with a robust public option.

5. The question really should be would ten or so Democrats would really be willing to vote against a bill with a public option that the overwhelming majority of people in America support and the overwhelming majority of Democrats in Congress and the President support?

6. Majority rules in this country as Judd Gregg reminded us a few years back when he was fighitng for reconciliation, so what is wrong with Democrats using it?

7. If over 200 Democrats in the House and over 50 Democrats in the Senate are willing to vote for a health care reform bill with a public option in it, then wouldn't a bill without a public option actually be the fringe ideal?

8. Ask the question of any one interviewing, name ten Democrats in the Senate who have committed to vote against a health care reform bill that includes a public option. Make them name names or admit they don't know of ten Democrats who have committed to do such a thing.

I really believe that if we get this message out and change the conversation ahead of President Obama's speech we can help effect public opinion and push the momentum towards keeping a public option.