Herseth Sandlin disputes NRCC….. But hops up on the fence and holds tight.
Congresswoman Herseth Sandlin is going to get a lot of splinters if she keeps hopping back on the fence every time her position is discovered on Obamacare’s public option.
At issue is the concept of a public option – or a government-run insurance plan that would compete with private insurance companies. Herseth Sandlin was listed on a Web site run by former Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean as supporting a public option. Dean, a former presidential candidate and former governor of Vermont, is a leading voice for left-wing Democrats.
The National Republican Congressional Committee pounced on the information, and in a release the committee called Herseth Sandlin a “puppet for her reckless party leadership.”
But Herseth Sandlin spokesman Russ Levsen expressed bewilderment about the information on Dean’s Web site.
“They didn’t get that from us if that’s up there,” he said.
and…
Still, Herseth Sandlin did send up a trial balloon, saying she isn’t necessarily against another form of a public option. For example, one in which doctors could negotiate rates for providing services to people on a government insurance plan.
But any type of public option strikes Republicans as the first step to a total government takeover of the health care industry – something that some House Democrats acknowledge as a strategy.
“You have progressive, liberal Democrats even saying that,” said Tom Erickson, spokesman for the National Republican Congressional Committee.
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Comments
As Frank Rich wrote last weekend it would be useful to discover whether the president, who has good values, has convictions, and the courage to ACT on them. Same applies for our congressional delegation.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/18/opinion/18rich.html?_r=1
(2d to last paragraph)
I agree she’s being a bit spineless here as well. She should just simply say, “Of course I support a public option.” According to the CBO a bill with a public choice would cost $100 billion less than the Baucus bill without one, and it would reduce the deficit over 10 years. 60% of people already support one, so its not like you’re taking a huge risk by publicly supporting it.
John Thune also supports a public option, only his is just for himself and his fellow Senators.
Wrong Braden!
Members of Congress get their health care premiums paid for by taxpayers but the premium goes to a private provider that they themselves get to chose.
Apples and Oranges Braden
“Members of Congress get their health care premiums paid for by taxpayers but the premium goes to a private provider that they themselves get to chose.”
So taxpayers get to pay for the health care of every congressperson, from the day they get elected until the day they die…
… but taxpayers can’t buy into a public system to pay for their own insurance?
Brilliant plan.
Her responce frustrates me. If her main objection to a strong public option is South Dakota doctors getting shortchanged by Medicare rates, then she should sponsor an amendment to fix that problem. But if she’s just going to whine about something without doing anything to fix it, then she might as well be a Republican.
Probably what surprises me the most is the fact that the GOP has 3 announced candidates to take Herseth-(hyphenated)-Sandlin on and PP makes more noise about Herseth’s stance on issues than Wassen, Curd and Nelson combined!
What gives guys??? I am getting the impression they weren’t ready when they announced and that is a real deflator to those of us who are motivated. I want to hear what Curd and Nelson have to say about Her stance!
At least I would like a response from Curd and Nelson to what is being said. I don’t want to hear it from the RNC. The RNC should be directing this stuff to someone in SD.
Toad,
At least your name is truth in advertising. The depth and vigor of your comments is about as valuable as a ribbit.
roy @ 5:10p.m., your comment about toad is about as valuable as anything springer write here. And she’s about as valuable as the gum on the bottom of a shoe.
After reading the link to Madville Times quoting Thad Wasson as wanting to give the Black Hills back to the Indians I’m going on record calling him a loser. A real, big-time loser. The only votes he’ll get in the primary will be from his own family… and maybe Bruce Whalen. However, I would like to see Nelson and Curd comment on Princess Stephanie’s wishy-washy fence straddling.
Troy what is that supposed to mean? Just because I want to see a little bit of passion and organization I’m a “toad”? Because I want to see our congressional candidates respond to Herseth? As much as I love to hear what PP has to say He can’t win this race for them. He should occasionally be able to post responses from Curd & Nelson.
They have been candidates for nearly a month now!!!
Am I right?
Congress people have an insurance plan like many offered by other businesses. Part of the premium is picked up by the taxpayer and part by themselves, the same as other gov’t employees. Yes, the taxpayer I guess would be the actual payer as they are the employers here. (Although I seriously question that we are getting much bang for the buck anymore.) It is not a public option, as already mentioend above. It is private insurance offered by a private company through an employer.
And I’m glad that people miss my lap dog comments! I have been a bit busy this weekend to offer my valuable opinions, but so glad to see that I’ve been missed, even by those who diss me.
what a spineless wonder Herseth is. she should just admit she’s a liberal and be proud of it.