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From Msnbc.com's Tom Curry
In a year in which Democrats are struggling to hold their majorities in Congress, organized labor and progressive groups such as Democracy for America have already waged one titanic effort to defeat a Democratic incumbent, spending millions of dollars in an effort to oust Sen. Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas. But challenger Bill Halter fell short in a June 8 runoff.
On Tuesday, the progressives try again in the Massachusetts Democratic primary where their challenger, Mac D’Alessandro, is trying to boot Rep. Stephen Lynch, one of the 34 House Democrats to vote against President Obama’s health care bill.
It’s one of the rare ideological battles in the Democratic Party in a primary season in which Republican Establishment candidates have been trying to stave off conservative Tea Party challenges from Alaska to Delaware.
While progressives and organized labor threatened last spring to field challengers against Democrats -- such as South Dakota’s Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin and New York’s Rep. Michael Arcuri -- who voted against Obama’s health care plan, D’Alessandro was one of the few who ultimately stepped forward. In New Jersey, first-term Rep. John Adler, another one of the 34 Democratic “no” votes, easily defeated a challenger in the June 8 primary.
D’Alessandro campaign spokeswoman Melissa Threadgill told msnbc.com that one of the campaign’s messages to voters was, “This is your last chance to take out a Democrat who voted against health care.” Lynch voted for the House version of health care reform, but against the final bill because it imposes taxes on high-cost health plans and doesn’t allow states to set up their own public option plans.
As of the end of August, the Lynch campaign had more than $1 million in cash, compared to only $158,000 for D’Alessandro. Lynch has aired one television ad while D’Alessandro has been absent from TV. But, since the beginning of August, the Services Employees International Union (SEIU).has spent nearly $260,000 in independent expenditures on behalf of D’Alessandro – who is on leave from his job as the New England political director for the union.
If elected in November, he’d be the first African-American House member from Massachusetts.
Unlike labor’s crusade to defeat Lincoln, in Lynch’s case SEIU is going after one of labor’s own.
Not only is Lynch the former president of his local ironworkers union, he has a nearly perfect 98 percent lifetime voting record from the AFL-CIO labor confederation and won a 100 percent for his votes in 2009. He touts support from the Massachusetts AFL-CIO, the electrical workers union local, and a Boston firefighters local.
The union neither encouraged D’Alessandro to get into the race nor discouraged him from doing so. “It was Mac’s decision to run and he earned our endorsement,” said an SEIU source familiar with the campaign and endorsement process.
Lynch campaign sources said the incumbent is likely to win less than the 77 percent he got in his only other contested primary, when he faced an anti-war challenger in 2006, but they remain confident of victory.
Tuesday’s primary will be low-turnout affair, Threadgill predicted. But she argued that D’Alessandro voters are motivated to show up, while an anti-incumbent mood will keep some former Lynch fans away from the polls.
The contest isn’t focused only on health care. D’Alessandro also criticizes Lynch’s support for the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Lynch voted for the Iraq war resolution in 2002, one of 81 House Democrats to do so.
“We’re spending $13 billion a month, with no end in sight. That’s adding to our deficit,” D’Alessandro said in a debate on Boston television station WGBH. “Congressman Lynch was the only member of this delegation to vote for continued funding,” he said.
SEIU is also waging a “Skip a Space” campaign in Ohio to urge Democratic voters to withhold their vote in November from Rep. Zack Space, another Democrat who voted against the health care overhaul. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates Space’s contest against Republican Bob Gibbs a toss-up, so a few hundred withheld votes might cost Democrats that seat.
Tuesday’s primaries in Massachusetts and six other states are the last ones on the calendar, apart from next Saturday’s in Hawaii.
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As always, libs got it backwards again.
Do we have grandma or do we have teachers?. A good example here. He's known as a soft-spoken (RINO) Republican in name only legislator, but since Utah's Sen. Bob Bennett became the first Senate incumbent to lose his job at the hands of his own party this year, he has not been shy about voicing some unease about the Tea Party's influence on the Republican Party. Is the GOP now pro-choice?. Perhaps we should get back to "HOME SCHOOLING"?. The national $10 billion education fund is designed to support education jobs in the 2010-11 school year. The, (how much is that going to cost us and our children for the next million years, hogwash), Red State of Conservatives, Utah will receive $101 million in stimulus funding geared toward (who run's the teacher's, the crooked AFL-CIO Union's do), teachers' jobs, despite earlier controversy over whether the state should apply for it, and ongoing questions about exactly how much school districts will have to spend. Now, let's address thing's here also, about those death panels (it's all related). Bill Gates I think is an amazing human being. Really, really smart. Very, very charitable. I have a feeling he's slightly liberal, maybe. He was giving a talk and he was talking about our economic problems, and the choices that we're going to have to face. And he talks about, the end of life expenses are far too much. We're spending way too much for the last three months of life. And because of that, we're going to have to choose. Do we have grandma or do we have teachers?. Now, he believes teachers. I don't want the government to make the choice to off grandma. As uncomfortable as it may sound, I would rather have nature off grandma, you know?. I'd rather, I'd rather have the free market off grandma because then nobody is controlling it. Nobody's making the decision. The decision is made through economics. That's horrible. But it advocates free market killing grandmas. It's much worse to have somebody, you know, on some, dare I say it, death panel making the decision: Who's going to live and who's going to die. That's not good. Neither of them are good. What's amazing is these leftists coming out now and talking about death panels. Let's just talk about death panels. Here's the truth. I just said what I've said, that it's grandma or teachers, it's going to be a decision. Bill Gates said that's a tradeoff, society is making because of very, very high medical costs and a lack of willingness to say, you know, is spending a million dollars on that last three months of life for that patient, would it be better not to lay off those ten teachers and to make that tradeoff in medical costs. But that's called a death panel and you're not supposed to have that discussion. Did you hear what he just said? That, of course, is called a death panel and we're not supposed to have that discussion. No. As thinking human beings, as responsible citizens, as responsible adults, that is exactly the conversation we should be having. Us as a people. What are we doing?. Do we believe in the free market or do we believe in communism or socialism?. Which is it?. Have the debate, America. Do you want teachers or do you want grandma?. You know what, if I said to you, well, we've got to have these big computers and do you know how much? I mean, these computers are the size of a house. You know how much these computers cost? I would say we should encourage people to play in their underpants in their dad's garage to come up with a better system, and let the free market take it and take computers that is right size of a room. Do you know how many teachers we would have to execute and stop feeding to be able to have one of these gigantic computers? No, because I believe in the free market system, there's going to be some 14 year old pimple face kid that comes up with a better idea that makes computers so affordable that everyone could have them and combine them with their phone. You would think Bill Gates would get that. But that's what the free market does. Instead a death panel said, "These are the costs and we've got to stop all the costs. And we've got to control everything. You, you die. You, you teach." That's not the free market. That's fascism. Take control of your own life. You're an adult. You're a citizen. You're endowed by your creator with certain inalienable rights. Forget about your rights! Start concentrating on your responsibilities!. And your rights will automatically restore themselves.
Don't bother because independents and republicans will be cleaning house in Nov. and kicking out obozo the clown in 2012.
Vote his a$$ out and all of you so called democrats that are really Repuglicans in sheep clothing your a$$ are gonna go also ESPECIALLY YOU JOE 2 FACED LIBERMAN, I AM SENDING CASH MONEY TO ANYONE WHO IS AGAINST YOU
Yeah!....That's it! We will vote all of those Dems that voted against the health care bill!
Then!.. Let's vote all the Repubes that wished to be dems that voted for or against the health care bill out of office.
Then!..Lets all move to American Samoa and make less than min. wage hunting for Tuna and listing to Sugar Magnolia.
How about we vote for people who remember they're REPRESENTATIVES, not party line voters...hmm? I miss the days when stances on the issues were what mattered. Now it's just name calling
Then,... We will vote all of those Dems out that voted for the health care bill!
I really hope all Democrats are voted out of office in 2010 and in 2012 while we still have a country.
When Democrats say they support divdrsity that means you can look different, but you must think in lock step.
Do you really think Republicans are any different? Try looking at a situation where a moderate Republican - say, Olympia Snow - voted FOR a bill that the GOP leadership didn't support. GOP leaders are just as bad as Democratic leaders at wanting their politicians to toe the party line.
The single biggest difference between the dems and republicans?
Every bill the dems want to pass, is predicated on stealing money from the people that earned it and using it for their own ends or handing it to a parasite.
That's enough for me, to vote conservative.
Vicki, that's why there's a Tea Party. The left's answer to what the Tea Party is doing is what this article is about. Condemning those who actually represented their constituents is a bold move and it'll probably backfire since it brings what they're actually trying to do (cram agendas against the will of the majority).
When I listen to the Fox News pundents trying to spin the healthcare debate, I don't feel sorry for OReilly's $2100 deductable increase and when I listen to that pinhead Hannidy trying to defend the tax cuts to the 2% top earners I want to throw-up. Sean actually believes that somebody who earns $1 Million is going to spend it when evey economics student in the world knows that is only people in the lower incoms who must spend the extra money they accumulate, because they must to survive. Rich people don't spend they either save or invest. Neither stimulates the economy like someone who must consume! This is arguing with idiots.
Then I watched Hannidy try to spin Prime Minister Blair, trying to make him Margaret Thatcher. Blair politely told him that he wasn't going to be handled. The Hannidy began insulting the healthcare system in Britain and if he had ever read anything Tony Blair has written he would know that the Prime Minister and Mr. Gordon Brown both think their healthcare system is superior to our as it was before the Omama reforms. They both could not believe what took us so long. Sean Hannidy was an embarrasement to our national intellegence and with his over-inflated ego, he probably thinks he did great.
Your misspelled rambling idiotic post was an insult to our national intelligence. Please grow a brain!
I bet you have never worked for a poor person Robert Allan. In fact i bet you never work at all and that you are on some government hand out program and are trying to maintain you income. Raise taxes on the rich and you will kill the people that provide jobs for all of us.
I'm kinda shocked. This is the first time in over a year I've seen a liberal actually comment on the content of Fox News. You're entitled to your opinion. After all, Fox News viewers watch liberal news as well so they can form their own opinion. Congrats on breaking the "OMG DON'T WATCH FOX OR YOU'LL BECOME STUPID!" comments MSNBC likes to air.
This health care legislation is a piece of junk which will not work and cost nothing but pain and money. They need to junk it and start all over again.
Here we go again!
The dems are punishing the the dems that voted no on Healthcare? Even though ALL polls showed that Americans did not want the plan.
Maybe the dems should stop punishing their own because they voted no and actually go after the corrupt Rangel, Watters, Jackson-Lee, etc.
The conservatives, both Democrat and Republican tried to warn these Bozo's and not one of them wanted to listen, now it is time to take back our country from these Socialist, Progressive Dems and put individuals in that will listen. I have no sympathy for any incumbent who loses their seat in Congress.
Me either.
34 House Dems. voted no on the healthcare bill!! I did not realize there were that many intelligent democrats in all of D.C.
Actually they are not so intelligent but just trying to save their political careers.
All but 8 are in districts where McCain won. All but a couple of the others were Obama by a slim margin. At least there are some who remember who they represent.
The fact that the left is being so open about wanting lock-step party line voters who will vote for an agenda rather than the people they represent should be an eye opener. First they attack states that don't jump when they say jump and now politicians who don't put the politician agenda above the people. Amazing.
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/11/08/us/politics/1108-health-care-vote.html
I can't WAIT for all of the "stolen election" stories that will come out this November. It should be hilarious! The left media thinks every election that didn't go their way (even in Iran) is stolen. Tin-foil hat stock should skyrocket soon! Invest now!
Democraps just being Democraps
Killing and eating your own young now.. What fun! What's left? Wives and daughters? In november comes a wonderful day!
Big difference, the union dues are mandatory, the chamber dues are voluntary.
Big difference, union dues are mandatory, chamber dues are voluntary.
Anyone who votes against this freeloader awards program has my vote.
right on.
So here's what they want:
Health Care for everyone paid for by the rich
Retirement for everyone paid for by the rich
Housing for everyone paid for by the rich
War for everyone paid for by the rich
Got any more wants? Good, find a job and get rich by working like I tried to.
Who cares why the dims go as long as they go. They tried to bully all of their members into signing this bloated HR bill which mirrors the plan implemented in Massachusettes by Mitt Romney, It has been an epic failure and health care costs in that state are sky high. Unfortunately these responsible moderate dims will lose their jobs, but hey most of the nation allready has.
You are correct, if Massachusetts were not getting subsidized by the federal government that health plan would have crashed and burned a long time ago, it sucks as it is.
Now you have to ask yourself this: With obamacare, where does the "subsidizing" come from?
It comes from YOU, in the form of higher costs and poor quality/rationed care. Just look to other countries that have tried socialized medicine.........................it do not work!
I am for punishing anyone, Dem or Rep, that voted YES on health care. I particular find the part
that says we must prove we have a health care plan or be penalized is ridiculous. Like what can they do
if you don't prove it. Let's ask the President that so far hasn't provided proof that he is eligible to be one.
They went about this whole completely wrong. The main thing that is needed is tort reform. Medical lawsuits total over $100 - $150 BILLION every year. While they are many valid cases, there are also cases with no merit that are thrown out and STILL cost $100,000 and up.
I know someone who is a neurosurgeon, and his malpractice insurance cost over six figures per year. Those costs all come back to the people who pay the premiums; us.
Not every doctor is good at what they do - they drive up insurance. Should bad doctors get away with poor care? Isn't a human worth more than a car? Humans should get compensated on an individual incident and be awarded fairly. Why should someone with a burned pinky get the same as the grandma who had her genitals burned by coffee served at unsafe temps?
I've had 2 pain pumps used after shoulder operations (4 shoulder ops total) and now they say those pumps destroyed the cartilage in the joint. A judge denied a group suit - I agree that all of us have different levels of damage - why should someone with 80% use of their arm get the same as someone with 5% use of their arm?
Tort reform just takes away another right of our citizens. Other than the right to guns and religion - the right doesn't care if all other rights are lost. You can't have it both ways - the progressive movement was done to benefit citizens - the right wing can't say Obama is against small businesses and then totally flop and defend monopolise and the efforts of big business to take any right that doesn't result in "their" maximum profits, away from citizens....the trickle down you counted on went to CEO bonuses.
The high "payouts" on medical claims is the fault of the judges, they are taking care of their own......brother & sister lawyers. You win and get a BIG settlement and the lawyers get the biggest chunk of it, justify that, you were the one harmed, not the friggin lawyer!
The purpose of tort reform is not to take away the right to sue, it is to take away excessive (millions of dollars) punitive damages. If a doctor or equipment manufacturer was negligent and caused harm, by all means the injured person should be able to recover not only the cost of the health care, but also lost wages, future earnings, etc. There should be a limit to how much someone can gain from punitive damages.
The example of the coffee spill also does not take into consideration that the woman was partially negligent herself. Driving with a cup of hot coffee between your legs was the cause of the incident. If the person at the drive through window had dumped it on her, it would be different, but she created the risk of the spill.
The dems will eat their young if it would keep them in power. That is scary
You herad of George W. and his brother Jeb, you never hear about Morgan that is because George H. and his old lady ate him.
Umm umm, Texas BBQ
Yo "Drainbramage"
"Your previous further above post was good also!"
Billy Carson
IMPEACH OBAMA NOW!!!!
For people who don't know what the definition of Socialism is here you go:
A political or economic theory that the means of production, distribution, and exchange should be owned or regulated by the community as a whole.
(In Marxist Theory) A transitional social state between the overthrow of capitalism and the realization of communism.
Now given this definition, it is easy to understand why Socialism is good for the government. While we assume it wouldn't happen, the government would consider itself the owner/regulator on behalf of it's citizens. This would result in the government doing what is best for the government while keeping what is best for the people less important. History has shown time and time again it does happen. We refer to these people as dictators, in the older times they were referred to as Monarchs.
Make no mistake about this my friends, Socialism is at our doorstep, and while you may not think it will get to the point of total control, think again. We have a totalitarian government already it is just not used openly. Ask me for examples and I will provide them.
Nixon is the one who took away great health care (Dr. Marcus Welby) - and replaced it with insurance controlled care. That move by Nixon was far more socialist than the new reforms.