Will Target Dems Cave?
FYI, a version of the release below went out to the following districts: John Barrow (GA-12); Bart Gordon (TN-06); Baron Hill (IN-09); Jim Matheson (UT-02); Charlie Melancon (LA-03); Mike Ross (AR-04); and Zack Space (OH-18).
Will Baron Hill Cave?
Architect of Health Care Takeover Attempts to Appease Lap Dogs with ‘Watered Down’ Offer
Washington- As Democrat leaders begin to flail in desperation to revive their flagging healthcare takeover, Baron Hill may have just heard an offer he can’t refuse. Hill and his fellow Blue Dogs have been in negotiations with their party bosses as Nancy Pelosi and Henry Waxman attempt to force their bill to a vote in Congress. Today, Waxman offered Hill a ‘watered-down’ compromise in order to get him on board with his party bosses and leave Indiana families in the rearview mirror. After a morning meeting with House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman, Hill and his comrades had plenty to consider:
“Hill then retreated to his personal office along with Reps. Mike Ross (D-Ark.), Zach Space (D-Ohio) and John Barrow (D-Ga.), three of the seven Blue Dogs who hold the keys to unlocking the healthcare bill from the Energy and Commerce Committee. That group was gathering to consider whether to accept Waxman’s proposal or to make a counter-offer and keep the negotiations going.”
“‘I think what the chairman has done has agreed to a lot of our proposals in a hybrid fashion,’ Hill said. ‘In other words, he’s kind of watered them down. And we’ve got to make a determination whether or not we’re going to accept that watered-down proposal or make a counter-proposal.’” (Jared Allen, “Blue Dogs Still Chewing on Waxman’s Offer,” The Hill, 7/28/09)
“As the Democrats’ job-killing healthcare takeover continues to lose steam, Baron Hill appears poised to cut a deal that will curry favor with his party bosses as they force their bill through Congress and onto the American people,” said NRCC Communications Director Ken Spain. “Indiana families are looking for solutions that will get the country’s economy back on track, but Baron Hill is ready to sell them out once again in order to green-light his party’s anti-jobs agenda. Hill has put on a nice show so far, but his willingness to put a ‘watered-down’ compromise before the interests of Indiana families shows that his true loyalties lie with Nancy Pelosi and her radical friends.”
As Baron Hill considers selling out his constituents for some Capitol Hill credibility, will Indiana families end up on the losing end of his party loyalties once again?
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