Recess Roastings: How’s That Healthcare “Offensive” Going?

How’s That Healthcare “Offensive” Going?

Three Days Into August Sales Pitch, Dems Feel Heat Over Government Healthcare Takeover

Democrat Leaders Have Urged Rank-And-File Members To Go “On Offense” To Sell Their Government-Run Healthcare Takeover:

“Speaker Nancy Pelosi outlined a doubled-edged message for selling healthcare reform in August: one part pro-consumer and the second, attacking the health insurance industry with the same passion she took on George W. Bush’s Social Security privatization plans four years ago.” (David Rogers, “Pelosi Outlines August Plan Of Attack,” Politico, 07/31/09)

“Faced with sagging approval for Democrats’ health care plans heading into the August recess, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) said Thursday that his party will have a more focused message buoyed by deals emerging from both the House and Senate….’We’re going to be on the air, we’re going to be in neighborhoods,’ he said. ‘We’re going to have a lot of help.’” (Steven T. Dennis, “Hoyer Says Democrats Going on Offense Over August,” Roll Call, 07/30/09)

Recess Roasting: “Rough Road Ahead When Rep. Dahlkemper Discusses Health Care Reform”:

“The big, bold letters on the front page of the 1,017-page tome sitting on the picnic table read ‘H.R. 3200.’ Below in smaller type: ‘To provide quality health care for all Americans and reduce the growth in health care spending, and for other purposes.’ A rainbow of red, green and blue placemarkers stick out of the curled, tattered and slightly discolored pages. A light breeze flicks the pages open, revealing highlighted passages and handwritten notes.  The author of those notes, Democrat U.S. Rep. Kathy Dahlkemper, stands just feet away, engaged for nearly two hours in animated and sometimes slightly heated give-and-take with a handful of constituents who’ve dedicated part of their Saturday morning to taking up her invitation to talk.” (Pat Bywater, “Rough road ahead when Rep. Dahlkemper discusses health care reform,” Meadville Tribune, 08/02/09)

Recess Roasting: “Murphy Hears It From Both Sides Of Issue”

“At two public events on Saturday, the hot topic was health care reform.  The plan was for Congressman Patrick Murphy to discuss health care reform and other hot-button topics with his constituents on a one-on-one basis.  The plan didn’t last long.  Minutes into the first of two scheduled ‘Congressman on Your Corner’ sessions Saturday afternoon at the jam-packed Concerto Fusion restaurant in Morrisville, shouts from an impatient, frustrated crowd forced Murphy and his staff to reconsider the format of the event.” (Andy Vineberg, “Murphy hears it from both sides of issue,” Bucks County Courier Times, 08/02/09)

Recess Roasting: “Lloyd Doggett Faces Angry Crowd At Randalls”:

“Back in Central Texas while Congress is on a month-long recess, Congressman Lloyd Doggett faced an angry reception at a town hall meeting at an Austin Randalls store yesterday.  Doggett, D-Austin, spoke at the Randalls at Brodie and Slaughter lanes on Saturday. A video of the event on YouTube shows many in the crowd showed up with signs denouncing President Obama’s proposed health care plan.  Witnesses say that when Doggett was asked if he would support the plan even if he found his constituents opposed it, Doggett said he would still support the plan. From there, the crowd began chanting ‘Just Say No,’ and overwhelmed the congressman as he moved through the crowd and into the parking lot.” (Patrick George, “Lloyd Doggett faces angry crowd at Randalls,” Austin American-Statesman, 08/02/09)

###