TPMDC reports that the Senate Democratic Caucus is having lunch with former president Bill Clinton today to discuss health care reform. It could be like asking Bob Shrum to run your presidential campaign, or it could be a valuable wake-up call of what it’s like to lose power in Congress a mere two years into a new Democratic president’s term. An interesting feature of the debate is that the most reluctant members of the Dem Caucus have a lot to lose if the Republicans regain power. Mary Landrieu would probably have to hand her gavel on the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship over to Diaper Dave Vitter. I know that would be a bitter pill. Blanche Lincoln just won the chairmanship of the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Saxby Chambliss would take over for her. Kent Conrad chairs the Committee on the Budget. I wonder how he’d like to take orders from Jeff Sessions of Alabama. Joe Lieberman cherishes his chair of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Of the most likely hold-outs, only Ben Nelson doesn’t stand to lose a full committee chair if the Republicans make a comeback.
But, even if they retain their chairs, their power will be diminished if the Dems lose seats. They’ll never achieve cloture without winning over Republicans. And, a Republican House would cause them all kinds of nightmares. It’s still unlikely that the Republicans can regain either house in just one election cycle, but you never know. Why risk it?
President Clinton had two years to make sweeping progress. He spent the next six years playing defense. I hope he can convince wavering Democrats that they don’t want to repeat that history.
Joe Lieberman would just switch parties and keep his chair. The Republicans know he’s their bitch.
Maybe. I doubt Susan Collins would be so generous, even to her good friend.
And all of the Deep Sixers would have electoral targets on them in their next election bid. For Lincoln, that is now.
Not to mention the likes of Mike McIntyre and Heath Shuler (and possibly Larry Kissell) in the House.
What ALL Democrats need to fully understand is that 2010 just like 1994 will be a referendum on the Democratic Party’s ability to govern, NOT healthcare or any other specific piece of legislation. No one gets a pass! That goes for Blue dogs and progressives alike. Americans value and respect success. They want to see their elected officials getting something done. If healthcare reform fails after dragging this country through an emotional year long debate–WHILE UNEMPLOYMENT WENT UP–they’ll pay! And deservedly so!
An interesting feature of the debate is that the most reluctant members of the Dem Caucus have a lot to lose if the Republicans regain power.
Do you know how many seats we’d have to lose for that to happen? Where are the Republicans gains going to come from? Are CT residents going to throw Dodd out? Is CA going to elect DeVore or Fiorina? Might Republicans make gains? Sure. But to flip that many seats? Chances are slim and none.
if Bill can get the Senate turds to vote for healthcare reform, then he would be of use.