November 4th, 2009, Fairfax, VA—Americans for Limited Government President Bill Wilson today urged members of the House Democrat Blue Dog coalition and other vulnerable members to “read the tea leaves and abandon the Hard Left’s attempt to take over the nation’s entire health care system.”
“Last night’s overwhelming election results leave vulnerable members in the majority in a tight spot,” said Wilson. “Do they want to be wiped out politically to help Barack Obama foist his unwanted agenda on the American people? Or will they abandon ship?”
Already, on Capitol Hill, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is indicating he may delay final votes on Democrats’ $2.1 trillion “public option” until 2010. But, Wilson argues, “That will make gathering the votes among vulnerable members all the more difficult as voter concerns increasingly shift to unemployment, the national debt, and the sinking dollar.”
Wilson asked of Congressional leadership, “Why, if exit polls show voter anxiety over the state of the economy, jobs, excessive government spending and taxes, is Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid focused on taking over health care and expanding government?”
“Congress is out of step with the American people,” Wilson said.
According to ABC News, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid remain committed to holding votes on the “public option” before Christmas. On October 27th, Pelosi said, “I am absolutely confident that we are going to get health care done by the end of this year, and Nancy Pelosi is just as confident.”
Said Reid spokesman Jim Manley, “Our goals remain unchanged. We want to get health insurance reform done this year, and we have unprecedented momentum to achieve that.”
Today, according to Congressional Quarterly, Congresswoman Louise Slaughter, Chair of the House Rules committee said a House vote would occur on Saturday, November 7th, with floor debate beginning on Friday.
But, reports ABC, Congressional Democrats may be reconsidering their strategy. A senior Democrat aide said “Getting this done by the by the end of the year is a no-go,” which was confirmed to ABC by two other key Congressional Democrats, indicating disagreement about how to proceed.
“Pelosi and Reid still don’t have the votes,” Wilson explained. “Every time they put off the floor votes, they show their hand—and right now they are saying that they need more time to twist arms and make deals.”
“But for vulnerable members of the Democrat caucus, Pelosi and Reid cannot protect them from an overwhelming public wave of dissatisfaction with government, which never favors the incumbent party,” said Wilson.
“ObamaCare could be the biggest casualty of public outrage with big government,” Wilson said.
According to Rasmussen Reports, 54 percent of voters oppose the “public option” proposed, which only 42 percent support.
“It’s time for moderate and conservative Democrats in Congress to abandon ship if they want to keep their jobs. The American people do not want more government; they are trying desperately to get government off their backs and out of their pockets,” Wilson concluded.
Interview Availability: Please contact Alex Rosenwald at (703)383-0880 or at arosenwald@getliberty.org to arrange an interview with ALG President Bill Wilson.
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