“

… his political advisers are hinting at a more aggressive strategy: portraying Republicans who oppose the legislation as opposing all of its benefits. Obama has avoided this scorched-earth style of politics. But his advisers seem ready to try it. “Let them tell a child with a pre-existing condition, ‘We don’t think you should be covered,’ ” David Axelrod said of Republicans last night. On This Week, David Plouffe added:

We’re going to go out there and not just talk about what we’re for, but what the Republicans are voting against. They are siding with the insurance companies over people who are denied coverage for pre-existing conditions, siding with the insurance companies over saving seniors money. So this isn’t just about us being a pinata here in the election. Elections are about choices. They are voting against an enormous tax cut for health care for 40 million middle-class families and 4 million small businesses.
”

Slate

a more aggressive strategy?… please be true, please!

“

# John Adler (NJ)

# Jason Altmire (PA)

# Michael Arcuri (NY)

# John Barrow (GA)

# Marion Berry (AR)

# Dan Boren (OK)

# Rick Boucher (VA)

# Bobby Bright (AL)

# Ben Chandler (KY)

# Travis Childers (MS)

# Arthur Davis (AL)

# Lincoln Davis (TN)

# Chet Edwards (TX)

# Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (SD)

# Tim Holden (PA)

# Larry Kissell (NC)

# Frank Kratovil (MD)

# Daniel Lipinski (IL)

# Stephen F. Lynch (MA)

# Jim Marshall (GA)

# Jim Matheson (UT)

# Mike McIntyre (NC)

# Michael McMahon (NY)

# Charlie Melancon (LA)

# Walt Minnick (ID)

# Glenn Nye (VA)

# Collin Peterson (MN)

# Mike Ross (AR)

# Heath Shuler (NC)

# Ike Skelton (MO)

# Zack Space (OH)

# John Tanner (TN)

# Gene Taylor (MS)

# Harry Teague (NM)

”

A list of House Democrats who voted against a bill that would extend health care coverage to more than 30 million Americans. The House passed the measure 219-212, with every Republican voting against it.

npr

“

“Democrats are in for an ass-whipping of biblical proportions in November if they don’t get off the dime and do the job they were sent there to do,” Don’t they see that?

When the Republicans come into town, they get in the hummer, and they drive down Pennsylvania Avenue and mow down anybody in sight,” “They walk into Congress with both guns blazing, and they say ‘we were sent here to do a job,’ and then they do the job.

”

Michael Moore fleshed out his thesis that Democrats are wimps by mimicking them as babies and likening them to scared animals, during an appearance on MSNBC Wednesday.

video

rawstory

Poll: GOP Holds Double-Digit “Enthusiasm” Edge Over Dems The new Pew poll contains some potentially ominous signs for Dems, finding that anti-incumbent sentiment is running at levels comparable to the worst in two decades. But this finding seems particularly noteworthy: Those planning to back a Republican next year are more enthusiastic than those backing Dems — by double digits: However, voters who plan to support Republicans next year are more enthusiastic than those who plan to vote for a Democrat. Fully 58% of those who plan to vote for a Republican next year say they are very enthusiastic about voting, compared with 42% of those who plan to vote for a Democrat. more —> The Plum Line

Poll: GOP Holds Double-Digit “Enthusiasm” Edge Over Dems

The new Pew poll contains some potentially ominous signs for Dems, finding that anti-incumbent sentiment is running at levels comparable to the worst in two decades.

But this finding seems particularly noteworthy: Those planning to back a Republican next year are more enthusiastic than those backing Dems — by double digits:

However, voters who plan to support Republicans next year are more enthusiastic than those who plan to vote for a Democrat. Fully 58% of those who plan to vote for a Republican next year say they are very enthusiastic about voting, compared with 42% of those who plan to vote for a Democrat.

more —> The Plum Line

The Just Say No Democrats

The New York Times has an excellent graphic up today profiling the 39 Democrats who voted against healthcare reform in the House of Representatives on Saturday night. The Times notes that 31 of these Democrats represent districts won by John McCain, as if that’s a sufficient excuse. But take a closer look at the numbers. Paradoxically, those Democrats voting against healthcare reform represent constituents most in need of health insurance.

continue reading…thenation

Alan Grayson, the Liberals’ Problem Child On paper, Representative Alan Grayson, a freshman Democrat from Florida, seems a bit stiff: degrees fromHarvard and Harvard Law; a résumé that includes clerking for the United States Court of Appeals under Judges Antonin Scalia, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Robert Bork; an advocate for the aging. But in recent weeks, Mr. Grayson has catapulted himself to national renown for outlandish rhetoric and a pugilistic political style that makes him seem less staid lawmaker than a character on the lam from one of his Orlando district’s theme parks… continue reading…NYTimes

Alan Grayson, the Liberals’ Problem Child

On paper, Representative Alan Grayson, a freshman Democrat from Florida, seems a bit stiff: degrees fromHarvard and Harvard Law; a résumé that includes clerking for the United States Court of Appeals under Judges Antonin Scalia, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Robert Bork; an advocate for the aging.

But in recent weeks, Mr. Grayson has catapulted himself to national renown for outlandish rhetoric and a pugilistic political style that makes him seem less staid lawmaker than a character on the lam from one of his Orlando district’s theme parks…

continue reading…NYTimes