Rep. Nick Rahall and healthcare for West Virginians

His voice mail at the capitol is full, the other office's lines (0.00 / 0)

have been busy today and yesterday.  I guess those ads asking people to call and ask him to vote no are working.

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by: MadAnne @ Tue Mar 16, 2010 at 19:21:20 PM CDT

He won't vote for the Senate bill as is, according to... (0.00 / 0)

this -

http://www.cnn.com/interactive...

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by: Bill @ Tue Mar 16, 2010 at 22:10:32 PM CDT

Bill, welcome to West Virginia Blue (4.00 / 2)

Thanks for that link, I hadn't seen that whip count. It's good to have as much information as possible.

Generally speaking, I find major corporate media whip counts to be inaccurate because they're not kept up-to-date well. They just don't have the same incentives to keep them current as activists who are working on only that from hour to hour.

According to yesterday's update by David Dayen, New Health Care Whip Count: 191 Yes, 206 No (206-209 with leaners) (emphasis mine):

8 lean Yes:
Paul Kanjorski, Dina Titus, Betty Sutton, Baron Hill, Allan Mollohan, Bill Owens, Marcy Kaptur, Tom Perriello.

8 other undecided Democrats:
Zack Space, Chris Carney, Ann Kirkpatrick, Nick Rahall, Solomon Ortiz, Earl Pomeroy, Bill Foster, Harry Mitchell.

I will be surprised for political reasons and disappointed for personal ones if Nick Rahall votes against. My read on WV-03 is the fundamental motivation for his opposition this cycle is the economy and fealty to coal interests--stuff like government health care is a distant secondary concern.

At a more personal level, my take on Rahall is he fundamentally believes in what the bill is about.

I will be really disappointed if he caves in to short-term political pressure and votes against the bill now. He's already voted in favor of a very similar bill. If he votes no this time around he's not going to please anyone--he'll piss off people who support HCR and he'll still leave those against HCR unhappy because he voted for it once already.

In all, I predict that both Rahall and Mollohan will vote for the bill.

It's a lot more fun to run a campaign talking about real accomplishments. It's a lot more fun to run a campaign talking about votes based on ideals rather than cynicism. Polls are already showing that as the bill gets closer to passing that more people like it. After it passes it will be even more popular. Neither one of them will want to be one the wrong side of history on this bill.

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by: Clem Guttata @ Wed Mar 17, 2010 at 05:56:08 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

You're welcome, Clem (4.00 / 1)

and thanks for the welcome.  I've been reading here for a while and enjoy the site very much.

Yes, hopefully CNN's info is inaccurate/outdated and Rahall and Mollohan (my rep) are on board.  When I called Mollohan's office the other day to add my voice to those urging him to vote for the bill, I first asked if he was still a yes.  The lady I spoke to gave a "we're not exactly sure what will be doing yet"-type answer.  Politician-speak?  Maybe.  I know he's been getting pressure from local RW/teabagger groups, so hopefully he isn't wavering.  I guess we'll find out soon.

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by: Bill @ Wed Mar 17, 2010 at 22:50:15 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I'm really glad WV Blue came around on this. (0.00 / 0)

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by: Bobzim @ Wed Mar 17, 2010 at 08:21:08 AM CDT

WVaBlue (0.00 / 0)

WVaBlue has always been for healthcare reform. To say we "came around" on this is incorrect. It is unfortunate that too many of our "allies" were eager to cave and we have a weak reform bill, but let's take what we can get because once again we have our "allies" and Democrats eager to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

When a man embarks upon a crime, he is morally guilty of any other crime which may spring from it. Sherlock Holmes.

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by: Carnacki @ Wed Mar 17, 2010 at 13:56:41 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

If anyone is interested, the House Budget Committee (0.00 / 0)

had a markup hearing Monday and passed motions to instruct on changes to that Senate bill.

NFTT: Support My Team or I Will Dance

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by: CA Berkeley WV @ Wed Mar 17, 2010 at 08:52:29 AM CDT

And brand new Benefits of Health Care Reform, (0.00 / 0)

For WV-03.

The Committee has prepared, for all 435 congressional districts, a district-level analysis of the impact of health care reform legislation. This analysis includes information on the impact of the legislation on families, small businesses, seniors in Medicare, health care providers, and the uninsured.

stevewvu can opt out.

NFTT: Support My Team or I Will Dance

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by: CA Berkeley WV @ Wed Mar 17, 2010 at 10:47:53 AM CDT