[As in Jim Dean, Howard's brother, head of DFA. FWIW]
---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Mon, 17 Aug 2009 12:36:00 -0500 (CDT) From: "Jim Dean, Democracy for America" <info at democracyforamerica.com> Subject: House won't pass Healthcare without a Public Option
Over the weekend Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said the Obama administration was open to considering co-ops in a healthcare reform bill. Immediately, insurance-funded media went on the attack. Some reporters called the public option dead -- others "off the table".
The media is wrong... again.
Let's be clear: A Healthcare bill without a public option is D.O.A. in the House. Period.
To pass any bill in the House they need at least 218 votes but 64 House Democrats have stood up and said they will not vote for a bill without a public option. That means a bill without a public option would only have 193 votes.
It's up to us to make sure these Democrats stand strong and never back down in the face of pressure from the insurance industry and insider Democrats....
[etc. This is an appeal for action and support for progressive dems, which is what this group does.]
Michael