Posted on 09/02/2009 9:37:19 PM PDT by Lorianne
The poll slide Congressional Dems are enduring right now has increased pressure on Dems to succeed on health care this year, Democratic aides privately acknowledge, meaning health care failure is simply not an option, lest the party court electoral disaster.
Dem strategists looking at the current numbers know that failure in the current environment would be nothing short of catastrophic — and that succeeding on health care reform is the best, and perhaps only, way to stave off the sort of losses that generally hits a party two years after grabbing control of Congress.
Take a look, for instance, at the new Pew poll. It’s chock full of bad news for Dems. It finds that Republicans have pulled into a statistical tie in the generic matchup. That more independents now back the GOPer in their district. And that Dems only hold a statistically insignificant edge on who can best manage the Federal government.
It’s hard not to see these numbers as a direct outgrowth of the health care debate and the current impasse. Either way, Democratic aides acknowledge that failing on health care would trigger a revolt from the Dem base, perhaps depressing fundraising, and cement the view among independents that Dem rule has been ineffective.
“Looking at the lessons of 94, failure is not an option,” one aide emails. “Failure to get a bill passed is far worse for Democrats in 2010 at the polls.”
Interestingly, this has created a built-in tension: While Senate Dems have more control over whether health care succeeds, the stakes are higher for House Dems. It’s a tougher cycle for the House, aides say, meaning they’d likely face bigger losses if Senate Dems can’t resolve their impasse with Republicans or if they don’t opt for reconciliation to get reform done.
Either way, if they look hard enough, liberals can locate something of a silver lining in all the bad news: It ups the pressure on Congressional Dems not just to do health care this year, but do it right.
They’re TOAST; case closed.
The GOP especially stinking RINOs like McCain cannot throw Obama and Pelosi a lifeline.
I hope the Jackasses continue to think this way. I think an “electoral disaster” resulting from a failure to pass CommieCare is a hell of a lot better than the second Civil War they’ll get if they do.
He (McLame) won’t throw a lifeline .. he will launch a motorwhale boat and pursue them and drag them to safety.. McLame and a whole lot of other republicans are one of them. (pelosi/obammer supporters)
"McQueeg to the rescue!!!"
no healthcare please....they still dont get it.
Poor logic. In 94, the rats lost Congress because they tried socialized medicine, and would have kept trying. In 2010, if they pass socialized medicine, they would lose Congress because they actually passed it. They may lose it either way. The reason is that they tried, it has nothing to do with passage.
I would not count on it.
in order for this to prove true, the dems would have to believe:
1. The opposition to HCR is wide but thin.
2. Those opposed will get over it by Nov 2010.
3. Republicans won’t seriously campaign against them for passing it.
4. ACORN, the dead, & judges allowing voting past closing, etc, will give them a win regardless.
5. The media will continue to help sway the uniformed.
Of all these, I think number 3 and 5 are the most likely to occur.
Grassley was right no the money and the Dems are going to fight more than ever right now because 2010 and 12 are going up in flames if they don't do something drastic.
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