Nate Silver looks at Specter's voting record since nominally converting to the Democratic Party, and, surprise, he's not doing too bad. He's voted with the Democrats 10 out of 15 times, not up to Casey's rate (14 out of 15), but well above supposed Democrats Evan Bayh (8 out of 14) and Ben Nelson (7 out of 15).
I'm still in favor of a strong primary challenge, if for no other reason to keep some pressure on Specter to play nice with the Democrats.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Gillibrand supports public option
Kirsten Gillibrand was appointed to the senate with a background of being a centerish Democrat. In principle, this was a shame, because the seat from NY would be pretty safe for a genuine progressive, so it was a lost opportunity. However, there was some speculation that maybe she'd tack to the left once she was representing the whole state rather than her centerish district.
It appears that she has. On Monday she came out forcefully in favor of a public option on the healthcare initiative, using the effective and accurate phrase "Medicare for all."
Good for her, and good for us.
It appears that she has. On Monday she came out forcefully in favor of a public option on the healthcare initiative, using the effective and accurate phrase "Medicare for all."
Good for her, and good for us.
Monday, May 4, 2009
CSCC Healthcare Event ***This Thursday***
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CSCC Healthcare Event This Thursday, May 7 @ 7:00pm
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The Central Susquehanna Citizens Coalition will present a public forum titled "Re-Imagining Healthcare in PA: The Next Five Years and Beyond" on this Thursday, May 7 at 7:00pm at the Union County Government Center located at 155 N 15th St., Lewisburg. A panel of five healthcare professionals will present their perspectives on the current state of healthcare in Pennsylvania, its challenges, and proposed solutions for the future, to be followed by interactive discussion with the audience. No tickets are necessary; this event is free and open to the public.
The panel will feature five distinguished healthcare professionals from across Pennsylvania. Allison Clark is the Executive Director of ACTION Health, a collaborative partnership among six hospitals in the Central Susquehanna Valley that provides community health outreach and education. Jill Fecker is the Community Liaison for A Community Clinic, Inc., a non-profit agency that assists the uninsured population gain access to high quality healthcare through a network of volunteer physicians and services provided by area hospitals. Chuck Pennacchio is the Executive Director of Healthcare for All Pennsylvania, anorganization founded to educate the public and government officials in support of legislation that achieves comprehensive and fair healthcare coverage for everyone in Pennsylvania through a single-payer system. Andrew Sandusky is the Vice President of Governmental Affairs for the Pennsylvania Academy of Family Physicians, a group that supports family physicians through advocacy and education to ensure a patient-centered physician-coordinated medical home for residents of PA. Amy Wolaver, Assistant Professor of Economics at Bucknell University, is a leader in the field of employer-provided health insurance policy research and teaches courses in health policy and health economics.
The format of the panel discussion will be 10-minute presentations by each of the five panelists, followed by over 30 minutes of interactive discussion where audience members are encouraged to ask questions and participate in the conversation.
For more information, click here for our press release, or call 523-0659. Please spread the word, and we hope to see you there!
CSCC Healthcare Event This Thursday, May 7 @ 7:00pm
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Central Susquehanna Citizens Coalition will present a public forum titled "Re-Imagining Healthcare in PA: The Next Five Years and Beyond" on this Thursday, May 7 at 7:00pm at the Union County Government Center located at 155 N 15th St., Lewisburg. A panel of five healthcare professionals will present their perspectives on the current state of healthcare in Pennsylvania, its challenges, and proposed solutions for the future, to be followed by interactive discussion with the audience. No tickets are necessary; this event is free and open to the public.
The panel will feature five distinguished healthcare professionals from across Pennsylvania. Allison Clark is the Executive Director of ACTION Health, a collaborative partnership among six hospitals in the Central Susquehanna Valley that provides community health outreach and education. Jill Fecker is the Community Liaison for A Community Clinic, Inc., a non-profit agency that assists the uninsured population gain access to high quality healthcare through a network of volunteer physicians and services provided by area hospitals. Chuck Pennacchio is the Executive Director of Healthcare for All Pennsylvania, anorganization founded to educate the public and government officials in support of legislation that achieves comprehensive and fair healthcare coverage for everyone in Pennsylvania through a single-payer system. Andrew Sandusky is the Vice President of Governmental Affairs for the Pennsylvania Academy of Family Physicians, a group that supports family physicians through advocacy and education to ensure a patient-centered physician-coordinated medical home for residents of PA. Amy Wolaver, Assistant Professor of Economics at Bucknell University, is a leader in the field of employer-provided health insurance policy research and teaches courses in health policy and health economics.
The format of the panel discussion will be 10-minute presentations by each of the five panelists, followed by over 30 minutes of interactive discussion where audience members are encouraged to ask questions and participate in the conversation.
For more information, click here for our press release, or call 523-0659. Please spread the word, and we hope to see you there!
Thoughts on the 2010 Senate Primary
I understand Pres. Obama's decision to welcome Arlen Specter into the Democratic Party. And I would have no problem with a promise from the president to support him in the Senate election if he is the nominee of the Democratic Party. Unfortunately, that's not what the president said. He promised to support him and raise money for him in the primary, and all appearances indicate that Gov. Rendell will do so as well. What happened to small d democracy? Or is this just how politics works?
The whole argument of the Obama campaign was that the voters ought to make decisions--not some party machine. It's up to us to remind the voters to make up their own minds--no matter what the party leaders may say. In a campaign between Arlen Specter and Pat Toomey, I would have no trouble supporting Arlen Specter, but I wouldn't mind having another choice. In fact, I looking for a progressive alternative in the Democratic primary about a year from now.
Comments elsewhere:
DailyKos
Open Left
The whole argument of the Obama campaign was that the voters ought to make decisions--not some party machine. It's up to us to remind the voters to make up their own minds--no matter what the party leaders may say. In a campaign between Arlen Specter and Pat Toomey, I would have no trouble supporting Arlen Specter, but I wouldn't mind having another choice. In fact, I looking for a progressive alternative in the Democratic primary about a year from now.
Comments elsewhere:
DailyKos
Open Left
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