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It is pretty clear that Mark knows that he is talking to a formidable force in the progressive movement by how much time he puts into charming her before she can ask a question. Mark is no fool, he has had lots of practice dealing with smart aggressive interviewers from his appearances on Shannyn Moores' radio program. Like Rachel, Shannyn also gets right to the point and is not easily deflected by obfuscation.
And it sounds like Rachel got a definite (okay, okay let's say "tentative") yes from Begich, that he WOULD vote for the bill even if it contains the public option component. That is good news for both Alaskans and the progressives in the rest of the United States.
Senator Begich came across very sensibly. I hope we can keep him in office for a long time. We need to work on that now; the Alaskan Republican "machine" is going to try to take over.
ReplyDeleteOne of the Senators in that meeting was Mark Warner of my state, Virginia. I wish he would have shown up on Rachel Maddow's show. I sent him an email just in case he didn't watch.
ReplyDeleteBTW, how come no other politican or person I've seen on TV from Alaska has that weird accent of affect that Sarah Palin does? I mean everyone else there sounds normal, and doesn't throw in all those word salad-y there's, too's, and also's. Just an observation.
I've watched the interview 3x now. Rachel asked a specific question. I heard Begrich walk around the question and the public option. I was disappointed Rachel didn't repeat the question to get a clear answer for dense people like me.
ReplyDeleteWhere did you hear the 'definite yes'?
I think you're reaching a bit Gryph. I got that Mark Begich didn't think the public option needs to be a central part of the plan. AND...Begich spent the first half of the interview acting like it was a radio interview; on radio...there is much more time for pleasantries. On TV...not so much. I was surprised Rachel allowed him to go on so long...about NOTHING! The meat of the interview was pretty much about Senator Begich saying he didn't want the public option to be a central part of health care reform; he didn't oppose it, but he sure as hell doesn't think it's a do or die option.
ReplyDeleteYeah I guess I was projecting a little with my use of the word "definite". He did say he would not let a public option component make him vote against it, but he also did not exactly commit to supporting it.
ReplyDeleteDamn moderate Alaskan Democrats!
Gryphen, you are hearing what you want to hear. Begich is playing the typical political double-talk and you're buying into it. You're smarter than that -- at least I thought you were. It's going to be a hard crash.
ReplyDeleteActually, the way I saw it, he gave a typical politician's "yes, in a way that you really can't hold me to" answer.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Gryphen. Here are the 2 sentences (I think) where Begich says he won't vote against a bill with the public option.
ReplyDelete“What I don’t want to have happen is that the bill lives or dies by that issue.”
“And if it means that that’s part of the equation, we’ll deal with it at that time, but
it shouldn’t be the item that makes it live or die.”
Hey - Rob Miller just topped $800K
ReplyDeleteFrom Act Blue:
21,856
Supporters
$800,921
Raised
Good news - it appears the House may move forward with Censure of Joe (Addison) Wilson.
ReplyDeleteAnd even more good news from Rob Miller (I'm on his email list now):
A new poll just released by Public Policy Polling has us leading incumbent Joe Wilson by 44% to 43%. Thanks to your efforts, this campaign has become a dead heat.
I am very disapointed in Mark Begich. He is trying to be the candidate for both parties which does not work. I won't be walking for miles in the freezing cold to knock on doors for him again.
ReplyDeleteCALLING ALL MICHIGAN READERS!!!
ReplyDeleteFrom Dailykos: http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/9/11/780649/-ACTIVISM-ALERT:-Glenn-Beck-to-speak-at-Michigan-State-on-9-15.
ACTIVISM ALERT: Glenn Beck to speak at Michigan State on 9/15.
by Hesiod
Share this on Twitter - ACTIVISM ALERT: Glenn Beck to speak at Michigan State on 9/15. Fri Sep 11, 2009 at 12:54:25 PM PDT
The Michigan Chamber of Commerce has invited Glenn Beck to be the keynote speaker at its annual Future & Forum Annual Meeting.
The event will take place on September 15 on the campus of Miichigan State University at the University's conference and convention facility, the Kellog Center.
ANY KOSSACK WHO LIVES IN MICHIGAN NEEDS TO TAKE ACTION!
Hesiod's diary :: ::
Write to the Chamber with your displeasure at inviting such a divisive figure to speak to its members. Here's their Staff directory. One person to focus on may be Amy Bahs, their Director of Marketing and events.
abahs@michamber.com
RILE UP THE CAMPUS DEMOCRATS AT MSU! They can take the forefront of any protests at the Kellog center and voicing of opposition to the University.
Here's the MSU Dems e-mail address:
msudems@msudems.org
Anyone with a Michigan blog should post something as well. We need to get the word out. We only have a few days notice.
ADDENDUM: Glenn beck is an enemy of Auto Workers and lied about the UAW during GM's bankruptcy crisis. Lots of auto workers live in the mid Michigan area.
Let's let them know Beck is coming to town.
UPDATE: inspired by a commenter -- a suggested protest sign might be: "Glenn Beck -- YOU LIE!"
Gryphen, I think you’ll like BraveNewFilms presents: Robert Reich explaining the public insurance option in a brief 1:58 minutes. He explains why co-ops won’t work.
ReplyDeleteh/t honestyinGov at mudflats
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXFHXqrrJ6g
Gryphen-
ReplyDeleteOff topic here, but I wanted to say I always get a chuckle that SarahPAC shows as a sponsor here. I always click her link hoping she will somehow have to pay you for the referals :-) Keep up the good work!
Great news about the censure on Wilson. I wrote Nancy Pelosi and told her how I felt about his comment. I also wrote about how the rest of the Repubs acted during the speech and said it was an embarassment to our country.
ReplyDeleteI am still furious and upset about how those jerk acted that night but also in general.
Where did you see that they might censure. I haven't heard it on CNN
Gryphen,
ReplyDeleteI heard Mark Begich on Shanny's show the previous week. He seemed a little wishy washy. I though he was sort of walking the fence and not committed... Yet.Maybe decide when he got back to Wash. When I heard he was going to be talking to R. Maddow I figured he had had enough time, thought it over and would ANNOUNCE his decision and be firm and clear about where he stood.Sorry... but to me he is still in the SAME place he was 2 weeks ago. If he is not... he sure has NOT made his position clear. JMHO.
A little OT about your Google Ads. I constantly see the SarahPac ad... and i do ' click ' on it. You thought it may be related to sites we visit or based on stored cookies... relevant subjects. This will make you LAUGH.
Earlier this week I read about our Conservative State Rep, Duvall from CA who was involved in the Lobbyist sex Scandal. I read stories from various places that day. TPM as well as some papers in State.What showed up in your Google AD when I visited your site...? { this is Good }
There is a picture of a twenty-something brunette in a little black dress sitting on a couch with a lot of Leg showing.( I wish I could paste the pic )They are advertising for a website " Established Men- Sugar Daddy Dating"( Maybe it's... an Escort service..?)Their Slogan..." Where Beautiful Girls & Successful Men Meet[ If you Google the name of the site on the web... the site will show up]
I guess if you are reading about a Conservative Family Values Republican Congressman.... these are the ads targeted for you.They do know the GOP.
lisabeth: Here's the link:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/09/10/house-democrats-consider-punishing-wilson-outburst/
Not going to believe this one, can't make this stuff up! Huff Post has a new article,
ReplyDelete"Joe Wilson Voted To Provide Taxpayer Money For Illegal Immigrants' Healthcare"
Seems in 2003, he voted to provide federal money... I can't paste, it's on the politics page.
Begich clearly avoided a "yes" or "no" answer. He has never come out in favor of the public option, regardless of how hopefully some try to interpret his statements to Shannyn and Rachel. This hopefulness is very damaging as some people now erroneously believe Begich supports the option and have stopped lobbying him.
ReplyDeleteKeep up those calls, emails & faxes!
I'm not sure what political planet you all live on, but Begich is a freshman senator and will have no input into what's int he final bill. He's not on any of the committees writing the legislation and clearly understands his only vote will be on the Senate floor. It sounds like he's going to vote for the bill - with our without a public option - saying it's not an issue the legislation should live or die on. Not sure how much more anyone can ask.
ReplyDelete