Merkley calls out Mitch McConnell on the Senate Floor
Carla Axtman
Senator Jeff Merkley kicked some serious ass on the floor of the U.S. Senate today.
Merkley, who has already called attention to Frank Luntz's memo on how to kill health care reform, took Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) to task for using Luntz's talking points.
Merkley draws a straight line from Luntz to McConnell. It's a thing of beauty.
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Jun 10, '09
I'm so proud to have Jeff as my Senator!
Keep it up....
Jun 10, '09
Go Jeff !! Awesome speech. Tells it like it is!
Jun 10, '09
I can't believe they've even given Merkley floor credentials..what an embarrassment this ass clown is...wake me up in 5 years when this shit show is over
Jun 10, '09
Keep it classy, JJ, keep it classy.
I never liked Gordon Smith, but I had more creativity and wit than to call him an assclown.
8:12 p.m.
Jun 10, '09
It is important to clarify where the Republican leaders are getting their information. It is especially important when that information is taken from notes prepared by a Republican political consultant.
Good Job, Senator Merkley! Keep it up.
Jun 10, '09
Right on Jeff! This is why I still have your bumper sticker on the back of my car!
JJ, I was one of the 3rd party voters who allowed Gordon Smith to become US Senator (sorry Dems, I couldn't in good conscience vote for Bruggere, and if you'd like me to re-register NAV like I did after Bruggere basically bought that 1996 primary, I will be glad to oblige).
But after being disappointed, I never called him by such names JJ, or even Denny Smith.
If one really wants to express any opinion rather than just juvenile insults, there are better ways to do so--quoting the newspaper which called Denny Smith a Reagan Robot, for instance, or saying "Gordon Smith used to be a mix of statesman and slick, but it looks like slick won out".
What an embarrassment any blogger is who uses the kind of language middle school students use. Or perhaps you are a middle school student, JJ?
Jun 10, '09
Wow. A Republican senator using information from a Republican pollster. I'm shocked. Stunned. Outraged!
I am certain...certain I tell ya...Democratic Senators, such as Merkley, have NEVER and will NEVER use information from Democratic pollsters when crafting messages on the floor of the US Senate, right?
Please wake me when something noteworthy actually happens.
10:03 p.m.
Jun 10, '09
I'm not sure I really see Merkley as all that gutsy.
I'd be more impressed if he would explain how he can be a co-sponsor of Wyden's healthcare plan AND believe in a national public health insurance option simultaneously without critiquing the state's senior senator in public.
It's like saying he's signed on to Wyden's plan to torture rabbits but at the same time, he believes in a national public torture-free rabbit option. NOT TO SAY HE DISAGREES WITH WYDEN, OR ANYTHING.
But then, I didn't work on his campaign. I just have to take phone calls from his disgruntled spokespeople in Washington who blow up at me when I can't understand their tortured politicking doublethink.
Jun 10, '09
Mr. Davis - I confess I only took one journalism class, but I am pretty sure reporters are supposed to at least pretend to be objective. I find it more than a little strange that you are giving Merkley a hard time for refusing to criticize the guy who helped him get elected. Go hang out on your own blog and wait for someone to come along so you can whine to them.
Gutsy is being willing to stand up to the most powerful member of the opposition in the clubby atmosphere of the Senate. You don't see that very often. Keep it up, Jeff!
Jun 10, '09
I confess I only took one journalism class, but I am pretty sure reporters are supposed to at least pretend to be objective.
The first mistake there is you're also under the assumption that the Mercury is a reputable newspaper rather than a free pop culture rag that you read at the bar because you're waiting for some friends to show up.
Remember...you pick up the Mercury at the bar or the coffee shop for free. They don't pay Davis enough to even bother to pretend to be objective, which he isn't.
11:28 p.m.
Jun 10, '09
Uh, Matt, you know that Wyden has said he's open to the public option too, right?
And no, your rabbit analogy is not on point. What Merkiey said during the campaign and since, is that he would vote for single payer, or a public option, or Wyden's plan - whatever gets to the floor. It's important that we do something this year to guarantee universal health care.
Keep your eye on the big picture. The details are important, too, but we can't let ourselves get so invested in those details that the opponents of reform win out. The insurance companies would love nothing more than to see progressives lock down in an internecine war that ultimately ends in business-as-usual.
(My firm built Wyden's and Merkley's campaign websites, but I speak only for myself.)
Jun 11, '09
Wow. A Republican senator using information from a Republican pollster. I'm shocked. Stunned. Outraged!
You missed the point. The point is that the minority leader is trying to kill the plan, any plan, since his party apparently doesn't believe that there is a health care problem in America. There is a difference between critical but constructive rhetoric, and destructive rhetoric. Good on Merkley for pointing this out, the vast majority of Americans who would like to see this problem addressed will be interested in the implications of the minority leader's comments.
12:38 a.m.
Jun 11, '09
"Uh, Matt, you know that Wyden has said he's open to the public option too, right?"
I give Merkley a pass because he's said he'll vote for whatever he can get, all the way and including single payer. He's not pushing Ron's plan in the Senate that I'm aware of; the co-sponsoring link doesn't seem much of an indictment when you're talking about two same-state same-party Senators. Now THAT is clubby.
Wyden on the other hand may declare himself "open" (although you'll notice that declaration always comes with a financing caveat), but he's got his own plan that not only doesn't call for a national public option but in fact forestalls it with variously triggered state options and locks us into a private delivery scheme as our "reform." Plus his plan is now the rallying option for pretty much the entire GOP caucus, and he's also declared the primacy of "bipartisanship," which bumps pretty hard up against a national public option.
Diago/Hotline confirms what I think most knew: the public is abhorrently against taxing health benefits. 25% support, a majority STRONGLY against it. The choice of a real public option is almost a mirror image. Wyden is stuck holding a plan that doesn't do what people want, and pays for it in exactly the way people don't want. The sooner he drops it in Mitch McConnell's lap and says "we can do better," the better. Until then, I see Senator Wyden as an impediment for serious reform--at best.
Jun 11, '09
Steve: Actually, I didn't miss the point. Is it news to any of all ya'll that Republicans aren't keen on the Democratic solution to our health care crisis?
You've taken a bit of a leap to assert Senate Republicans apparently don't believe there is a health care problem in America unless they are willing to support a Democratic solution. Using your logic, Democrats apparently didn't believe we had a terrorism problem across the globe unless they supported President Bush's war plans at every turn.
Did the minority Democrats ever try to kill a majority Republican plan on the floor of the senate? Of course. Were minority Democratic talking points on majority Republican bills always "constructive" and never "destructive"? Of course not. There's a restaurant in DC called "The Loyal OPPOSITION" (emphasis mine) for a reason. (It is still there, isn't it?) Republicans are the OPPOSITION, not the CONSTRUCTIVES. That role is played well by both Democrats and Republicans depending on who's in power and who is not. And Democrats can employ destructive rhetoric just as effectively as the GOP -- General Betray-Us anyone?
Yes, everyone supports the parties getting together and working for a bipartisan solution to this and that, but both sides are critical of the other, especially when in the minority.
I still don't see this as anything more than Sen. Merkley standing on the floor of the senate and saying, essentially, "He's a Republican Leader and he's talking from Republican talking points created by a Republican pollster to advance the Republican position."
I'll say it again: wake me when something interesting happens, unless the point is that Sen. Merkley is staking out an "I'm not going to be part of the club" mentality. That might be newsworthy as it will most certainly impact his long-term ability to be effective for Oregon. Wyden and Smith didn't agree on many things, but they learned to work well with one another and Oregon benefited.
7:07 a.m.
Jun 11, '09
But then, I didn't work on his campaign. I just have to take phone calls from his disgruntled spokespeople in Washington who blow up at me when I can't understand their tortured politicking doublethink.
"Can't understand..?" Oh come now, Matt. You can do better than that.
You come at this with some pretty intense biases, just like a lot of other folks. You're as much an advocate as I am for your political and ideological beliefs.
This isn't about "political doublespeak", but you know that.
Jun 11, '09
Jeff Merkley speaks for most Oregonians on this one, Darrell. We are sick to death of politicians from BOTH parties conducting paint-by-number politics. McConnell ought to put down the polling and the Luntz talking points and engage in an authentic fashion that responds to what real Americans need. Instead, he is using words culled and shaped to achieve an immoral result. We are sick to death of that in Washington and in Salem.
7:14 a.m.
Jun 11, '09
Andi, are you kidding? only journalism professors of a certain ilk insist journalists are supposed to be objective -- and never explain what objective is. journalists have always taken sides. many claim that "truth" and the "public good" are the side they are on, but those are tricky, subjective little devils. many journalists, including Matt, refuse to pretend to be objective but still work hard to sift thru the crapola to find out something that looks somewhat like, well, truth.
objective journalists? show me one. (and i'll show you his/her subjective bias. guaranteed.)
7:16 a.m.
Jun 11, '09
Jeff too often stumbles over his words when speaking, but not when he's passionate and speaking from deep conviction -- or anger. he spoke so clearly and well in this clip, you know he's seriously pissed at McConnell's pathetic echoing of Luntz' words. i believe he's totally on-board with the President to get health care change thru this year, and for it to be the right change -- including a public option -- and to see obstruction for the sake of obstruction appears to have really gotten him riled. bravo.
8:14 a.m.
Jun 11, '09
(Matt Davis emailed me and asked me to post this comment, because he says he can't get it to publish:)
So the guy who built Wyden AND Merkley's website and the woman who worked on Merkley's campaign accuse the news reporter from the alternative weekly of bias?! Don't make me laugh.
No. I don't claim to be objective. I'm stating my opinion based on reporting on the story. That's the way we do things at alternative weeklies all over the country. And I think I'm doing my readers, and your readers, a service by calling bullsh*t on this "let's all get along" philosophy.
That is: You guys seem over-sensitive to any kind of discussion or rift on here. Why not admit that Merkley and other Oregon dems are being coy here? They need to push Wyden. They need to push him because if they don't, Wyden may well get away with his "bipartisanship" line.
I have no vested interest in seeing these guys get along. I have no smoothing-over to do. My bias is to see the best healthcare reform possible for all Americans. It's a hugely emotional issue. Too emotional to be polite for the sake of offending somebody extraordinarily powerful—especially when there's a possibility that the person might pay you something in future to do some work for them.
Talk about conflict of interest!
The Oregonian so far seems to be in Wyden's back pocket, they literally have done no reporting on this angle. OPB came to the healthcare townhall last week and totally missed the Dean/Wyden angle. The Willamette Week makes those who criticize Wyden's plan their rogue of the week. I guess it would be nice to think a progressive blog would have the guts to stand out from the rest.
Push Wyden to support a national public health insurance option, NOW.
8:17 a.m.
Jun 11, '09
Matt:
I worked for Merkley for nine months and quit over a year ago. Are you seriously accusing me of a conflict of interest because of THAT?
Or are you accusing me of being currently on the payroll? Cuz I'd sure as hell like to know where the money is..LOL
If this is what you're calling your opinion based on "reporting", then that's pretty disappointing. I honestly thought you were better than that.
Jun 11, '09
M'kay, I just went and read the Mercury article to understand what Matt Davis is griping about with Merkley's staff. What I don't understand is, if Merkley is a cosponsor of the Wyden health bill, why didn't Davis didn't report that in his story? Wouldn't that have been relevant? Whatever.
I have to agree with an earlier commenter and Davis. The Mercury is kind of pathetic, no one reads it except while grabbing a quick slice of pizza or while taking a shit at the bar or the pizza joint. Most eyes quickly run for Savage or the music and sex ads. Pretty funny the guy is so desperate for readers that he is posting on the website he has disdain for.
I do agree with Davis that it is stupid to think that the Merc reporters will follow journalistic norms. Amy Ruiz seemed to be an exception to the rule. Merkley and Wyden staff should be fired for talking to this idiot. No press staffer is supposed to talk with a loose cannon like this.
Jun 11, '09
Thanks for the useful info. It's so interesting
Jun 11, '09
Stavos: You even went a step further than Steve. He asserted that Republicans have only one option for indicating they recognize America has a health care problem: Supporting the Democratic solution.
Your post alleges that any opposition to the Democratic plan on health care is immoral. Wow. The religious right and anti-choice crowd have nothing on you when it comes to moral absolutes!
How ever do you determine which Democrats are moral and which are immoral as the majority infighting continues over which version of reform the Congress will embrace? Wyden? The unions running ads against Wyden?
9:13 a.m.
Jun 11, '09
The Mercury is kind of pathetic, no one reads it except while grabbing a quick slice of pizza or while taking a shit at the bar or the pizza joint. Most eyes quickly run for Savage or the music and sex ads.
Actually, I disagree. I think the Mercury has had some of the best political reporting in the state for the last couple of years -- Scott Moore, Amy Ruiz, and Matt Davis have done a great job. Scott and Amy are as big a loss to the Merc as they are gains to their current employers, but that's anothe story.
Obviously, I disagree with Matt this time - but that doesn't mean I need to go ranting on about bodily functions.
Jun 11, '09
Darrell: What the hell are you talking about? All I was referring to was McConnell using Luntz polling and talking points to score a political point, as opposed to original conservative ideas of his own.
I apologize for my mention of bodily functions. But it's true.
12:36 p.m.
Jun 11, '09
Matt, i don't think Merkley is being coy. he has to be careful; he is facing many years in the Senate working with Wyden, and that has to be as strong a relationship as possible. he has stated his support for the public option, but he does not have to be the one who pushes Wyden to accept the President's plan. Oregon voters have to do that work; Wyden will listen to us if we speak out clearly. i think it's appropriate for Merkley to let other Senators "convince" Ron from that end; if Teddy Kennedy, or the President, asks Wyden to get on board, i think it will be hard for Ron to say no. he's got that door slightly open, but Jeff is probably not the right guy to give the shove. again, that would be the voters of Oregon.
Jun 11, '09
Thanks to our freshman Senator for exposing their "kill healthcare reform" playbook. Now everyone repeat after me "government run healthcare" bad, "government subsidized obscene profit" good. Great alternative Repubs. To Senator Wyden, remind your well healed friends in the insurance and health care industries that you tried to carry their water, but in the end voted your conscience in support of the public option. Please, for the people, and a sustainable health care system.
1:15 p.m.
Jun 11, '09
I think TA's full on right about Merkley in his last comment. I'd hope he's offering PRIVATE encouragement, but in public he should probably lay low on anything but his own views.
Jun 11, '09
While Merkley is busy with global warming and health care reform, where in the world is Gordo?
Working diligently for a powerful law firm as a (heh,heh) "Senior Advisor" teaching seminars with Chertoff on dealing with congressional investigations. A firm which counts the former Haliburton as one of many former clients. I'm sure he misses us too. http://legaltimes.typepad.com/blt/2009/06/httpwwwcovcommchertoff----httpwwwcovcommbarnes----httpwwwcovcomrkelner----httpwwwcovcomb.html
Jun 11, '09
Darrell,
You're missing the main point: McConnell is using a playbook that was written before any bills had been proposed. Those talking points are meant to stop any health care reform. I agree with stavos on this--it's immoral.
Jun 11, '09
Yeh Matt, as Kari says, keep your eye on the big picture: Wyden has been fucking over working people for a long time now, so why stop now? And remember, your paper, not as Kari said, is free and can be gotten at coffee shops or something like that. This puts your newspage in company with things like Democracy Now!...or BlueOregon which I can get at the library.
Jun 11, '09
I'm NAV, but have voted for many republicans over the years. Say what you will, at least Mccain had a plan and it looks like some of the more controversial parts will be picked up nationally. That said, McConnell is a partisan hack and if he and other republican leaders think there is no healthcare affordibility problem here in the US, then they will continue in their travels to minority party status.
I just got back from visting someone who has to declare medical bankruptcy, sell everything and move out of the area due to $3MM in medical bills after a tragic head trauma accident left her husband unable to work. How is it possible that in the greatest country in the world, people could loos all they have worked a lifetime for due to accident, injury or illness?
Jun 11, '09
I agree it's shallow for a Senator to recite talking points but closer scrutiny of this ought to raise a few eyebrows about how the legislative process is actually performed.
That said, just because they're talking points, doesn't mean they aren't true. Okay, no bill yet exists but it doesn't take any imagination to determine that it will employ government solutions, not private or voluntary ones, and what the inexorable result will be. Furthermore, any governmental solutions that can be funded at this time will require rationing. I wonder where the Canadians will go then...
5:28 p.m.
Jun 11, '09
I think our nation has given private insurance plenty of time to adapt and make insurance more affordable, less restrictive. I'm thinking MANY years. So how can a reasonable person say having a public option would be a bad thing? Not "government run healthcare", but a public option.
Kurt Chapman tells a story that makes me very angry. Accidents, injuries and illness should not drive someone into bankruptcy or the loss of everything they worked for. That is the height of unfairness, and it happens to people every day.
Jun 12, '09
Those of us down south in CA envy you for having one good senator.
What is the plan for getting rid of Wyden? He and Baucus seem to be right at the center of the problem on health care.
Jun 12, '09
It's all anecdotal.
Those are talking points republicans have used for years about national healthcare. Go back and listen to speeches by Gingrich and others in the 90's when Clinton tried pushing for healthcare reform. The talking points (arguments) are basically the same.
For Jeff Merkley to get up their and accuse McConnell of borrowing (or stealing) talking points from another memo shows how freshmen of a senator he really is.
Jun 13, '09
Uncle, uncle! Fbear, Stavos, Steve, I give up. I'm sure the Congressional Record will prove your assertions: Democratic Senators have never and will never criticize Republican ideas unless they are referring to a specific bill AND they are trying to constructive. LOL.