Howard Deans goes after Max Baucus for accepting 3.9 million from health and insurance interests

[masuki bance]

Run time: 00:31 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izNe4Bw_Ars   Posted on YouTube: July 20, 2009 By YouTube Member: Views on YouTube: 0   Posted on DU: July 21, 2009 By DU Member: masuki bance Views on DU: 1421

 
John Kerry may be next-

A week after Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said it was a “waste of money to have Democrats running ads against Democrats,” two liberal groups launch an ad tomorrow that takes on one of the Senate’s most powerful Democrats.

The new ad from the Progressive Change Campaign Committee and Democracy for America singles out Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., for accepting more than $3.9 million dollars – more than any other senator -- from “health and insurance interests,” according to the coalition. The ad airs for one week in three markets in his home state: Billings, Butte-Bozeman, and Helena.

Baucus was the first winning recipient of the Democrat attack ad. In a 10 day contest, the Democratic coalition for the public option tallied 64,000 online votes as to whom the ad should target. Baucus received 23 percent of the vote out of seven other candidates, (while John Kerry was close behind with 20 percent). The ad is based on previous ads the coalition sponsored that scroll the names of its online supporters during the commercial.

The ad airs at precisely the time when other Democratic groups, namely the DNC, have also released ads -- albeit more sugar-coated -- in key states to sway moderate Democrats on heatlh care reform. Health Care for America Now (HCAN) and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) launched an $800K TV ad campaign last week asking constituents of states to call their Democratic senators in support of the public option, while also naming names.

Baucus is not the only key senator voting on health care legislation receiving funds from the insurance industry. The Washington Post put together a list of key leaders in Congress who have a stake in the insurance industry.

ABC News’ called Baucus’ office for a response.

“As Senator Baucus continues to work to pass meaningful health care reform that lowers costs and improves quality, he is looking at all options and is only driven by one thing: what is right for Montana and the country. He will continue working together with the President, his colleagues in Congress and groups and individuals from across Montana and the nation to get this legislation passed,” his spokesperson said.

Although Baucus hasn't come out for or against of the public option, a spokesperson said he's working on provisions with the Senate Finance Committee that hold insurance companies feet to the fire, provisions that he hopes are bipartisan.

http://blogs.abcnews.com/thenote/2009/07/liberal-groups-attack-dem-senator-baucus-on-health-care.html

[mod mom]

1. Blue dogs LOVE greenbacks! The hell with their constituency. Go Howard!

[Sebastian Doyle]

2. Proudly standing with Dr. Dean

And message to spineless Reid: If "Democrats" don't want Democrats running ads against them, maybe they should start acting like fucking DEMOCRATS?

[bobbolink]

3. Put up billboards in his district, with these figures. Full page ads....

Plaster this disgraceful information all over!

Oh, and Harry... STICK IT!

[sasquatch]

4. Vayamos con Dean. Vaya al Diablo, Baucus.

[midnight]

5. "Then a lawyer at the Securities and Exchange Commission, Baucus wasn't even sure whether he was a

Democrate or Repbulican"

"So crucial was the Montana Senator to passing George W. Bush's tax cuts in 2001 that he was rewarded with a prime spot at the signing ceremony in the White House East Room. Two years later, it was Baucus who helped Republicans pass a pharmaceutical-industry-friendly Medicare prescription-drug bill, even as his party's congressional leadership was shut out of the process." http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1887719,00.html

Regardless of what side of the isle this man works from his heart is in the money industry. He has a regard for the dollar. "money trumps peace" has rewarded him well. It is a no brainer where this man's allegiance is, it is with the industry that is blocking our access to medical treatment.

[Seldona]

6. I wish my name had made the commercial.

Perhaps they will feature different names in different ads? Not that it is important. I figured so many would sign up the chances would be slim.

Great ad though.

[ChiciB1]

12. I Signed Up, But I Am Unable To Donate These Days... They Need Donations & I Wish

I had some extra cash around, but just got some bad financial news and just CAN'T!

If anyone can, please do!!

[BlueMTexpat]

7. It's time for Montana to find a feasible progressive alternative to Max.

He's alienated a lot of his constituents.
I guess that they're not bothering to show this particular spot in Missoula because Missoulians are already pretty involved in getting Baucus to shape up. Check out Left in the West: http://www.leftinthewest.com/showDiary.do;jsessionid=68C3468F37E22526AF201DF282CE9AE0?diaryId=3065

=====
Blue Cross/Blue Shield
Statewide Rallies
WHEN: Friday, July 24, Noon.
WHERE: Beginning at Blue Cross/Blue Shield Offices and ending at Baucus office.
WHAT/WHY: "Follow the Money" Rallies. Blue Cross is the largest insurance company in the State of Montana. We want the public to know how much influence insurance companies have in the state. The "Blues" are by far the biggest contributor to lobbying efforts.
Missoula Blue Cross/Blue Shield office location: Suite 202, 3819 Stevens (39th and Stevens/south end of town)
Baucus office location: 200 block of East Front St., downtown.
Main rally will take place on sidewalk on NW corner of 39th and Stevens in front of BCBS offices. Lots of signs will be available and there'll also be a sign-making station. People are encouraged to make and bring their own favorites. Songs and chants, interspersed with selected comments from the professional healthcare community. Within an hour, as big a contingent as wants to will drive to Baucus' office and 'deliver' the 3' by 5' "Buy Back Baucus" checks (we'll actually give his staff an 11"by 17" laminated copy of it).
Please spread the word. Summer's a hard time to turn people out, but this is when they're making up the bills. We need a good showing!

******
Gotta luv those guys!

[bc3000]

8. Is there any way we could buy him back?

Baucus obviously is being bought, but if he is man who so readily shirks his public duty for cash, then is there any way the people could buy him back? If, instead of donating money to air ads, people put their money together to "donate" money to his "campaign fund", why couldn't the American people have as much influence with Baucus as the health care industry?

Would this be illegal for some reason? If so, why would it be illegal for the American people to buy back a Senator when it is not illegal for the heqalth care industry to buy him in the first place?

[LaPera]

9. Howard Dean is fucking great-always on progressive side-now fighting for a much needed Public Option

Please support Dean's "Democracy for America" all donations will help fight for a public option health care for ALL of Americans.

http://www.democracyforamerica.com/

[masuki bance]

10. Who the hell is Howard "Deans"? Can't you spell? yeeeshh. nt

[ChiciB1]

11. I Was Just Going To Post About John Kerry... Seems He's Taken A LOT MORE

than Baucus... over $8,000! Got sent a poll recently and asked to vote on WHO TO send letters to regarding health care reform! John Kerry has taken the MOST of all of them!

SHOCKED? I was!!!

[kevsters]

13. Good For Dean. Now We Need To Get The News Outlets To Call Out The Lies Of The GOP.

If the health care system in this country does not get reformed, a lot of the blame will be placed at the feet of the media. Has a single news anchor said anything positive about a public option?

Not to mention, all they do is let Republicans get on T.V. and spew misinformation. A perfect example is when they say the United States has the best system in the world.

Watch here:

http://progressnotcongress.org/?p=2240

[ChiciB1]

14. I Hate It When I Do Stuff Like That!! I Usually Call Myself Out Too!!

Thanks for posting, we KNOW who he is!

[JNelson6563]

15. Take it to 'em Howard!!

Still standing with Howard Dean! :patriot:

Julie

[ihavenobias]

16. K & R n/t

[bjobotts]

17. "Looking at all options" huh? That's why single payer wasn't even allowed at the table

[mzmolly]

18. Excellent!

K and R.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

19. thank you Howard Dean

he may be the pivotal force in getting health care passed.