Dems are not running away from health care reform as Politico claims

[ProSense]

Here is Politico:

At least five of the 34 House Democrats who voted against their party’s health care reform bill are highlighting their “no” votes in ads back home. By contrast, party officials in Washington can’t identify a single House member who’s running an ad boasting of a “yes” vote — despite the fact that 219 House Democrats voted in favor of final passage in March.

One Democratic strategist said it would be “political malfeasance” to run such an ad now.

Democrats have taken that advice to heart; it appears that no Democratic incumbent — in the House or in the Senate — has run a pro-reform TV ad since April, when Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) ran one.

<...>

Did they really expect those who voted against it to campaign on it? This is a perfect example of BS spin by Politico.

Nate Silver: Democrats Aren’t Running From Health Care. But What Are They Running On?

<...>

Excluding the broad subject of the economy, which we divided into several sub-categories like jobs, taxes and deficits, health care was the most frequently mentioned issue. Of the 29 Republicans in these pivotal districts, all but one mentioned it, with many suggesting that the Democrats’ bill should be repealed.
But health care was also highlighted by 23 of the 29 Democrats, making it the most oft-cited issue among that party as well.

<...>

Congressman Elijah Cummings hosted a townhall in mid August

Weiner Announces Online Health Care Tool

FEINGOLD ANNOUNCES OPENING OF NEW PRE-EXISTING CONDITION HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN (added on edit)

The Boston Globe just endorsed Mac D’Alessandro over Congressman Stephen Lynch specifically because of his health care vote.

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

1. The Nate Silver chart is from a survey of campaign websites.

It is offered here to somehow refute a statement about television advertising.

Whatever.

[ProSense]

3. So television advertising is the only way Democrats campaign?

What other television ads are they currently running?

The information on their sites are usually press releases, meaning it was released to the press.

Also, the townhall by Cummings and the fact that D’Alessandro is challenging Lynch on his health care vote pretty much renders Politico's claim as bullshit.

[FBaggins]

7. No... but it is where you find the issues that candidates think are driving the race.

n/t

[ProSense]

9. Most candidates don't have the money for television ads. The fact is

that the DNC, DCCC and DNC are the organizations that step in and support the candidates TV ads.

The DNC plans to spend $50 million. It's simply too early, and it's ridiculous for Politico to make the claim.

[FBaggins]

11. Some do.

Obviously the candidates cited in the original claim are spending the money to run them.

And radio ads are far cheaper. Are there counter examples there?

The relevant question is whether there are many (or any) endangered democratic congressmen who are actively touting their HCR vote (in favor of course) because they think the issue works in their favor for the election.

Again... this doesn't mean that the republican position is the winning one. It could just as easily mean that a painfully large portion of the base feels that HCR didn't go far enough

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

8. The OP offers a quote countered with a chart.

The quote:

At least five of the 34 House Democrats who voted against their party’s health care reform bill are highlighting their “no” votes in ads back home. By contrast, party officials in Washington can’t identify a single House member who’s running an ad boasting of a “yes” vote — despite the fact that 219 House Democrats voted in favor of final passage in March.

One Democratic strategist said it would be “political malfeasance” to run such an ad now.

Democrats have taken that advice to heart; it appears that no Democratic incumbent — in the House or in the Senate — has run a pro-reform TV ad since April, when Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) ran one.

The quote being countered does not say "television advertising is the only way Democrats campaign"

[ProSense]

10. "Washington can’t identify a single House member who’s running an ad boasting of a 'yes' vote "

They aren't running ads so that means they're running away from health care reform?

Completely bogus.

[earthside]

2. Well, they should be.

Take a look at this:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4530628

If Democrats want to keep the U.S. House, they all should probably concede that the so-called health insurance reform law is deeply flawed and should be repealed.

[ProSense]

4. " the so-called health insurance reform law is deeply flawed and should be repealed"

Vote Republican.

[geek tragedy]

12. If you believe that, vote Republican. nt

[FBaggins]

5. I think that the two claims are talking about very different things

Of course the candidates are going to list dozens of position statements on their website. It would be quite a surprise if Democrats who voted for HCR didn't have something about it on their website.

I think that politico's claim is that the issues that candidates thing are swaying the election are the ones that they run TV ads on, and few democrats are spending money to tout their support of HCR. Which is a pretty smart thing to do in many districts (but not for the reason politico wants to imply). It can also be a damaging issue because portions of the base aren't happy with the end product.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

6. Thanks

It would seem that the corporate mediawhores (including Politico), in their apparent desire to see the Dems buried in November, are churning out negative story after negative story about the Dems' poor electoral prospects in November but it's turning out that not every story is true. I believe that Democratic Campaign Chair Van Hollen came out disputing the NY Times story that suggested that the national Democratic Party is getting ready to cut off some vulnerable incumbents. What else are they putting out there that might not be true? WTF is really going on here???? As the year has gone on the "doom and gloom for Dems" stories seem to be becoming worse and more numerous. Are they all real/justified or are the corporate mediawhores aggressively staging a narrative designed to demoralize and distract Democrats and create the reality of a Republican tidal wave? It's getting so hard to tell anymore. :shrug:

[Phx_Dem]

13. They make it sound like those who voted FOR health care are running from it,

which is not the case. The media is seriously fucked up. No wonder we have so many misinformed and, frankly, stupid people in this country. We obviously can't rely in the press for truth and facts.