Dem Leader: Let’s ‘Modify’ Health Reform By Seeking ‘Common Ground’ With GOP

[Purveyor]

Facing a vigorous Republican effort to repeal health reform, a member of the House Democratic leadership says his party is willing to "fine-tune" the law based on input from the GOP.

Texas Rep. Henry Cuellar, a member of the conservative Blue Dog Caucus, told ABC's "Top Line" that Democrats can find "common ground" with Republicans on ways to adjust the sweeping measure that has been a prime target of conservatives.

"There are areas that we can find common ground," Cuellar said. "But just to repeal and then start all over again -- if you talk about creating uncertainty, that will create uncertainty."

"I'll be the first one to say we ought to modify the bill, the legislation," he added. "But just to repeal and then think about what we’re going to come up with -- I don’t think that’s the right approach that the majority is taking."

Cuellar, who has represented Texas's 28th district since 2005, cited tort reform and "duplicative programs" as examples of areas where the law can be changed.

MORE...

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/01/dem-leader-modify-health-reform-seeking-common-ground-gop/

[Parche]

1. take no prisoners

never give in

[KansDem]

2. Didn't Obama already find "common ground" with the Repubs?

Or are we now going to find "commoner ground?"

[ProSense]

3. Typical blue dog flawed logic

The House Republicans' repeal has no chance in the Senate, and it has absolutely no chance of overcoming a veto.

House Repubs would need 50 Democratic votes to override a veto. More than half (17) of the 30 blue dogs who voted against health care reform lost in November. I doubt they'd get even the remaining 13.

[still_one]

6. It isn't flawed logic it is intentional misrepresentation. Everything you said is true, and whoever

this so-called "democrat" is, he is a jerk

[WiffenPoof]

17. I Think You Are Correct...

This may backfire on the Republicans.

-PLA

[Cleita]

4. Oh brother! We really have stepped through the

looking glass. Everything is reverse to common sense and reality.

[bullimiami]

8. we stepped right through the looking glass in 2000 and never looked back.

[indypaul]

5. Isn't the usual process to accomplish this

by introducing amendments to the existing legislation? If you think
for one moment there is going to be a repeal then immediate enactment
of the "better" portions of Health Care Reform. Then, you have another
think coming. The first thing that needs to be recognized is that the
GOP is NOT negotiating in good faith. Once this is determined then it
will be appropriate to sit down and negotiate, The present position of
the Republican leadership seems to be pacify the hard liners and go along
with repeal. Don't let it happen and find out from them what is wrong
with the accepted method of the amendment process, if their true purpose
is to preserve portions of the act.

[Blue Owl]

7. Science can explain the tides...

but it cannot explain why certain Democrats continue to seek compromise with Republicans.

[Mass]

9. So, if I understand correctly, he said he would vote against the repeal?

Also, since when is Cuellar a Democratic leader?

[Autumn]

10. Big elephant, shitting everywhere in the tent,

time to take it out of the tent.

[vaberella]

11. You'd think with Congressmen and women like this people would get by now why Obama has problems.

You want things to get more progressive or have a progressive tilt?! Get progressive congressmen and women.

[Ramulux]

12. If I hear the phrase "Tort Reform"

ever again I am going to lose my fucking mind. It is the only thing any republican ever brings up when pressed for alternatives and it is so insanely easy to explain why it isn't even a legitimate idea.

[JamesA1102]

13. Unrec for dishonesty

Cuellar is not a Dem. leader.

[craigmatic]

14. How do you reach common ground on something when the other side doesn't want it at all? nt

[old mark]

15. K&R-Thanks for posting this...I seem to have heard something like this before....nt

[Arkana]

16. How is he a "Dem leader"?

[HeroTwins]

18. Blue Dogs aren't "Democratic Leaders"

Why the misleading headline?