So... HCR is toast. Strategy for 2012.

[GSLevel9]

Yes the repeal vote is meaningless... But realistically the Repubs have the power, ability and desire to dismantle and gut HCR by refusing to fund it and the Courts may take a crap on it too.

That's ok... The 2012 campaign should be a referendum on a Public Option. The turnout would be massive and allow Congress to regain/hold seats.

[Tippy]

1. K&R...They know about the PUBLIC OPTION .... too

[kctim]

2. Then you better start explaining how it will be funded

[PBS Poll-435]

3. The funding argument is weak

If the House tries to defund HCR, then the President will veto whatever budget they submit.

Unless they want a shutdown, Congress will be forced to pass a CR.

[GSLevel9]

5. The Repubs will have no problems shutting the gov't down...

Let's face it...

Take the average Repub Congressman. He got elected in his district by tar & feathering Obama and the Dems and HCR. His base is the "Party of HELL no".

Believe me... NO REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN will lose votes by obstructing, impeding and sabotaging the Dem agenda.

I predict the MOST CONTENTIOUS 2 years in the last 30 years in Congress.

[GSLevel9]

6. in addition...

by holding ONLY the House, the Repubs can still play the finger pointing blame game so they'll spin a gov't shut-down as Obama's fault.

Boehner: "How can we possibly fight against a Democratic Senate and White House?"

[closeupready]

9. Sure because to date, Obama has folded every time they've bluffed.

Like a card game. He's a very predictable player, and he'll continue to do that, IMHO.

[kctim]

11. Talking about running on a public option in 2012

[GSLevel9]

7. I know! I know!!

Just pretend the $$ to pay for a Public Option is another WAR with Iran this time or a new missile system or a new battleship???

[Lydia Leftcoast]

4. It may be up to the states

Vermont, California, and Minnesota all have strong single-payer movements. One of them will be America's Saskatchewan and start the ball rolling. Between 1962 and 1984, all the Canadian provinces signed on, with Saskatchewan being the first.

[Motown_Johnny]

8. I'm not so sure they will de-fund it, only time will tell

I know that they now want the White House to write the next budget just so they can do nothing but attack it.


I honestly don't think they have the guts to simply de-fund it, but I could be wrong.

[NorthCarolina]

10. That would require a candidate in 2012 who actually, and factually, supports a public option.

So who do you have in mind?

[sabrina 1]

13. Bernie Sanders?

[NorthCarolina]

14. Works for me

Bernie would have my vote for sure. I'd be like - "Obama who?".

[JVS]

12. How can we turn 2012 into a referendum on something that our own leadership killed?