Bernie Sanders encourages Senate Democrats to block GOP health care bill in any way that we can

[Hassin Bin Sober]

Bernie Sanders encourages Senate Democrats to block GOP health care bill ‘in any way that we can’

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/bernie-sanders-tells-dems-block-gop-health-bill-article-1.3257497

...
Deeming it “the worst piece of legislation” he had seen in his 26-year career in Congress, Sanders ruled out no option for Democrats to fight back as Republicans rush to finish the bill behind closed doors.

“They want to keep it secret, they don’t want the media involved, they don’t want members of Congress involved,” the 2016 “Feel the Bern” presidential candidate told “Face the Nation.”

[bettyellen]

1. They are already doing this- why isn't he aware of that?

That's strange. People would get the wrong idea, wouldn't they?

[George II]

38. This story seems to be making the rounds this weekend, this is the second OP I've seen about it.

Meanwhile the Democratic Senate Leadership had already been urging this for a week or more.

[bettyellen]

46. I've seen talk about this since March or April. It's just weird as if it's not been in the wind for

months. I'm guessing Sanders knows that too. Not sure why he'd frame it as if the Dems needed him to lead.
It would have been interesting to see him join a broader coalition, not sure why there's hesitation over that. Nothing happens when you stand alone.

[WhiteTara]

2. So what is he going to do besides

tell others that THEY need to stop the pukes?

[JCanete]

20. oh I'm sure he will just vote for it or abstain...what do you think he's going to do?

[WhiteTara]

49. One of the two

I would hope he would make a great floor speech at the least.

[JCanete]

50. you actually think he's going to do one of the two?

[WhiteTara]

51. Is this a trick question?

I actually think he will vote no along with all the Democrats...unless of course he abstains.

[JCanete]

52. it wasn't intended to be a trick question. My first post was kind of tongue and cheek. I wouldn't

expect him to abstain, nor vote for any Republican measure likely to come out of this Senate. When you said "one of those" I thought you were suggesting he might vote in favor of such legislation.

[WhiteTara]

53. Well, I was sort of being flip because so were you

and I didn't really read the choices...I doubt that Bernie would ever vote for such a bill, but he might abstain for some reason unknown to us all but him.

[George II]

39. Inasmuch as he has eschewed membership in the Democratic Party, that's a good question.

[Eliot Rosewater]

3. Call your senators, today.

I do wonder what would happen if they passed their bill, started immediately killing Americans and bankrupting and making homeless millions more, if it could lead to single payer?

Not until the deplorables are feeling the pain will anything change. If it is just the poor and minorities suffering, they wont notice or care.

[Demsrule86]

28. No, we would go back to no insurance for millions...we won't get singe payer anytime soon.

and this will be slow walked akin to boiling frogs so as to minimize the political damage.

[NCTraveler]

4. Lead the way, Sanders.

Lets see you pull out all the stops.

He seems to not be paying attention.

[Voltaire2]

5. Amazing that people have found a way to criticize this.

Actually no, it isn't amazing. It's sad.

[Raster]

12. It is sad. The same voices with the same tired rhetoric.

Over and over and over and over again.

[bettyellen]

13. Because it's deceptive to "encourage" people to do what they're already doing.

It would be super appreciated if he could support Dems, for sure. But this isn't teamwork, it's just weird.

[JCanete]

21. really? There are articles daily...I got something from Kos, that suggests that Democrats may not

fight this. All he's saying is that we should pull out all the stops and fight this. No, this is not a done deal. We will see whether or not the Party puts all of its energy into stopping this. There is no certainty yet, that that is the case.

[bettyellen]

31. They've been fighting it, and pledged to force senate hearings last week, today promised to

Use procedural rules to block everything. If I know those things, why doesn't Sanders? Why isn't he working closely WITH Dems, instead of giving the false impression that they're doing nothing? It's not helpful- it's feeding a crappy RW narrative. How about some actual unity instead?

[JCanete]

34. If he says they're doing nothing, it isn't here in this article. I didn't personally get that

false impression. I'm not sure why you did, aside from us seeing Sanders through entirely different lenses.

[bettyellen]

35. Well saying "encourages to" sounds like he's out of the loop. And I doubt that. Why not "encouraged

By" or "joins with" ? Why would he choose to make it sound like noting is happening when he should actually be working WITH them. Instead it's a lecture that they should be doing what they are doing.

You may think it's a small point, but it's actually framing Dems as feckless, and that's just not true. I don't get why he chooses to do that, instead of acting in concert. He's been given a big megaphone, so I wish he'd be more thoughtful about his choice of words.

[Nevernose]

43. "Today promised" you say?

The article, and Sanders' quoted, are from yesterday. I guess it's a good thing he pushed for it, since as of yesterday the senate Dems weren't on board with the full healthcare obstruction.

http://www.cnn.com/2017/06/17/politics/senate-democrats-gop-health-care/index.html

Hillary won the primary. Stop being such a sore winner.

[bettyellen]

44. They have been talking about this for weeks- how come Sanders

Isn't talking with them about it or working with them? This has been in the papers off and in since March, saw reports about it last week too.
This is a serious question about now.
How would Sanders not know this?

[QC]

15. Those who are determined to rehash the primary can always find a way.

No need to be creative about it, either, since any pretext will do.

[Snotcicles]

16. These are also great post count builders for newbies. nt

[QC]

29. Hadn't thought about that, but you've got a point. n/t

[bettyellen]

32. Those determined to bash DUers instead of addressing the substance of what they are saying..

Talking about the here and now- not interested in your attempts to make this about the primary. It's been over for more than a year, move on.

[pirateshipdude]

6. Democrats were on it way before Sanders got in front of the camera. Eom

[Hassin Bin Sober]

7. As the county's most popular politician and part of The Democratic Party Leadership, ...

... he belongs in front of the camera.

[pirateshipdude]

8. While the Democrats continue to do the work? Eom

[Hassin Bin Sober]

9. I'm pretty sure drumming up support for our policies is part of the "work"

Or maybe we should continue to let Sunday programs remain as "Meet The Republicans" and "Face The GOP"

[pirateshipdude]

10. There is a reason for 3-1. When one of the 1 is impugning Democrats,

We lose.

[Demsrule86]

26. What support?

Show me any evidence of any additional support...I would love it if you could.

[Demsrule86]

27. Also, putting in a single payer bill was less than helpful. We all want it. But, it is not possible

at the moment...a bill to improve the ACA should have been offered instead...now that would have been a good idea.

[bettyellen]

36. Can we see the emails he's sent you on this?

[George II]

55. Chittenden County?

[MineralMan]

11. Thanks, Bernie, for that advice.

You, know, of course, that the Democrats would be happy to have you become a Democrat in the Senate, right?

[tonedevil]

14. Actually I think...

the Senate Democrats are happy to caucus with him even if he stays registered Independent. Squawking voices in the peanut gallery are of course still squawking.

[Demsrule86]

25. He should join the Dem Party...it would send a unifying message.

But of course it is always his choice.

[George II]

54. ...

[murielm99]

17. The Democrats are doing this already.

They can do this with or without his commentary.

[George II]

18. Democratic Senate Leadership had already urged their members to do so.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

19. Bernie is part of the Democratic Senate Leadership. So, um , yeah.

Glad we straightened that out.

[Demsrule86]

24. It was decided earlier is all.

Sen. Sanders is outreach...thus, this probably does not directly concern him.

[George II]

40. You may want to research his role in the Democratic Senate Leadership.

[Demsrule86]

22. They already said the would...heard it earlier today.

And they can't block it...they can slow it down but unless it gets really bad numbers when it is reviewed, they will do it through reconciliation. We need to work the phones...in Ohio Portman personally told me he would not vote for it but...who knows.

[Hamlette]

23. let the independents do it!

He wants/needs our party, he can the fuck quit trashing us. What a hypocrite.

[Hekate]

30. I believe the Dems are already on this, Bernie. But thanks all the same.

[pnwmom]

33. The Senate Democrats are already blocking it in any way they can.

What is Bernie doing with his contact list to ask his supporters to contact the GOP Congress?

[SecularMotion]

37. Another BernieBait thread

[George II]

41. Boom!

[Nevernose]

42. Good God. ANYTHING to bash Bernie

He was on the Sunday shows, including CNN, when he said what was in the OP. But here's what Senate Democrats were telling CNN the day before:

(CNN)Senate Democrats are weighing whether to bring the chamber's business to a halt next week in an effort to voice their objections to the GOP health care push, according to sources familiar with the effort.

The Democratic leadership and rank-and-file members are planning to prevent the chamber from conducting routine business, including allowing committees to meet for extended hearings when the Senate is in session. And they will demand an open process to consider health care when the Senate reconvenes Monday.
Democrats might use parliamentary maneuvers to prevent committees from meeting for longer than two hours.

If carried through, the hardball tactics would make it difficult for Republicans to schedule votes even on uncontroversial bills and nominees, further slowing down the already slow-moving body.
One Democratic source cautioned that the caucus may not go that far given the bipartisan atmosphere following the shooting at a congressional baseball practice Wednesday.
But other Democrats said they wanted to escalate the fight to give more prominence to the GOP's closed-door process of drafting health care legislation, which Republican leaders want to pass by month's end.
"As of yesterday, no decisions had been made about procedural tactics, but the message was that everything is on the table," a Democratic aide said.

http://www.cnn.com/2017/06/17/politics/senate-democrats-gop-health-care/index.html

So many DUers will go so far out of their way to hate Bernie Sanders it's scary. But fuck all that factual stuff CNN said, am I right? As long as everyone hates Bernie Sanders for no apparent logical reason. Sheesh.

Why would any sane person disagree with anything Bernie Sanders said? It's a hell of a lot better than whoever in the Senate leadership suggested we give up on health care because "bipartisanship."

Sanders is trying to make America better. Many DUers? Not so much.

[bettyellen]

45. I am decidedly not a hater- but I don't understand why Sanders did not talk about their plans? What

good did it do him to ignore what they are planning -instead of joining in and showing some solidarity?
I don't get it. Also not fond of this "hate" crap, just spare me.

[disillusioned73]

48. Well..

RWers do say CNN is fake news.. so there is that..

[disillusioned73]

47. Show'm how itz done Bernie..

Sarcasm?..