Speak softly, Sen. Lincoln
Nate Silver offers some statistical evidence to back up my thinking that Sen. Blanche Lincoln didn't help herself by ultimately positioning herself as THE decisive vote on health and the focus of national reporting and interest groups. He looks to Montana, where two leading Democratic politicians have supported health care, but the one who's been quiet about it has fared better in polling. Sen. Max Baucus, out front on the issue, has stumbled.
Baucus, indeed, is not alone in this department: virtually everyone who has tried to play a dealmaker role in health care has seen their approval ratings decline, from Chuck Grassley to Olympia Snowe to Harry Reid to President Obama.
If I were Blanche's Lincoln's Chief of Staff, my advice to her would be as follows:
1. Vote for cloture.
2. Vote against the bill itself.
3. Articulate this position clearly.
4. And then Shut The Hell Up.
Comments
Sounds like the Mike Ross template, Max. Insert poison into the committee bill all year long, proving it's a lousy bill. Avoid substance at all cost... Utter meaningless drivel in talking points all the while. Then vote against it in it's final form proving you (Lincoln Ross) wrote a lousy bill.
Posted by: Eureka Springs, AR![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog/nav-commenters.gif)
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November 22, 2009 07:07 PM
I expect that the Republicans will have 200-500 amendments to the bill to make it "better" and if they then decide to not vote for it, then the Democrats should remove all of their amendments BEFORE conference. Either get in the game or stay home but to refuse to play doesn't give you the right to critize those who do.
Posted by: Couldn't Be Better![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog/nav-commenters.gif)
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November 22, 2009 07:51 PM
Bull honkey. Senator Lincoln make it clear to the leadership that you have your price. If Louisiana can get 100 million for Sen Landreiu's vote, than we should get at least $75 million. How about $75 million for our state trauma system?
Posted by: Proud_liberal![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog/nav-commenters.gif)
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November 22, 2009 10:50 PM