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SEIU: Continue Kennedy's Cause By Passing Health Care Reform

The Service Employees International Union released a statement this morning on the death of Sen. Ted Kennedy, urging Americans to "continue his cause" by passing health care reform.

Tea Party Group Demands Town Hall With Ohio Rep

About 40 people, organized by We The People -- Ohio Valley, protested outside of Rep. Charlie Wilson (D-OH) district office today, demanding a town hall. Wilson's office has held tele-town halls, and says it will meet constituents in small groups with no media. But the Tea Party group, holding signs equating reform with socialism and with one member dressed like Benjamin Franklin, wants more.

Specter: Town Halls Have Had An Impact On Me

Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA), who held one of the country's most contentious town halls earlier this month, said today that the debates and protests have "had an impact on me." "I think the people who were boisterous and wouldn't allow other people to be heard -- that's unusual at town hall meetings," Specter said. "But beneath that, beyond any question, there's tremendous anger ... And I think we have to be concerned about the expansion of government, and be sensitive to what people are thinking about."

Sen. Ensign's Been Holding Un-Publicized Tele-Town Halls

Sen. John Ensign (R-NV) has been having un-publicized tele-town halls on health care reform, his office confirms. His next one is scheduled for tonight. Ensign uses a format that involves calling Nevada numbers at random -- citizens can sign up for the phone list, but there's no guarantee they'll be called.

Vandalism At Colorado Dem HQ May Be Related To Health Care

Vandals smashed 11 windows at the Colorado Democratic party headquarters in Denver early this morning. The state party chairwoman said she believes it's linked to the health care reform debate.

Health Insurers to Rockefeller: Stop Fishing Around In Our Books

Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) has a proposition: If the government is going to mandate that Americans buy health insurance from private companies, they should know how much of that money actually goes to paying health insurance costs. And insurers aren't happy about it.

Town Hallers Boo President At McCain Event

At a health care town hall today, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) spoke to a group of mostly older citizens opposed to health care reform. The crowd booed when he said, "I am convinced the president is absolutely sincere in his beliefs." "Wait a minute," McCain said, putting his hand up to stop the boos, in a flashback to rowdy campaign rallies last fall. "He is sincere in his beliefs, we just happen to disagree. He is the president of the United States and let's be respectful."

Texas Reform Opponent Plows 'Say No To Obama' In Field

An opponent of health care reform in Lubbock County, Texas, plowed the weeds in a lake bed on his property to read "Say no to Obama!," a message visible only from the air. "This is a sign of frustration," he said.

Grassley Town Haller Calls Obama 'Little Hitler,' Says He'll Bring Gun To D.C.

At a town hall yesterday with Sen. Chuck Grassley in Pocahontas, Iowa, a World War II veteran compared President Obama to Hitler. "The president of the United States, that's who you should be concerned about. Because he's acting like a little Hitler," he said. "I'd take a gun to Washington if enough of you would go with me." At another point in the meeting, a reform supporter spoke out of turn and was shouted down with calls of "Socialist" and "You don't like it, go back to Russia." (via Think Progress)

Steele: Protect Medicare, Which Doesn't Work

RNC chair Michael Steele was on Fox News this morning, railing against the government's mismanagement of Medicare (saying that's why we shouldn't allow the government to run a public option) while at the same time singing its praises, saying health care reform will ruin Medicare.

Police Break Up Fight At Town Hall In Texas

Police had to break up a fight at the end of a town hall held by Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX). Reportedly, a man who had disrupted the event by shouting at reform opponents was pushed from behind. He turned around and shoved a woman, and someone then punched him in the head, according to local news reports. No arrests were made.

Steele: GOP Will 'Work Very Hard To Get Something For The President'

RNC chairman Michael Steele said today on Fox News that he thinks Congressional Republicans "are gonna work very hard to get something [a health care reform bill] for the president. What it is, I don't know." He also said he believes the DOJ's investigation into the CIA's use of torture is "politically motivated" to distract from the health care debate.

Reform Supporter Brings Gun To AZ Health Care Event

A man who will identify himself only as Josh told TPMmuckraker he came armed with a .38 revolver to an anti-reform demonstration near the office of Rep. Harry Mitchell (D-AZ) on Saturday. When asked why, he said, "Why not?"

Pro-Reformers Outnumber Opponents Outside Waxman Cap-And-Trade Event

About 100 protesters gathered outside a cap-and-trade event at UCLA Friday, where Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) was speaking. The protesters were reportedly divided into two pens, with pro-reformers widely outnumbering opponents.

Town Haller: 'I Am A Proud Right-Wing Terrorist'

At a town hall hosted by Rep. Wally Herger (R-CA), a reform opponent called himself a "proud right-wing terrorist," to applause. When he finished, Herger called him a "great American."

50,000 Insurance Co. Employees Have Written Letters, Attended Town Halls

About 50,000 insurance company employees have made phone calls, written letters or attended town halls in the health care debate, according to America's Health Insurance Plans, the insurance industry's major professional organization.

Police Called To Texas Rally Outside Rep's Office

The police were called to a rally outside Rep. Solomon Ortiz's (D-TX) district office in Corpus Christi, to separate reform supporters and opponents. The rally was organized to push Ortiz to hold a town hall meeting. Ortiz only has a tele-town hall scheduled so far.

Rep. Waters: Some Dem Senators Are 'Neanderthals'

Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) told a town hall Saturday that some of the senators who are fighting a public option are "Neanderthals." Waters said she wouldn't vote for a bill unless it includes a public option. She also called on President Obama to push reform through, with or without bipartisan support: "Yes, we know that you are a nice man, that you want to work with the opposite side of the aisle. But there comes a time when you need to drop that and move forward."

At Tea Party Town Hall, Dem Rep Says He Won't Vote For Reform Bill

At a town hall Saturday hosted by the Boise Tea Party, Rep. Walt Minnick (D-ID) said he won't vote for the House health care reform bill as it stands, and said he's disappointed in how the debate has been handled in Congress. The town hall, which also included Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID) on the phone, was organized by opponents of reform but remained civil, with audience members keeping each other in line.

Protesters Demonstrate Outside Mass. Whole Foods

About a dozen people protested Whole Foods CEO John Mackey's recent op-ed opposing health care reform at a Whole Foods in Framingham, Mass., on Friday. They carried signs and handed out fliers calling for Mackey to be fired, while a spokeswoman for the grocery chain stood nearby and handed out letters from the store manager. Others protested outside the store in Cambridge, Mass.

Town Haller: Pelosi Should Look For Swastika On Her Own Arm

At a town hall last week with Rep. Brian Baird (D-WA), man who described himself as a Marine Corps veteran said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is a Nazi. "A little history lesson," he said. "The Nazis were the National Socialist Party. They were leftists. They took over the finance, they took over the car industry, they took over health care in that country. If Nancy Pelosi wants to find a swastika, maybe the first place she should look is the sleeve of her own arm." He was met with enthusiastic applause, and about a fifth of the audience gave him a standing ovation. The vet was referring to comments Baird made that said protesters were using "brown shirt tactics," a reference to Nazi stormtroopers. Baird has apologized for the comments.

Tea Partiers Gather In South Florida

Over the weekend, the South Florida Tea Party organized several protests outside the district offices of congressmen, calling for "no" votes on health care reform and smaller government. "This is democracy at its best and if they don't like it, tough," said one protester. "I am deeply concerned because I've been watching this country move too far to the left."

Fla. Gov: Healt Care Reform Is A 'Cockamamie Idea'

At the Florida Republican Party convention this Saturday, Florida Gov. Charlie Crist said, "Let's shut down that health care cockamamie idea." Crist was speaking to a reception for his U.S. Senate bid.

Congressional Challenger To Hold Town Hall After Demanding Rep To Do Same

Attorney Bill Hudak, a Republican who is planning to challenge Rep. John Tierney (D-MA), held a rally last week outside Tierney's office, demanding him to hold a town hall on health care reform. This Saturday, Hudak plans to hold his own town hall. Tierney says he has held several health care events this summer, and has two tele-town halls scheduled for the next week.

Grassley: Health Care Bill Won't 'Pull The Plug On Grandma'

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) backtracked on comments that the government "would decide when to pull the plug on Grandma," saying yesterday "It won't do that."

Sen. Schumer: Bipartisan Bill Looks Unlikely

On Meet the Press yesterday, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) contradicted his colleague Kent Conrad (D-ND), saying he believes there are 60 Democratic votes to pass a health care bill with a public option. And he confirmed that, with a bipartisan solution seeming unlikely, Democratic party leaders are indeed prepared to use the filibuster-proof budget reconciliation bill to pass at least some parts of health care reform.

Baucus: GOP Leadership Trying To Kill Reform

Senate Finance Committee chair Max Baucus (D-MT) told a local paper, "The Republican leadership in the Senate and in the House is doing its utmost to kill this bill ... They are putting intense political pressure on Chuck Grassley, Olympia Snow and Mike Enzi, to bow out, because they want to kill it."

Dem Sen: 'America Has Been Traumatized' By Health Care Debate

Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE) told CNN today, "I think America has been traumatized by the debate." Americans are gripped by "an awful lot of concern, fear, anxiety" and "frustration," he said.

Dem Rep. Hoyer: 'We'll Have To See' About Public Option

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) today told reporters, "I'm for a public option but I'm also for passing a bill," in what might be perceived as a rebuff of Nancy Pelosi's assertion that she can't pass a health care bill without a public option.

Sen. Snowe: Finance Committee Not Considering Public Option

Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME), one of the "gang of six" Finance Committee members negotiating a health care reform bill, said today that the committee's bill will not include a public option. "We have not had the public option on the table," Snowe told MSNBC's Andrea Mitchell.

Anti-Reform 'Recess Rallies' To Be Held Nationwide Tomorrow

Several anti-reform groups, including FreedomWorks, 9/12 and various tea party groups, will gather across the nation tomorrow to protest health care reform.

New Anti-Reform Ad That Hits Obama For Vacation Will Run On Martha's Vineyard

Conservatives for Patients Rights released a new ad attacking President Obama for going on vacation during the health care reform debate. CPR confirms to Greg Sargent that the ad will run in the Boston area, including Martha's Vineyard, where the Obama family will be vacationing starting Sunday.

Pro-Reformers Protest Outside Blue Cross Blue Shield

Supporters of health care reform demonstrated outside Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina yesterday. The not-for-profit insurance giant is a target because it opposes a public option, saying it would drive private insurers out of business.

Nevada GOP Plans To Pack Phone Lines During Reid's Tele-Town Hall

The Nevada Republican Party blasted a release yesterday encouraging supporters to sign up for a tele-town hall next week with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV). The Republicans, who say they're "not planning any devious disruption," are upset about Reid's decision to hold a town hall over the phone and not in person. "If Senator Reid is so passionate about these policy changes, why doesn't he have the courage to defend them in person?" said one state party official "Perhaps we can ask that question if we can get through his taxpayer-funded call screeners during Friday night reruns of Supernanny and Ghost Whisperer." Reid's office expects 50,000 callers during the event on Aug. 28.

Obama Will Meet With Daschle Friday

President Obama will meet with former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle tomorrow morning at the White House. Daschle was Obama's original choice for secretary of health and human services -- someone who would lead the administration's campaign for health care reform -- but withdrew himself from consideration over back taxes and other issues.

Pelosi: Reform Won't Pass House Without Public Option

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) told a crowd in California, "There is no way I can pass a bill in the House of Representatives without a public option," adding that co-ops are "not a substitute for a public option."

Bachmann And DeMint To Hold Tele-Town Hall Tonight

Greg Sargent reports that Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) and Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) are teaming up with the right-wing group Americans For Prosperity, to hold a telephone town hall meeting on health care reform tonight.

Poll: Support Still Strong For Public Option

A new SurveyUSA poll shows that 77 percent of Americans feel that having a public health insurance plan is important, as opposed to a recent NBC/Wall Street Journal poll which said only 43 percent would favor having a public option. The two polls used slightly different wording, with SurveyUSA focusing on the word "choice" and NBC/WSJ focusing on "federal government."

Biden Pitches Reform To Doctors In Chicago, Avoids Talk Of Public Plan

Vice President Biden held a roundtable in Chicago today to talk about health care reform and announce grants to help hospitals and doctors switch to electronic health records. At the start of the meeting, held with Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Biden said he didn't want to discuss the public option. The two spoke to about 100 doctors and other health care professionals.

Conservative Group Targets GOP Negotiators

The Club for Growth, a national conservative group, is running ads targeting the three Republican negotiators on the Senate Finance Committee, urging them "not to cave in to the liberals on health care." The ads are running in the home states of Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Olympia Snowe (R-ME) and Mike Enzi (R-WY). (Via Quad-City Times.)

Centrist Dem: Providing Coverage For Uninsured Is Not Top Priority

Rep. Mike Ross (D-AR), a leader of the Blue Dog Democrats, said providing health care coverage for the uninsured is a "side benefit" and "not what this health care reform debate is about." Ross also said he wanted to pass reform by the end of the year and would vote for a public option as long as it isn't forced on anyone.

Health Insurer Urges Employees To Oppose Public Option At Town Halls

Talking points distributed to employees of UnitedHealth Group about health care reform argue against a public option. "Our company is very concerned that a government-run health plan would be a road block to meaningful health care reform," reads a memo from the company.

Dean: There Will Be A Public Option

Howard Dean, former DNC chair and vocal proponent of health care reform, says he believes a health care reform bill will include a public option. Dean believes reform needs a public option in order to work.

Obama Holds Call With Faith Leaders, Says Some Are 'Bearing False Witness'

resident Obama, in a conference call with faith leaders yesterday, said "some folks out there ... are, frankly, bearing false witness" on health care reform. He also framed reform as a moral obligation. As a society, he said, we have an obligation to "look out for one another ... We are neglecting to live up to that call."

Reid: We'll Get A Bill By Any Means Necessary

A spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid told CNN that although Democrats want a bipartisan bill, "patience is not unlimited and we are determined to get something done this year by any legislative means necessary."

Teamster Prez: Blue Dogs 'Making A Big Mistake' On Health Care

James Hoffa, president of the Teamsters union, said Blue Dog Democrats are "making a big mistake" by not supporting the president's health care plan. "A lot of these people we supported, and I think they're making a big mistake by not supporting the president," Hoffa said. Another labor leader, Richard Trumka of the AFL-CIO, recently told the Huffington Post, "We'll look at every one of their votes." If they're against health care, he said, "I think it'll be tough for them to get support from working people."

Obama On Bill: 'I Hope It's Bipartisan'

President Obama said this afternoon he is "absolutely confident that we are going to get a bill, and I hope it's bipartisan." He answered a question while leaving an event honoring Nascar champions.

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