IL-SEN Tue Nov 10 2009

Schakowsky Could Be Bluffing

Call me a cynic, but I don't think there'll be much of a consequence if staunch liberals oppose a healthcare reform bill with the Stupak Amendment. That's what Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky is doing and also what my new congressman Mike Quigley is doing. It's a noble effort, but really, the liberals in the House and the Senate are the ones who are in the worst position for attention getting. Are they really going to oppose a very progressive healthcare reform bill because it doesn't allow for abortion funding? Is it that much of a surprise that such a compromise exists?

I mean, yes, it'd be really nice if the final bill didn't limit abortion funding, but who's going to bend over backwards to accommodate Schakowsky? When push comes to shove, is she really going to vote against a bill like this with its many other liberal attributes? I doubt it.

It's progressives' big chance to make a difference (although not as big of one as they and I would like). Withholding their vote on a very--although not completely--progressive bill would also likely endanger them with their liberal constituents.

And I suspect they know this as well. They just need to make a bit of a show so that their liberal voters know they aren't totally okay with the bill as it is.

(Crossposted)

— Daniel Strauss / Comments (2)