After Obama threat and LBJ-style lobbying, Reid and Pelosi say health care vote before August recess

[jefferson_dem]

Daily Pulse on Health Care Politics

After some tough talk on health care in the Rose Garden yesterday, President Obama did some behind-the-scenes LBJ-style lobbying, the Washington Post reports, as the president "pledged in a pair of private meetings with Democratic lawmakers to stake his political capital on this year's top agenda item."

"Despite Obama's forceful reengagement, congressional Democrats continued to struggle last night to finalize details of legislation aimed at overhauling the nation's health-care system. House leaders wrangled with rank-and-file members over plans to pay for expanded insurance coverage by increasing taxes on the wealthiest Americans."

Interestingly, The Hill notes Democratic leaders in the House and Senate "suggested there was no need for a threat, pledging to complete healthcare bills in their respective chambers before the August recess."

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid: "We're going to do healthcare before we leave here."

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi: "We're still on schedule. We have plans to vote for this legislation before we leave for the August recess."

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2009/07/14/daily_pulse_on_health_care_politics.html

[BeyondGeography]

1. Like children who need to be told when their homework is due

Whatever works.

[Jennicut]

3. LOL. I think he scolded them into action.

As long as he does not threaten their lives or bribe them like Cheney most likely did I am okay with that.

[izquierdista]

2. Hallelujah!

I was wondering if Obama had it in him to do "The Treatment".

[ruggerson]

4. Good for him

So now we know that the folks who keep telling us that the Executive doesn't lobby congress for legislation are not really being forthcoming.

[jefferson_dem]

5. Well played, ruggerson.

Truth is...much of legislating is about timing and priorities rather than raw principle. We'll see how things play out.