White House ‘Official’ Bad Mouths Labor Leader For Expecting Obama To Keep His Promises

[Omaha Steve]

http://fdlaction.firedoglake.com/2009/10/18/white-house-official-bad-mouths-labor-leader-for-expecting-obama-to-keep-his-promises/

By: Jon Walker Sunday October 18, 2009 6:10 am


Gerry McEntee is president of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). He leads one of the largest unions in America and has been one of the most vocal advocates for progressive health care reform. He is one of the few establishment figures willing to openly challenge Obama for repeatedly breaking his word in regards to health care reform.

Apparently, demanding that someone at least attempts to keep his promises is an unacceptable slight, according to a cowardly anonymous “senior White House 0fficial.”

We have had just about enough of his gratuitous slaps,” said a senior White House official Friday, calling the politically charged language “outrageous and unacceptable” from an ally — even from one that had, the official noted, devoted substantial resources to health care efforts.

“He’s doing his members a real disservice,” said the official, who said that while all other labor leaders had been careful to keep their opposition to elements of health care proposals modulated and largely inside the tent, McEntee was “beyond the pale.”

That’s interesting because the progressive community thinks Obama’s broken promises and secret deals are the real gratuitous slaps. Having a top progressive reform priority, allowing Medicare to save billions by directly negotiating drug prices, sacrificed in a backroom deal for campaign ads from PhRMA is beyond the pale.

Looking back at Obama’s campaign health care plan, it is shocking how many promises he broke without a fight. Obama promised:

* A new national health exchange open to all Americans
* A new public plan available to all Americans to compete with private insurance
* An employer mandate to provide health insurance
* A minimum medical loss ratio for insurance companies
* To allow people to import cheaper drugs from Canada or Europe
* To repeal the ban that prevents the government from directly negotiating with drug companies

FULL story at link.

[Ian David]

1. Remember when the media didn't let public officials bad-mouth people "off the record?"

That was back when we used to have something called "journalism" and "standards."

[madrchsod]

45. you really are old!

my 8th grade english teacher would have given me an F if i wrote what politico did.

of course that was in 1959 when there were standards of reasonable conduct.

[tsuki]

60. Have you read this article?

http://www.newsweek.com/id/218192

He hit the nail on the head with that one.

[bluestateguy]

2. This strikes me as false

I stopped reading at "senior White House official".

Please.

[saracat]

5. Why ? Because this WH would never let their reaction be "leaked" in the tradtional manner?

I know from a friend in the WH this is exactly true.They are furious with AFSCME and McEntree.

[madokie]

17. Same here

kinda like some say, or speaking off the record and on and on.

[tsuki]

56. I am so tired of anonymous sources. I don't believe them anymore.

I just assume that the writer is lying, trying to stir up a bunch of controversy to make a name for himself.

[Connie_Corleone]

3. Did the bill pass already?

[Cha]

9. No, they're just throwing out anonymous sources to

keep the divsion going..it's so easy for them to suck 'em in.

[flyarm]

31. or to silence those who have the balls to stand up to this White House's attempt to sell us out!!

kinda how the Bush White House used to work..eh!!

[Qutzupalotl]

95. You mean Baucus' attempts to sell us out.

The link says the "broken promises" were referring to the Senate Finance Committe's health reform bill.

[Laelth]

4. k&r for labor. n/t

:dem:

-Laelth

[saracat]

6. Did the un rec squad squash this? I guess Labor shouldn't be heard either.

[Laelth]

15. Not if they have anything critical to say of the administration.

Those who see all this as a team sport seem to have little respect for those who will not support the team, right or wrong.

:dem:

-Laelth

[THX1138]

18. I was

wondering why I couldn't rec. Haven't been here in a while. What is up with that?

Also what's up with discounting anything that cites an anonymous source? I notice a lot of that lately, seems rather freeperish. Anyone ever heard of Deep Throat?

[Name removed]

Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[struggle4progress]

79. Labor deserves a good loud voice here -- but Politico doesn't

[Name removed]

7. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[saracat]

10. Omaha Steve is one of our best and most loyal posters. He is the champion of Labor on DU

and it is unlikely he would post info about Labor that was not valid.

[Name removed]

11. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Cha]

13. Firedoglake has "anonymous source" and some

on DU eat up like it was factual.

[Mojorabbit]

30. I will take Omaha Steve's word on this

especially as it fits with Obama's behavior since the election. I am disappointed but most of all I am a bit confused as to why the massive public support for what he campaigned on is being thrown to the wind in favor of the big health care corps. It makes absolutely no sense. The man can speak up a storm to move public opinion yet has not come out strong for what he campaigned on. It is weird to me.

[Omaha Steve]

93. Real Health Care Reform. Nothing Less. (published 10-14-09 on AFSCME blog

http://www.afscmeblog.org/2009/10/14/real-health-care-reform-nothing-less/?__utma=1.2346843193277722000.1237762290.1255710047.1256035317.82&__utmb=1.1.10.1256035317&__utmc=1&__utmx=-&__utmz=1.1252121179.75.15.utmcsr=local251.com|utmccn=%28referral%29|utmcmd=referral|utmcct=/links.htm&__utmv=-&__utmk=164702271


October 14th, 2009



AFSCME and more than two dozen other unions have a full page ad in today’s Washington Post, Politico, Roll Call and The Hill newspapers in response to the Senate Finance health care bill that was voted out of committee yesterday. The ad will also appear tomorrow in USA Today.

The ad reads in part:

For all Americans, it’s great news that we are closer than ever to winning comprehensive health reform that brings down costs, improves the quality of care and guarantees coverage for all—something so many have dreamed about and worked for a lifetime to achieve. Good, affordable health care is an economic and moral imperative. Those who are just saying “No” will be called to account for it.

But we aren’t there yet. The Senate Finance Committee bill is deeply flawed.

* A public health insurance plan option is essential to reform.
* Health care reform has to ease the cost burden on individuals and families, not worsen it.
* Employers have to pay a fair share of costs.
* Health care can’t be paid for by a new tax on middle class benefits.

Real health care reform. Nothing less.

AFSCME President Gerald W. McEntee also issued this statement following the Senate Finance Committee’s vote on health care reform legislation:

“The Senate Finance Committee bill remains deeply flawed. At a time when family budgets are already under enormous pressure, the bill does not ensure that coverage will be affordable for average families. Moreover, it would finance health care reform with a tax on family health care plans. Unlike the Senate HELP bill, the Finance Committee failed to include the choice of a public option to provide real competition in the health insurance marketplace. It also fails to require employers to provide health coverage for their employees or contribute a meaningful sum to help pay for subsidies. Senate leaders must make major improvements in the bill before it moves to the floor of the U.S. Senate.”

[Garbo 2004]

87. No, Politico has the anon "sr WH official" source cited in its article, not FDL. nt

[Name removed]

24. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[THX1138]

32. Seems

Like the equivelant of putting your hands over your ears and saying "LA LA LA LA"...



<>

[saracat]

33. Exactly right! I love the pic. Perfect! Ah the memories!

But the tag team won't know who those folks are .Seriously.

[AllentownJake]

34. They are becoming more and more disgusting aren't they

They have this need, this insatiable desire to jump in and trash anything that doesn't fit in their narrowly constructed world view.

[Cha]

12. I know who Omaha Steve is..I'm talking

about FDL and their penchant for lying..this is bullshit.

[saracat]

19. So, indirectly, you accuse Omaha Steve of posting BS.about Labor

and Obama.

[Name removed]

22. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[cherokeeprogressive]

23. Whoa.

[inna]

28. unbelievable, isn't it?

I can't believe the cheerleaders/apologists for bad policies, it's like they are shooting themselves in the foot.

As for their primary motivation to stifle/silence all "dissent"/criticism, that is just downright creepy and repuke-like.


:shrug:

[cherokeeprogressive]

29. It most certainly is, and it's creepy I agree. n/t

[saracat]

37. And they refuse to see the harm they are doing to Obama by this as well.

They have become punchlines and jokes.

[AllentownJake]

38. Reminds me of

Evangelical Christians. They go out of their way to pick fights with people than can sit around and talk about how persecuted they are.

[Cha]

57. Yeah, if you say it then it must not be so. You think

you're causing trouble for President Obama but he's stronger than anything you or the other anti-Obama bad mouthers, "anonymous sources" included, can pile on.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

59. :facepalm:

On Edit:

Seriously. Calm down. You're not helping to create a constructive dialogue.

[AllentownJake]

61. I highly doubt anyone on DU honestly thinks they are causing trouble

for President Obama. I think you guys need to check your egos at the door. People are passionate about particular policies and they commiserate on here.

[inna]

75. facepalm indeed.

what are you even babbling about. jeez.

[nadinbrzezinski]

82. WOW I did not realize I was that damn powerful

When the President does something worthy of applause, I will give it to him.

When the President does something worthy of scorn, I will do that too.


Unlike you I elected a representative President. Now it seems to me you chose to elect a leader. Very different thinking here.

I offer you what TR said on this... because he was ABSOLUTELY RIGHT

Patriotism means to stand by the country. It does not mean to stand by the president or any other public official, save exactly to the degree in which he himself stands by the country. It is patriotic to support him insofar as he efficiently serves the country. It is unpatriotic not to oppose him to the exact extent that by inefficiently or otherwise he fails in his duty to stand by the country. In either event, it is unpatriotic not to tell the truth, whether about the president or anyone else.

Theodore Roosevelt

It is sad that Democrats (at least some) have this wrong headed thinking about defending their president as Freepers had about George Bush... sad truly, but speaks as to why we are in the midst of a crisis in this country of unprecedented depth.

[saracat]

91. Nan, there you go throwing pearls again.Great post but sure to be

unappreciated.

[saracat]

27. ????????????????? Over the edge , aren't you?

:crazy: :wtf: :freak:

[AllentownJake]

35. Temper, Temper

What would President Obama think about such language :rofl:

[nashville_brook]

43. "bloodlust freakshow" -- taking things a bit seriously are we? struck a nerve?

someone needs a hug.

[QC]

73. That was one of the most seriously deranged things ever posted on this site. n/t

[Luminous Animal]

16. Who lies? FDL? The senior white house official?

Or Ben Smith, the reporter at Politico that FDL quoted?

[Cha]

20. "The Senior White House official"? "Anonymous"..

How many times has the White House had to come out and correct the latest bullshit mediawhore story on DU?

[Luminous Animal]

78. Then Obama has a problem if senior white house officials

are running around lying to reporters.

[Garbo 2004]

89. How many times has the White House had to come out & "correct" what its own officials have publicly

stated? Far too frequently. The WH has message discipline issues when its officials are speaking publicly for attribution. Think they never speak on the condition of anonymity to the media?

[struggle4progress]

80. Politico is a rightwing source -- and over there they're quite good at stirring the poison pot

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

8. Obama tells secret undercover anonymous lone reporter he was born in Kenya.

News at eleven.

[nadinbrzezinski]

14. K&R

God all those promises, we expect more than just a few crumbles.

[JonQ]

21. Well why should he be expected to keep them?

He won the election, those promises have served their purpose.

[polichick]

25. Well, I'm glad labor is fighting - healthcare/big pharma have far too much...

...influence in DC.

[Name removed]

26. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[madrchsod]

36. another bullshit piece from politico

a really nice job of using un-named sources to frame a hit piece on the labor movement in the usa.

on again politico shows it`s true colors

[struggle4progress]

77. Ding! Ding! Ding!

I wouldn't trust Politico as a source for anything

[Name removed]

39. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[MannyGoldstein]

40. Ha-Ha! Union Chumps!!!

Who the fuck else are they gonna vote for? Emanuel owns them for the next 7+ years.

Suckers.

[LWolf]

41. Wow.

I keep thinking it can't get worse, and then it does.

I show up at DU and find a thread about labor. Instead of a supposedly Democratic message board supporting the party base, labor, it devolves into an attack on labor. Then an attack on "fringe far-left rabble rousers" on DU, a self-described left-wing message board.

Might as well re-name the board "Centrist Central." :eyes:

I'm sorry, Omaha Steve. Thanks for posting this article, which reflects my own on-going concerns.

[wildbilln864]

42. k&r 4 labor. nt

[AllentownJake]

44. Hard to win an election without organized labor

These guys man the phone banks and do the canvassing for a lot of elections.

[MannyGoldstein]

47. But The Union's Screwed: What, Will They Vote Republican?

Man, the DLC pulled this off masterfully. Smooth as silk.

[AllentownJake]

50. If there is no EFCA

Organized labor will be a lot more selective on who they campaign for.

[nadinbrzezinski]

83. DING, DING. DING. DING we got a winnnah

Add the rest of the progressive\ liberal community

[AllentownJake]

84. I have a few friends in labor

They aren't going to go out for just democrats unless they get their legislation. Honestly, why are they going to pay their guys to work election day if it serves them no good.

[madrchsod]

48. the way politico wrote this was an attack on the union leadership and obama

i like how politico uses varying degrees of importance`s of sources to frame their hit pieces. i must admit this report is one of their best...

[saracat]

49. But the squad don't care. It really is all magic, smoke and mirrors.

[Individualist]

46. K&R for labor

[ampad]

51. Angry pom poms

Obama defense, what else did I miss? Did I miss any other disparaging remarks from the non angry? Yet the "others" are the angry ones. Some of you are beyond pathetic.

[AllentownJake]

76. and you sit on your on high horse

never adding anything to any conversation except saying pathetic. :rofl:

[Omaha Steve]

52. I'm a proud member of AFSCME (for those that didn't know)

I didn't expect this much of a response.

[madrchsod]

54. ya it was a duzy of a post....but

it did smoke out a really nasty troll.

but not a duzy like my wife`s "election"...it`s worse than the last time.i`ll pm you by the end of the week...lol

[saracat]

55. Dunno if you saw it all but it was a pip! I won't stand for anyone trashing labor!

And apparently neither will a lot of DUers, which was good to see.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

58. I don't understand how questioning Politico using an annonymous source was trashing labor.

:shrug:

[AllentownJake]

62. All of those deleted messages

that is where the crazy was at.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

63. Some of those are yours though.

Also, I read through them. They had Personal Attacks a plenty, but no attacks on Labor.

[AllentownJake]

64. Actually I'm rather clean on this thread

Except the sub-thread where a poster said he was sick of far left radicals.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

65. Perhaps. But that doesn't negate that some of those deletions upthread are yours.

At least one, if I remember correctly.

[AllentownJake]

66. Nope my shit at the top is still there

[SemiCharmedQuark]

71. I apologize. My mistake.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

67. Also, the deletions were for personal attacks and general attacks

But none of those attacks were on Labor.

[AllentownJake]

69. I think people took the far left radical post

as an attack on labor.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

70. That would be the deleted Subthread, not the deleted posts upthread

[AllentownJake]

72. Nope

I made generalized comments not personal attacks.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

74. I didn't say *you* made personal attacks, I said the posts that are deleted upthread were personal

and general attacks--which is why they were deleted. They were not attacks on Labor.

You didn't have any deletions, so that would not include you.

[struggle4progress]

81. I trust you, Omaha, but I generally don't believe Politico

[madrchsod]

53. hmmmm..pizza...thanks mods

[QC]

68. So who was the recipient? n/t

[madrchsod]

85. i forgot! just another troll

[bvar22]

86. This can't be true!

Remember how hard Obama fought for EFCA (Employee Free Choice Act)?
.
.
.
.
.
Oh wait.
My bad.
He didn't fight for LABOR at all.
And after all that romance during the campaign,
he dropped LABOR's issue like a hot potato.

So sad, all that hope and everything.

[saracat]

88. Well, you know, it isn't as if they have anyone else to vote for!

and he needs to pick up those bipartisan votes to get reelected.That is what counts.:grr:

[slipslidingaway]

90. knr #34 - AFSCME Supports “Health Care for America” Plan - 1/11/2007

Maybe the current proposals have strayed too far from the original plans.

BARACK OBAMA AND JOE BIDEN’S PLAN TO LOWER HEALTH CARE COSTS
AND ENSURE AFFORDABLE, ACCESSIBLE HEALTH COVERAGE FOR ALL
http://www.barackobama.com/pdf/issues/HealthCareFullPlan.pdf

:shrug:


http://www.ourfuture.org/afscme-supports-health-care-america-plan

"WASHINGTON—Gerald W. McEntee, president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), AFL-CIO, issued the following statement today in support of the “Health Care for America” plan proposed by Jacob Hacker, a Yale University professor and author of “The Great Risk Shift.” McEntee stated:

“Lack of affordable health coverage is the most critical problem facing working families today. Sky¬rocketing health care costs have eaten up American workers’ wage gains for years now. The con¬tinued erosion of employer-sponsored coverage has contributed to historic numbers of uninsured Americans, while straining public health care programs to the breaking point.

“The leadership void in the White House on this critical issue is unpardonable. As we welcome a hopeful new political era, I call on leaders across the ideological spectrum to join with us to help create a system of guaranteed, affordable health care for all.

“Jacob Hacker’s ‘Health Care for America’ plan is an innovative, common-sense approach to reform that deserves the careful consideration of policymakers. His proposal builds on the foundation of employer-sponsored health insurance—the system by which most Americans derive their cover-age—to create a new system of affordable coverage for all.

“The Hacker plan presents us with an important opportunity to begin a serious dialogue about how to achieve meaningful health care reform in America. To date, our failure of initiative and imagination on this issue has created a shameless legacy of economic instability and needless suffering across this country. We cannot afford to wait another day to tackle the most serious problem of our generation.”

[amborin]

92. k and r

[Qutzupalotl]

94. Note that those "broken promises" were broken by the Senate Finance Committee

(Baucus), not by Obama. There isn't even a final bill yet! Four of the five bills yet to be reconciled HAVE A PUBLIC OPTION!

I'm calling bullshit on this smear.

[Omaha Steve]

96. Labor Health Care Call in Day TODAY!

I'm giving a speech and including the info from this article.

[BrklynLiberal]

97. If this administration alienates labor, they are in for some big trouble..