The nightmare happened: A Tea Party know-nothing who opposes national healthcare reform (but says he’s OK with Massachusetts’ near universal coverage) has replaced Ted Kennedy, who fought for healthcare all his life, in the bluest state in the nation.
There are two roads for the Democrats at this juncture.
One is to fall into panic mode, drop everything they’ve worked on all year, and play defense for the rest of 2010; basically, do whatever they can on jobs and the economy. This would be electoral suicide, plus a 100% betrayal of the people who worked so hard to get them elected. With huge majorities in Congress, holding the White House, to squander this opportunity would be unforgivable. Even more relevant: the policies they campaigned on and worked on all this time are centrist and pragmatic, and popular with the American people (when framed properly, and not subject to months of Republican lies).
The other option is for Democrats to answer this wake-up call by fighting even harder for what they believe in—to realize that weakness at this juncture would be the absolute worst message they could send to the electorate and to their base. The House could pass the Senate’s version of the healthcare bill right away and send it to the President to sign. Through budget reconciliation, which requires only 51 votes, the Senate could then make modifications in line with some House requests. Just like that, we would get a healthcare bill that includes a real public option and greater subsidies for those who need them.
On financial regulatory reform, the Senate could put together a strong bill and dare the Republicans to vote against it. It would include the Consumer Protection Agency and a tax on bank windfall profits. The framing would be perfect for the Democrats: since the Republicans have claimed the mantle of populist rage, a vote against reining in the bankers would yield huge political dividends. If Republicans succeed in killing the bill with a filibuster, parts of it could still be passed through reconciliation; in addition, Obama could use his powers as chief executive to do a lot through the Treasury Department and the Securities and Exchange Commission.
On the environmental front, Democratic senators are already saying that the cap and trade bill is dead. Obama has the authority through the EPA to enact tough greenhouse gas regulations, and he should exercise that authority. There are some in the academic community who think this is a better approach than a weak cap and trade bill.
The Democrats could also push immigration reform, again daring the Republicans to vote against it and further alienate the growing Hispanic communities in key swing states. On gay rights, Congress could repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and the President through executive order could strike down Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.
Bottom line: If the Democrats show some fight they can turn this around. Their loss this past week would then turn into a blessing in disguise.
Unfortunately, the early word out of Washington seems to indicate that Democrats are inclined to show the country how spineless they are. If so, then the party from Obama on down does not deserve to govern and does not deserve the country’s support.
This is a moment of truth, a moment of reckoning, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Democrats can choose to snatch defeat from the jaws of their 2008 victory, or show some fortitude and get the job done. It’s their choice.
P.S. I called every office of my senators and congressman and urged them to fight or that I would never give them a penny again or volunteer for Democratic campaigns. I urge people to do the same.
Jason Scorse