TN is mentioned in this article from the New York Times. It sounds like Tanner has declared his intention to stay with his no vote. Good for him! We must let Gordon know our feelings on this issue. Any health care reform that they vote for must include Stupak like "air tight" language. The Senate version, as Rep. Stupak says, is unacceptable. He may not be running for reelection but his legacy is at stake. Does he want to be welcomed back to TN with this as his final vote. NO and let's remind him of that. He is still representing us. I pray his noncommittal answer is not a code for what can you do for me, Speaker Pelosi........
Wary Centrists Posing Challenge in Health Care Vote
New York Times
Analysts like Mr. Wasserman say Ms. Pelosi’s
best chances for no-to-yes conversions rest with Democrats who are
retiring, because they do not have to worry about their political fortunes. So far, there are only three:
Representative John Tanner and Representative Bart Gordon, both of Tennessee, and Representative Brian Baird of Washington.
Mr. Tanner has told colleagues he has no intention of switching his vote, said one Democratic lawmaker who has spoken with him. And in interviews on Friday,
Mr. Gordon and Mr. Baird sounded decidedly noncommittal.
Mr. Gordon said his constituents were “starting to get a little bit tired” of hearing about health care. He said he wanted to see “at least a partially bipartisan bill” — something that now seems impossible in the House, given that the lone Republican who voted in favor last time, Representative Anh Cao of Louisiana, has publicly changed his mind.
Read the rest of the article from the New York Times
here.
