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July 31, 2009 12:01 AM UTC

Polis Seeks Footing After Health Care "Compromise"

  • 28 Comments
  • by: Colorado Pols

In a press release today, Rep. Jared Polis interposes noncommitally about the health care reform compromise reached yesterday between House leadership and the “Blue Dogs,” and tries to separate himself from growing anger from progressives over the recent turn of events. Release follows–says Polis, “I know my actions to strengthen the bill were misunderstood by some, but rest assured, my strong support for health care reform and the President’s plan has not wavered.”

Our view: Polis’ defense of his recent actions surrounding the health care reform proposal, which have upset many on the progressive left and contributed to uncertainty over the prospects for health care reform this year, rests on the idea that without his clamoring for less spending and lower taxes on wealthy Americans the bill wouldn’t pass. We’ve made it clear we don’t agree–our opinion is that his ‘concerns’ should have been dealt with in a much more politically discreet way, and certain rather flippant remarks he’s made are being used against the health care proposal in ways he can’t have intended if his goal was really to help it pass.

As a result, he’s getting lumped with those trying to obstruct passage of any meaningful health care reform, despite his usually pro-reform rhetoric. And the fact is, Polis is tied to the fate of health care reform legislation now–if a bill passes and is signed into law that satisfies the Democratic base, there’s no reason to believe that Polis won’t be able to weather this in career terms.

If it fails though, whatever his intentions may have been, and even though it’s true that he was far from the only problem, he’ll be on a short list of people to blame. Indeed he’ll be subject to disproportionate blame if health care fails precisely because what he did was so ‘impactful.’

Polis is (nominally, anyway) a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, which is trying to harden opposition to the “Blue Dog” compromise before the August break. Since many elements of this compromise aim to reduce costs–a key concession Polis demanded from leadership–we’ll be interested to see how he juggles these increasingly contradictory loyalties.

Polis Calls for Strong Public Option in Health Reform Plan

Washington, DC-In response to the “Blue Dog” compromise reached with House Leaders last night, Congressman Jared Polis (D-CO) issued the following statement to reiterate his strong support for a public option in the proposed health care reform bill.

“Health care reform is the single most important step we can take to help families and rebuild our economy, and I feel this cannot be accomplished without a strong public option.  I strongly support this essential reform that will bring relief to struggling families by expanding choice and containing costs in our health care system.  

Given the progress I’ve seen so far, I am confident we can pass a health care reform bill that maintains a robust public option.  While I would rather have stayed in session to broker a deal, I will do my best to see a bill with a strong public option pass the House as soon as we return.  In the coming weeks, I am hosting events across my district to continue to raise support for health care reform with my constituents.  I know my actions to strengthen the bill were misunderstood by some, but rest assured, my strong support for health care reform and the President’s plan has not wavered.  I have spoken with the President, Democratic Leadership, health care reform advocates, and concerned constituents to move health care reform forward.  I believe we will build a stronger and better bill that will have the full support of the House.  We cannot waste this once in a lifetime opportunity to enact lifesaving reform.”

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28 thoughts on “Polis Seeks Footing After Health Care “Compromise””

  2. Besides having a camera stuck under his nose all year and preening for the CNN feature “Freshman Year” Polis continues to posture himself for additional attention among the Washington newbies.

    It is interesting to note, that 13 of the signers of his protest letter to the House had received campaign contributions from Polis. Big Man On Campus buying friends and failing miserably to deliver for the American people.

    His deliberate actions to derail the most important piece of legislation since the introduction of Medicare,calls attention to his little turf war where he can call the shots because the others are afraid that they will loose his contributions if they offend.

    He is derilict in his duty to CD2 and all Americans when he continues to believe that his protests will deliver a better healthcare care system for the rest of us.

     

  3. If he doesn’t want to end up like Bill Ritter he had better fight for health care reform like his political life depends on it.  

    What Jared Polis doesn’t realize is that we don’t have a choice. Our economy will not recover without restoring the middle class to prosperity. It is the single most important concept these politicians don’t get. The filthy rich have everything to lose now. It may take a little longer for them to realize it but realize they will.

    The rich suffered during the Great Depression and before the Great Compression. FDR saved capitalism by redistributing the wealth and creating a prosperous middle class. Without this kind of solution no one is able to buy the products or services from the filthy rich and the downward spiral will continue.  

  4. I got a robo-call this morning from Jared talking about how it’s critical we pass healthcare and inviting me to a phone in town hall (couldn’t do it because work is so busy).

    I’d say he’s trying to turn the focus on him back to healthcare supporter…

    2. and I think Jared is on top of it, and he went into a lot of details about the public option and the way the plan is moving through Congress. It was very detailed.

      I think he felt the backlash when everyone was so pissed about his comments and his vote in committee.  He hasn’t said that directly but by his actions I think he wants everyone to know he is working on it hard.

      My two cents.  Polis haters fire away !

  5. Throw away your Polis cheerleading pom-poms. This guy was a disaster from the start. It is never too late to recognize a mistake, and CD2 made a big one!

  6. to pick on Polis.

    The continuing narrative/whine is that Polis is a rich weenie who isn’t good enough.  He’s been on the job seven months and is already being labeled a failure by those who are quick to fault his every mistake.

    You don’t see any blogs on what a blue dog Salazar is or the missing Perlmuter.  It is always what a dirty dog Polis is for not walking the ultra-left line in lock step with Obama.  I personally don’t think his PR mistakes are going to kill health care reform and he has consistently shown that he is a hard worker and knowledgeable about the issues.  You underestimate him at your own risk.  

    1. I don’t complain about Markey or Salazar for two reasons:

      1) They represent more conservative districts, and

      2) they don’t actively sabotage the party the way Polis does.

      Again and again, Polis doesn’t just fail to step up and represent, he actually messes things up. He criticizes the leadership in the Wall Street Journal, he tries to sabotage the health care bill from outside when he can’t get an amendment passed from inside, and he calls the Democrats a “tax and spend” party.

      In 10 years, when Polis has bought himself a Senate seat, I think he’ll be our Joe Lieberman (or Zell Miller). Not because he’s actually conservative (Lieberman isn’t either), but because his ego is just so big that the contrarianism attention gives him a thrill. He’s worse than worthless.

        1. Can you find me a quote of Udall complaining about the Democratic party generally? Can you find me a reference to Udall trying to kill Democratic plans by going through right-wing media outlets?

          I doubt it.

          1. of Udall actually voting to end the occupation? I doubt it.  You can find Udall voting to condemn MoveOn.org.  The original point was that Polis should represent his constituents and my reply was that I had the same thought about Udall.

            We are in extreme disagreement on your belief that Polis is sabotaging his party.  He tried to modify legislation before Congress with what he thought was a more equitable solution.  Marching in lock step on every issue is a Republican trait and if Polis strayed from the herd regarding health care reform then that is a Democratic flaw that I can live with.

            1. The voting record was not my point at all, nor was it the point of the Pols posts on the matter. The point was his other actions.

              Polis voted against the bill in committee, which was stupid and awful, but is not the major complaint. The major complaint is that instead of working within the process (his own committee) to modify it, he went public to try to embarrass Pelosi into changing it. And his reason for doing this has never been explained as any more than “It would make me pay more in taxes.”

              If his purely symbolic vote against the occupation (remember, Polis votes ‘no’ when he’s sure bills are going to pass anyway without him) is enough to make you ignore his sabotage of the party agenda, that’s fine. Don’t call the rest of us stupid or sheep for not agreeing with you.

              1. stupid or sheep in any of them.

                I found Udall to be the quintessential professional politician who would say or do anything to climb the political ladder.  As far as I am concerned the jury is still out on Polis.

    3. Polis keeps inserting himself into the news, first with the correction, then the torrent of media that followed, then his corrective statements, now this press release, etc.

      At least that’s how it seems to me. The issue isn’t that he doesn’t walk “lock step with Obama” or that he doesn’t know the issues, but rather that his lack of political acumen has damaged his standing with the liberal base and that he has fed/given credence to Republican talking points. His PR mistakes may not kill health care reform, but they sure as hell aren’t helping anything.

      Finally, Salazar as a member of the blue dog caucus is expected to be at least hesitant about anything that comes from Obama’s or Pelosi’s office, any complaints about his hesitancy should be followed by a large gaping silence, or a very poignant “duh!” And if Polis was as silent as Perlmutter, that wouldn’t be news either, most members of Congress aren’t expected to play an active role in most legislation unless they’re in leadership.

      From a political standpoint, Polis messed up on this, period. That’s the story, and as long as defecting Democrats on health care is a story, so will Polis’ screw-up.

      1. If he has a problem with a healthcare plan that most of us support, he can oppose it in a better, more constructive, more diplomatic way.  The way he did it was a mini PR disaster because he just looked so glib.  I for one think he has learned from it.

      2. That’s been my suspicion for a long time (the bumbling with Amendment 41, etc).  In my experience, people don’t necessarily acquire political acumen — they got it or they don’t.  So, the wise thing for Congressman Polis to do is surround himself with staff members who are very wise and experienced politically.  Has he done this?  If so, is he relying on their expertise?

    4. The expression “walking the ultra-left line in lock step with Obama” is absurd. I’m on the left, and President Obama’s politics are nowhere to be found in this vicinity.

      I’m not the only one who thinks Obama is not even on the left. Here’s the result of an analysis from speeches, public statements, and voting record (apparently gleaned during/before the campaign) that puts Obama on “the right”, relatively speaking:

      http://politicalcompass.org/us…

      No question, Obama is to the left of (and more competent than) Bush. But a leftist? Please.

  7. as in, working as hard as they can to avoid working with anyone on it…

    “House GOP Leader John Boehner stopped by the committee room Friday to pay his respects to panel Republicans. But he laughed off a request by Texas Rep. Joe Barton, the ranking Republican on the committee, to join the committee for a day.”

    http://www.politico.com/news/s…

  8. Increased in health care budget may fall to bankruptcy.There is a case for walking away from enormous debts, as there is always the option of filing for bankruptcy.  Bankruptcy isn’t something to be taken lightly, as it isn’t like buying postage stamps and you will have be consulting with bankruptcy attorneys and determine whether or not filing would be good for you.  Unemployment is one of the biggest causes for filing, and foreclosure is one of the usual precursors.  If you file for chapter 7, the most common filing, you will have to undergo a means test, to determine whether a person can pay all or a portion of their debts.  If considering bankruptcy, make sure you have some quick cash for emergencies and talk to bankruptcy attorneys.

    1. with regard to bankruptcy.

      Do you mean government bankruptcy, with regard to the “health care budget” that you mention, or personal bankruptcy?

      Health care debts are already the number one cause of personal bankruptcy in this nation.  But that has nothing to do with budgeting.  It’s because nobody budgets, nor can they, for totally unplanned medical catastrophes.

      I’m just not getting the substance of your argument.  Sorry.

      Welcome aboard, by the way.

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