My disappointment with Congressman Glenn Nye (D-Anthem, Aetna) continues to grow well after his vote against health care reform Saturday. After reading his statement on his no vote, I thought some response was warranted from a voter in his district who voted for him last year.In his statement, the Congressman alleges that
“Health care costs are crippling our small businesses and forcing families into bankruptcy, and any reform plan needs to reduce those costs. Although this version of the bill takes important steps to lower the deficit in the short term, the CBO has said that it does not address the fundamental problem of reducing skyrocketing health care costs."But is that really what the CBO says? No, but who reads those CBO reports anyway? Peter Orzag, Director of the Office of Management and Budget, also had a blog post (Yes, the OMB has a blog) tackling the issue of the cost-curve and saying "The House and Senate versions of reform share a variety of measures that will help create this health care system of the future, which will help to contain health care cost growth while also providing Americans with higher quality care." Orzag, in this and other blog posts, lays out the measures that are in place in both versions of the bill to control costs.
Nye also is happy to share the praise he has received from the NFIB (National Federation of Independent Businesses). What did they say?
Brad Close, the Vice President for federal public policy for the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) said: “As a member of the House Small Business Committee, Congressman Nye’s ‘no’ vote on H.R. 3962 demonstrates that he understands and appreciates what small businesses across his district have been saying – that while they desperately want and need reform, this bill will make things worse, not better. The new penalties, mandates and taxes on job creators included in H.R. 3962 are the wrong solution. NFIB deeply appreciates Congressman Nye’s ‘no’ vote on H.R. 3962 and looks forward to working with him on common-sense solutions that reduce healthcare costs and expand insurance coverage without hindering the growth and success of small businesses in Virginia.”
What Nye fails to point out is that this is the same NFIB that endorsed McDonnell, Bolling, and Cuccinelli for statewide office in the most recent election. Also NFIB endorsed: Stolle over Bouchard and Phil Hamilton over Robin Abbott. I'm not sure what is worse, Nye voting no on health care reform or rubbing it in with praise from Ken Cuccinelli/Phil Hamilton supporters.
Regardless of his views on the bill itself, I'm still struck by the political nightmare Nye has created for himself. The shaky base of support he did have is mostly gone now, and Republicans are out for blood. Just as Democrats were not going to be appeased with taking back Congress in 2006, the Republican Party in Virginia is not going to be appeased by taking back the Governor's mansion. Democrats best chance to keep this seat next year may very well be in a primary challenger who can reunite the base without go so far left as to alienate independents.
