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You are here: Home / Open Threads / Reps Who Need Your Help

Reps Who Need Your Help

by Tim F|  March 20, 201010:00 am| 50 Comments

This post is in: Open Threads

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Commenter Moses2317 has a list of undecideds and progressive ‘no’s who really ought to be voting for this bill. I added Jason Altmire to the end because he is clearly gettable. If you live in any of these districts, do your best to get family and friends on the phones to get this done.

If you phone a progressive Rep, please emphasize that their support will make it less likely Nancy Pelosi will have cut a deal with Bart Stupak and make the abortion provisions even worse.

Zack Space – Ohio (Zanesville, Dover, Chillicothe) – (202) 225-6265

Marcy Kaptur – Ohio (Toledo) – (202) 225-4146

Bill Foster – Illinois (Batavia, Dixon, Geneseo) – (202) 225-2976

Kathy Dahlkemper – Pennsylvania (Erie) – (202) 225-5406

Chris Carney – Pennsylvania (Clarks Summit, Shamokin, Williamsport) – (202) 225-3731

Melissa Bean – Illinois (Schaumburg) – (202) 225-3711

Steve Driehaus – Ohio (Cincinnati) – (202) 225-2216

Jim Matheson – Utah (South Salt Lake, St. George, Price) – (202) 225-3011

Stephen Lynch – Massachusetts (Brockton, Boston) – 202-225-8273

Peter DeFazio – Oregon (Eugene, Roseburg, Coos Bay) – 202.225.6416

Michael Arcuri – New York (Utica, Auburn, Cortland) – (202)225-3665

Rick Boucher – Virginia (Abingdon, Pulaski, Big Stone Gap) – 202-225-3861

Henry Cuellar – Texas (San Antonia, Laredo, Rio Grande City) – 202-225-1640

John Tanner – Tennessee (Union City, Jackson, Millington) – 202-225-4714

Glenn Nye – Virginia (Virginia Beach, Accomac) – (202) 225-4215

Brian Baird – Washington (Vancouver, Olympia) – (202) 225-3536

Dan Lipinski – Illinois (LaGrange, Oak Lawn, Chicago’s southwest side) – (202) 225 – 5701

Joe Donnelly – Indiana (South Bend, LaPorte, Michigan City, Kokomo) – (202) 225-3915

Marion Barry – Arkansas (Jonesboro, Cabot, Mountain Home) – (202) 225-4076

Harry Teague – New Mexico (Hobbs, Las Cruces, Socorro, Los Lunas, Roswell) – (202) 225-2365

Jerry Costello – Illinois (Carbondale, Belleville, E. St. Louis, Granite City, Chester) – (202) 225-5661

John Barrow – Georgia (Savannah, Augusta, Vidalia, Milledgeville, Sandersville) – (202) 225-2823

Nick Rahall – West Virginia (Beckley, Bluefield, Huntington, Logan) – (202) 225-3452

Solomon Ortiz – Texas (Corpus Christi, Brownsville) – (202) 225-7742

Jason Altmire – Pennsylvania (Beaver Falls, Aliquippa) – (202) 225-2565

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50Comments

  1. 1.

    Cambridge Chuck

    March 20, 2010 at 10:06 am

    Every whip count I see records my rep, Mike Capuano (D-MA08), as a “yes” — even though I can find no explicit commitment from him on his own website. I just called his district office (617-621-6208) and was told “he’s leaning yes, but still has concerns”. If any BJ readers also live in this district, please please please let Mike know you share his concerns and still strongly want him to vote yes.

  2. 2.

    Karen

    March 20, 2010 at 10:10 am

    I live in Maryland which doesn’t seem to be on this list. Can I call a Representative which is not mine? I’m sorry if it’s a stupid question.

  3. 3.

    General Egali Tarian Stuck

    March 20, 2010 at 10:10 am

    Teague has made an official statement he will be a “no” vote. Asshole idiot coward. I will still call today to relay that sentiment, though likely not as potty mouthed, at least a little.

  4. 4.

    Tim F.

    March 20, 2010 at 10:11 am

    @Karen: Phone your Rep anyway. Even ‘yes’ Reps will appreciate your support. If there is a ‘no’ or a conservadem in your area, think about phoning and offering to help with re-election if they come through on this vote.

  5. 5.

    Ailuridae

    March 20, 2010 at 10:13 am

    Wish I could be more help but am still high and dazed.

    This Toledo blade article makes Marcy Kaptur sound pretty solidly yes (again to me and again I am not thinking clearly) and a couple of folks who have whips counts above 210 are already adding her.

    http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100319/NEWS14/3190328

  6. 6.

    FormerSwingVoter

    March 20, 2010 at 10:14 am

    Wow. Lotta busy signals this morning.

    Anyone having better luck?

  7. 7.

    nancydarling

    March 20, 2010 at 10:15 am

    Just spoke to Teague’s office and left a message for Space at his local office. Lots of DC offices have busy lines and full mail boxes, so I suggest calling their local area offices.

    We need to get this done! I’m calling Arkansas’ Berry again.

  8. 8.

    General Egali Tarian Stuck

    March 20, 2010 at 10:16 am

    on a positive note, both MSNBC and CNN had segs with their capital hill reporters that claim dems are right at the 216 they need, and are mostly just stringing Stupak along as possible insurance. The Jackass will give a presser at 11 am eastern, so will know more maybe.

  9. 9.

    General Egali Tarian Stuck

    March 20, 2010 at 10:25 am

    Stay classy wingnuts

  10. 10.

    Barbara

    March 20, 2010 at 10:27 am

    I called Driehaus’s office this AM and after multiple re-dials to get through, learned that the voice mail box is full. The Cinti paper yesterday claimed that nuns were going to hold a candle light vigil at his house to encourage him to vote yes, but no follow up on that. I think he is still a no, though the unions are pushing him to change and he has a primary opponent. Maybe he will wise up and find some way to decide that the Senate bill is not really the pro-abortion extravaganza he claims to be worried about. But I bet not.

  11. 11.

    JasonF

    March 20, 2010 at 10:32 am

    I live in Congresswoman Schakowsky’s district, so my representative’s vote is safe. I intend to call her to thank her for voting for the bill. I also intend to call all three Chicago area Reps. (Lipinski, Bean, and Foster) and let them know that I would be very happy to volunteer time and money for a Democrat in a tough district who supports the bill, but that I would have no reason to do so for a Democrat who doesn’t.

    Of course, the House switchboard doesn’t seem to be cooperating with my intentions, but I’ll keep trying.

  12. 12.

    Ella in NM

    March 20, 2010 at 10:37 am

    Our own Rep. Harry Teague just wimped out to the “New Texican” constituency of right wing no-nothing teabaggers and announce he’ll vote “no”. The bill doesn’t “go far enough” to control costs for premiums or some such crap. Sorry, Harry, if Dennis Kucinich can come on board, the likes of you can, too.

    Keep calling these retards, folks. Harass the hell out of them.

  13. 13.

    growingdaisies

    March 20, 2010 at 10:39 am

    I faxed my Rep. (Sarbanes) in MD to thank him, and faxed the following people to urge a yes vote:

    Space
    Kaptur
    Foster
    Dahlkemper
    Carney
    Bean
    Driehaus
    Matheson
    Lynch
    Boucher

    I’m going to call Mike Arcuri, since — being from my economically devastated hometown and apparently a humongous idiot — he holds a special place in my heart.

    Anyone want to start at the bottom of the list and join me?

  14. 14.

    Moses2317

    March 20, 2010 at 10:40 am

    JasonF,

    There is a rally organized by OFA today in Schaumburg at Melissa Bean’s district office. It would be great if you could come.

    Moses2317

    What: Rally for Health Reform

    Where: Congresswoman Melissa Bean’s District Office
    1701 East Woodfield Rd.
    Schaumburg, IL 60173

    When: Saturday, March 20th
    11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

  15. 15.

    marcopolo

    March 20, 2010 at 10:48 am

    Not sure why Dan Lipinski is on this list. He is not a progressive and using the Stupak argument on him won’t work as he is seemingly as anti-choice as Stupak. Have called the two reps closest to me, Clay and Carnahan and both are yes votes, though their staff do like to hear from supporters.

  16. 16.

    geg6

    March 20, 2010 at 10:50 am

    Altmire has come out as a definite no. Fucker. But what do you expect from a former lobbyist for UPMC? I really don’t think his staffers that I’ve talked to agreed. Not that they explicitly said as much. But you could tell by their tone and demeanor. Fuck him. Not another dime or ounce of effort for him.

  17. 17.

    Davis X. Machina

    March 20, 2010 at 10:54 am

    Maybe he will wise up and find some way to decide that the Senate bill is not really the pro-abortion extravaganza he claims to be worried about. But I bet not.

    How many of these peckerheads are actually concerned about abortion, and how many of them are looking for a clean way to kill a bill they can’t stand because they’re basically Republicans and the very idea of social provision pisses them off?

  18. 18.

    Quiddity

    March 20, 2010 at 10:56 am

    ABC reports this morning that it’s 212 likely yes and 212 likely no. And 216 the threshold number.

    Anyone have a handle on who the “uncommitted” are?

  19. 19.

    The Grand Panjandrum

    March 20, 2010 at 10:58 am

    @Ella in NM: Harry’s going to lose in November anyway so this really is disappointing. I just don’t see Dems working very hard for him after this let down on the biggest piece of social legislation since the 1960’s. His no vote just cements the certainty of his loss. At least with a yes vote he might get the base out to work for him.

  20. 20.

    NobodySpecial

    March 20, 2010 at 11:01 am

    Foster’s mailbox is full. Calls are getting dumped.

    EDIT – Batavia office is open. (630) 406-1114

  21. 21.

    General Egali Tarian Stuck

    March 20, 2010 at 11:05 am

    @Quiddity: If true, when it gets that close, the focus of ire and arm twisting gets concentrated on the few remaining holdouts, some of which are doing so to get something for their vote, and those standing on principle can be made offers they can’t refuse, the electoral lack of support kind, of course.

    My own official position is, I don’t know wtf is going on.

  22. 22.

    marcopolo

    March 20, 2010 at 11:12 am

    @The Grand Panjandrum: Yeah, I am obviously not a congresscritter but the writing is on the wall for many of the Dems in the worst of the swing districts, and if I found myself in that position I would at least want to vote the right way when I still had the chance. Here is a nice Ezra Klein piece on a congresswoman who voted the right way on Clinton’s budget before getting swept out in 1994. As Ezra Klein says, she is still remembered for that courageous vote while the Dems who opposed are forgotten.

  23. 23.

    The Grand Panjandrum

    March 20, 2010 at 11:24 am

    @marcopolo: I read that the other day. Sadly, for some, re-election is the most important issue. Who advise these people? Or do they just have bad judgment? Of course, as someone pointed out in a thread yesterday, very few of our critters have any real intellectual depth. Just like in the private sector, the C-student with a lot of ambition can go a long way in the corridors of power and good judgment is not a prerequisite for elected office.

  24. 24.

    Joey Maloney

    March 20, 2010 at 11:31 am

    “I’m with” Stupak postpones his presser.

  25. 25.

    vheidi

    March 20, 2010 at 11:35 am

    @FormerSwingVoter: nothing but busy signals- frustrating!

  26. 26.

    NobodySpecial

    March 20, 2010 at 11:37 am

    @vheidi: Call local offices, preferably the main offices, as they’ll be open. Much better chance of getting a live person.

  27. 27.

    vheidi

    March 20, 2010 at 11:43 am

    @NobodySpecial: Thanks, got Lynch’s office in Boston. “He’s voting no.” Welcome to your primary, Rep. Lynch, the basterd.

  28. 28.

    Sasha

    March 20, 2010 at 11:47 am

    My husband went to Nye’s local office yesterday. He was able to speak to an aide who was friendly but noncommittal. That was more than I was able to do when I went last month. However, the front desk person was clearly up on things and, I think, concerned. I pointed out that she would be unemployed if he lost the next election which was clearly on her mind. Anyway, my vague impression is that the people in his office would like him to vote yes.

  29. 29.

    justinb

    March 20, 2010 at 12:17 pm

    I’ve called Matheson multiple times now, threatening, pleading, but all I get this morning are busy signals. There’s a demo at his local office today, but I can’t go :(

  30. 30.

    NobodySpecial

    March 20, 2010 at 12:19 pm

    @vheidi:

    Why exactly is a guy with Boston in his district voting no? Pope in his pocket?

  31. 31.

    Mr Furious

    March 20, 2010 at 12:20 pm

    Is Heath Shuler a lost cause, or what? I haven’t been in touch with his office in a few weeks (lot on the plate lately, new job, move, etc) and they would never give me a commitment on his position. I even hand delivered a letter to his Asheville office…

    The emphatic display of pro-life language in his positions on his site make it seem unlikely he would ever vote yes.

  32. 32.

    NobodySpecial

    March 20, 2010 at 12:23 pm

    @Mr Furious:

    Consider him an (*R) for all purposes of legislation. He’s as good at legislating as a Democrat as he was a quarterbacking a professional football team. That is to say, not worth a single damn.

  33. 33.

    acallidryas

    March 20, 2010 at 12:28 pm

    Might be nice to call some of the recent Reps to switch to yes to say thank you. I never thought Alan Boyd (Blue Dog-Tallahassee) would be gettable, but now that he’s switched, I think anything’s possible. We just might win this thing.

  34. 34.

    NobodySpecial

    March 20, 2010 at 12:42 pm

    Talked to Bean’s office. As of one hour ago she’s a YES.

  35. 35.

    Mr Furious

    March 20, 2010 at 12:45 pm

    Last I looked he actually had a better voting record than I expected, but not on anything even close to issues that might have something to do with somebody thinking about someone else possibly having an abortion…

  36. 36.

    Martin

    March 20, 2010 at 12:45 pm

    I just turned my Medicare-age crew loose on DeFazio. He should be getting a bunch of angry old former (and disgusted) insurance employees screaming at him for not voting yes on this.

    DeFazio is trying to get good things done, and they will thank him for working on those things on their behalf (I like DeFazio), but they’d rather not get a Stupak compromise instead.

  37. 37.

    Martin

    March 20, 2010 at 12:47 pm

    Oh, and how did we not get a Stupak/Tupac headline out of Dougj, or did I just miss it? Too obvious?

  38. 38.

    JasonF

    March 20, 2010 at 12:52 pm

    @Moses2317: Just got back from the vet and saw the post about the rally. Unfortunately, that doesn’t leave me anywhere near enough time to make it out to Schaumburg before 12:30, but hopefully you got a good turnout even with the lousy weather we’re having today.

  39. 39.

    Cheryl Rofer

    March 20, 2010 at 12:53 pm

    Just sent Harry Teague an e-mail pointing out that I’m in Santa Fe and will never vote for him for statewide office if he votes “no.” Also pointed out that today’s Santa Fe New Mexican editoral and other commentators are saying that the best re-election bet for Dems like him is to vote for the health care bill.

    His DC office phone was busy.

  40. 40.

    YellowJournalism

    March 20, 2010 at 12:54 pm

    Here’s an article about Washington rep Baird. Something interesting about the calls they’re receiving:

    Baird said his eight staff members have fielded roughly 4,000 phone calls regarding health care reform over the past week. They’ve come from all over the country.
    “It paralyzes us to some degree,” Baird told The Columbian. “Everyone is treating all the callers with utmost courtesy.”
    But some calls are obviously responses to exhortations from talk radio hosts, he said, and some callers appear to have no idea who they are talking to.

    Sounds like the teabaggers are randomly calling reps without having any background information.

  41. 41.

    Tim F.

    March 20, 2010 at 1:02 pm

    @Cheryl Rofer: Send a fax instead. Given the volume Reps are receiving right now a staffer might get to your message some time next year. Or they could just pull a Cole and delete the whole folder.

  42. 42.

    NobodySpecial

    March 20, 2010 at 1:05 pm

    @Cheryl Rofer: Call his main local office. I assume that’s in Socorro? Or Las Cruces?

  43. 43.

    Cheryl Rofer

    March 20, 2010 at 1:11 pm

    Free fax in progress. Teague’s DC fax number is 202-225-9599.

  44. 44.

    Nutella

    March 20, 2010 at 1:18 pm

    My rep seems to be a safe yes but I called yesterday to encourage him. Saw Foster on this list and called today. His DC office has “press 1 to leave message on HCR and press 2 for anything else” so I left a message stating that I am a contributor but not a constituent and want him to vote yes on HCR. Might help a little.

  45. 45.

    BetsyD

    March 20, 2010 at 1:55 pm

    I tried Costello at his local office; it was busy. Called the Washington office and got through, but the staffer was a little short with me.

  46. 46.

    Ella in NM

    March 20, 2010 at 2:42 pm

    @The Grand Panjandrum:

    Agreed. I am so disappointed in Harry Teague right now, but I will grit my teeth and vote for him barring a miracle this fall. I keep hoping he will just resign and then we can find a better candidate to replace him to keep that rotten Steve Pearce from taking over.

  47. 47.

    Hippie Killer

    March 20, 2010 at 3:20 pm

    I have a hard time understanding why Rahall is still undecided. He needs to tell Bart Stupak to go fuck himself.

  48. 48.

    Geordie3

    March 20, 2010 at 3:21 pm

    I called one of Arcuri’s local offices yesterday, and the staffer was friendly and bit worn out. (He mentioned that the Tea Baggers had paid a visit to the office that day, and I expressed my condolences.) This is a swing district, so it’s not surprising that Arcuri is receiving mixed messages.

    I just tried calling Arcuri’s DC office again, and got the voice mail (which is full, of course). This left me with a vision of all the staffers huddled in a supply closet with a bottle of vodka, but I can’t be sure about this.

    I can’t believe it’s so hard for the US to do what every other developed country (and many of the others as well) did decades ago; it’s just maddening.

  49. 49.

    satyr9us

    March 20, 2010 at 5:49 pm

    Rep. Peter Defazio of Oregon’s 4th has just announced in favor of the bill — I finally got through to his local office after trying all day, and spoke to his staffer.

    Great work folks!

  50. 50.

    Moses2317

    March 21, 2010 at 3:05 am

    @JasonF

    The rally outside Melissa Bean’s office went well – there were a lot of teabaggers there, but we had a good number of pro-reform folks also.

    WGN News covered it, and included clips of both my wife, Kairol, and myself. http://ow.ly/1oY0S

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