Watching some hoops, myself.
What Time Is It In New York?
Time to phone John Hall.
I just got off the phone with Congressman John Hall’s office (NY-19). I assumed he would vote for HCR but he is undeclared. I gave money to elect Hall. His staff said I was one of only TWO calls in support of HCR, and the office has been flooded with calls opposing the bill. He will make up his mind on Sunday, but the staff member said calls are needed, and if I care about what happens we need to contact friends and family to call Hall’s office to voice support. I could hear the worry and fear in her voice.
If you have already called, send a fax as well. Faxes are as close as you can get to the gold standard of written letters, which take too long to arrive ever since the anthrax business.
Comment Of The Day II
Just called Tammy Baldwin’s Office – the staffer was so grateful for what she termed a pep talk- she said it several times, even when I said I was not a constituent, she told me that I had no idea how much she appreciated my call. I said that I knew that the staffers had been innundated with talk show callers screaming at them- so I thought it only fair that a non- constituent supporter should call and thank them. I said that no matter how horrendous it has been for them – the long days of having to deal with angry ill-informed people – that they are involved in something monumental. 20 years from now the memory of being yelled at will fade and they will be so proud that they were a part of this.
I STRONGLY urge my fellow commenters to pick up the phone and start giving similar “pep” talks to the staffers – they could use energizing – For this purpose call anyone you think might be in the target line of teabaggers – it doesn’t have to be your congressperson- people NEED to hear friendly voices if we are going to make it thru to the finish line.
I still don’t endorse calling outside Reps just to yell at them, but staffers clearly appreciate a friendly voice. Also consider donating money and volunteer time to Reps who took (will take) the biggest political risk with this vote.
Comment Of The Day
From rob!.
JOHN ADLER. JOHN ADLER. JOHN ADLER. JOHN ADLER. JOHN ADLER. JOHN ADLER. JOHN ADLER. JOHN ADLER. JOHN ADLER. JOHN ADLER. JOHN ADLER. JOHN ADLER. JOHN ADLER. JOHN ADLER. JOHN ADLER. JOHN ADLER. JOHN ADLER. JOHN ADLER.
Any readers in NJ-3? You heard the man.
Open Thread
They Need Our Help To Say Yes
TPM highlights the most important remaining Representatives. Please check to see whether you live in any of these districts, or if you live close enough to make a credible offer to help with their re-election.
Undecided Dems Who Voted ‘No’ On The House Health Care Bill
John Tanner (D-TN), Brian Baird (D-WA), Jason Altmire (D-PA), Suzanne Kosmas (D-FL), Jim Matheson (D-UT), Glenn Nye (D-VA), Scott Murphy (D-NY), Harry Teague (D-NM), John Boccieri (D-OH)
Undecided Dems Who Voted ‘Yes’ On The House Health Care Bill
Many of the undecideds who previously voted “yes” are comprised of pro-life Democrats who are leery of the Senate bill’s abortion language and are led by Rep. Bart Supak (D-MI).
Easy to get Stupakers:
Brad Ellsworth (D-IN), Kathy Dahlkemper (D-PA), Henry Cuellar (D-TX),
Hard to get Stupakers:
Marion Berry (D-AR), Jerry Costello (D-IL), Joe Donnelly (D-IN), Steve Driehaus (D-OH), Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Dan Lipinski (D-IL), Bart Stupak (D-MI)
***Update***
If you call any conservative Dems today, make sure to bring this up. The abortion language dodge is simply untenable.
***Update 2***
Changed the post title. It sounds more focus-grouped this way.
Email Of The Day
From the staff of Senator whose support we can’t afford to lose.
…[W]e got more than 300 teabagger calls today. My intern cried. We got TWO (2) pro-reform calls today. I hate to beg, I really do. But y’all are doing a better job of whipping Members than anyone else. PLEASE KEEP CALLING.
You know what to do.
Switchboard: (202) 224-3121
Guide for first-timers here.