Given the shitty performance so far by the Democrats in the Health Care debate, I wonder if I should be scared or amused by this story.

But Democrats who’d pushed for a vote before the break are dreading an onslaught of advertisements funded by business. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is putting $2 million toward fighting a Democratic proposal to create a government-run “public plan” to compete with private insurers.

To counter that, Democratic leaders will be coordinating media strategies and grassroots efforts with advocacy groups such as Health Care for America Now, Families USA and AARP, along with unions such as AFSCME and the Service Employees International Union.

In a briefing with reporters Thursday, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) acknowledged that Democrats have been losing the message war "a little bit" to Republicans. He said Democrats have had problems communicating with the bill as it changed in the legislative process.

“We’re responsible for putting together a plan. We've been focused on that,” Hoyer said. "Republicans have been free to conjure up whatever they want.”

But now, he noted, some industry groups like the American Medical Association and the pharmaceutical industry who derailed reform in the 90s are on the side of Democrats who want to overhaul the system.

“Harry and Louise are going to be saying this is a good thing,” Hoyer said. “We're going to be on the air, we're going to be in the neighborhoods.”

In addition to noting presidential events, the three-page strategy document lays out a detailed campaign of district events, rapid response, and conference calls with lawmakers to update them on strategy.

Posted by: eddiebear at 09:23 AM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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