The zig-zag progress of health care legislation through Congress has caused any number of Americans no small amount of agita. While the suffering over minute details can be enlightening, I suppose, it also shows how few of us understand how Congress work. Even the false outrage over reconciliation - is it an evil, backdoor to introduce unfavorable legislation or just another legislative step? - has shown us that Americans really have no concept as to how their government works.
And it seems as if the people running the government don't even know how it works. Some of the objections from various Congressional people are just political positioning. But some seem to totally miss the reason for what they are doing.
"Since June, I have consistently expressed my serious reservations about the House and Senate proposals," Adler said in a statement. "While the final bill takes positive steps to provide insurance coverage for working Americans, I am not satisfied that the final bill will reform our health care system and prevent excessive increases in premiums for families and small businesses."
Three members of Congress have switched from their no vote last time to a Yes on this bill. The CBO estimate today said that the bill would save $130 billion over the first 10 years and $1.2 trillion over the second decade. It is estimated to expand health insurance coverage to 32 million more Americans. Adler even talked about the many positive things the bill does in his explanation for why he was voting against, but said it doesn't meat all his goals. Sometimes you have to get some of what you want now in order to be able to eventually get everything later.
I helped elect John Adler partly because he ran on his support for healthcare. This isn't the bill many would want, but its the chance we have to move the ball forward. And instead, he's standing in opposition. I haven't understood the political or practical calculations of that stance all along, but that's apparently above my pay grade. This vote by my Congressman is disappointing to say the least. The only thing that could make it worse is if they fall one vote short of passage. I'll put the email he sent to supporters about his decision below the fold.
Jon Runyan will announce his campaign for Congress today and he has already outed himself as an opportunist. On why he is running for Congress:
"It was the opportunity that presented itself," he said. "It was available."
If thats not inspiring to get behind a candidate, I don't know what is. You wonder how committed he will be when other opportunities become available. At some point hopefully, they'll get around to asking him about where he stands on the issues.
Jim Beach defends Adler's "consience" vote on health care in today's Courier Post:
"I think John Adler voting his conscience is a great thing,"
said Beach -- who holds Adler's former seat and is co-chairman of the CamCo Dems. And without a trace of irony.
It's rich that Jimmy Beach -- who's too timid to vote on tough issues -- feels compelled to advise Adler about....anything. Especially something as important as disgusting as Adler's NO vote on Heath Care reform.
Congressman Adler has been a continued focus for healthcare watchers over whether he would give his support to the legislation making its way through Congress. Meeting with the Courier Post, he said this:
"I would vote against the Senate bill," he said while meeting with the editors of the (Cherry Hill) Courier-Post. "The Senate bill has different fundamental flaws and some of the same fundamental flaws that the House bill had."
He left open the possibility of supporting the bill that would make fixes to the Senate bill if it includes more cost-containment measures.
I don't really know what cost containments they would add at this point to satisfy him and get his vote. But he may not get a chance to vote on the Senate bill depending on how things proceed:
Under the procedure, known as a "self-executing rule" or a "deem and pass," the House would adopt a rule for a vote on a package of fixes to the Senate health-care bill, with passage signifying that lawmakers "deem" the underlying bill to be passed.
Labor and progressive leaders are threatening House Democrats who oppose health care legislation with potentially destructive third party challenges in November.
The Republicans are going to attack him no matter what he does or how he votes. They'll attack him because he's a Democrat and tie him to what the leadership did to get the bill passed that he may ultimately vote against. While some reports have him as a solid no, he's still leaving the door open to something according to his comments, so you should call and let him know what you think. Yesterday Adler could look out his window and see those opposing the bill while today he can see the Citizen Action rally in favor of it. If you want to call and let him know your opinion, numbers are:
As the GOP machine lines up behind Jon Runyan and he prepares to launch his campaign this week, Justin Murphy isn't ready to give him the primary victory just yet:
"If Jon prevails, I would be happy to support him in the general election (against incumbent U.S. Rep. John Adler), but while he's been a registered Republican for three months, I've been a registered Republican for 30 years," Murphy adds. "We need more substance."
With some of Runyan's positions, it will be interesting to see what the Tea Party does and if they get behind Murphy's effort. Up until now, the GOP has been able to avoid the brutal primary that plagued them last time around.
Youtube user ctrimarchi has just posted a fragment of John Adler townhall which is labeled as being from March 13 in Toms River. He is facing a crowd that sounds hostile to health care reform.
An audience member asks him about the Senate health care reform bill, correctly pointing out that if the bill is approved by the House it can be signed by the President and become law. There's no need for reconcilation or any other votes. So, he asks, will you vote for the Senate Bill?
Adler's answer sounds like a no and gets cheers, but I actually think it was evasive. (It may be that he said more, but the video "conveniently" cuts off and indeed may be deliberately misleading if he said more.) He says he would not vote for the Senate bill "if that were the final bill." But of course it is not the final bill, the point of having a second bill pushed through reconcilation is that some provisions will be changed. So Adler implicitly left open the chance of voting for the Senate bill, because he knows it will be changed in reconciliation. Needless to say, such positive votes would be welcomed at Blue Jersey and by most of the people who voted for Adler and Obama, and are opposed largely by people who will not vote for Adler anyway. I've expressed my skepticism that Adler will vote the right way but he has not closed the door. In his recent interviews he has insisted on seeing the actual reconcilation bill before deciding on his vote. We expect to see this bill this weekend, or Monday at the latest. The right wing is spreading some absurd propaganda that the bill will be passed without a vote, and I suppose if you think Saddam had nuclear weapons and W. was a good President you might be dumb enough to believe it.
Politico has posted a memo from Chris Van Hollen which went to Adler's district director amongst others laying out the timelime this week and giving some advice.:
I continue to encourage all of you not to get into debates about process and to try and persuade your Member not to get into process arguments either. At this point, we have to just rip the band-aid off and have a vote -- up or down; yes or no? Things like reconciliation and what the rules committee does is INSIDE BASEBALL. People who try and start arguments about process on this are almost always against the actual policy substance too, often times for purely political reasons.
The campaign of Jon Runyan is off to a sputtering start, though he now has the backing of all county parties in the 3rd District. First it was revealed that he's a donkey farmer masquerading as an elephant. Then he had his uninspiring debut in Camden County. This line stands out to me and has been repeated a few times already:
Runyan says he believes the country is being taken in the wrong direction by career politicians.
It seems like this will be a standard attack from Runyan. Here's the problem. Jon Runyan does like some career politicians. After all, Dawn Addiego who helped Runyan to run, was a councilwoman for many years, then a freeholder and now is an Assemblywoman. And then when asked who he admires:
Asked what political figure he admires, he in fact names Christie.
That would be the same Chris Christie, who was a freeholder, fundraiser, appointed US Attorney and then elected Governor. I guess it's ok be a career politician if he likes you, but not if he's running against you?
John Adler has posted his appearance on Fox News Sunday to discuss health care reform. He appeared today with another "no" vote on the House bill, Jason Altmire (D-PA), who despite representing a district McCain won by 11 points, sounded considerably more positive about the possibility of voting "yes" this time instead of voting to "do nothing." Both Democrats say they've not made a final decision.
The highlights that in my opinion lead to a pretty clear conclusion:
Adler is again on Fox News.
Adler is still saying he needs to "read the bill first" which in this case, since the Senate bill has been available for months, means see the final deal for a reconciliation fix. But can any reconciliation deal truly be final before the House votes on the Senate bill?
Adler keeps talking about the needs of "my businesses" and cost containment, and not at all about the health needs of his residents. Indeed, if you visited from Mars, you would never imagine from the interview that he is elected by citizens rather than selected by business owners.
He wants to change the fee-for-service system, and isn't satisfied with the pilot projects in the bill. He wants to "mandate" that the "good pilot projects" (with good patient outcomes that save money) automatically go national. That's fine, but does it fit in reconciliation, and does a more radical program lose votes with more cautious members? As Wallace says, this was talked about for a year but didn't get traction. Also, usually reconciliation measures expire after ten years, so how could you wait to see how the pilot projects do and then mandate something for a year or two?
Adler is supposedly "pro-choice" but sits by silently as the "pro-lifers" openly hold the bill hostage. He's enabling them. If he cared in the slightest, he would at least say something, much less cancel out Stupak's switched vote personally.
Adler says he's had good recent conversations with the President and the Speaker, but she is "looking elsewhere" for yes votes.
Do you agree that adds up to a no? It infuriates me but that's what I see.
Well, we're on the final push for health care reform and Democrats are rounding up every last vote they need. Here's the Wall Street Journal on John Adler:
Rep. John Adler (D., N.J.), a freshman who won a Republican-leaning district in 2008, is also undecided, after voting no last fall. He said the Senate bill did a better job containing health costs.
In an interview, he said he had spoken directly to the president about the issue and was not worried about Republican arguments that Democrats would pay a political price for supporting the health bill. "I think people shouldn't be worried about their careers. They should be worried about doing what's right."
He did emphasize cost controls in his previous criticism so it's pretty consistent. If you live in the district it might be good to phone. The Senate bill is well short of what progressives wanted, but I think we'd regret not having in ten years. There's also this interview with Fox News (I don't think this is same interview) where he is undecided, but he keeps emphasizing the viewpoint of business.
The National Republican Congressional Committee, in one of those generic press releases both parties use to insert the name of the incumbent they want to bash, is trying to link U.S. Rep. John Adler (D-Cherry Hill) to Charles Rangel, the veteran New York congressman who was admonished by the House Ethics Committee last week.
"Members of Congress must be held to the highest standard and face the appropriate consequences for their actions," Adler said. "Congress should be focused on creating jobs and turning our economy around, and a prolonged discussion about Mr. Rangel's chairmanship is a distraction. Mr. Rangel should step down as chairman, so Congress can get back to work."
Hopeful started a blog to watch Jon Runyan now that it appears he will have a clearer path to the nomination without a big primary fight. Following the news that Councilman Maurice "Mo" Hill would step aside and let Runyan have the clear path the other day, he made this observation:
Rear admiral and dentist, or football player and donkey farmer? I'd have thought America would be better off with the former, but as is usual with both parties in New Jersey, the political bosses won't let party members choose their own candidate.
As Hopeful says, this situation isn't unique. We'll see how the Donkey farmer holds up now that the the machine is lining up behind him. Hopeful's second post critiqued Runyan's interesting launch to his campaign the other night. I would like to remind him that Jon Runyan is also an actor, as seen in this McDonalds commercial:At their first debate, I think it would be funny to see Runyan and Adler do the chest bump rather than the handshake.
I thought I would share something with you I posted at Jon Runyan Watch.
I have the feeling the Republicans may regret forcing Jon Runyan's opponents out of the primary. The GOP has posted the video of his first appearance and here are the highlights:
He "thinks" he is qualified because "he cares."
He tells us how bad the economy was in the late 1980s. Hmmm... first Ronald Reagan and then George H. W. Bush were President then.
He does have a good, moving story about growing up in Flint, Michigan, and how the family had just $100 for Christmas. His father couldn't find a job for three years when the factories closed.
He's not naming any issues, and admits he doesn't know about any issues, except perhaps wanting "change," opposing "big government," and wanting to let "the people" fix the recession with tax cuts.
But what will happen when he has to answer questions? President Barack Obama and Representative John Adler's stimulus package cut taxes for the working middle class. It extended unemployment benefits for those who, like his father, couldn't get a new job. How can Runyan be against this after his story? When he's asked about Chris Christie's plan to take $50 a week from the unemployed, will he answer with a story about how much $100 meant to his unemployed father? How is he going to run on Reagan's greatness when his hometown's economy and his family's prosperity was destroyed under Reagan? I just don't see where this campaign is going.
"Rather than divide our party in an expensive primary, I have decided to withdraw my name for consideration and throw my support to Jon Runyan," Hill said in the statement. "Jon has the financial ability to match Adler's fundraising abilities as well as considerable name recognition from his professional career."
So he's got money and people know his name cause he was a football player. Sounds enthusiastic. But that reaction was a ringing endorsement compared to what he got from GOP Boss George Gilmore:
Gilmore said NFL player and former Philadelphia Eagle Jon Runyan of Mount Laurel "would have to be considered the front-runner" for the nomination.
Wow, talk about some excitement coming from Gilmore. He might as well have gone with the, he's the last guy who wants it endorsement. You wonder what they'd be saying about the guy if he wasn't willing to self fund. Runyan is going to need a more enthusiastic Gilmore to help raise his name ID in Ocean County.
It is however pretty significant that Runyan won't have to face a primary with a candidate back by the party organization. Chris Myers only lost by a 52-48 margin and there was a bitter primary leading up to it. Runyan can consolidate the party now and raise money for what will be a well funded opponent in Adler. Not everyone is ready to clear the field as Joe Rullo says he still considers himself the front runner in Ocean County and he's running regardless. Justin Murphy has also said he is running out of Burlington County. They are getting a late jump on things as Adler announced his campaign in September '07 for a November '08, while Runyan is getting started in March '10 for a race just 8 months later. This is shaping up to be very competitive fight for the seat.
I do not think Leonard Lance can be beaten in a Republican Primary. Even if David Larsen won, he would be cut out in redistricting in 2012."
Doherty's statement is sure to anger some of the same people that put him in office, but his decision seems to be more about is own political standing and thinking Lance is the safe bet so it's better to keep his powder dry in this one. Larsen will need to raise some seed money to show people he's serious and not just looking to loan his campaign money for the effort. I'm told that Lance won't be the only Republican to get a challenge from the tea party crowd as someone may run against Frank Lobiondo.
Then in the seats held by Democrats, there are a few primary races to run against the Incumbent. There are numerous candidate running in the 3rd district and Justin Murphy could also get support from the tea partiers as he runs again this year. There is also the primary to run against Rush Holt as Mike Halfacre and Scott Sipprelle will face off in a right v. further right battle and there may be more candidates to jump in the race. Assemblywoman Mary Pat Angelini and others have expressed interest in challenging to run against Frank Pallone as well. The tea partiers are even saying they may put someone up against Scott Garrett from the right, if that's possible in comments to stories that are being written. The amount of candidate running in GOP primaries can be seen as an indication of the enthusiasm and also anger out there with the public right now, who only want to see 8% of incumbent re-elected right now.
By contrast, the Democrats in New Jersey don't seem to like primaries as much. The only primary challenge I've seen so far is one against John Adler, but his warchest will make that an uphill climb. I know inside political circles they tend to shy away from primaries, because it makes you spend resources you want to conserve for the general election battle and take stands you often don't want to defend. But sometimes primaries can better prepare candidates for the trial by fire that is a general election campaign. Even if the GOP candidates don't win their primary challenges, the incumbents will already be in campaign mode given the voter angst right now. The competitive primaries to challenge Democratic incumbents will season them for the rigors of a race. With the climate and public opinion where it is, it's important that candidates don't wait to start their campaigns and these primaries insure that the GOP won't.
There has been a good deal written in the papers in the last few days about the farmland tax break that Jon Runyan is taking advantage of by raising a few donkeys. As I was searching through my computer this past weekend, I realized that's not his only involvement with donkeys.
Back in 2007, the Democrats were trying to take control of my home town, Evesham. Yes we had non-partisan municipal elections at the time, but it was clearly partisan slates of candidates running. Just before the election, I remembered that I attended a fundraiser for the slate of Democrats including Randy Brown, John McKenna and Chris Brown. I also remembered that there were some special guests, including one Jon Runyan and then I found this photo:
That's Runyan and other guests with the eventual winning Democratic ticket. And then there was this photo where he was interviewed while raising money for the Democrats on CSN Philadelphia:
"A big win and a clean sweep for Democrats," said Democratic State Chairman Joseph Cryan.
And Jon Runyan helped to make it happen. So not only does Jon Runyan save money by raising donkeys, he has raised money to help elect them. George Gilmore will not be pleased.
The jokes just write themselves with this one as Congressional candidate to be Jon Runyan is also a farmer apparently:
Former Philadelphia Eagle Jon Runyan is getting a break on his property taxes for his lavish Mount Laurel homestead - thanks in part to his four donkeys.
Runyan, a Republican candidate for the U.S. House, paid $57,000 in taxes last year on five of his acres, which contain his home.
But on most of his property - 20 acres - he paid $468 in taxes, according to township records.
On his application for a farmland assessment in July, Runyan said he uses five acres as grazing land for his donkeys and 15 for timber, harvesting seven cords of firewood that he sold for $810.
You may remember the farmland assessment issue rearing its head in such races as Ellen Karcher v. Jen Beck and most recently Scott Garrett v. Dennis Shulman. As Babs pointed out in this Ken Bank diary, the GOP was relentless against Karcher on the issue. Up until recently Runyan wasn't fulfilling his dream of raising donkeys, but was motivated by the potential of losing that tax break:
Runyan didn't always have the four donkeys. Last January, the township assessor wrote to Runyan that one donkey wasn't enough to justify the tax break.
"Although your application was approved for 2009, this acreage will not qualify in the future if you do not have enough animals to justify the five acres," the letter said.
A year later, Runyan reported having four donkeys grazing on five acres, and kept his tax break.
Russell said Runyan had long planned to breed the donkeys but wasn't ready to do that just yet.
I guess the potential increase in taxes provided the motivation to finally fulfill those plans. At 1.25 acres per donkey, they have more land than most NJ residents. I wonder what the big elephant in Ocean County George Gilmore thought over his morning coffee learning about Runyan and his affinity for donkeys.
U.S. Rep. John Adler joined two other congressmen seeking a federal review of nuclear regulations in response to discoveries last year of radioactive water leaking at the Oyster Creek Generating Station in Lacey Township.
Adler, D-3rd, joined Reps. Edward Markey, D-Mass., and John Hall,D-N.Y., in asking the U.S. Government Accountability Office to begin the review after the radioactive isotope tritium was found leaking from two buried pipes at Oyster Creek.
The congressmen cited similar underground pipe leaks found at six other nuclear sites. In 2006, tritium leaked into groundwater under the San Onofre nuclear plant in Southern California. At New York's Indian Point, which is in Hall's district, pipe corrosion allowed thousands of gallons of nonradioactive water to leak from a cooling system last February.
The GAO said they planned to take up the members request this past Tuesday. Adler is partnering with a heavy hitter in this area:
The three congressmen who sought the GAO study all have nuclear plants in their districts, but it's Markey who is a heavy hitter in Congress on energy issues. He chairs the House Subcommitee on Energy and Environment as well as the House Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming.
Adler made clear that while the pipe leaks have not caused injuries or illnesses at this time, they don't want to see drinking water contaminated or people exposed one day in the future. Oyster Creek just received a new 20 year license this past April and the leak was found after that process concluded.
Philly.com reports former Philadelphia Eagle Jon Runyan, a Republican candidate for NJ's 3ed congressional district, is getting a break on his property taxes for his lavish Mount Laurel homestead - thanks in part to his four donkeys. Runyan paid $57,000 in taxes last year on five of his acres, which contain his home. But on most of his property - 20 acres - he paid $468 in taxes, according to township records. On his application for a farmland assessment in July, Runyan said he uses five acres as grazing land for his donkeys and 15 for timber, harvesting seven cords of firewood that he sold for $810.
Chris Russell, Runyan's campaign manager said, "He considers himself a steward of his land, and that's what farmland assessment is supposed to do."
So who was "stewarding" his land while the Jets defense was knocking him down on his very ample tush?
As things shape up for a packed primary, everyone is jockeying to show their influence and now the Camden County Republicans are feeling their oats:
The truce between Ocean County chairman George Gilmore and Burlington County chairman William Layton seemed headed south in December, when Layton reiterated his support for NFL player Jon Runyan's candidacy. But the three chairmen, along with state party head Jay Webber, sat down shortly before the New Year in an attempt to calm the storm.
The plan, Camden County chairman Rick DeMichele said in an interview on Wednesday, involves Camden County Republicans holding off on an endorsement until the Ocean and Burlington parties name their pick.
"I discussed with them my desire to be the last county party to endorse," DeMichele said. "If they can't come to a consensus, then wherever Camden goes gives that candidate a clear advantage."
So his 15% will decide he says, while 42% of the district is in Burlington County and 43% in Ocean. And about that double secret meeting:
None of the chairmen would divulge details of what was said in their meeting, however. Asked if his organization would switch its endorsement if Camden and Burlington went the other way, Gilmore would not commit.
"We'll cross all those bridges when we come to them," he said.
Oh boy do I hope they cross that bridge. This is starting to be some real fun. Camden County has never felt the power to really play and even if they don't have it, I'm enjoying them trying to flex their muscles. If the party chair power struggle wasn't enough, enter new candidate to the field Joe Rullo:
While Runyan and the party chairs grab local headlines, one prospective candidate is sitting in frustration. Joseph R. Rullo isn't persuaded by assurances that all potential challengers will get a fair hearing. He's already up with a campaign Web site -- rullo4congress2010.com -- and has announced a Feb. 18 fundraiser.
"He's counted me out," said Rullo, a 40-year-old solar energy consultant. "It hurt my feelings."
Hurt feelings? Uh ok. This is politics and bare knuckle with who he's playing. He needs to get a thicker skin if he's upset that they don't want him to take their power. Layton for his part could care less what anyone else says. He's had enough Runyan Kool Aid to last the cycle:
"The excitement is overwhelming, quite frankly," Layton said, describing voter reaction to Runyan's candidacy.
Layton is like one of those pull string dolls. Pull string... Jon Runyan is the greatest. Pull string... Jon Runyan is exciting. Pull string... Everyone loves Jon Runyan.
My guess, George Gilmore is not amused and that must've been a fun meeting in December when they all sat down to make public peace in private.
