The New Republic

None of these CLOWNS will tell us WHY they won't support a government plan. I'm not wedded to a public option. Frankly - it's only about 1% better than co-ops in my opinion (as long as we have STRONG private health insurance reforms). Either one is fine with me. But it's endlessly annoying to hear these idiot "moderates" prattle on about what moderates support. If they all banded together and decided to say, "Moderates support a public plan. All across America, moderates are backing a public plan instead of a single-payer plan" then it would be accepted Washington CW within a week. The truth is that these folks don't care about winning independent votes. They don't care about winning GOP crossover votes. They only care what their insurance company lobbyist buddies are whispering in their ears. The fact that the Washington media treats them like royalty is beyond annoying. I love moderates. I think they're great. But being moderate because you're receiving tons of corporate money is a different thing from being moderate because you're trying to forget consensus.

- Virginia Centrist

September 10, 2009 at 4:24pm

Moderate is the new Maverick. Puke.

- propositionjoe

September 10, 2009 at 4:45pm

She's from Missouri, a somewhat red or red-leaning state, which McCain won. I believe she was just reminding the folks back home that she's not one of those "radical" leftist Democrats who want a government takeover of their health care.

- scrubby

September 10, 2009 at 5:31pm

that sounds right VA.

- blackton

September 10, 2009 at 7:04pm

Hallo there VA Centrist, nice to hear from you again! -- at this stage, you earn honors as one of the rats climbing back on board the sinking ship of TNR's discussion forum! Yes to what you said above -- and " . . . a different thing from being moderate because you're trying to forget consensus" was a wonderful and poetic slip.

- ironyroad

September 10, 2009 at 7:31pm