Call and email Pelosi NOW. UnitedHealth gives her a fundraiser as she backs off the Public Option

Call and email Pelosi NOW. UnitedHealth gives her a fundraiser as she backs off the Public Option

http://speaker.house.gov/contact

Forum Name Latest Breaking News
Topic subject EXCLUSIVE: UnitedHealth Lobbyist Announces Pelosi Fundraiser As She Begins Backing Off Public Option
Topic URL http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4055649#4055649
4055649, EXCLUSIVE: UnitedHealth Lobbyist Announces Pelosi Fundraiser As She Begins Backing Off Public Option
Posted by kpete on Fri Sep-11-09 11:06 PM

Source: Open Left

EXCLUSIVE: UnitedHealth Lobbyist Announces Pelosi Fundraiser As She Begins Backing Off Pub Option
by: David Sirota
Fri Sep 11, 2009 at 17:47

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for the first time yesterday suggested she may be backing off her support of the public option. According to CNN, Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid "said they would support any provision that increases competition and accessibility for health insurance - whether or not it is the public option favored by most Democrats." When "asked if inclusion of a public option was a non-negotiable demand - as her previous statements had indicated Pelosi ruled out any non-negotiable positions," according to CNN. This was also corroborated by the Associated Press, and by Pelosi's own words, as quoted in those stories.

This announcement came just hours before Steve Elmendorf, a registered UnitedHealth lobbyist and the head of UnitedHealth's lobbying firm Elmendorf Strategies, blasted this email invitation throughout Washington, D.C. I just happened to get my hands on a copy of the invitation from a source - check out this OpenLeft exclusive:



From: Steve Elmendorf (mailto:steve@elmendorfstrategies.com )
Sent: Friday, September 11, 2009 8:31 AM
Subject: event with Speaker Pelosi at my home

You are cordially invited to a reception with

Speaker of the House
Nancy Pelosi

Thursday, September 24, 2009
6:30pm ~ 8:00pm

At the home of
Steve Elmendorf
2301 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Apt. 7B
Washington, D.C.

$5,000 PAC
$2,400 Individual

To RSVP or for additional information please contact
Carmela Clendening at (202) 485-3508 or clendening@dccc.org

Steve Elmendorf
ELMENDORF STRATEGIES
GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS SOLUTIONS
900 7th Street NW Suite 750 Washington DC 20001
(202) 737-1655



Read more: http://www.openleft.com/diary/15066/unitedhealth-lobbyist-announces-big-fundraiser-for-pelosi-as-she-backs-off-public-option

Can you imagine if she did? Would be fantastic and she'd get gobs of support from the American people. I'd even donate to her.

Thanks - I will contact her office.

Pelosi on President Obama’s Health Reform Speech: ‘The Time to Act Is Now; And We Will’

Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi released the following statement tonight after President Obama addressed a joint session of Congress on the urgent need for health insurance reform:

“Tonight, President Obama made a forceful case to the Congress and the country for long-overdue health insurance reform. We are closer than ever before in history to real progress on this issue that touches the lives of every American and impacts our economy: ensuring stability and security for Americans with health insurance, and affordable coverage for those currently without.

“Members of Congress heard the President’s address tonight after weeks of lively discussion in their districts. The input of Americans informs our debate and makes clear still the work before us to explain these reforms. But as the President said: the time to act is now. And we will -- on behalf of our constituents, our health care system, and our economy.

“Among the bills that are moving forward in Congress, there is broad consensus. All of these bills meet the principles President Obama laid out tonight that reform must lower costs, ensure that Americans cannot be denied coverage because they get sick, and provide access to affordable health care for all. Now we will work toward consensus on reform that will make us a healthier America, and do so in a fiscally responsible way. And we will pass this legislation this year. Those who oppose reform and support the status quo are only helping to bankrupt our economy and middle-class families.

“President Obama was clear tonight that a public health insurance option is the best way to create the needed competition that will lower cost, improve quality, and preserve choice for all Americans. An overwhelming majority in the House of Representatives agrees. And the President challenged those who oppose this common-sense approach—or worse yet, distort its actual role in reform—to bring forward their own ideas that will achieve lower costs for Americans, promote competition and keep the insurance companies honest.”

http://www.speaker.gov/newsroom/pressreleases?id=1344

from the OP, is a distortion...



of what she a actually said:

She says "I don't think you ever really go into a negotiation and say that some things are non-negotiable." Which is a lovely concept, but such lovely thoughts only work when you face others who are negotiating in good faith. When the other side is in fact going in with pre-set provisions they refuse, not taking a stand is simply allowing their side to be stronger. They refuse to negotiate about a public option, she refuses to stand firm on it, they win, effortlessly.
She's saying she will bargain things away, they are saying they will not. They have the correct tactic in this case. Weakness is a losing position in negotiations, always. Always.
Most Americans never have to negotiate for anything of importance and lack experience in negotiations. I've hired reps to do that for me since I was 19. They get paid well. Very well. Most Americans get told by what they call 'the boss' what they will be paid if they want a job. Some of us have desired skills and can ask for more than they wish to give, and we know how to get the best deal. Hat in hand is not the way to do that. Not in my actual, vast, lifelong experience with negotiating with hard core rivals. My opinion is based on actual experience, with actual money on the line. Not theory, but actual bankable knowledge.
If Nancy were my lawyer, she'd not be my lawyer. She'd have been fired many long months ago. Because I'd want the best deal I can get, not just the best the buyer wants to give, for pete's sake!

Which is a strong defense of the public option. So everyone twisting this simply have an agenda.

And my experience with negotiations is long and deep. I do not agree with you that those words are a strong defense, not nearly as strong as her rivals who scream 'no public option'. She's letting her fear show. Her office expected 1-3 million anti-reform marchers today. Were they close?
You can not seem to make a point without baseless insinuations about others, which is an indication that your own position is weak and you do not know how to defend it. If we were negotiating now, that comment would be the thing that let me know I would be winning everything in the end. Policy discussions and business negotiations that drop into the gutter of personal attacks and questioning the good will of others do so for a reason. It is funny that Nancy sees the GOP as good faith negotiators. Laughable.
When others ask you about your background, the experiences that make up your opinions, you go ballistic with name calling. But you question the motives of others without a thought. The need for a double standard, two sets of rules of engagement, is again, a sign of weakness, it is the smell of blood in the water for those of us who know how to negotiate, or discuss. Name calling and adjective heavy insinuations are not the tools of an honest or strong writer.
So, in short, I'd love it if you were my rival in negotiations! My people would eat you alive for breakfast!
Every dime I've ever made has been negotiated with difficult opponents. Again I ask, what is your experience in that area?

putting single payer under the table. It is been downhill ever since.

by negotiations. Many do. They are not close to alone in having to make difficult agreements with people they will have to continue working with. That is common. The world would stop turning if everyone was as cowed and aimless as some of our leadership.

Please say it isn't true that UHC is giving you a fundraiser and you appear to be backing off your stand for the public option. When is enough, enough??? Here is the money that the CEO of UHC has made on the backs of policy holders who have been denied coverage time and time again.

United Health Group
CEO: William W McGuire
2005: 124.8 mil
5-year: 342 mil

I am beginning to believe that all of Congress is in cahoots with the insurance industry. Congress is willing to ignore the American people for large contributions to their campaign coffers. If this isn't true, then you need to stand up and tell us you will not accept this fundraiser. Until I see that, I will believe that you are two faced and speak out of both sides of your mouth.

I have to assume that you have either comprehension problems or a deep desire to ignore reality.

edited extra word.

:rofl:

Well, not news really.

She backs the public option, still.

:donut:

That's how I roll.

:P

No public option + Fund raiser by United Health Care = America has been sold to the highest bidder.

What they are serving?

:grr:

I read it here, but do not have a link. Teh google, teh google.

I believe The Plan calls for her to back off once the Bill is on the floor.
Then she can go back home and say "Well, I fought for it."

In 2006, Nancy Pelosi parlayed her seat in The House into a seat at the Rich Man's Table.
She has never looked back.

Pelosi has never said anything she backs away from. She said impeachment was off the table and we sure put pressure on her about that and she never backed off. Whether we like it or not she sticks by what she says.

You just like to be as negative as you can. Enjoy it while it lasts for you.

or the American windpower Association, or Microsoft, or any of the other 30+ companies and organizations that Steve Elmendorf's firm has as clients.

http://www.elmendorfstrategies.com/clients.php