Howard Dean's comments at Netroots (some great stuff)

Kind of scattered because he was answering questions and I didn't make note of the questions. But lots of good info anyway.



He said we need to spend the next 8 to 10 weeks lobbying. It is critical.

We need to control costs. That is also critical. Primary care doctors are paid less here that in any other western nation.

The current system will not control costs EVER. Do the math.

About the protesters at the town halls. He said they are angry for 3 reasons:

1. The GOP runs on anger. Karl Rove polls for anger points.
2. These people did not vote for Obama and they feel threatened. There is a younger generation in charge now.
3. There is a black man in the White House.

The protests are NOT about the bills. This is a major generational change. New folks are in power in America.



We are winning this debate. That's why they are making stuff up.

Why didn't the Democrats start with single payer? That was a huge mistake.

Single payer has become a dirty word like 'liberal'.

Public option is a reasonable compromise.

If single payer had been on the table we would have had a better debate.

AMA endorsed Waxman's bill. Dean was shocked.

He is grateful to the Blue Dogs. They made the bill better.

We should tell Congress that the American people want reform. We should ask: Do you vote for what the people want or what your campaign donors want?

Pharmaceutical expenses are only 10% of the total health care budget.

Obama is doing the right thing by trying to get a bipartisan bill.

Let the GOP speak for themselves. Let the American people see the GOP. They want to kill health care reform so they can 'get' Obama.

Public coops will not work.

We need mental health parity.

We don't need a mandate.

Dean would give everyone under 25 or 30 Medicaid for free. They are the largest group of uninsured. They don't abide by mandates. They would sell vouchers on ebay. They are also in school, out of school, changing jobs a lot. And too hard to ensure.

Dean would let 55 year olds buy into Medicare.

Employer based insurance is bad for the economy.

America is a conservative country with a small c.

Go to the Bill Press website for a list of Democratic senators not in board and EMAIL THEM. Don't call. Ask everyone you know to email them. They read their emails.

The majority on Bacchus' committee favor public option.

There is no more compromise on this bill. Public option is the compromise.

We should expect Democrats to support the Democratic president.

We're a big tent. :)