WSJ: Dems vs. Dems on health care

The Wall Street Journal, in an op-ed, takes a look at the growing civil war between Democrats in Congress:

The real political news this month isn't Republicans vs. Democrats, and certainly not insurance companies vs. Democrats. If anything, the health-care business lobbies are helping Democrats by keeping quiet and hoping their silence buys their survival as heavily regulated utilities. If the insurance companies were any quieter, they'd be Trappists.

The news is how the political left and its lobbies are roughing up fellow Democrats who won’t get with President Obama’s government-run program. They’re treating the centrists who helped make them a majority as if they were Newt Gingrich without the social conscience.

On Friday, Democracy for America and the Progressive Change Campaign Committee put out a "rapid-response ad" against Nebraska Senator Ben Nelson, who is lukewarm about a government-run insurance scheme, the so-called public option. "Will Sen. Nelson choose the insurance interests who fund his campaigns to the tune of over $2 million dollars?" the ad declares. Democracy for America calls the ad "a warning shot to any Senator who tries to block President Obama's public health insurance option."

Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus is another target because he’s negotiating with Republicans. The same "progressive" outfits recently ran an ad attacking Mr. Baucus for “threatening” the public option and "taking" $3.9 million "from health and insurance interests." The Montana Democrat was also rapped for trying to scale back the cost to under $900 billion. In case Mr. Baucus didn't get the hint, fellow Senator Tom Harkin publicly noted last week that Democrats hold a secret ballot for committee chairmen every two years. Better hire a food taster, Max.

But despite their silence, let's be real clear: The Democrats have declared war on insurance companies.

Related posts:

Democrats declare war on the insurance industry
Obama attacks insurance companies

Technorati tags: Congress politics Democrats health universal health care insurance socialism iowa senate Harkin max baucus Montana ben nelson nebraska