Try calling their state offices instead of DC numbers. Half of the no-voters today had busy signals in DC, but the state offices picked up right away. And boy did those assistants seem like deer in the headlights.

I know one thing: calling all these no-voters today felt GREAT, giving them a polite but strenuous earful about ignoring their entire goddamned constituency. That's what 2/3 support means - all the Dems, and probably all or most of the Independents, with even a few Republicans thrown in.

That's not a healthy population to have feeling dissed, for either Dems OR Reps.

thanks Mike Madden for sticking with a glass-half-full attitude. It really helps. And it is.

the previous naysayers want to give up go right ahead. But given the mixed messages coming from the Senate today, this sure as hell doesn't seem like the time to do so.

Obama is saying he's hearing a whole lot of people grumbling in favor of the Public Option. If he wasn't hearing it, he'd be saying something different. What we say matters. Call.

there is no such thing as private competition.

And if government's a predator, Grassley should be tried as a co-conspirator. Perp.

I just called both of my California Senators, whom I love (mostly Boxer), the White House, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (thanks Unabannable Bastard!), the Senate Finance Committee (call them first!!) and the White House.

Told them I was ashamed of my party - and furious. 2/3 of the country want this Public Option and have for some time. That means ALL of the Democrats polled and probably ALL of the Independents (or some of the Republicans too).

This is a dealbreaker; I told all these offices that I would never vote for a Democrat again if this doesn't pass, and to tell Baucus that it's his fault (and Rahm's too).

I still believe it will pass in the end, and thank you Mike Madden for keeping the positive view right up there.

But it's time to not take any chances.

Well done. I called Baucus' DC office today and told him to listen to the 2/3 of the country in favor of the Public Option. That number hasn't changed substantially for months, and it's not likely to.

Think about it - 2/3 means either a lot of Republicans are for the Public Option, or almost ALL the Independents are in line with Democrats on it. Ignoring that swing group doesn't bode well for future elections, does it Mr. B?

She said pretty much what Tom Tomorrow shows coming out of Hannity's mouth. Paglia seems to know the GOP talking points by heart. (Joan, please - the clicks aren't worth it!)

Of course Camille brags that she only listens to talk radio to get her news.

Which explains a lot.

Times/CBS Poll published on Thursday shows Obama's healthcare handling approval at 47%, up 7 points from last month. That's called "on the rise"

Also shows 2/3 of the country in favor of Public Option (essentially unchanged for months now), and a whopping majority in favor of substantial healthcare reform, not just tinkering with the status quo.

Here:

http://www.cbsnews.com/htdocs/pdf/poll_health_care_092409.pdf?tag=contentMain;contentBody

Also shows that a solid majority feel that Obama and Dems are doing a much better job than Reps on healthcare.

Sen. Max Baucus (D - Montana):

202-224-2651

Sen. Tom Carper (D - Delaware)

202-224-2441

Sen. Robert Menendez (D - New Jersey)

202-224-4744

Sen. Ken Conrad (D - North Dakota)

202-224-2043

Sen. Bill Nelson (D - Florida)

202-224-5274

Sen. Olympia Snowe (R - Maine)

202-224-5344

emails accessed through each web site

you're one of the true heroes keeping this essential option front and center. If the White House (meaning Rahm) made a deal they can't bend or break, shame on them, but they're going to have their feet held to a fire they didn't even know existed. 2/3 of the country ain't hay.

Thanks also for listing the crucial names to call/email. 1, 2, 3 - inundate.

I remember the 60's well (or as well as can be expected), and the Indian too.

I know exactly what you're talking about. Those with eyes see it, and it cuts through the party stuff. Much of my work is in landscape and everybody I work with can see directly what's happening - left, right, burly or not. Spring is gradually coming earlier, species all discombobulated and moving around (or fading away).

Just a few years ago, the global warming threads on Salon were almost filled up with wild denials. The only writer talking consistently about AGW was Camille Paglia, and that nut's in the hoax column. I used to write Joan every Camille-post to demand a strong counter-voice. Then they got Joseph Romm, who's terrific and sharp and nobody's fool, but the threads were still crazy with no.

I'm from New Orleans. Even though it's one of the most vulnerable cities around due to rising water, sinking ground (separate issue) and eroding wetlands, it's hell to get people to look dispassionately at the evidence. The city folks can't see it, but those close to the land (or water) do. The most engaged are those who know what they stand to lose.

This thread is one of the best we've had on the subject in a while.