Health Care Bill in the Senate
Listed in: Other Domestic Policy, NJDC News, Opinions
Originally published in Politico’s Arena
By Ira N. Forman, CEO of the National Jewish Democratic Council
Will Roger’s famous line, “I am not a member of any organized political party, I am a Democrat” is as true today as it was 75 years ago and that makes last night’s vote truly impressive.
The fact that the Democratic Party is less homogeneous than the GOP is largely good for Democrats going into the second decade of the century. Because the Republican Party continues to circle the wagons ever more closely together they are in danger of becoming a regional party in 2012 if not in 2010. But because Democrats have a bigger tent it also makes it harder for Democrats to maintain the type of party discipline the GOP demonstrates when it comes to crucial congressional votes. Harry Reid deserves a great deal of credit for putting together 60 votes. Moreover, assuming Democratic congressional majorities can finally pass health care reform, this is a huge policy as well as political plus for the party and the Obama Administration. It will serve the party well in 2010 and 2012.
