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If Tom Daschle Doesn't Crack the Whip and Get His Caucus to Filibuster the "Trojan Horse/Poison Pill" GOP Medicare Bill, the Democrats Will Probably Face a Massive Defeat in 2004. Here is Why.

A BUZZFLASH EDITORIAL

The other day, William Novelli defiantly taunted Tom Daschle by declaring that there would be no revolt against Novelli's use of the AARP to support the Republican/Gingrich plan to dismantle Medicare.

Well, many, many of the members of the AARP don't agree with "GOP" Novelli. Judging by the AARP message board, the vast majority of AARP members are in open revolt against Novelli's Benedict Arnold routine. (He may have been a Republican mole all along, judging by his drooling admiration of Newt Gingrich). They know a Republican skunk when they see one. American seniors, with few exceptions, don't want to see Medicare dismantled and the drug and insurance companies enriched at their expense.

That is why BuzzFlash has received e-mails like the following one:

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November 19, 2003

Dear Buzz:

I have just seen the AARP ad stating that AARP is backing the Medicare plan. I proceeded to contact AARP.

When I spoke to a young man about AARP backing the Medicare plan, I asked him if he could tell me how many members had called in backing the plan. He told me that he had taken 72 calls since his shift began. Out of those 72, only 1 person backed the plan. He told me the other 71 were either against the plan or had DROPPED their membership.

I then told him that I felt AARP should stop airing the ads as the AARP organization is its membership and if most of the members are against this plan, then it is a misleading ad. Please call your reps and senators today.

Daniel

* * *

The Democrats have a chance to lead a grassroots senior revolt against a Newt Gingrich-inspired Medicare bill that shafts seniors in the long run -- and increases the profits of the insurance companies and drug companies in the short- and long-term.

The defeat of the GOP "Let's Deceive and Shaft the Seniors" Medicare Bill, through a Senate filibuster if necessary, would be a defining moment for the Democrats.

In fact, if Tom Daschle can't pull 41 votes together to filibuster this bill, the Democrats will be severely wounded coming into the 2004 election. The Republicans will get credit for passing a Medicare bill that they will cynically tout as the salvation for senior healthcare (when it is more like luring a kid into a car with candy and then abusing him.) The Democrats will not be able to discredit the Republicans, because they let the bill get out of Congress. It will give Bush and the Republicans a commanding domestic issue to claim victory on, even while they are putting a knife in the back of America's elderly.

In this scenario, the Democrats will lose their one major chance to become the champions of the grassroots, middle class and poor seniors. They will be boxed in on senior issues in 2004 and almost assuredly fail to regain either the house or the senate, as a result. Such a scenario will also have significant fallout on the presidential campaign, perhaps ensuring a Bush election next November.

The stakes are that serious.

The battle over the Republican "Trojan Horse" Medicare bill is THE defining moment for the Democrats as far as domestic issues in the coming election.

If Daschle can't rally his caucus to filibuster the poison pill Medicare bill, the Democrats will likely remain a minority party in Congress for the foreseeable future.

The Republicans have a war room in Congress with 400 organizations and their insurance and drug company lobbyists working feverishly to pass the Medicare bill. The GOP is using the board and CEO of the AARP to provide cover and a $7 million media campaign to further their anti-Medicare goals, under the guise of the "Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval" of the AARP (as Dennis Hastert called it).

Meanwhile, there are signs of life among the Democratic Congressional leadership:

"House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi said Wednesday that Democratic opposition to a Republican-backed Medicare prescription drug bill is 'a party position,' signaling an aggressive effort to unite the rank-and-file, scuttle the bill and claim credit with voters. (SEE: SF Gate)

That's music to BuzzFlash's ears. But it is unlikely Pelosi can defeat the bill in the House.

As a result, it is time for Tom Daschle to step up to the plate and do whatever is necessary to keep the Democratic Senate caucus committed to a party line vote on a filibuster. If Daschle fails to hold the filibuster on this destructive and radical Medicare Bill (a wolf in sheep's clothing), he may not only lose his own senate race in South Dakota, he may ensure that the Democrats will go down in flames next year.

If Daschle holds the line, it will probably be the beginning of a grass roots firestorm rising up against the GOP. William Novelli and the AARP board are a Potemkin Village as far as representing seniors. Novelli, a former public relations executive, is just another GOP propaganda tool.

But it is the seniors of America who represent millions of votes. Novelli only has one.

The GOP has given Daschle and the Democrats a strategic opportunity to defeat a disastrous Medicare bill and start a prairie fire of seniors revolting against the GOP, the profiteering insurance companies and the predatory drug companies. It would be a dramatic and effective political wounding of the deceptive Republicans and the radical right.

Don't blow it Daschle. It's not a time to be cautious Tom and throw up your hands in surrender. If cautious Tom, looking at some silly polls in South Dakota, doesn't crack the whip with his caucus to stand up for the seniors of America, the Democrats will, once again, just be left inhaling the fumes from a Republican fart.

Tom, you showed some guts in defeating the recent Republican efforts to force some extremist Bush appointees on the federal bench. Now, it's a time to REALLY show some leadership and the power to win through a strategic routing of the Republicans and the White House.

The results of the election in 2004 may very well, indeed probably will, hang in the balance.

Break through the AARP/GOP D.C. leadership and go directly to the seniors of America. Tell the truth about this "Trojan Horse/Poison Pill" Medicare bill and the seniors will join the MoveOn.org Internet warriors, minorities, pro-choice women and the abused working class in carrying the Democrats to victory in 2004.

But if Tom Daschle turns his back on this strategic opening provided by the Republicans -- due to timidity and watching his red state backside in South Dakota -- the Democrats may become an extinct species for the forseeable future.

A BUZZFLASH EDITORIAL

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Afternote: This BuzzFlash reader sees the political opportunity here for the Democrats, Does Tom Daschle?

11/19/03

Hi Buzzflash,

Just as I fell into despair about the prospect of 14 more months of Attila the Bush destroying every American institution (I will not even think of four more years), the arrogance and stupidity of the GOP reached new levels.

I think the news about the plan to dismantle Medicare and the use of AARP lobbyists to pull this off might finally be the story that breaks Bush. Just imagine 35 million seniors on the rampage. Every one of your readers knows senior citizens who will be affected by the latest White House fiasco.

Can you put out the word for everyone to call, email, write, or visit their seniors and urge them to take immediate action?

The AARP message board is already full of comments by outraged former members. These people should be told to call Congress at the free number, 1-800-839-5276 to contact their Representative and Senators. They should also visit the local offices of their Representative.

This coordinated effort will not only save Medicare, but it will expose the cynical attempt by Bush and his corporate handlers to enrich drug companies and HMO at the expense of our senior citizens. Thanks again for all your hard work.

Judy Munro-Leighton

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