The Republican party is trying to change the conversation and kill health care.

Along with their lobbyist friends, using inflammatory lies about health care reform, they're whipping their political base into a rage. That base, duly enraged, has been armed with disruptive tactics and told to yell and scream at their elected representatives. And thus, you get this:

Take the anger to the next level, and it gets worse, with guns outside of Obama's town halls and swastikas:

Not to mention Representatives cast as the devil or hung in effigy.

None of this is about health care, yet this is what the Republican party wants to be talking about. It indicates an utter failure on behalf of the party to come up with any solution to any problem facing the nation, let alone our health care crisis.

To date, the Republicans have yet to release a plan for health care. They've released about a half-dozen pieces of paper they call plans, but none of them are detailed enough to be called serious. And yet, instead of debating health care reform with those who recognize the crisis, Republicans are instead having their base protest against "socialized medicine" and "government control of health care" - plans that do not exist.

Thus, the FAILephant. Carried along by tea bags, the angry Republican party presents no solutions, only rage. It's an epic failure of politics, and it's dragging our country's discourse down.

Let's get back to talking about the real issues, like whether we should have a pubic health insurance option or not. It's no use debating with Republicans and their extreme followers - they're not interested.

So, if you see examples of GOP failure like this, post them on twitter with the hashtag #failephant. We'll be collecting them and putting them out to the larger twitter universe.

NEWS

Obama backers try to control health care debate - MSNBC

Supporters seek to recapture energy from last year’s triumphant campaign

Health Bill Would Cut Drug Spending for Many on Medicare, Budget Office Says - New York Times

Medicare beneficiaries would often have to pay higher premiums for prescription drug coverage, but many would see their total drug spending decline, so they would save money as a result of health legislation moving through the House, the Congressional Budget Office said in a recent report.

Liberals Target Grassley on Public Option - Washington Post

Two liberal groups are going after Republican Sen. Charles Grassley in his home state of Iowa for refusing to endorse a public insurance option as part of health-care reform.

Burner Helping House Liberals Hold Firm on Public Insurance Option - Roll Call

An organizer for liberal House Democrats says the bloc “isn’t bluffing” as it prepares to take a reputation-defining stand to protect a public insurance option in the health care overhaul.

Grassley says campaign contributions hold no sway - Des Moines Register

Sen. Charles Grassley last week called lobbyists for the American Hospital Association "economic parasites," accusing them of failing to consult Iowa hospitals before agreeing to proposed Medicare cuts that could hurt them.

Stronger Prospects for the President on a Health Care Bill - New York Times

If sentiment ever ruled the United States Senate, it does not now. Advocates of health care overhaul should not expect a big boost in memory of Senator Edward M. Kennedy.

Senior Groups Reject Health Care 'Scare Tactics' - NPR

At high noon on one of the hottest days of the summer, a small group of senior citizens sweated it out in front of state GOP headquarters in Raleigh, N.C., asking the Republican Party to stop using what they called "scare tactics" to turn senior citizens against overhauling the health care system. It could be the start of a silver backlash against what some say is a misinformation campaign about health care reform.

Mark Warner clarified his position on the public health insurance option a bit more on Wednesday night (emphasis added):

Last night, at John Bell's fundraiser, Senator Warner said to a group of people that, in the end, he would not vote against health care reform containing the public option. I didn't report that immediately for two reasons: 1) I wasn't there when he said it, but heard it secondhand; and 2) I wasn't sure if it was on or off the record. Well now, after just getting off the phone with Senator Warner's office, I can confirm that this is correct information - in the end, the public option is not a "make or break" for Warner one way or the other and he WILL vote for a health care reform bill with a public option in there. Good news.

This led Chris Bowers to posit that there needs to be a new category on our chart tracking where Senators stand on the public health insurance option - "Won't vote against." It also brings our total to 45.

His logic goes like this:

At this point, finding another six Senators who will not vote against a health care bill with a public option is almost as good as finding another six Senators coming out in favor of the public option.  We should have enough supporters of the public option in the Senate to force a vote on it.  If we can just find another six Senators who might not advocate for the public option, but who will not vote against it when the time comes, then we still have enough support to pass it through the Senate.

After reaching 45 supporters last week, not only had the whip count stagnated, but the death of Senator Kennedy actually moved it back to 44.  With Senator Warner's statement, we can consider ourselves back to 45. I will put Warner in a new category "won't vote against," showing that he is not exactly a supporter, but that where he is will be good enough for now.

Perhaps most importantly, I think that the way Blue Virginia got Senator Warner on the record can be replicated for other wavering Senators, allowing us to get to 50 as early as next week.  At this point, instead of looking for supporters of the public option, maybe we should just be asking Senators to say they won't vote against a bill with a public option in it.  Not only is that an easier statement to make, it is very close to what Senators like Baucus, Carper, Tester and Wyden have already said. With those four votes, we would really be on the brink.

Health Care for America Now and Democracy for America, plus local bloggers, will be following up with Senate offices next week to see if more Senators "won't vote against" a public health insurance option. In the meantime, we'll add Warner to the full list.

While we wait for more clarifications, make sure the Senators still on the fence hear from you:

• Send a fax to Mark Begich, asking him if he supports the public option!
• Send a fax to Jon Tester, asking him if he supports the public option!
• Send a fax to Tom Carper, asking him if he supports the public option!
• Send a fax to Ron Wyden, asking him if he supports the public option!
• Send a fax to Kent Conrad, asking him if he supports the public option!
• Send a fax to Mary Landrieu, asking her if she supports the public option!
• Send a fax to Blanche Lincoln, asking her if he supports the public option!
• Send a fax to Ben Nelson, asking him if he supports the public option!
• Send a fax to Bill Nelson, asking him if he supports the public option!
• Send a fax to Mark Pryor, asking him if he supports the public option!
• Send a fax to Joe Lieberman, asking him if he supports the public option!
• Send a fax to Evan Bayh, asking him if he supports the public option!
• Send a fax to Olympia Snowe, asking her if she supports the public option!
• Send a fax to Robert Byrd, asking him if he supports the public option!

The full chart on where Senators stand on the public health insurance option is available after the jump.

NEWS

Reid’s views on overhaul taking shape - Las Vegas Sun

He supports public option to provide competition, and hints he’s against conservatives’ tort reforms

Health Compromise to See Changes Before Vote, House Dems Say - Wall Street Journal

Two senior House Democrats said an agreement struck with centrist Blue Dog Democrats in late July on a public health insurance option might be altered before a health-care bill reaches the House floor.

Grassley: No Longer Sure Bipartisan Health Deal Possible In September - Kaiser Health News

Republican Sen. Charles Grassley of Iowa indicated Thursday he was no longer sure whether negotiators can reach a bipartisan deal in September, citing mounting public concern about excessive government spending and soaring federal deficits.

Mark Warner WILL NOT Vote Against Public Option - Blue Virginia

Last night, at John Bell's fundraiser, Senator Warner said to a group of people that, in the end, he would not vote against health care reform containing the public option. I didn't report that immediately for two reasons: 1) I wasn't there when he said it, but heard it secondhand; and 2) I wasn't sure if it was on or off the record. Well now, after just getting off the phone with Senator Warner's office, I can confirm that this is correct information - in the end, the public option is not a "make or break" for Warner one way or the other and he WILL vote for a health care reform bill with a public option in there. Good news.

Obtained: The RNC’s Health Care Survey - Washington Independent

I just chatted with Raymond Denny, the 64-year-old La Center, Wash., man who received the RNC’s “2009 Future of American Health Survey,” which alleged that President Obama’s health reform plans might discriminate against Republicans. Here’s the survey question.

Dealing With Being the Health Care ‘Villains’ - New York Times

Max Shireman says that when he looks in the mirror he does not see the monster the politicians have made him out to be.

It's time for Senators to get off the fence.

They've had enough time to think about health care. They've seen a bill get passed out of Senator Kennedy's HELP committee, and they've had time to read and digest it. They've seen a bill passed out of three committees in the House. Now, they're heading back to Washington. It's time for them to tell us where they stand on the public health insurance option.

As Chris Bowers at Open Left explains, Health Care for America Now, Democracy for America, and Open Left are in the final push to get Senators on the record about the public health insurance option.

Put simply, if we can get 50 Senators on the record supporting a public health insurance option, we can begin talking seriously about passing real health care reform using the reconciliation process or treating the cloture vote as a procedural vote and passing health care with a straight up-or-down decision in the Senate.

So far, 45 Senators are on the record supporting a public health insurance option. If we can get 50, it changes the game.

So, who of the remaining 15 do we think are going to give us an answer quickly? As Chris explains, freshman, Senators from blue states, and leaders on health reform who are still on the fence.

Therefore, our top targets are Senators Begich, Warner, Tester, Carper, and Wyden. Fax them now and ask them where they stand:

• Send a fax to Mark Begich, asking him if he supports the public option!
• Send a fax to Jon Tester, asking him if he supports the public option!
• Send a fax to Mark Warner, asking him if he supports the public option!
• Send a fax to Tom Carper, asking him if he supports the public option!
• Send a fax to Ron Wyden, asking him if he supports the public option!

While you're at it, fax the rest, too. A lot of them have said they're "open" to a public health insurance option. It's time for them to tell us if they support a public health insurance option like the one Senator Kennedy passed in the HELP committee.

• Send a fax to Kent Conrad, asking him if he supports the public option!
• Send a fax to Mary Landrieu, asking her if she supports the public option!
• Send a fax to Blanche Lincoln, asking her if he supports the public option!
• Send a fax to Ben Nelson, asking him if he supports the public option!
• Send a fax to Bill Nelson, asking him if he supports the public option!
• Send a fax to Mark Pryor, asking him if he supports the public option!
• Send a fax to Joe Lieberman, asking him if he supports the public option!
• Send a fax to Evan Bayh, asking him if he supports the public option!
• Send a fax to Olympia Snowe, asking her if she supports the public option!
• Send a fax to Robert Byrd, asking him if he supports the public option!

Send a fax today, because we deserve an answer.

NEWS

Democrats: Win one for Ted Kennedy on health care reform - Politico

“Let’s win one for Teddy” became the new health care reform rallying cry Wednesday, as Democrats hoped an emotional outpouring over Sen. Ted Kennedy’s death would give reform efforts a badly needed boost.

A Timeline of Kennedy's Health Care Achievements And Disappointments - Kaiser Health News

Sen. Edward Kennedy never had to worry about getting quality healthcare, but he spent much of his career seeking to guarantee that all Americans had that same access to health services he had. "Every American should be able to get the same treatment that U.S. senators are entitled to," he wrote in Newsweek last month. "This is the cause of my life."

Dennis Rivera Leads Labor Charge for Health Reform - New York Times

For more than a decade, Dennis Rivera was New York’s mightiest labor leader, running a union of 300,000 health care workers that often bent Albany to its will as it scared — and angered — governors, Democratic and Republican, with its hard-hitting ads.

Obama asks docs to promote health care fix - Associated Press

The White House is asking doctors to help promote its drive to overhaul health care, marking an effort by President Barack Obama to regain momentum on the issue.

ENZI EXPLAINS HIS APPROACH TO NEGOTIATIONS - Steve Benen

Sen. Mike Enzi (R) of Wyoming, one of the Senate Finance Committee's Gang of Six, hosted a town-hall meeting on Monday in which most of his constituents urged him to drop out of the negotiations.

Byrd: Rename health care bill for Kennedy - Politico

Ailing Senator Robert Byrd, one of only two to have served longer than Kennedy, suggests in an emotional statement renaming the pending health care legislation for the late Massachusetts Senator.

Patrick backs push to appoint successor - Boston Globe

Governor Deval L. Patrick, breaking his silence on the future of Edward M. Kennedy’s Senate seat, yesterday embraced Kennedy’s request that the governor be given the power to appoint someone to the seat until voters can choose a permanent successor in a special election.

Senator Kennedy's legacy cannot be defined within one issue, no matter how important. But it would not be an understatement to say that his life's work revolved around health care for all. He said so himself, calling it "the cause of [his] life" in a passionate Newsweek op-ed published just last month.

True to form, Kennedy turned his passion into real results. The list of health care legislative accomplishments he was part of is stunning. From the website set up by his family dedicated in his honor:

• In 1966, Kennedy helped establish the community health center model in the United States. Community health centers are now serving 20 million low-income Americans around the country.
• In 1985, Kennedy led the fight to enact COBRA, giving workers the ability to purchase health care through their employer after they have been let go from their job.
• In 1996, Kennedy co-sponsored HIPPAA, which now ensures access to health care coverage for an estimated 25 million Americans who move from one job to another, are self-employed or have pre-existing medical conditions.
• In 1997, Kennedy was instrumental in passing the CHIP program that gives health care to millions of children.
• In 2006, Kennedy passed the Family Opportunity Act, which provides states with the opportunity to expand Medicaid coverage to children with special needs, giving low- and middle-income families with disabled children the opportunity to purchase health coverage under Medicaid.
• From 1997-2008, Kennedy helped grant Massachusetts the Medicaid waivers it needed to pass its state health care reform plan.
• In 2008, Kennedy enacted legislation to reform the inequities in the way mental health and substance use disorders are treated by the insurance industry, a 10 year battle.
• And finally, in 2009 under his leadership and the leadership of his close friend, Senator Chris Dodd, Kennedy passed the Affordable Health Choices Act - which would give everyone in America a guarantee of quality, affordable health care - through the Senate committee he chaired, the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee. The bill awaits a vote by the Senate as the health reform process moves forward.

Senator Kennedy's towering vision for health care was built on his numerous accomplishments. While there is sadness in knowing Senator Kennedy won't be with us to see his life's work completed, we will keep him in our thoughts as our fight continues and we finally achieve quality, affordable health care for all this year.

From Richard Kirsch, National Campaign Manager, Health Care for America Now:

"Health Care for America Now joins the nation in mourning the passing of Senator Kennedy, for whom our mission - winning a guarantee of good health care for all - was his life's work. We dedicate ourselves in the next few weeks to realizing the vision, passion, and hopes of this great American, firmly in the knowledge that enacting health care reform will rightly be seen as Ted Kennedy's legacy."

NEWS

Kennedy dead at 77 - Boston Globe

Senator Edward M. Kennedy, who carried aloft the torch of a Massachusetts dynasty and a liberal ideology to the citadel of Senate power, but whose personal and political failings may have prevented him from realizing the ultimate prize of the presidency, died at his home in Hyannis Port last night after a battle with brain cancer. He was 77.

'Cause of my life': Health care overhaul eluded Kennedy - USA Today

Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., died without realizing what he called "the cause of my life" — an overhaul of the nation's health care system.

OMB Report: Health Care Costs at Heart of Budget Deficit - Wall Street Journal

The Obama administration updated its economic forecast in its mid-session budget review this morning (read the WSJ story here and a post by budget director Peter Orszag here).

Sen. Grassley On Health Care: "I Don't Think It's Going To Be Possible To Work It Out With The Administration" - Media Matters

During a conference call with Iowa reporters, Sen. Grassley said both "I don't think it's going to be possible to work it out with the administration," and "yes, I do believe it's possible to reach an agreement." Does he even know what he's talking about?

First "Gang Of Six" Member Backs Reconciliation For Health Care - Huffington Post

A Democratic member of the "Gang of Six" senators charged with finding a bipartisan solution to health care reform said at a town hall Monday that he would support using the budget reconciliation process to push a bill through the Senate if necessary.

Vocal minority greet Howard Dean at town hall - The Hill

Supporters of healthcare reform showed Tuesday night that they can pack a room, too.

Enzi frustrates liberals with harder line - The Hill

Sen. Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), a key negotiator on healthcare reform, has taken an increasingly hard line with Democrats in recent weeks, prompting liberals to question whether he is committed to reaching a deal.

WellPoint spent $1.2M lobbying government in 2Q - Associated Press

WellPoint Inc., the nation's largest health insurer based on membership, spent $1.2 million in the second quarter to lobby the federal government on a variety of health care reform-related issues and other topics, according to a recent disclosure report.

Distortions on Health Bill, Homegrown - New York Times

You might think that New York has made almost no contribution to the national health care debate, given that the state tends toward robotic support of Democrats, and that the most bloodcurdling argument came from Alaska, with Sarah Palin’s claim that “Obama’s death panels” would decide who would get care and who wouldn’t.

Senator Chuck Grassley has bumped up his criticism of health reform today in the Wall Street Journal:

Sen. Charles Grassley signaled growing skepticism about the likelihood of Democrat-led health-care legislation passing this year, telling a town-hall meeting here Monday, "Now is the time to do this right or not do it."

…

"Government is not a competitor, it's a predator," he said of the public option that has been embraced by key congressional Democrats. "We'd have 120 million people opt out [of private insurance], then pretty soon everyone is in health care under the government and there's no competitor."

…

"We need to slow down and do a little less," Mr. Grassley told another town-hall gathering in Pocahontas, Iowa, Monday afternoon. "We need to fix what's broken and leave alone what's working well."

In an interview, he vowed not to vote for an "imperfect bill" that includes a public option or gives the government too much control over end-of-life issues.

Grassley has also been responsible for peddling the despicable "death panels" smear, proven false time and time again.

This is Grassley's worldview. Government is the enemy. Government wants to kill you. People without health insurance should make do. People getting screwed over by the current system should keep getting screwed. No big changes, that would be too much.

As has become crystal clear, Chuck Grassley is carrying his party's water on health reform, and he won't vote for anything but a Republican bill. In fact, he just moved into full obstructionist mode, saying, "I don't think it's going to be possible to work it out with the administration [on health reform]."

That's his definition of bipartisanship, to flat out say he can't work with the administration in power.

This one's for reporters: Next time you talk to Chuck Grassley, ask him what kind of "bipartisan" solution he's looking for. Ask him which 20 Senators he thinks won't vote for the health care reform bill he wants to pass with 80 votes. If I was a betting man, I'd say he wants to pass a bill that all of his Republican colleagues can vote for, losing 20 Democrats.

We, the American public that overwhelmingly supports health reform with a public health insurance option, deserve these answers.

Because this is Grassley's bipartisanship. His party was defeated roundly in November, and yet according to him, we should pass Republican health care reform.

Why are we negotiating with him again?