On a conference call just now with Democratic supporters, DSCC chairman Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) sought to paint an optimistic but cautious outlook for 2010 — and also dealt with some skepticism from the base over health care.
Menendez said how the president’s party has almost always lost seats in the mid-term elections, but that Dems have a good set of candidates and will have real accomplishments to run on in key races in 2010.
He then took questions that had been submitted by e-mail, and got a tough one: Why should the e-mailer continue to help Democrats, if they can’t get health care done?
“Well first of all let me thank Michael for being a long-time member of our party. And secondly, let me say I understand your frustrations, but I want you to be assured that we are going to get health care fixed, we’re going to get reform done,” said Menendez. “All Democrats have been working very hard to come up with policy ideas and solutions to the many complicated ideas that are associated with health care reform. Now, Republicans aren’t even trying to come up with solutions. Republicans don’t even have a proposal to fix health care, all they have been doing from the beginning is obstructing the dialogue and blocking the process.”
Menendez cautioned that not everyone will agree with everything in the health care bill — that “it’s a huge bill.”
“However, what I do know is that in the end, our approach is going to improve health care for all — for all. And the Republicans will only improve the bottom line for the insurance companies,” said Menendez. “So we’re looking forward to the president’s speech tomorrow, it’ll be very constructive for the process, and I’m convinced we’re going to get health care done.”
