Centrist Dem under fire for opposing Obama healthcare
Centrist Democratic Sen. Ben Nelson (Neb.) is under attack from an advertising campaign that criticizes his opposition to President Obama’s healthcare plan.
The Web and direct-mail ads specifically take on Nelson for opposing Obama’s proposal to create a public health insurance program consumers could choose instead of private plans. The $10,000 ad campaign is paid for by Change Congress, an advocacy group that is calling for publicly financed elections.
The Change Congress ads charge that Nelson’s opposition to a public health insurance plan is linked to campaign funds he has received from health insurance groups. Citing data from the Center for Responsive Politics, the ads say Nelson has accepted $2 million from health insurance companies over three Senate campaigns.
Nelson argues a public health insurance plan would ruin employer-sponsored private health insurance plans. He told CQ the inclusion of a public plan in a healthcare reform bill was a deal-breaker for him.
In a lengthy press release, Nelson’s office warned Nebraskans not to fall for a “misleading fundraising gimmick by a special interest group.”
The released noted that Obama has not put out a specific plan, and Nelson spokesman Jake Thompson took the group for task for endorsing something they haven’t seen and criticizing Nelson for something he hasn’t done.
“These people have a political agenda that has nothing remotely to do with helping Nebraskans get and keep affordable, high quality health care,” Thompson said . “Nebraskans are far too smart to fall for just another special interest group grabbing a hot issue and misrepresenting both the president and Senator Nelson to raise money to lobby Congress.”
Adam Green, chief executive officer of Change Congress, said it’s difficult to believe money Nelson received from health insurance interests don’t influence his position on healthcare reform. “Nelson can prove he’s not captive to special interests by supporting Obama’s public option and co-sponsoring the Fair Elections Now Act that would give democracy back to the little guy,” he said.
The online and direct-mail ads direct viewers to a petition calling on Nelson to support the public option. The ads also ask people to join the group’s “donor strike,” which urges participants not to offer any political contributions to politicians unless they support the Fair Elections Now Act.
That legislation would allow politicians to opt into a publicly financed system for elections. Those opting in would get public contributions, and would also be able to receive a 4-1 match on all contributions of $100 or less from individuals.
Inclusion of a public insurance plan will be one of the most controversial elements of a healthcare reform bill expected to consume Congress for much of the rest of the year.
Advocates for the public plan include Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.), who co-sponsored a resolution with Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) that declares that the healthcare reform bill the Senate will consider must include a public plan option that people can choose instead of private insurance.
Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) also co-sponsored the resolution, and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.), a centrist like Nelson, has indicated a public plan option will be included in legislation he is preparing.
Change Congress was founded by Stanford Professor Lawrence Lessig and Joe Trippi, who was the national campaign manager for Howard Dean’s 2004 presidential campaign.
By Ian Swanson