Sensible Liberals: House Dems Against ObamaCare (23 of Them!) [UPDATE 9/9: Make that 44!]

Here’s a dirty little secret. If H.R. 3200 does not get passed, it won’t be because of the Republicans; it will be due to the lack of Democrat support:

Already, 23 Dems have said they will vote ‘no’ on healthcare reform
By Mike Soraghan and Michael M. Gleeson - 09/08/09

At least 23 House Democrats already have told constituents or hometown media that they oppose the massive healthcare overhaul touted by President Barack Obama.

If Republicans offer the blanket opposition they’ve promised, Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) can afford to lose only 38 members of her 256-member caucus and still pass the bill.

Most Democrats opposed to healthcare reform argue it costs too much, imposes a new tax and fines businesses that don’t provide insurance to employees. Some fear that the bill would subsidize abortion. […]

The following Democratic lawmakers have indicated opposition to the healthcare plan moving through the House.

John Adler (N.J.)
Jason Altmire (Pa.)
John Barrow (Ga.)
Dan Boren (Okla.)
Rick Boucher (Va.)
Allen Boyd (Fla.)
Bobby Bright (Ala.)
Travis Childers (Miss.)
Jim Costa (Calif.)
Henry Cuellar (Texas)
Parker Griffith (Ala.)
Frank Kratovil (Md.)
Betsy Markey (Colo.)
Eric Massa (N.Y.)
Jim Matheson (Utah)
Charlie Melancon (La.)
Walt Minnick (Idaho)
Tom Perriello (Va.)
Earl Pomeroy (N.D.)
Heath Shuler (N.C.)
Bart Stupak (Mich.)
John Tanner (Tenn.)
Gene Taylor (Miss.)

Warner Todd Huston at the Publius Forum blog writes:

One of the standout quotes from The Hill’s coverage is a Pelosi spokesman’s reply to reporters about the bill:

“The Congress will pass and the president will sign this year health insurance reform that will lower costs, retain choice, improve quality and expand coverage,” said Pelosi spokesman Nadeam Elshami.

Think about the utter illogic in this sentence.

The bill will lower costs? But, won’t that mean cuts so that costs go down? Yes, of course it will.

Yet…

The bill will retain choice? Wait a minute, if costs are cut, then services will have to be made harder to get or even non-existent! How do you cut costs but keep all “choice” the same?

Yet…

The bill will improve quality? For everyone? But how can we do that when we’ve slashed prices and cut services?

Yet…

The bill will expand coverage? After cutting costs and services, how is it possible to expand any thing?

This is Congressional falderal at its worst.

Falderal? I actually had to look that word up. You learn a new thing every day!

The "magic" number is 38: If 15 more House Dems decide to oppose the bill, Nancy and pals will be in trouble. So it's an important fact to know: This debate does not cut as clearly along party lines as some opportunistic liberal/Democrat politicians and commentators would have us believe.

If any of these Dems represent your district, call them and thank them!

UPDATE 9/9: Make that 44!