by Michael Stone
Portland Progressive Examiner
November 3, 2009
In the politics of health care, MoveOn.org is playing hardball with Blue Dog Democrats. Yesterday MoveOn raised an astounding $2 million in less than 24 hours in support of a primary challenge against any Democratic senator who helps Republicans block an up-or-down vote on health care reform.
The amount of money pledged in such a short period of time indicates the profound level of commitment to health care reform by an army of progressives willing to put their money where their mouth is. Many are willing to support a challenge against anyone who blocks reform.
The amount sends a clear signal to the media, Senate leadership, and conservative Democrats. In addition, potential primary challengers will know there’s a huge group of Americans who are ready to help defeat anyone preventing health care from getting an up-or-down vote in the Senate.
MoveOn is right to place a target on the back of any member of the Democratic Caucus who keeps health care reform from getting an up-or-down vote. The Portland Progressive Examiner has advocated for similar tactics in an earlier post.
