SEIU To Yank Support For Arcuri, Will Search For Challenger
It appears SEIU is dead serious about this business about yanking support for House Dems who vote No on the health bill.
The SEIU bluntly informed Dem Rep Michael Arcuri of New York yesterday that it’s pulling support for him in the wake of the news that he’s an all-but-certain No, I’m told. And the search for a primary or third-party challenger is underway.
Jerry Dennis, the president of SEIU local 200, which represents 14,000 workers statewide in New York, called Arcuri yesterday and delivered the news, SEIU spokesman Matt Nerzig tells me.
“Jerry called him yesterday and told him it’ll be very difficult to support him come next election if he’s not on this bill,” Nerzig says. “The search for alternatives has already begun.”
“This guy won by two percent with our support and 1199’s support against a moderate Republican last time,” Nerzig continues. “It’ll be very difficult for him to win reelection next time without us.” Arcuri won with 52% of the vote in 2008.
It’s worth reiterating that this threat is very real. Arcuri could lose without the ground and cash support of labor. Also, because of the powerhouse Working Families Party in New York, a labor-backed third party challenge could be a career-ender for pols like him.
Separately, in a bit of good news for Dem vote counters, Rep Charlie Wilson, a former Yes who was thought to be undecided, will vote Yes again, a good get for Dems because he shared the Stupak dozen’s concerns.
“I am confident that the language in the Senate bill ensures that there will be no federal funding for abortions,” Wilson said. “I am confident that the Senate language upholds all of my pro-life values.”
This blog’s homepage is here. RSS feed here. Twitter feed here. Email me here.
Good. Arcuri’s No is unacceptable.
Btw, for those who don’t know, Upstate NY is horribly depressed economically.
again Engel announced hes a yes on msnbc
arcuri is pretty tight with some AFL-CIO locals in the district (through family connections, i believe). any unions coming out for him?
I enjoy the struggle to push our elected officials to the left.
Interesting politics to say the least.
I’m waiting for unions to announce a decision on Stupak, who’s opposing the bill but has voted with unions in the past.
I’m trying to determine if it was previously known that Wilson is a Yes. Anyone know?
We have a no-to-yes flip!
From TPM:
Rep. John Boccieri (D-OH), who voted against the November bill, announced this morning in an emotional speech that he will vote for the health care bill.
off topic but Biden was damn funny even if journos didnt laugh lol
http://tpmlivewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/03/biden-zings-liz-cheney-at-rtca-dinner-now-shes-questioning-if-tom-brady-is-a-real-patriot.php?ref=mp
Last I’d seen, Wilson was still leaning but undecided. So if he’s a firm YES that’s definitely good.
Maybe the better question than “who is leaving Stupak” would be “who is STAYING with Stupak”.
Can anyone name a single solid NO because of Stupak?
Greg,
Charlie Wilson became a yes yesterday. But I believe he just made the formal announcement this morning.
Good for SEIU! Now do the same thing to Steve Lynch.
“Because of the powerhouse Working Families Party in New York, a labor-backed third party challenge could be a career-ender for pols like him.”
And a career-starter for some new Republican? I’m not sure I understand how a third party challenger helps the Democrats.
Greg, I posted this yesterday:
Man, I’m pullin’ out the Boonesfarm for Sundays vote!
Spare no expense!!!!
Yay Boccieri!
How bout in addition to sending flowers to Pelosi, flowers to NO-to-YES switchers!
@tpm: Organized groups from AFSCME, Center for American Progress and other left-leaning groups are on hand to support President Obama’s rally for in Virgina today.
I’m going to be watching that one for SURE!
FIIIIIIIIRED UP! REAAAAAAADY TO GO!
Good luck running on your own, Arcuri.
And I would imagine he’s endangered himself either way–why would unions ever trust him in the future?
Where’s newsref, btw? I thought unions hated this bill?
See, this is how you primary someone – with a union; not a website.
Woooo hoooooooooo!
@sbj: I’m not sure I understand how a third party challenger helps the Democrats.
Well, at some point, progressives have to take a stand, even if it is on this completely incrementalist, centrist bill. If dems can’t bring themselves to vote for this, then they don’t deserve the support of progressive groups. If they don’t pay an electoral price for voting against their supporters, then there is no disincentive to not vote against them again. Its just like senate dumbocrats voting against their leadership on PROCEDURAL votes and suffer no adverse consequences, they are likely to vote against leadership again. No way to run a railroad.
beyond left: nailed it.
We are finally seeing Dems threated with actual consequences for voting with the opposition on this very weak, centrist legislation.
If Dems pass this, there are going to be multiple effects. The Republicans, media, and Limbots will have expended enormous time and energy, and still didn’t get what they wanted. Dems will realize, perhaps, that the way you win things is to not give in when it get scary out there.
{Fingers crossed}
I’m glad to see the unions being proactive and sensible on this, ESPECIALLY since they didn’t necessarily get everything they wanted. It’s interesting to see which groups are stomping their feet and holding their breath till they get everything they want. This is the kind of issue and vote that really shows representatives for what they are.
Politico:
You can’t vote against HCR and still call yourself a Democrat. It doesn’t make sense.
Now if only there were political consequences for REPUBLICANS and THEIR votes and comments (and criminal behavior), we’d be on to something.
Arcuri’s switch to No has to be one of the stupidist political decisions I have ever seen. He is already on record once as a Yes so he can’t run and hide. The Rs are going to pummel him for the first vote regardless. By switching now he is alienating all the people he needs to win in November.
Plus, if he is re-elected he will undoubtedly be removed from the powerful Rules Committee and end up on a backwater one.
Completely bizarre.
The thing that will be most telling for me will be if they try to bring progressives back into the fold by legislating something we have more faith in. Obama said himself on Fox the other night:
“Now, we can fix this in a way that is sensible, that is centrist. I have rejected a whole bunch of provisions that the left wanted that are — you know, they were very adamant about because I thought it would be too disruptive to the system.”
Mike they’re not pulling people to the left in trying to get them to vote for this bill, they’re trying to convince them that voting with the President is in their interest electorally.
John M, totally agree. He must have a lucrative job offer in his pocket.
@tpm: Rep. Chris Murphy (D-CT), who voted for the health care bill in November but has been undecided, announced today that he will vote “yes.”
Ethan, I think it might well make it hard for some GOP reps with strong Dem challengers. If it was going to be a tight race, HCR will be something that could turn the tide in some races.
The way the Dems roll out the new HC provisions if/when the bill passes is going to be SO CRUCIAL. They HAVE to get the upper hand in the message war!
BG, no question about it. As always, the Village CW is tenuous at best. Dems who want to show real leadership have a great opportunity to do so.
Massachusetts is potentially facing a new budget gap of up to $295 million this year, a grim forecast that state officials said could spell yet another round of painful cuts before the fiscal year ends in June. Patrick administration officials blamed the gap on rising demand for the joint state and federal health care program for low-income residents known as MassHealth. Cahill, who argued earlier this week that the state’s universal health care law is bankrupting Massachusetts, said the latest shortfall “is further evidence that we have a broken and mismanaged health care system in this state.’’
“I warned on Tuesday that health care spending in Massachusetts was blowing a hole in the state budget,’’ Cahill said in a statement. “I’m glad that the governor’s office is finally acknowledging that fact.’’
Good Lord! The Dems are only one or two votes shy of passing this thing!
I can’t believe how useless Arcuri is. He’s from Utica, but a lot of his voters come from the very liberal Ithaca area. I live just 1/2 mile south of where his district begins. He obviously doesn’t understand that although he might be a swing district overall, the democrats in his district are very liberal indeed and his posturing will end his career. Oh well, I’m sure he can get a job as a lobbyist in DC!
Wow, @tpm: Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) tells the Toledo Blade that she is “leaning toward voting for the bill if we can properly deal with the abortion issue.”
Cmon Marcy! Pull the trigger! No Federal funding for abortion in the bill. Everyone knows it right now.
Plus, if he is re-elected he will undoubtedly be removed from the powerful Rules Committee and end up on a backwater one.
Senate dumbocrats, are you listening??? This is what happens when you vote against your leadership, especially on PROCEDURAL ISSUES, that strengthen the repiglicans.
ga73, true re: Ithaca (12 sq miles surrounded by reality)… but the rural area immediately outside the town gets very conservative very quickly. I lived in the area in 2008 and there were more Huckabee signs than Obama in that part of the area. You’re right about the liberal activists in Ithaca… Frankly, I’m shocked they haven’t gotten to him already and demanded a yes vote!
“beyond left | March 19th, 2010 at 11:11 am
@sbj: I’m not sure I understand how a third party challenger helps the Democrats.”
Well, sbj, it’s like this: a majority of Democrats elected Obama who ran on HCR and a majority of Democrats want this bill passed.
Thereforea – follow me now if you can – electorally, a Democrat who votes for HCR does better in November than one who didn’t.
OT – via Huffpo – Poll – Isrealis favour Obama
“A poll released Friday shows that Israelis overwhelmingly have a favorable impression of President Barack Obama, despite a grave diplomatic feud with the U.S. over east Jerusalem construction.
Between a total of three polls released Friday, Israelis sent mixed signals about their own leader. Thirty-six percent of those questioned for one poll thought Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was best suited to lead Israel, versus 26 percent for his closest challenger, opposition leader Tzipi Livni.
…
But a Dialog survey of 499 people on Wednesday and Thursday showed that seven out of 10 Israelis share a favorable view. The poll had a margin of error of 4.3 percentage points.”
So it’s just the frakking winguts like bibi and his coalition thugs that don’t heart Obama, teh muslin.
Rick-
One wonders why there is an increased demand?
Ethan and ga73, lived in Ithaca from 98-2001 (and Buffalo before that). Upstate generally is often really polar that way (GOP to Dem). I used to teach at SUNY Cortland and the drive between was beautiful but in places Appalachian poor.
I thought Hinchey was Ithaca’s rep though? Utica and that area are not doing well in economic terms, for sure.
Maybe he’ll still flip….
Email from Paul Begala via the DCCC:
“An atomic bomb exploding.
That’s one of the visuals now being used in an attack ad against Democrats who support health care reform. I’m surprised it took them this long to play the mushroom cloud card.
But it gets even scarier. The fear-mongering thugs running this ad against pro-health care Democrats are from the very same special interest group which got the Supreme Court to allow corporations to spend unlimited special interest cash in elections. Coincidence?”
I just realized something. The Iraq war started 7 years ago, today.
I’m not sure I see how a mushroom cloud is analogous to “socialized” medicine, but then, I fancy myself as fairly rational.
LBJ used the mushroom cloud in the famous “Daisy” commercial against Goldwater in ‘64 but had the good sense to pull it.
@Tena On an earlier thread you posted..
“That and a whole whole bunch of people who have IQs just high enough that they can breathe without help.”
This is what frightens me for our country. When I read comments after the HCR story on the St Pete Times some are truly sad! People are still talking about a gov’t takeover for a modest insurance reform bill. And some have names like armedinpasco. Nothing like making sure the most ignorant, violent folks in a society have easy access to firearms.
This is why I can’t wait to get to Bart Stupak’s stomping grounds on the UP. We are far from civilization there and the Canada Geese and Deer are not armed..and they have far greater intelligence than many of the tea party crowd.
Omg CT, wow. Shock and Awe.
And instead we have Obama railing against insurance industry, coming strongly to the aid of the American people.
It is a truly unbelievable dichotomy.
BG, that’s so cool. I just missed you, moved out in Fall of ‘98. Gorgeous up there, rather, gorges.
Ithaca-proper’s rep is Hinchey.
“Nothing like making sure the most ignorant, violent folks in a society have easy access to firearms.”
Yeah I know – that’s why I said it’s best not to think about it – just stay alert.
I’m not claiming that most AMericans are like that, you know, cause I don’t think we are.
Marcy Kaptur leaning yes. That would be a big get.
@Tena: “Electorally, a Democrat who votes for HCR does better in November than one who didn’t.”
And what does that have to do with a third party challenger?
Ethan, was that you who threw up in the Chapter House bathroom?
I miss the lakes and the gorges and especially the trout fishing 5 mins from town. Beautiful country. Oh, and one of the very best farmer’s markets anywhere.
I hate to break up the party, but the next election will not be about health care. It will be about double digit unemployment. Carry on.
Ahh the Chappy.
Remember it well. Oh wait, no I don’t. 
But yeah, it’s a progressive paradise for sure. Literally too many amazing things about that place to list.
“And what does that have to do with a third party challenger?”
sbj, it really doesn’t matter if it’s third party or a primary challenger. I’d rather have a republican I know I can’t count on than a DINO whose *** we have to kiss.
about double digit unemployment
1. We don’t have double digit unemployment, now, and we won’t in November.
2. The Republicans refusal to support the jobs bill is going to come in very handily in the Fall.
3. Carry on.
“double digit unemployment”
I thought we were back in the single digits and moving down.
Yes the economy will be the biggest factor but the health care fight has shaped Obama’s and the democrats ability(or inability) for getting anything done.
It will be about double digit unemployment.
That is why we need to pass this now and move on to economic recovery and job creation efforts…
“I thought we were back in the single digits and moving down.”
But but but 9.8% is double digits!
Couldn’t resist.
Another leaner a yes… @tpm: Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV), who voted for the November bill but was undecided this time around, has decided to vote yes, Jon Ralston reports.
All, read the new White House talking points, stressing the Big Mo:
http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/health-care/white-house-talking-points-weve-got-the-big-mo-baby/
VoteVets.org sends out an email praising Boccieri for supporting the bill:
Email coming your way, Greg.
Here’s a pretty good update on where the up in the air votes are:
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/3/19/847808/-The-Vote-Counting?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+dailykos%2Findex+%28Daily+Kos%29&utm_content=My+Yahoo+SBC+co-brand
@ethan: Anything above 5% (and even this is not “full employment”) is nothing to brag about. Unemployment is not dropping fast enough to be proud of the results. Yes the trend is in the right direction, but .2% below double digits is still wayyyy to high. I just can’t get too smug about the unemployment numbers. Not a criticism of you,Ethan, just a reminder of the human suffering behind the numbers.
“Unemployment is not dropping fast enough to be proud of the results.”
Proud? No. But I don’t know how many Americans are truly aware of how close we were, like within a hair, of a full on depression. We’ve avoided that(so far) and the rate of job loss has slowed almost to a standstill. But I think we’re on the right track.
Yes, of course BL. I’m certainly not happy with the state of employment in this country.
But what I AM happy about is that we have a President and Dem Congress who understand the opportunity we have as a country to not only employ our citizens, but employ them in growth industries with positive outcomes, such as renewable energy and efficiency.
Still, I do appreciate the reminder for the pain America feels, particularly on the jobs issue. It would behoove us all to remember those less fortunate or those in difficult financial situations because of the economy.