In the comments of that post, I made the case against it. I did so for a number of reasons, namely Wall Street and the connections Schumer has there plus some of his past votes (i.e. Iraq War) that weren't very progressive.
I won't let one issue change my mind, but I will give credit where credit is due. When the Senate Finance Committee gathered and took up two public option resolutions, they faced an uphill battle. Everyone knew that, especially when you have senators like Max Baucus, Blanche Lincoln, Bill Nelson, Tom Carper and Kent Conrad on this committee.
But even against those odds and those moderate to conservative senators willing to support the Republican position, Senator Schumer stood up and fought for not only the public option, but real progressive health care reform.
This exchange with Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) showed that:
Senator Schumer also appeared on Rachel Maddow's show recently and talked about the fight for a public option:
The fight for including a public option in health care reform legislation has led to some Democrats, especially the conservative ones, to oppose any legislation with the public option in it. The leaders in both houses have not stood firm on the issue, letting their rank-and-file legislators decide what they want, thus why Baucus has been able to take ownership (or try to own it) of this issue.
But Schumer has stood up and stood strong for a public option. New York, unlike some other states, has a voice on the Finance Committee during these tough battles. We have a voice who is taking on not only the obstructionist Republicans but the Democrats who are also standing in the way of real progressive reform. Schumer has done great work for progressives everywhere by telling the fellow members of the committee that a public option is vital to any serious reform bill.
Those of us in New York have questioned (at times) just how progressive Schumer is and even some of us (including me) wondered if he was worthy of a primary challenge. His push on this issue makes all of those topics go away for the time being. We don't forget and we can certainly have debates about his past history later. Right now though, we have an ally on the Senate Finance Committee that we need to work with and fight with to ensure that a public option survives.
"It is with profound grief that I learned the news of Senator Edward Kennedy's passing late last night.
"Senator Kennedy took his seat in the United States Senate in 1962, and from the moment he was sworn in, he fought for the progressive principles and ideas that he held so close to his heart. Over the course of 47 years in the Senate, he was an unstoppable force for peace, civil rights, expanding access to health care, improving education, reforming our immigration system and encouraging national and community service. It is fair to say that Senator Kennedy influenced every important issue that affected our nation for the past half century, and on every issue, he stood for justice and compassion.
"Senator Kennedy was the Lion of the Senate and one of the most consequential figures of the 20th century. He was intimately familiar with the Senate's levers of power, and knew how and in what order to pull them. His mastery of the legislative process is unparalleled in our time, and he stands on par with giants like Webster and Clay. Still, first and foremost, he was a friend to regular Americans. He was a fighter for our needs. He was a true American hero.
"And so today, Americans mourn the loss of our great champion, but we also rejoice in what he lived for. As Senator Kennedy said of his brother Robert, so can be said of him: 'He gave us strength in time of trouble, wisdom in time of uncertainty and sharing in time of happiness.'
"Senator Kennedy may be gone, but the impression he left on this nation and its people remains. The values he spent his life fighting for stand eternal. His dream for a better future lives. On behalf of my family and all of the people of the State of New York, I offer the Kennedy family my condolences on this great loss. I hope that they, and all of the Senator's friends, colleagues and supporters, can take comfort from the knowledge that America is a safer, freer and more just nation thanks to Ted Kennedy."
"Ted Kennedy was a mentor, a guiding light, and a close friend -- we all loved the man. In the Senate, Ted Kennedy was our sun - the center of our universe. To be pulled by his strong gravitational field, to bask in his warmth was a privilege, an honor, and, for many of us, even a life changing experience. His death leaves our world dark but, as he said in his own words, 'the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die.' Ted, we will not let your flag fall."
"Senator Kennedy's dedication for over four decades to help millions of our nation's children, seniors and families is an inspiration to me, and I am honored to have had the opportunity to serve with him in the United States Senate.
"While we have lost an American treasure today, Senator Kennedy's rich legacy, historic legislative record and deep commitment to positive change for all Americans will continue to be felt for generations to come.
"My thoughts and prayers are with the Kennedy family as they grieve over their loss."
New York State Democratic Chairwoman June O'Neill:
"The nation has lost the 'lion of the Senate' and a champion for those who are marginalized and disenfranchised in our country. Senator Kennedy was an American icon and a hero to millions who admired his strength, grace, intellect and conviction.
In 1980 I had the privilege of being elected a Ted Kennedy delegate to the Democratic National Convention held that year in Madison Square Garden. It was a memorable night when he gave one of the best, and most moving speeches of his career. He pledged then to fight for Americans who are unemployed and for national health care insurance.
Last year, as a delegate to the National Convention in Denver, I was among the thousands who were in the hall to see and hear Senator Kennedy deliver what would become his final major public address. There wasn't a dry eye in the house when he finished. He reminded us of how far we had come, and how far we have yet to go. He implored the country to support the 'passing of the torch to a new generation' and to make sure that health care became a right not a privilege. Ironically, that marvelous speech was delivered one year ago today. Although we mourn this great loss, Senator Kennedy's legacy lives on.
I have more statements from other state leaders below the fold.
(Picture: Schumer and Paterson share a moment at the podium.)
Schumer addressed the crowd first, talking about the farm bill that President Bush will veto after the House and Senate passes the legislation. Schumer said that agriculture was a mission of his and discussed upstate's role in farming. He talked about how he ran in 1998 and he visited western New York and discovered how important of an issue farming was for the people in this area of upstate, as well as many other areas too.
Schumer hinted that there would be enough votes in both houses of Congress to override Bush's veto of the farm bill, but he didn't come out and guarantee that because of uncertainty in the House.
Schumer did outline what is contained in the farm bill before leaving for Washington D.C. You can hear his outline in the video below.
Governor Paterson spoke after Schumer's departure and took questions for about an hour (or more), in my estimation. I do have videos of Paterson speaking and Paterson answering a few of the questions, but those will be up later on today.
The overall event was terrific. According to a few people I spoke to, some of the sentiment was that Paterson and Schumer, who are both from downstate, don't know anything about farming. The claim was that, essentially, New York City Democrats don't know anything about agriculture. I think Schumer proved them wrong (and surprised them) with his introduction. Schumer will admit that when he first entered office, he knew nothing about farming. But he made it an issue of his that he really does care about and one that he focuses on. He has made several trips upstate to educate himself on the issues of agriculture and that showed yesterday.
Paterson, too, showed his knowledge about key agricultural issues and his willingness to listen. Paterson won over a lot of people by just standing there for the length of time he did and listening to the questions farmers had. It was an impressive showing and it was great to see Governor Paterson in Batavia.
Again, Schumer sums up the farm bill in the video below and I will have more video from yesterday's event up later.
(Picture: Schumer and Paterson share a moment at the podium.)
