Yesterday, the more conservative Blue Dog Democrats emerged from talks with Rep. Henry Waxman, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, with an agreement on how to lower the costs of health care reform. The New York Times and other media outlets declared a victory for the Democrats.
But apparently the Health Bill is still at an Impasse. Politico reports that House Speaker Pelosi is now struggling to appease both the Blue Dogs and the progressive wing of her party who claim that conservatives have hijacked health care. Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), one of the group of progressives who met with Pelosi several times yesterday, said:
“Waxman made a deal that is unacceptable. We signed a pledge to reject any plan that doesn’t include a robust public option, and this plan doesn’t have a robust public option"
Rep. Barney Frank, (D-M.A.) a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, is upset that their principles have been sacrificed to further President Obama's agenda. “I don’t think it would pass the House," Frank said of the Blue Dog/Waxman deal. "I wouldn’t vote for it."
This division among the Democrats comes as Obama's approval ratings drop to their lowest point yet.