The Washington Monthly

October 3, 2009

FRIST WOULD VOTE FOR DEM REFORM BILL.... Former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) has, at times, played a useful role in the debate over health care reform. For example, in June, Frist defended the notion of passing a bill through the reconciliation process: "[Reconciliation is] legal, it's ethical, you can do it."

A few weeks ago, Frist, a thoracic surgeon, again bolstered Democratic measures, endorsing an individual mandate.

Yesterday afternoon, the former Senate Republican Leader told Time's Karen Tumulty that he'd even vote for the Democratic proposal, if he were still in the chamber.

Were he still in the Senate, "I would end up voting for it," he said. "As leader, I would take heat for it. ... That's what leadership is all about."

While he raised some specific concerns about the plan, Frist also reiterated his support for individual mandates, and criticized GOP some central arguments against reform as "overblown."

Jonathan Cohn had a good contextual observation: "For those keeping a tally, that's three former Republican Senate Majority Leaders who have endorsed the sorts of reforms President Obama and his allies are pushing. Previously, Howard Baker and Bob Dole signed on to a plan they negotiated with Tom Daschle and George Mitchell, former Democratic counterparts, through the auspices of the Bipartisan Policy Center."

That said, Ezra Klein was less impressed with Frist's comments, noting how easy it is for the former senator to "say they'll buck overwhelming partisan pressure and take politically treacherous risks in service of progress on America's toughest issues." Frist wasn't nearly so courageous when he was actually serving the public.

And while that's certainly true, I'm inclined to welcome Frist's endorsement anyway. For frustrating reasons I can't fully understand, the public seems to prefer bills that enjoy bipartisan support. Dems are finding it nearly impossible to find GOP lawmakers willing to listen to reason, which makes it all the more important to point to any high-profile Republicans who support Democratic health care reform proposals.

—Steve Benen 8:00 AM Permalink | Trackbacks | Comments (12)

Comments

But he's only made this diagnosis after reviewing the debate via a video tape.

Posted by: ComradeAnon on October 3, 2009 at 8:10 AM | PERMALINK

Research 2000 poll at Kos says 52/39/9 prefer Dem only public option than none at all

Posted by: par4 on October 3, 2009 at 8:50 AM | PERMALINK

Umm, is Bill Frist still involved with HCA? His support of the Dems bill with all of the goodies for insurance companies may just be a good business decision.

Posted by: martin on October 3, 2009 at 9:26 AM | PERMALINK

If Frist likes it, it must reeeally beee BAAAAAD!!!
Maybe there's a paragraph on torturing kittens in the bill that I missed, and that's why he supports it.

Posted by: c u n d gulag on October 3, 2009 at 9:28 AM | PERMALINK

Being former Republican officials, all are now beyond the reach of Republican kneecappers. Were they still in office, would the story be different?

Posted by: bob h on October 3, 2009 at 9:28 AM | PERMALINK

"For frustrating reasons I can't fully understand, the public seems to prefer bills that enjoy bipartisan support."

Bullshit, you're being hypnotized by our corporate masters.

Posted by: dontcallmefrancis on October 3, 2009 at 11:29 AM | PERMALINK

This coming from the guy who said "you can contract HIV from tears and sweat". I wouldn't exactly call him a good card in the former political deck toward health care reform.

Posted by: The Galloping Trollop on October 3, 2009 at 3:15 PM | PERMALINK

dontcallmefrancis, do I call you dontcallmefrancis or just not call you francis? 'Cause if you don't want me to call you dontcallmefrancis, you'll need to call yourself dontcallmedontcallmefrancis...

Posted by: JTK on October 3, 2009 at 8:03 PM | PERMALINK

There may be not each and every day that I didn't go to your weblog, it is just so entertaining and positive to be around day in reading your opinions and your writings. Go on posting you got me hook my pal.

Posted by: adult movies on April 13, 2011 at 1:44 AM | PERMALINK

You don't need to convince me personally with strong words and deep ideas, I'm able to read through your words and what you want to accomplish within your writings. I don't have to agree just about all the time, but all I can say is actually, this is just an excellent piece.

Posted by: dvd sex on April 14, 2011 at 12:03 PM | PERMALINK

All feelings and idealogy aside, I do believe it's the potential to be one of your better works, might you keep producing this kind of quality in your future writing. Thanks a lot.

Posted by: sex videos on April 15, 2011 at 10:38 AM | PERMALINK

I dont mind sitting within my mobile computer and doing nothing but becoming surprised about how great and wonderful this blog of yours is actually. There's no other site that will keep me personally glued for quite a while apart from yours. Please keep it up!

Posted by: sex dvd on April 16, 2011 at 1:37 AM | PERMALINK