GOP, Dems Battle Over Blue Dog Districts

Posted by Stephanie Condon

Cantor and Obama (AP)

Moderate Democrats are at the epicenter of the controversy and anger over health care reform, and both Democrats and Republicans are attempting to control the situation.

House Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-Va.) has created a memo detailing the negative impacts of health care reform in each Blue Dog district. The memo was distributed in an e-mail Monday, the newspaper Roll Call reports.

For instance, the memo claims that under the House Democrats’ health care plan, hospitals in the fourth district (PDF) of Arkansas would see cuts in Medicare payments of at least $324.8 million. That district is represented by Mike Ross, chairman of the Blue Dogs’ health care task force.

In his e-mail, Cantor encouraged his whip team to explain the “impact of a government takeover on (Blue Dog) districts and constituents,” according to Roll Call.

Meanwhile, House Democrats have set up a “war room” to assist politicians put on the spot about health care at town halls, the Hill reported. The “war room,” according to the Hill, is set up in House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer’s office and staffed around the clock to give Democrats immediate answers to policy questions.

The “war room” is just one of a series of steps taken recently by Democrats to more forcefully convey their message for health care reform. The White House, for instance, recently launched a “reality check” Web site to debunk health care myths. Addtionally, President Obama’s political arm at the Democratic National Committee, Organizing for America, is asking supporters to visit their congressmen’s offices in support of health care reform.

Cantor sending memos trying to intimidate Democrats like Glenn Nye but when will Cantor have a townhall to hear the views of his constituents in the 7th district.