Democrats Rally In Dozens Of Cities To Oppose Obamacare Repeal

[Shadows]

With little power left in Washington, Democrats set out on Sunday to make a big statement against GOP efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act with rallies in dozens of cities.

Sanders used his vast email list from the campaign to help organize support for Sundays rallies in support of Obamacare, which stretched from an event led by House minority leader Nancy Pelosi in San Francisco to one featuring Sen. Elizabeth Warren in Boston.

Former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley even led a sing-a-long at the Utah State Capitol.

Sanders and Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer went to Warren, Mich., and although Schumer will soon be the most powerful Democrat in Washington, it was Sanders who was the star. Signs like, "Don't blame me - I voted for Bernie" dotted the crowd, and Schumer had to pause his speech for a chorus of "Bernie, Bernie" cheers when Sanders walked on stage in the middle of the New York senator's remarks.

It's no accident that Sanders and Schumer chose to hold their event in Warren. Surrounding Macomb County tells the story of Democrats' 2016 woes. It went narrowly for Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012, but last year Donald Trump carried Macomb County by more than 10 points over Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.

Trump's raw vote total in the largely white, working-class county - about 48,000 votes - was more than four times his margin of victory in the once-reliably Democratic state.

While Democrats point to the good the law has done, it's clear they have struggled on the messaging front. A poll released by NPR and Ipsos last week showed that less than half of Americans — including just 54% of Democrats — knew that the law reduced the number of people without health insurance.

But, while they would rather control the agenda, Democrats are beginning to discover something Republicans have known for the entirety of the Obama administration: It's often easier to generate public support around a simplified voice of opposition, than it is to find the votes to create and pass a complicated piece of legislation.

Source - NPR

[Shadows]

It is a long drawn process & not a 1 shot one. For one people feel Dems actually care throughout the year about serious issues & not only during election cycles. Secondly it keeps people engaged, especially, the huge base of young people Bernie brought in. At the grass-roots the party is in a mess, the Dems must open the door & show this young people the way - Let them contest in State Leg, etc or atleast come up in local meetings & help the party rebuild.

The more these young people take over along with local trade unions, nurses, etc, the better oriented Dems will to the people & not the donors.

Despite what people think, these stuff have tremendous impact & forces people to atleast take notice. If you have 10K people protesting ahead of Ryan's & Trump's home that matters.

[Shadows]

It's gonna be repeal and replace, not just repeal.

As usual, the Democrats are clueless.

There is no REPLACEMENT plan on the table. None. It will take them months, maybe years.

And they have already moved to repeal not just the law but every single thing including Pre-existing conditions, children in the same plan as parents & so on.

If you go for this idle lip service, then be my guest - There is no use arguing if you are this obstinate & have your mind made up.