White House dispenses advice about defending health proposals

Top White House aides advised Senate Democrats Thursday on how to handle disruptions at town hall meetings over the August recess.

Politico reports: During an hour-long meeting,  Senior White House adviser David Axelrod and deputy chief of staff Jim Messina "told senators to focus on the insured and how they would benefit from 'consumer protections' in the overhaul, such as ending the practice of denying insurance based on preexisting conditions and ensuring the continuity of coverage between jobs." The aides also advised Senators to prepare more than usual for public meetings "by making sure their own supporters turn out." They showed "video clips of the confrontational town halls" as well TV ads. "'If you get hit, we will punch back twice as hard,' Messina said, according to an official who attended the meeting." Additionally, "Senators were urged to zero in on the insured, who need to be convinced that there is something in the bill for them. 'The next five weeks is about closing the sale with the insured population,' Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) said" (Brown, 8/6).

The Associated Press: "These officials also told skittish senators that fresh polling suggests an emphasis on issues such as barring insurers from denying coverage on the basis of pre-existing medical conditions is a political winner, able to increase support among independents, women, seniors and rural voters ... 'It's a challenge, no question about it, and you've got to get out there and make the case,' Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., said afterward. 'This is not the time for the faint-hearted'" (Alonso-Zaldivar and Werner, 8/6).

The Wall Street Journal: "The Thursday meeting in the Capitol was the third session this week aimed at arming senators as they head back to their states for the August recess, beginning Friday. On Tuesday, they received a luncheon pep talk from Mr. Obama at the White House, and on Wednesday, Senate staff gave a health policy briefing" (Meckler, 8/6).

Roll Call: "Democrats said they welcome the renewed focus on convincing Americans who already have insurance that health care reform is necessary. Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.), who has been skeptical of some Democrats' push to create a public insurance plan, said she found much to like in the presentation. The White House, she said, is 'finally focusing on some of the things that I've been focusing on now for a while, which is assuring the American people that the reason this debate is important to have and that we need to find a way to reform the system is because it's too expensive for all of us'" (Drucker, 8/6).