Post Politics Hour: Ensign, Health Care, More

Discuss the latest news about Congress, the Obama administration, upcoming elections and more with Washington Post staff writer and The Fix blogger Chris Cillizza.

Cillizza was online Friday, June 19 at 11 a.m. ET.

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Chris Cillizza: Good Friday morning everyone. This chat comes to you from non-official Fix sponsor Buzz bakery in Old Town Alexandria...if you live in the area we highly recommend a stop in..

And let the questioning begin.

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Arlington, Va.: Mr. Cillizza, Sen. Ensign admits to stepping out of his marriage, maybe just before being called out. This comes on the heels of revelations about Sen. Vitter and other recent Republican Party luminary shenanigans. This is happening amid further erosion in just released national opinion surveys. What are the chances this will impact the elections for governor this fall and the upcoming mid-term elections?

Chris Cillizza: LOTS of questions on Senator Ensign this morning.

Right now, I don't see his admission of an extramarital affair having much of an impact nationally; Republicans will, rightly, point out that there are plenty of Democrats (Spitzer, Edwards) who have acknowledged being unfaithful in their marriages and it hasn't adversely affected their party.

A few people who may -- and we emphasize may -- be impacted:

1. Harry Reid: Republicans were already struggling to find a candidate against the Nevada Democrat and Ensign's problems will be a further distraction to the GOP. That's good news for Reid.

2. David Vitter: Vitter's 2007 confession that he had sinned in connection with his name appearing in the records of the "D.C. Madam" hasn't ruined him politically. Ensign's situation allows a re-examination of Vitter.

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Vienna, Va.: Chris, I know that your answer will be "I have nothing to do with the editorial department" but I'm going to post this anyway. Two words came to mind when I opened the op-ed page and saw columns by Charles Krauthammer and Paul Wolfowitz (Wolfowitz?!) telling us what Obama is doing wrong in the Middle East: chutzpah. It takes a lot of nerve to publish columns by two people so thoroughly wrong in the past about that region and pass them off as experts.

The other word? Credibility, something the Post loses with every passing day when it makes room for these voices and can't find room for Dan Froomkin.

Go ahead, feel free to ignore my post, as I'm sure you will.

Chris Cillizza: 1. I have nothing to do with the editorial department.

2. I didn't ignore you!

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Alexandria, Va.: With the recent admission by Sen. Ensign of his extramarital affair with a married staff member, is there a slim chance that the GOP will back off their morality high horse? Is it possible that it can kill their belief that same sex marriage should be denied to preserve the sanctity of marriage? They seem to be poking holes in their own arguments against gay marriage.

Chris Cillizza: Just to quickly sum this up: philandering is not isolated to one party as we have seen repeatedly over the past few years.

Is Ensign hurt worse politically due to the fact he was a member of the Promisekeepers? Sure. Voters hate hypocrisy in any and all forms.

But, to extrapolate Ensign's problems with some broader issue within the Republican party isn't quite fair.

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Not to be a Debbie Downer...: But for the good of Buzz (which I love), it is not in Old Town!

Chris Cillizza: It is! Far north Old Town...where else would it be?

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Prescott, Ariz.: Shailagh Murray wrote in the "Daily Dose" that:

"Seven senators have formed a bipartisan group to find consensus on health-care reform legislation, a sign of fresh momentum after a week of setbacks.

"The group, dubbed by its members as the 'Coalition of the Willing,' includes Finance Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) and the ranking Republican on the panel, Sen. Charles Grassley (Iowa). Others who attended the first meeting this afternoon in the Capitol included Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.), Senate Budget Chairman Kent Conrad (D-N.D.), and GOP Sens. Orrin Hatch (Utah), Olympia Snowe (Maine), and Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), the ranking minority member of the Senate health committee."

They know that there is already a "Coalition of the Willing" right? And that it has been bogged down in a nasty conflagration for the last 6 years (and the "Coalition" has whittled down to one party)? I would change my name if I were them.

washingtonpost.com: New Bipartisan Group to Tackle Health-Care Reform

Chris Cillizza: Not the best name. Although "Coalition of the Swilling" is a GREAT name for a group of Happy Hour friends.

The important thing in Shazelle Murray's TERRIFIC reporting is not the name of the group, however, but the group itself.

President Obama has made it very clear that he does not want to pass health care by a single vote (61) like he did the economic stimulus package.

In order to do that, a bipartisan group like this one is a necessity as they can bring a lot of disparate elements to the table in hopes of crafting a proposal that can get 70 or 80 votes.

I still think we are headed to a nasty and bloody fight over this legislation but I have been wrong before.

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Richmond, Va.: What I wouldn't do for a good bakery..

The polls indicate the vast majority of Americans want a public option for health insurance yet the pols and those reporting on them say that's pretty much off the table. What am I missing? Has anyone asked them why it's off the table?

Chris Cillizza: The so-called public option has one major political problem: it would be run by the government.

For most Republicans -- and even some Democrats -- the idea of growing the government further and putting it in charge of even a piece of the health care system is a non starter.

Republicans believe that the idea that Obama is growing government too large and too fast at the expense of a burgeoning budget deficit is one of their best arguments to voters at the ballot box in 2010.

Democrats are wary of handing them such an issue although Obama continues to speak out forcefully for the public option.

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Chattanooga, Tenn.: Re: Vienna and chutzpah--The only reason people like Wolfowitz get published by the Washington Post is because Post editors feel that the Washington Times is their competitor. I wish they would take more of a New York Times-ish approach, who clearly feel no need to compete against The New York Post.

Chris Cillizza: Theories abound!

Did I mention I don't speak for the editorial department ;)

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Rome, Italy: How likely do you think it is that we will get a public option in health reform?

Chris Cillizza: Helloooooo Rome!

The Fix is huge in Rome -- Italy, New York and Georgia.

As I said a moment ago, I think the public option may eventually go the way of the dodo because, with the exception of Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) and maybe one or two others, there isn't a heck of a lot of support for the idea among Republicans.

That said, it is still unclear just how important a public option is to the president. If a bill without it doesn't work and he is willing to spend his political capital on such a bill then the outlook is a bit different.

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Chicago: Regarding sex scandals, I for one absolutely apply a double-standard for Republicans and Democrats. Democrats don't go around trying to impose their own social conservative morality on people while hypocritically violating it themselves. (Spitzer is an exception to that, and by amazing coincidence he lost his job pretty fast.) Don't make my consensual bedroom activity a political issue and I won't care about yours.

Chris Cillizza: Ok.

But, just to play devil's advocate....John Edwards put his family -- particularly his wife and her battle with cancer -- at the heart of his 2008 presidential campaign.

So, it seems to me to be sort of hypocritical for him to then come out and say he in fact was cheating on his wife.

No?

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Des Peres, Mo.: Hey, Chris. Don't you think Pres. Obama pretty much HAS to push for health reform now? We know the Dems will take hits in November 2010 and there is something like a consensus right now that at least some steps ought to and can be taken. If he waits, it's a waste of the crisis that he and Rahm are itching to take advantage of, right? Thanks

Chris Cillizza: I certainly think now is the best chance for Obama to get something substantial passed on health care given where he stands in polls (high) and the large Democratic majorities in the House and Senate.

Once 2010 rolls around, most members of the House and those up for re-election in the Senate will have their eye on the midterm elections, and will be less likely to stretch politically on an issue as sensitive as health care.

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Alexandria, VA: Fix,

If people come up to Buzz to hang out with you IRL after the chat, will you tell us your real opinion on the Froomkin Firing?

Chris Cillizza: Well, I have to run right after the chat to go to the Post...but I am more than happy to share with you my opinion about Dan.

Dan was always a tremendously supportive backer of the Fix from the time I started it way back in 2005. He would regularly email me in the early days of the Fix with supportive and encouraging words that I always appreciated.

Beyond that, I can't really speak about the why behind him leaving the Post since I've not talked to him or anyone in management about it.

I am certain that won't satisfy most folks but it's the truth.

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Houston: Chris, Can a health care bill that gets 70+ votes in the Senate pass the House? To get ten or more Republican votes, wouldn't the bill have to be shifted rightward so much that the House liberals would revolt? Or will they swallow hard and go along?

Chris Cillizza: That's the central question I don't know the answer to.

There is a constant struggle when major pieces of legislation like this one are moved between accomplishing something with a modicum of bipartisan backing and watering down the bill so drastically that it renders it essentially worthless.

I am no expert on health care policy (shocker!) and so it's hard for me to game out what a bill might look like that could get 70 votes.

I know that Obama and his team would really like to get a significant bipartisan coalition to pass the bill but how much they are willing to compromise to do so (and on what) remains a bit of a mystery.

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Rockville, Md.: However Dan saw himself, Froomkin had one purpose and that was to bring down President Bush. He did his work and they are ready to let him go. He did write much more than the average opinion person and did a lot of work in his research. He was earnest and honest.

Chris Cillizza: A thought on Dan....happy to publish others.

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Dallas, Tex.: Chris, what is your take on Obama's missteps with the gay community as of late? Now I'm no gay activist and I don't belong to HRC (but I am gay), I was incensed about his offering the fringe of the fringe benefits to gay federal workers in committed relationships. Why bother? He seems to be talking out of both sides of his mouth with regard to gay issues. What gives?

Chris Cillizza: Fascinating question.

The truth is that Obama's approach to the gay community highlights the stark difference between campaigning and governing.

On the campaign trail, it's easy to say that every issue for every interest group is your top priority. But, when you get elected, priorities emerge and other things get pushed down the list.

That is, I think what has happened with some issues of import to the gay community -- particularly the repeal of "don't ask, don't tell".

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Bethesda: "But, just to play devil's advocate....John Edwards put his family -- particularly his wife and her battle with cancer -- at the heart of his 2008 presidential campaign. So, it seems to me to be sort of hypocritical for him to then come out and say he in fact was cheating on his wife."

True -- and for that reason, among others, he is, politically, a dead man. There's nothing we can force him to resign from. But I think we would see Spitzer elected by Democrats sooner than we would see Edwards elected dogcatcher. Meanwhile, "morality" scolds like Vitter and Ensign remain in office. See the difference?

Chris Cillizza: Sure...but neither Vitter nor Ensign have stood before voters since acknowledging their affairs.

Vitter is up in 2010, Ensign 2012. let's wait to see whether they get re-elected before passing judgment on the electorate.

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Chris Cillizza: Unrelated note: My two favorite channels on Pandora radio are Wilco and Bon Iver...any other good ones?

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Vernon, B.C., Canada: Good morning Chris. Concerning the Va. Democratic primary, wasn't Deeds winning a great example of why a national political party shouldn't just place people in a state to run, but back a local who has roots in the community? It's almost insulting to say "me, an outsider knows better than your local guy how to run your state".p.s. how sad your colleague Froomkin leaving.

Chris Cillizza: I think Deeds victory is evidence that money and television ads are important but not determinative -- particularly in primaries.

Terry McAuliffe drastically outspent Deeds but Deeds was able to conserve his resources to take advantage of the momentum afforded to him by the endorsement of the Post (among other developments).

Deeds' victory reminded me of the 2002 South Dakota Republican governor's primary -- yes, I am a huge political nerd -- when an unknown named Mike Rounds got outspent and outshined by two other candidates only to shoot the gap between the two and win easily. He is now wrapping up his second term as governor.

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More on Froomkin: I disagreed with much of what Froomkin said in his column, but I give him credit for not pretending to be anything but a partisan liberal who despised George Bush and his policies.

I hope that the Post will replace him with a conservative who looks at the Obama White House with as jaundiced an eye.

Chris Cillizza: Another opinion on Dan...

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Chicago again: Thanks Chris. Of course Edwards is a hypocrite and I would never vote for him. My point, though, is that I don't let his conduct reflect poorly on the Democratic party as a whole. When Vitter, or Ensign, or Craig, or Giuliani (!), or Gingrich, or any of these other party-line knuckleheads does it, on the other hand, it's all the more reason for me not to take the GOP seriously.

Chris Cillizza: Ok.

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Arlington, Va.: Hey Chris, just an off the wall question. With Patti Blagojevich coming off as a sympathetic figure on that reality show, will that help with Rod's defense or public rehab? I hate to say it, but she comes across as a really nice person and that might somehow reflect on him.

Chris Cillizza: SO fascinating.

I feel like if ever my public image -- such as it is -- takes a hit, I need to get on a show opposite Janice Dickinson and voila! I will look like a good guy.

I don't think Patti's presence on "I'm a Celebrity" will have much sway over potential jurors but, honestly, stranger things have happened.

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Indianapolis: Re Pandora: XTC brings up a lot of great songs.

Re politics: If 76 percent of Americans want a public option, doesn't that give our gutless leaders political cover?

Chris Cillizza: I think you just answered your own question.

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Madison, Wisconsin: Is there a reason why newspaper articles appearing in the Washington Post corporation do not include the e-mail addresses of the authors? This is done in most other reputable newspapers including locally the Wisconsin State Journal and Milwaukee Journal. It seems like your newspaper should be more open to diverging opinions of your readerrs.

Chris Cillizza: I honestly wasn't aware the bylines didn't have email addresses attached to them.

On the Fix my email address -- chris.cillizza@wpost.com for anyone who wants it -- is displayed prominently.

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The Gay Agenda: I think Obama will have to get a zillion generals on his side to repeal DADT (not sure how easy or hard that will be) and he will repeal it in 2010. Then nothing will happen for a while, until he is reelected (hopefully) in 2012. Then he will be free to be more aggressive on their behalf. Like he said at the forum host by some prominent gays in the campaign - patience is the key.

Chris Cillizza: Interesting...

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Saint Paul, Minn.: Hi Chris -- Thanks for taking questions today. Look into your crystal ball and tell us when we finally see a MN Supreme Court ruling on Franken/Coleman and, once that's out, a final resolution. What are you hearing about what Coleman and the Republicans will do should he lose, which many say is likely?

Chris Cillizza: WHEN WILL THIS MADNESS END?

Sorry.

Had to get that off my chest.

Rumors have been flying over the last 48 hours that the Minnesota Supreme Court is nearing a decision on the Coleman election contest but the Court hasn't made a peep just yet.

I do believe that if Coleman loses this appeal, he is likely to end his legal challenges to the result and drop out. At this point, I would be VERY surprised if he took the case to the federal level.

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Chris Cillizza: Bored by this chat? Check out the latest installment of Mouthpiece Theater -- me and Dana Milbank's satirical look at political news.

http://specials.washingtonpost.com/video/politics-theater/

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re: Spitzer/Edwards: Spitzer wasnt forced to resign because of the affair. He committed a crime with a prostitute. Big difference. And if Edwards was still in the Senate, I am sure he would be holding on to his seat just as much as Vitter and Ensign are doing.

Chris Cillizza: There ya go..

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Prescott, Ariz.: The Post style section called Ensign's adultery boring, but he himself said he doesn't so much as ride in a car alone with another woman. The idea of Ensign cheating on his wife while being watched or with more than one person at a time is pretty exciting isn't it?

Chris Cillizza: Um, what?

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Monmouth, Ore.: God morning, Chris. Sometimes I use the U.S. Postal Service to send a letter to friends in Montana; sometimes I use FedEx to get a package to Illinois fast; sometimes I use UPS to send Xmas packages back east. Each has its own role. Why wouldn't a government health plan option be used in a similar way? Only the USPS will deliver to parts of rural US; only a government plan will cover a minimum wage earner with diabetes. I see it all as part of the package. Incidentally, I get employer-provided coverage but am willing to pay tax on it if it makes a plan affordable to my ski bum twenty-something son. Thanks.

Chris Cillizza: Interesting comparison. Thanks.

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Anonymous: $1.6 trillion for health care reform? Why wasn't the Finance Committee, led by Baucus, able to get a more reasonable first draft of a bill when they've been spending months on this?

Chris Cillizza: The number is a big one and that scares lots of vulnerable Democratic (and Republican) senators....the committee is working to pare it back, however.

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NPR listener: On Morning Edition this AM, Steve Inskeep said that the Obama health program is being estimated at costing between $1 trillion and $1.6 trillion for a decade -- which sounds terrible.

However, according to my mental calculations, this works out to $100-$160 billion/year, or $333-$533/person a year for each of 300 million Americans -- which sounds like a veritable bargain compared to what most folks who are even lucky enough to have health insurance must pay. Why isn't this being pointed out more?

Chris Cillizza: On the other hand....

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Richmond, Va.: Could a health care bill without a public option or something close to it be Obama's first veto? That would certainly get the press and Congress to focus a little more on the issue and make it stick out a little more come next election.

Chris Cillizza: Now THAT would be something to see....

I tend to doubt that Congress, which is controlled by Democrats, would put the President in a position where he would have to veto a health care bill.

But, did I mention that stranger things have happened?

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Devil's devil's advocate: So what's John Edwards up to these days? From what I've heard he's pretty toxic, what with the hypocrisy and whatnot. In contrast, if you are a Republican moral scold yet you cheat on your wife, it makes you popular. Heck, Newt Gingrich cheated on one of his wives while she was in the hospital for cancer treatments; now he's "Presidential material" and everyone's favorite Republican mouthpiece. I bet he's on "Meet the Press" this Sunday.

Chris Cillizza: Let's see if Gingrich is ultimately a candidate for president. My belief is he won't be.

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re: More on Froomkin: Our friend there must not be reading the White House Watch over the past six months. Froomkin was pretty brutal on Obama's public stance versus his actual work. Definitely not a cheerleader for any administration...a real model of how an ethical and fair journalist should carry himself.

Chris Cillizza: More on Dan...

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Falls Church, Va.: "Democrats don't go around trying to impose their own social conservative morality on people while hypocritically violating it themselves."

I think we'd be hard-pressed to find a Democrat who is publicly pro-adultery.

Chris Cillizza: Falls Church...might be the new home of the Fixes!

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Froomkin: If Froomkin was such a partisan that "hated" Bush, why were his latest columns so critical of Obama? Obama, I will point out, is being claimed to be the "most liberal" President ever. If Froomkin was such a partisan patsy, wouldn't his columns be filled with adoration for the great lefty leader?

Chris Cillizza: .....

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Behind the Curve: On two topics you cover today, we see establishment Washington and President Obama far, far behind the curve. Over 75 percent of Americans want a Public Option. Doing less than that will just cement the feeling that we have a bunch of dolts in Congress. Same for the gay issues. I think 59 percent of Republicans!? say that DADT needs to be repealed. These are easy steps to take, but D.C. is too scared to move forward with their country.

Chris Cillizza: Interesting to see how the liberal base reacts if Obama doesn't move as forcefully as they would like on health care and/or gay rights.

Do they abandon him in 2012? And, if so, for whom?

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a real model of how an ethical and fair journalist should carry himself. : Re: Dan Froomkin, I agree, except he was more of a columnist than journalist.

Chris Cillizza: ....

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Froomkin: A couple of years ago he was the most read columnist on the Post.com site. If his numbers went down in 2009, it is because people who loved to see him Bash Bush were not enjoying the fact that their hero was just as effective at Bash Bama! Big loss for the site though.

Chris Cillizza: ....

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Chris Cillizza: That's all for me folks...have a great weekend.

And remember, check out Mouthpiece Theater and the Fix's latest Friday Senate Line...All on the Fix right now!

Chris

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