■ 05 August 2009 | 1:39 PM
Dems prod Nye on health care
U.S. Rep. Glenn Nye, D-2nd, has endured his share of criticism from national Republicans this year.
Now, national Democrats are (sort of) firing back on his behalf.
The DNC today began airing radio ads in the home districts of several congressional members, including Nye, that tout their support for health care reform.
However, the radio ad tailored for Nye appears to have an ulterior motive.
It references Nye's support earlier this year for federal legislation to provide funding for children's health care and his work "for health insurance reform that lowers your costs and protects your choice of doctors and plans."
That makes it sound like Nye supports President Barack Obama's health care reform effort.
Problem is, Nye hasn't exactly taken that stand. The congressman has said he favors the concept of health care reform, but he opposes incurring additional debt to pay for a new plan.
Health care reform is one of Obama's top domestic priorities this year and he has pushed Congress to take swift action; several bills are currently being considered by that body.
Opposition has come from Republicans and the insurance industry, groups that have railed against the proposal because of its estimated $1 trillion cost over 10 years. It has also been criticized by some as a form of "socialized" medicine because the package includes a government-run "public option" health plan.
Both sides have waged a spirited, and increasingly testy, public relations fight over the plan.
Meanwhile, pressure on Nye is also coming from an off-shoot of the Service Employees International Union.
The Virginia Change That Works campaign is organizing a rally outside Nye's Virginia Beach office, 4772 Euclid Rd., at 11 a.m. Thursday to urge the congressman to support health care reform.
-- Julian Walker
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making an effort or pandering?
Mr Nye continues to earn my respect. If the freshman senator continues on this course he will certainly doom his own reelection chances, although he'll be able to hold his head high on the way out.
I don't always agree with him, but he's starting to convince me that his interests lie with us and not the party line. It's a shame that democrats don't appreciate careful consideration and responsible decision making. The DNC, however, continues their campaign of dishonesty, to the detriment of Mr Nye. Perhaps the effort to replace him has already begun.
Glenn Nye appears to be doing his job. Apparently that's not what the DNC expected of him. I'll continue to watch.
oops
Sorry - Congressman. Fingers moved faster than my brain (time to switch to decaf!).
Glenn Nye
I voted for Nye, but I will not again. After looking at his voting record on a number of issues he won't get my vote regardless of his stance on health care.