There’s an interesting letter in today’s Washington Post. The letter is from Marjorie Margolies, and it’s addressed, “Dear Wavering House Democrats”. The missive is aimed at the handful of House Dems who may be sitting around, trying to decide whether or not they should vote to pass the health care reform bill. For some (although I honestly don’t understand why), this is a difficult decision — at least on career, if not policy, terms. And Margolies, in case you don’t remember, knows a thing or two about almost exactly this kind of situation.
See, back in 1993 she was a Democratic freshman (freshwoman? That doesn’t sound right. Freshperson?) Representative from a strongly Republican district in Pennsylvania, and she ended up being the deciding vote to help pass President Clinton’s tax-raising, deficit-reducing budget. She was immediately mocked by Republicans and told she would be defeated the next year. Well, she was. Today, her open letter explained that she would do the same thing all over again, and tried to convey to those wavering Democrats why they, too, should make the difficult vote — because it’s the right thing to do.
I feel your pain. Eighteen years ago, I was elected on the coattails of a popular young Democratic president who promised a post-partisan Washington. A year later, with partisan gridlock capturing the Capitol, there was a razor-thin vote on the House floor over legislation that Democrats said would remake the country and Republicans promised would bankrupt it.
I was pressed on all sides: by constituents opposed, my president needing a victory and Republicans promising my demise. I was in the country’s most Republican district represented by a Democrat. I had repeatedly said, “I will not be a ‘read my lips’ candidate,” when asked if I would promise not to raise taxes.
I voted my conscience, and it cost me.
I still remember how, after I voted, Bob Walker jumped up and down on the House floor, yelling “Bye-bye, Marjorie!” I thought, first, that he was probably right. Then, that I would expect better behavior from my kids, much less a member of Congress. And then, that he was a remarkable jumper.
I am your worst-case scenario. And I’d do it all again.
She goes on to make the point that at this point, Democrats are going to be attacked for this bill whether they voted for it or not. Doubly so, I think, if they change a Yes vote to a No. I really hope that a few listen to her plea to look at the bigger picture, and remember why they’re there — to do good for the country. And hey, it didn’t work out too bad for her. Her son Marc is engaged to Chelsea Clinton. I’m not saying anyone should start matching their sons up with Sasha or Malia, but hey, you never know.