The Big Question, Aug. 4: Will time off for the August recess help or harm Democrats’ chances of passing healthcare when they return?

Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said:

That’s a big unknown, isn’t it? I think we’re all going to hear from our constituents on that issue. It will be front and center for the American people and we’ll all be listening carefully to what they have to say.

Sen. Mike Johanns (R-Neb.) said:

I don’t think it’s the recess. I don’t think it’s thirty days or thirty-five days that really is the issue here. They’re just having a hard time with it. The president’s messages just aren’t ringing true. He says if you like your care you’re not going to lose it. Well, you are. There will be millions of Americans who will be displaced. He doesn’t want it to increase the deficit: it does. He wants to bend the cost curve: it doesn’t. There are so many problems with what they’re trying to do here that I think that’s where things are breaking down. It’s not the recess.

Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) said:

I think it is going to change the bill. Because I think when they go home and they hear from seniors about Medicare cuts and from young people about premium increases and from taxpayers about tax hikes, when they hear from people who are going to be losing their employer-insurance–that dumps into a government program–I think they’re going to change their tune and come back here and start over and write a different legislation.”

Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) said:

“I’m not sure anyone can say for certain. I think support is slipping and I would assume as people find out more about the [health care] bill and what’s in it, support will continue to slip. The American are very concerned that were moving to double the national debt in five years. We need to slow down and spending so much money. The American people are right and Congress doesn’t get it. Maybe through the August recess that message will be driven home to members of Congress.”

Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) said:

“Well I hope the American people continue to do what they’re doing. We should really dodge up the details of this debate and really tune in to how our constituents are expressing their views to members. And if that happens members are going to hear a lot of concerns about the administration’s proposals.”

Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) said:

“It’s always hard to say. I think it’s important for members to have that conversation with their constituents. It’s always important to include the public, constituents and other groups that are affected with what happens here in Washington. This matures and percolates the process to have these conversations. Based on what people hear and read about will help solidify the debate here. This August recess is an important dimension to the ongoing health care debate.”

Lanny Davis, former White House Special Counsel, said:

August recess will help chances of passage of health care legislation IF Democrats in congress and the WH can all agree on one message with three parts–and back it up by facts.
Under Democratic plan,

1). Right to choose your own doctor won’t be affected.
2). Quality of health care won’t go down
3). Cost can be funded without adding to deficit.

(Note–I did not say without raising taxes–which no one would believe).

It beats me why House and Senate Democrats can’t get together to put that message out again and again – with reinforcement from the White House.

Tom McClusky, Senior Vice President of FRC Action, said:

The August recess allows for the one thing liberal and moderate Democrats are scared of–allowing their constituents to actually read the bill (something many of the members have not done!)

While it might have been amusing that Senator Dick “let them eat cake” Durbin (D-Ill.) thinks this is all a “plot from the insurance companies” the truth is people have had enough and they aren’t going to take it anymore. Dismiss it at your own peril.