Take a look at the title of this
article.
Pawlenty: Give health coverage to all kids
Yes that's right, our newly re-elected Republican Governor is now in the words of the Star Tribune "embracing" an issue that the DFL (Minnesota Democrats) used to ride to victory in the 2006 elections cementing near veto-proof control of the legislature.
So how are Dems responding?
"We are thrilled that the governor is agreeing with us on this issue that is so important to Minnesotans," said Rep. Paul Thissen of Minneapolis, the leading House DFLer on health care costs. "It was a central part of our agenda. It's amazing how an election can make such a big difference in health care policy."
Pawlenty is also adopting campaign planks from both of his opponents in the governor's race, questioning if HMOs are merely banks as opposed to health partners and need to be dealt with and universal billing and treatment codes to streamline the paper work in the health care system.
I'm not writing this to throw plaudits at Pawlenty. He's hurt many people with his cuts including my parents and the family of my significant other but universal health coverage is coming. Whether people like it or not it's the only system that's going to prove remotely workable in the near future. And this time, it's Dems who were pushing this issue. With their victories the talk is not about how Pawlenty is so visionary or what not, the talk is how he is adopting the Dem's lead and working with them. That is what the massive legislative victories have gotten us in Minnesota. A Republican governor forced by political reality to adopt a plank of his opponents or become an obstacle to progress.
It's also a clue to Republicans nationwide: If you act like batshit crazy wingnuts you will lose.
And it's a reminder to Democrats nationwide: Don't comprise for the sake of compromise because your ideas are good ones!
Let me quote something I read in comments last week that was said about the national situation--it's something I think we all need to remember.
"Either Bush is an Obstructor, or the Democrats are the party of Getting Shit Done."