(Cross-posted at Broadsides.org)
Doug Racine, the milquetoast Democrat who failed to defeat Republican Jim Douglas in his first effort to be Vermont’s governor in 2002, is now trying again. It’s a lot different this time around since Racine is facing a Democratic primary with at least four other gubernatorial wannabes, a far cry from the red carpet and silver-spooned treatment he got from outgoing Democratic Governor Howard Dean and the party in 2002 (“here, you are the chosen one.”).
Racine seems like a nice enough guy. You know the kind: Rich kid working in daddy’s business with access to the kind of Rolodex that screams “political future.” And he’s parlayed his fine lineage into creating a rather impressive political resume, including stints as Vermont’s Lieutenant Governor and many terms in the State’s Senate.
The problem with Racine – well, other than he’s boring – is that he’s got a political backbone akin to over-cooked pasta (read: limp). To steal a great line from Ann Richards, that’s what happens when “you’re born on third base and think you hit a triple.”
Worse, instead of fighting for something he believes in, Racine panders to those he thinks will fall for his thinly-veiled pandering. In other words, all talk and no action – which explains nearly twenty years of political service with little more than platitudes to show for it.
Take, for example, the health-care debate. Racine has been the chairman of the Senate’s Health and Welfare Committee for years, years which have been rife with talk and an urgent need for action on the issue of health-care reform. But Racine has done little more than punt and otherwise pass the buck when meaningful reform (read: universal health care) came before his powerful committee.
But, Racine is quick to add, he “understands” the need for change. I doubt it. Because I doubt anyone in his family has ever faced the prospect of choosing between paying the energy bill, the grocery bill or the health care bill (but not all three).
Last year, Chairman Racine punted on the health-care issue by declaring that President Obama and the Democratic-controlled Congress would get the job done for us, a decision that has resulted in yet another wasted year since it’s clear whatever Obama/Congress does on health care won’t be nearly enough. Meanwhile, those of us without the luxury of “waiting” are now paying the 10% increases to our premiums this year – waiting always seems to work best for those with the most, huh?
This year, with his candidacy for governor in full swing, Racine is now talking tough again on health care. Single-payer advocates have convinced him to hold a hearing tomorrow night in Montpelier on the issue, and many have touted his willingness to hold the hearing as some kind of endorsement for meaningful health-care reform this year.
Not so fast, my friends. Because, while Racine is enjoying the fawning recognition from the health care advocates (naive, for sure), he’s making it clear that tomorrow night’s hearing and this year’s legislative session in general is meant to only “move the conversation forward” on the health-care issue. And when WDEV’s Mark Johnson asked Racine last week if any legislation was expected out his committee, Racine was quick to return to his noncommittal “move the conversation forward” goal.
For those asleep at the political wheel, “moving the conversation forward” is political speak for “jerking your chain.” And there’s nothing more that Candidate Racine wants to do than jerk your chain, Vermont voters. If it sounds a lot like the Obama candidacy, it should. Been there, done that.
But Vermont voters and health-care advocates need to smarten up on this one. Instead of rushing to embrace Racine’s hearings-to-nowhere we should be demanding that he commit to real and meaningful health-care reform this year – if not right now. What more do we need to discuss? How much more time and money are we going to offer to the health care criminals running the insurance corporations?
If Racine wants the support of health-care advocates, Racine should be forced to deliver the health-care goods. He is, after all, the Chairman of the Senate’s Health and Welfare Committee. And that doesn’t mean mere “conversations” (we’ve been doing that in this country since 1918 on health care), it means action – as in: votes, bills, and laws.
It’s really quite simple: If Racine, as the Democratic Chairman of Vermont Senate’s Health & Welfare Committee, can’t move forward with meaningful – and universal – health care coverage during this legislative session, he’s not fit to be the party’s gubernatorial candidate in November.
That’s the message health-care advocates should be bringing to the hearings tomorrow night. It would be a lot more effective than cheering Racine’s near-endless (and privileged) pursuit of mere “conversations.” Because it’s time for action. Now.