Last week, I ran into a "centrist" Dem's press conference where made some noise about cloture being a "tough vote" if the health care bill contained a public option.  I asked the Senator if he had any idea how many medical bankruptcies were filed in his state last year.  He grumbled and shut down the press conference.  It was clear that he had no idea what the answer to my question was and he was annoyed that the "riff-raff" was let in to intrude on the little party he and the beltway press were having.  

Seriously, the press loves telling the story of how "liberal" democrats are fighting with the "moderates" in their own party; they hate it when someone points out to them that, all to often, "moderate" is a euphimism for "incompetent douchebag".  Anyway, I'm sure you'll be seeing that video soon enough.

In the meantime, the question - which occurred to me in the moment - has stuck with me.  I've been wondering how many other opponents of health care reform aren't even minimally informed with regards to the problems their constituents face.

So far, the answer is 0 of 6.

Today I spoke with Representative Steve King and Senator Jim Demint. (Sorry for the lack of production over the last coupla days; I’m still recovering from the swine flu and I’m not feeling my best, so today was a short day for me.) Anyway, maybe I’m crazy, but I don’t know man... Why don’t these folks know how many uninsured there are in their states/districts? Isn’t that one fundamental datapoint that should be in the forefront of all of their minds? Could it be that they think they represent AHIP? The Chamber of Commerce is their only constituent that matters? Pharma is more important than the millions of people that can’t afford life-sustaining medicines?

From yesterday, here's Joe Wilson:

Darryl Issa:

and here's Virginia Foxx: