By Alex Roarty
PoliticsPA Staff Writer
roarty@politicspa.com
Democratic U.S. Rep. Jason Altmire might still be saying publicly he hasn’t decided if he’ll support his party’s health care plan, but Republicans already think they know how he’ll vote.
U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.), the NRCC’s deputy chairman, said on a conference call with reporters Tuesday that they have the 4th District representative marked down as one of 189 Democrats voting “yes” on the bill.
The list of how Republicans think each congressman will vote, publicly available on the NRCC’s Web site, is based on media account and televised interviews, Walden said.
Altmire’s support for the bill, according to an array of media reports, is seen as critical for its chances to win passage in the House, where its future currently looks very uncertain. The Western Pennsylvania congressman voted “no” on the House bill last year, but he had indicated he’s more amendable to supporting the version that appears poised to come before him.
Some media reports as recent as Tuesday, however, still said he was undecided.
The vote could also prove critical for Altmire’s political future. The congressman has carefully crafted a moderate voting recording since joining the House in 2007, but the bill’s unpopularity with conservatives could jeopardize that image if he supports it. His district favored Republican Presidential candidate John McCain over President Obama by 11 points in 2008.
U.S. Attorney Marty Beth Buchanan are Allegheny County attorney Keith Rothfus are competing for the GOP nomination in the district for the right to face Altmire.
The Republicans also say U.S. Rep. Kathy Dahlkemper, who supported the bill last year, is undecided, and her public statements appear to support that conclusion. U.S. Rep. Chris Carney, who also supported the bill last year, is considered a “no,” the GOP says.
The NRCC vote tally has 205 representatives voting no, 189 voting yes, and 37 undecided.
Tags: Chris Carney, Chris Carney health care, Jason Altmire, Jason Altmire health care, Kathy Dahlkemper, Kathy Dahlkemper health care
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Altmire was on Hannity today, did not give an indication whether he was a yes or a no. Said he is getting tons of calls and that there are always protesters outside his offices.
Does not like the process. He dislikes the reconciliation/Slaughter tactic, but would not reveal his decision. Altmire thinks vote will be Friday or Saturday. Link to Altmire contact information http://tinyurl.com/yju8ggh
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I do not want you to vote yes on the bill it is a disgrace what you are doing, You were voted in to respect the people and the Constitution not to destroy this democracy and our economy.