Former Senate Democratic leader Tom Daschle and Victoria Kennedy, the late senator’s wife, are expected to be named co-chairs this week of a $125 million campaign White House allies are rolling out to defend health reform amid growing signs the party is failing to get political traction on the issue.
The extraordinary campaign, which could provide an unprecedented amount of cover for a White House in a policy debate, reflects urgency among Democrats to explain, defend and depoliticize health reform now that people are beginning to feel the new law's effects.
The Health Information Center is being started by Andrew Grossman, a veteran Democratic operative who founded Wal-Mart Watch, a labor-backed group to challenge the world’s largest retailer.
Grossman told POLITICO that the lessons of Wal-Mart Watch will be helpful on health reform: “When you treat people with respect and try to understand how they interact with businesses and politics, you can move them.”
The estimated budget is $25 million a year, for five years. Grossman has begun raising money from unions, foundations and corporations. - Politico Story
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