S.I. Rep. In Trouble After Voting No On Health Care

Despite a "high-level arm-twisting campaign" by the Democratic party, Rep. Mike McMahon (D-Staten Island) voted against health care reform. And though the vote won him the respect of some Republicans, the White House wants to make him pay, according to the Daily News.

In an attempt to sway McMahon—whose opposition to the bill the first time around had reportedly won him the support of his conservative constituents—top Democrats confronted the first-term Congressman at a fundraising event and told him they'd only help him raise cash in his re-election effort if he voted yes. "The message was that a 'no' vote could cause you a problem in the fall, but the other side of it was we can help you raise money," an anonymous source told the tabloid.

McMahon then received an "issue-oriented" call from vocal health care supporter Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-Queens). Insiders say the political pressure didn't come from Speaker Nancy Pelosi, but rather it was a "Cook County Democratic organization operation"—a reference to President Obama's Chicago roots. Either way, anger at McMahon has reportedly trickled down to unions that endorsed him in his first Congressional campaign. "He's going to lose in November, and I'm going to enjoy helping make it happen," said a union leader.

McMahon defended his vote in a Post editorial:

I believe we need to reform our health-care system, but this legislative package is not the way to do it. We must contain the costs of health care and not hurt our local hospitals and doctors. The bill doesn't go far enough, in my mind, to hold the hospitals of my district harmless from future cuts, nor does it guarantee to hold down costs for those with insurance.

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By Ben Muessig in News on March 23, 2010 5:50 PM

Comments [rss]

TooTallJeff

Put him in a Massa - Foley sandwich!

NYCDownHill

Pretty funny how the Democrats were trying to force him to vote for it. If he doesn't believe it in, why should he have to vote for it because he's in a group. If you are with your friends, do you all agree with everything? People who vote, are hopefully voting for a leader/innovator. He must have saw things in the bill that he didn't agree with. That my friends is what a politician should do, think for themselves. Gotta love how bad of shape NY and Cali are in, Democrats handing out more than they are taking in. Bad business

handsomedevil

He must have saw things in the bill that he didn't agree with. That my friends is what a politician should do, think for themselves.

Or, he saw how unpopular it was with the voters in his district, who usually vote republican anyway and only voted for him because the incumbent imploded in a scandal. That, my friends, it what politicians usually do, suck up to popular opinion.

Tower18

Good for him for sticking to what he thinks is right, I guess...but it shouldn't come as a surprise then that the party isn't going to fundraise for him.

FelixtheCat & Christine Quinn'

McMahon was the lobbyist for the horse carriage industry and his sister in law is the deputy mayor of DEPT of Health that supports this industry with NO regulation. Take him down. I never liked this asshole.

FelixtheCat & Christine Quinn'

This ass doesn't care about the uninsured nor the carriage horses. He has no heart and we should all unite to take him down.

Mr Mel

All of a sudden I like him.

kissel

if he voted his conscience than good for him. The Administration shouldn't have to twist arms if the legislation was really that good (which it isn't - Obama wimped out on single payer and basically gave pharma all it could want and more)

theboneranger

seems kind of unfair.

xgeyiph772

Sorry, Mike, but you sold out your principles to the vocal right-wingers of Staten Island. There are many of us on SI who have been watching you sell out and become a Republican so you can keep your seat. You lost my vote the minute you voted "no" on decent health care for those who don't have it, and I for one will remember that in November.

Really, the ONLY Democaratic representative in the whole city to vote against health care? How exactly does that help Staten Islanders? Enjoy the Tea Party, Alice, you've now gone through the looking glass.