Thoughts On Alan Grayson

Rep. Alan Grayson's comments on the House floor have become a major news story. Grayson attacked the Republicans' health care plan with harsh rhetoric.

"The Republican health care plan: don't get sick. The Republicans have a back up plan in case you do get sick ... This is what the Republicans want you to do. If you get sick America, the Republican health care plan is this: Die quickly!"

Republicans have used equally harshed words to describe the Democrats health care proposals. The reason for this is the conservative base eats it up. The progressive base is just as partisan. Talking Points Memo reports Grayson received a recent influx of campain contributions.

"I can tell you that it really started to explode, I would say last night about five o'clock," said Julie Tagen, the Congressman's chief of staff and a senior adviser to his campaign. "And since that time, we have probably raised anywhere between $125,000 and $150,000 online."

The Republican Party has alienated people with the bizarre statements of Glenn Beck, Michele Bachmann and Dick Cheney. Progressives will get a sweet tooth from Grayson's statements. My concern is how Grayson-style statements will affect mainstream Democratic and Independent voters. That does not mean Democrats should pander to undecided voters. Democrats should focus on doing their jobs well. NFL coaches are fired and resigned based on their job performance. Republicans tanked the economy and poorly managed the war in Iraq. Voters decided to fire Republicans. The GOP resorted to silly rants to scare voters and lost two election cycles. Democrats would be wise to pass a health care reform that covers more people and control costs.