White House Calls In Cavalry On Health Care: It’s Bill!

With congressional Democrats poised to enact historic health care reform legislation but currently embroiled in squabbles and bitter negotiations that threaten to delay what is seen as a politically vital achievement for the party, Bill Clinton is being called in to address Senate Democrats on Tuesday in a ‘rally the troops” appearance for reform.

The former president is expected to reaffirm to his party colleagues the importance of closing ranks and passing the current reform legislation on the table despite misgivings from moderates and liberals alike. There is little question that Clinton will echo the Obama White House in using his failure to get comprehensive reform accomplished in the ’90’sas an example to Senate Democrats highlighting the need for them to “finish the job.”

The appearance by Clinton was first proposed by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid but set up with permission and direct involvement by the White House and chief of staff Rahm Emanuel.

On Capitol Hill, a senior Democratic leadership aide confirms to CNN that Reid invited the former president after discussing the idea with White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, who worked in the Clinton White House. The leadership aide says Clinton is expected to discuss “what’s at stake - the historic moment” and to call on Democrats to “finish the job.”

Bill Clinton is the one wild card for Democrats and the Obama administration for most any issue, especially when it concerns health care. The White House has been consistently seeking to remind squabbling Democrats in Congress of the 1994 failure and the dramatic electoral consequences in the mid-terms that year.

Clinton may be meeting with Senate Dems on reform because he remains engaged and passionate about the issue, but he is clearly doing a favor to the White House in lending his weight and support - and historical analysis of ‘94 - to the president’s signature issue at a crucial period.

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