Thousands of liberal activists representing major unions, ACORN, and other affiliates of the Health Care For America NOW! coalition rallied in Upper Senate Park across from the Capitol today. A parade of speakers, including Sens. Chuck Schumer, Sherrod Brown, and Bob Menendez; Howard Dean; and Sopranos star Edie Falco touted the need for legislation that created a new government-run health care plan.
There was also a large presence of single-payer advocates, carrying signs such as “Affordable YES; Premiums NO” and “Desperately Seeking Single-Payer.” One of the single-payer advocates heckled Schumer with a bullhorn as SEIU representatives tried to quiet him down.
I asked Dean about whether he was concerned about moderate Democrats who were not behind the inclusion of a government plan, and he said, “I think at the end of the day they will (support it).”
Will be working in more reporting from the rally into a longer piece for tomorrow’s main site, so will have more details on the rally then.