In 1993, a Democratic woman from a tough district stood up for what was right, and cast the critical deciding vote on President Clinton's budget. In 2010, a Democratic woman from a tough district stood up for what was right and came out in support of President Obama's health insurance reform package at a critical time in the House whip count.
Marjorie Margolies lost her seat in the 1994 midterms, but we can help make sure Betsy Markey keeps hers.
Support Betsy Markey on the "We've Got Your Back 2.0" Act Blue Campaign
Donate directly to Betsy Markey's campaign
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As we know, the final vote on health reform in the House came down to the wire. Rep. Markey, who had voted no before, and who faces a tough race in a tough district this fall, voted yes on this bill - and announced her vote in time to have an impact on other Dems who might have been wavering.
Here's a video of Rep. Markey explaining why she took that stand personally
Nate Silver calculated that hers was the "gutsiest" vote
The gutsiest/riskiest yes vote appears to be from Betsy Markey, who is in an R+6 district that is rated as a pure toss-up by all the forecasters, and who originally voted no before announcing her intention to switch a couple of days ago.
And so the right has wasted no time organizing to support Rep. Markey's opponent, as she explains in this recent statement to supporters:
Sunday night, I voted yes for healthcare reform.
Since then, ex half-term Governor of Alaska Sarah Palin and the national Republican establishment have put me and Colorado’s Fourth District at the top of their target list. The leading republican candidate has now claimed to have raised $75,000 by people determined to undermine the progress we’ve made on healthcare reform. Now that the darling of the right wing attack groups has put Colorado’s 4th District in her ‘gun sights,’ he is hoping to raise even more.
Voting yes on healthcare was important to me personally because doing nothing was not an option.
So let's make sure that 2010 isn't a repeat of 1994. Let's make sure this Democratic woman taking a brave stand in a tight race stays in Congress and keeps fighting for the Colorado voters who sent her there.
Support Betsy Markey on the "We've Got Your Back 2.0" Act Blue Campaign
Donate directly to Betsy Markey's campaign
Volunteer for Betsy Markey
Support the full list of members of Congress who took tough votes on the "We've Got Your Back 2.0" Act Blue Campaign