Reid Accusea protesters of trying to "sabotage" the democratic process.

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D99TKCRG0&show_article=1

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Senate's most powerful Democrat on Thursday
scolded health care protesters dogging his party's lawmakers at local
meetings, arguing that some critics on the political right have run
out of ideas—and ditched their civic manners. Majority Leader Harry
Reid of Nevada accused the protesters of trying to "sabotage" the
democratic process.

A small group of lawmakers blocked out the fevered rhetoric and vowed
to keep pursuing an elusive bipartisan deal on a broad remaking of the
health care system. With encouragement from President Barack Obama and
business leaders, the group reported progress on financing an
overhaul. But as polls show Obama's approach losing favor with
voters—particularly independents—Democrats are talking more openly
about the possibility of moving legislation without Republican
support.

Energized conservative activists said they'll keep up their fight
against Obama's effort. The president wants to use the government's
clout to subsidize coverage for millions now uninsured, regulate
insurance companies more closely and attempt to slow the rise of
medical costs. The protesters' shouts and chants, captured on amateur
video, went viral on the Internet.

The Republican Party says it's not behind the protests, but Reid
scoffed at the notion that the protesters reflect grass-roots
sentiment. He held up a piece of artificial turf during a session with
reporters.

"These are nothing more than destructive efforts to interrupt a debate
that we should have, and are having," Reid said. "They are doing this
because they don't have any better ideas. They have no interest in
letting the negotiators, even though few in number, negotiate. It's
really simple: they're taking their cues from talk show hosts,
Internet rumor-mongerers ... and insurance rackets."

Republicans answered back.

"All the polls show there is serious concern, if not outright
opposition, to the president's health care plan," said Antonia
Ferrier, spokeswoman for House Republican Leader John Boehner of Ohio.
"Democrats are ginning up this cynical shell game."

Boehner had said last week the Democrats would be in for a hot summer
on health care. Republicans say the political pressure is also on
them, from unions and liberal activists targeting conservative
lawmakers.

Obama's top political adviser, David Axelrod, participated in a
Capitol Hill session at which senators were shown video of some of the
boisterous town-hall meetings, and discussed how to respond to
disruptions.

"It's a challenge, no question about it, and you've got to get out
there and make the case," Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., said
afterward. "This is not the time for the faint-hearted."

Democrats and the White House are claiming that the sometimes rowdy
protests that have disrupted Democratic lawmakers' meetings and health
care events around the country are largely orchestrated from afar by
insurers, lobbyists, Republican Party activists and others.

Some of the activists who've shown up at town-hall meetings held
recently by Sen. Arlen Specter, D-Pa., and other lawmakers are
affiliated with loosely connected right-leaning groups, including
Conservatives for Patients' Rights and Americans for Prosperity,
according to officials at those groups. Some of the activists say they
came together during the "Tea Party" anti-big-government protests that
happened earlier this year, and they've formed small groups and stayed
in touch over e-mail, Facebook and in other ways.

But they insist they're part of a ground-level movement that
represents real frustration with government spending and growth.

About 20 protesters gathered in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., Thursday to
let Democratic Rep. Scott Murphy know they oppose the health care
plans in Washington. They carried signs saying: "Obamacare Seniors
beware! Rationing is here," and "If socialized medicine is best ...
why didn't Ted Kennedy go to Canada?" Motorists honked as they drove
by.

Most said they learned about the event from various community groups
that oppose the health care overhaul. All rejected the notion that
they had been organized on a large scale, or had connections to the
insurance industry.

John Wagner, a 71-year-old retired salesman said he wasn't affiliated
with any political groups. He said he and his wife, 68-year-old Anne
Wagner, came try to talk to Murphy. Both of the registered
independents voted for Murphy's Republican opponent.

"We think it's the start of our government taking over every facet of
our economy, and of our health, to make sure that the government runs
everything," John Wagner said.

At one point, a constituent asked Murphy if he thought the country was
headed for universal health care.

"That phrase means a lot of things to a lot of people," Murphy said.
His answer was greeted with a chorus of groans.

In the end, the real action may still be in Washington. Six
senators—three from each party, all members of the Senate Finance
Committee—agreed to keep working over the August break and assess the
situation when they return, working against a Sept. 15 deadline.

Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., said Thursday the group is making progress.

The outlines of a the Finance Committee compromise have emerged in
recent weeks—although nothing is final. The package would cost around
$900 billion over 10 years and would be fully paid for through a
variety of revenue raisers including a tax on health insurers that
offer high-cost plans worth more than $20,000 a year.

Individuals would be required to get insurance, either through an
employer, on their own, or through a government program. Federal
subsidies would help low-income and many middle-class households
afford the premiums. Medicaid would be expanded to cover more people
close to the poverty line. Nearly all Americans would be covered.

But even the usually optimistic Baucus says it's not a done deal.

"If Republicans aren't there, it could get to the point where some
time after the recess ... Democrats may have to go in a different
direction," Baucus said after the group returned from a meeting with
Obama at the White House.

"I hope not," Baucus added, "but we have to face facts."

___

Associated Press Writers Sam Hananel in Washington and Valerie Bauman
in Albany, N.Y., contributed to this report.