On healthcare, Obama courts Blue Dog Democrats worried about costs

Blue Dog Democrats, those fiscally conservative party members who represent historically centrist districts, could hold the balance of power in the increasingly wrenching debate over healthcare.

So President Obama has invited members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee -- the only one of three House panels that has yet to pass its piece of the healthcare pie -- to the White House this afternoon to talk to them about his initiative.

In an interview this morning on NBC's "Today" show, where the topics ranged from captured U.S. soldier Bowe Bergdahl to the jeans the president wore at  baseball's All-Star game last week, Obama said he shares the concerns of many moderates about the estimated $1 trillion price tag for reform, admitting that the healthcare bills are "not where they need to be yet."

Democrat Baron P. Hill agrees. One of the lawmakers invited to the session with the president, Hill is an example of the political perils facing the Blue Dogs, particularly on the Energy Committee.
Hill was first elected to Congress from his rural, southwest Indiana district in 1998 -- with 51% of the vote. Six years later, the Republican he defeated -- Mike Sodrel -- returned the favor, winning the seat by 1,500 votes. Then in 2006, Hill captured it again.

Worried about tax increases on the wealthy, the impact on the federal deficit and an artificial August deadline -- Hill told Fox News that the problem is Obama "hasn't taken anything off the table."

-- Johanna Neuman

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