Axelrod: Blue Dogs should be reassured on health vote by NY-23

Centrist, Blue Dog Democrats should be reassured on their healthcare vote by last night's election, White House senior advisor David Axelrod said Wednesday.

Axelrod said that Democrats' victory in New York's 23rd congressional district should reassure Democrats who are concerned about the political ramifications of any vote for the House's health reform bill.

Axelrod stressed that centrist Democrats could find strength to support reform "if the Blue Dogs welcome their new colleague, Congressman Owens, and remind themselves he's the first Democrat to hold that seat."

"I think they'll think, "Y'know, we're onto something if we stick to this,'" the senior advisor added. "I think that this should be reassuring to Democrats, and I think it will."

Democrats picked up the seat held held by former congressman and now-Army Secretary John McHugh (R) in upstate New York after a fractured Republican base led to the Owens victory.

The win hands House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) another vote for top Democratic priorities, including the healthcare reform bill for which she is currently gathering votes.

Update, 2:39 p.m.: An amused Senate Republican aide emails to note whether Democrats in Virginia or New Jersey are buying Axelrod's spin after losing their governors' mansions last night.

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