EBLF Health+Benefits

Teeing Up Our Conversation with Charlie Cook

From Senate races to single payer healthcare, we asked our Government Affairs team what they’re looking forward to discussing with Cook at EBLF Virtual.
By Joel Wood, Joel Kopperud, Blaire Bartlett Posted on May 26, 2020

Utilizing the lexicon of a political scientist, he described the current political situation of Senate Republicans as a “sh*t sandwich.” He noted that until the last couple of months, it was assumed that Democrats would have to draw an insight straight in order to retake the chamber. But other opportunities in states like Montana and Kansas have emerged, and Democrat numbers are better than he would have thought in both of the Georgia Senate seats that will be on the November ballot. He doesn’t think Republicans are likely to lose either of those seats, but he did note combustibility there.

From Senate races to single payer healthcare, we asked our Government Affairs team what they’re looking forward to discussing with Cook.

From: Blaire Bartlett <blaire.bartlett@ciab.com>
Sent: Friday, May 22, 2020 1:58 PM
To: Joel Wood <JWood@ciab.com>; Joel Kopperud <Joel.Kopperud@ciab.com>
Subject: Can’t wait for Charlie!

Guys, we have Charlie Cook locked in to be a speaker for EBLF next week. Even though EBLF is all virtual this year, it’s gonna rock and I know whatever Charlie shares is gonna be epic. I wonder if he’ll be able to tell if healthcare or getting the economy started again is going to be the number one issue in this year’s illustrious Presidential election…

From: Joel Wood <JWood@ciab.com>
Sent: Friday, May 22, 2020 2:54 PM
To: Blaire Bartlett <blaire.bartlett@ciab.com>; Joel Kopperud <Joel.Kopperud@ciab.com>
Subject: Can’t wait for Charlie!

Most likely all of the above. Charlie is the most deeply respected nonpartisan political analyst in Washington, and I don’t think a year has gone by in the last quarter century when we have not have him address our broker members. His knowledge is encyclopedic and I can’t get enough of hearing from him – even when he tells me what I don’t like to hear.

From: Joel Kopperud <Joel.Kopperud@ciab.com>
Sent: Friday, May 22, 2020 3:48 PM
To: Joel Wood <JWood@ciab.com>; Blaire Bartlett <blaire.bartlett@ciab.com>
Subject: Can’t wait for Charlie!

Agreed. I particularly loved the interaction at this year’s Legislative Summit when Rep. Donna Shalala greeted him and said she wished she could stay to hear his presentation. He’s always spot on. I suspect the number one issue is going to be a hybrid Trump/economy/healthcare. The cost of healthcare has been the top driver over the past several years. And it’s the suburban voters—especially women—who will be the deciders. I guess we’ll see if Charlie agrees with that…

From: Joel Wood <JWood@ciab.com>
Sent: Friday, May 22, 2020 3:52 PM
To: Joel Kopperud <Joel.Kopperud@ciab.com>; Blaire Bartlett <blaire.bartlett@ciab.com>
Subject: Can’t wait for Charlie!

Yes, he was great as always in early February. Plus, this will be a delicious opportunity to ask him if he’s still high on Michael Bloomberg’s presidential prospects?

From: Blaire Bartlett <blaire.bartlett@ciab.com>
Sent: Friday, May 22, 2020 4:01 PM
To: Joel Wood <JWood@ciab.com>; Joel Kopperud <Joel.Kopperud@ciab.com>
Subject: Can’t wait for Charlie!

I wonder if Charlie will share the same optimism Joel K. has about the Democrats sweeping every race and taking over the world and giving us single payer healthcare.

From: Joel Wood <JWood@ciab.com>
Sent: Friday, May 22, 2020 5:40 PM
To: Joel Kopperud <Joel.Kopperud@ciab.com>; Blaire Bartlett <blaire.bartlett@ciab.com>
Subject: Can’t wait for Charlie!

That would be political malpractice and therefore breach of contract. We control the Zoom. I’ll pull the plug, no worries.

Joel Wood Senior Vice President, Government Affairs, The Council Read More
Joel Kopperud Senior Vice President, Government Affairs, The Council Read More
Blaire Bartlett Vice President, Government and Political Affairs, The Council Read More

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