Central New York Congressman Mike Arcuri defends his opposition to the health care reform bill as his former supporters turn against him.
Arcuri, a democrat may find himself in the most difficult election campaign he's ever faced because he broke party ranks and voted against President Obama's health care reform. He's now being targeted by the very organizations that once supported him. The Working Families Party, The Service Employees International Union ,the CWA and Citizens Action have withdrawn their support for Arcuri and tried to derail a recent fundraiser for the Congressman.
When asked if he regrets his health care vote, Arcuri said he'd "do the same thing" if there was another vote tomorrow. Arcuri told CNY Central, "The people of upstate New York don't really care about what parties tell them to do, they don't care about what union labor leaders tell them to do. They're going to do what they believe in. That's who I listen to."
The Working Families Party has threatened to run a candidate to oppose Arcuri. "If they do then that's their decision. I still haven't seen anyone step forward." the Congressman said.
Mike Arcuri will promote himself as a moderate in the upcoming election. "That's really what's tearing our country apart, liberals on one end, conservatives on the other."
Republican Richard Hanna hopes to unseat Arcuri. Hanna points out that Arcuri's vote in November enabled the health care reform bill to proceed, but then he voted against it last month. Hanna accuses Arcuri of being a "political opportunist" who "betrayed those who supported him."
