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