Dean and Landrieu Have Health Care Shouting Match

Howard Dean took the gloves off on Hardball yesterday, mixing it up with first Chris Matthews and then Mary Landrieu over the health care bill. Dean defended his desire to kill the bill, declaring that the bill was an insurance industry handout. Matthews vehemently disagreed, accusing Dean of “demagoguery.” But things really got heated when Mary Landrieu came on.

Landrieu accused Dean of wanting to eliminate insurance companies. “Nonsense,” interrupted Dean, who then berated Landrieu for helping to kill the public option and impose penalties for anyone who doesn’t buy insurance. “You forced us into the insurance industry,” he said. “You took away our choice. That is wrong!” Landrieu replied, “You never had that choice to begin with.” (More Howard Dean stories.)