First thoughts: Back to health care

Posted: Monday, August 31, 2009 9:16 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: First Thoughts

From Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, Domenico Montanaro, and Ali Weinberg
*** Back to health care: Anyone who has followed American politics over the past two years knows that Barack Obama has faced his fair share of challenges. Hillary Clinton. Jeremiah Wright. John McCain. Sarah Palin. Bill Ayers. Even the tax issues that helped sink his original HHS pick, Tom Daschle. And almost every time, he defeated or side-stepped those political dragons through his oratory and communication skills. But as he returns to Washington (although remains on a working vacation this week) and after Ted Kennedy was laid to rest on Saturday, President Obama has found so far that his communication skills -- just how many press conferences and media avails did he have this summer? -- haven’t really worked on the tricky issue of health-care reform. His poll numbers have declined; House Blue Dog Democrats are hesitant; most Republicans aren’t willing to cut any kind of deal; liberals have made the politically difficult public option the end-all, be-all of reform; and Max Baucus’ Senate Finance Committee still hasn’t produced a bill. In short, it was a brutal summer for the president; no wonder this week is still being called a "vacation" week by the White House.

*** Getting something done: But health care’s fate will be decided this fall. And the smart C.W. is that reform will pass this year, although what that reform entails is anyone’s guess. As John Harwood of CNBC and the New York Times writes, “…President Obama still has stronger prospects for achieving his health policy goals than surface impressions of the congressional recess indicate. He lags behind his own timetable for action, but remains ahead of presidential predecessors who pursued the same objective… ‘They’ll get something done,’ predicted former Senator John B. Breaux of Louisiana, a Democrat… ‘It’ll be a major step.’” Yet getting something done increasingly looks like it will happen via reconciliation, which would require a simple majority in the Senate versus a filibuster-proof majority. And it also looks like it will get done without much help from Republicans. Chuck Grassley’s recent comments, as well as Mike Enzi’s weekend GOP radio address, really don’t suggest that these guys are negotiating in good faith. But ask yourself this question: Do voters ever remember HOW legislation is passed, or do they simply remember if policy is enacted or NOT enacted?

*** Filling Kennedy’s seat: Getting something done also might require Democrats to get that 60th Senate vote back -- to make up for any Democratic defections. So filling Kennedy’s seat quickly has become a priority for Democrats. As we pointed out last week, with Massachusetts Democrats holding nearly 90% of the House and Senate seats in its Legislature, they can certainly change the state’s succession law. Here’s one other development: Chris Dodd, Kennedy’s closest friend in the Senate, is already talking up the possibility of Vicki Kennedy, who has earlier suggested that she isn’t interested. “Whatever Vicki wants to do, I’m in her corner,” Dodd said on Sunday. “She brings talent and ability to it, and to fill that spot I think is something the people of Massachusetts would welcome. We could certainly use her in the Senate.”

*** Naming names: So expect some public maneuverings this week. Whatever is changed in the Massachusetts law, it will ONLY affect the ability of the governor to appoint an INTERIM senator; the special election process will still happen in early January 2010. While many in Washington are pondering a Kennedy getting in (either Vicki or Joe), keep an eye on Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley. She could become the Emily's List candidate and raise a slew of money fast and could end up being – in a jumbled primary -- the frontrunner, unless Vicki decides to run. By the way, should the last Kennedy of her generation -- Jean Kennedy Smith -- be the no-brainer idea for an interim?

*** Turning to Afghanistan: Of course, there are TWO items on the president's to-do list in September which could have a BIG impact on the trajectory of his presidency: 1) figuring out a legislative path to victory on health care and 2) deciding how many -- if any -- troops to send to Afghanistan. Part of the report is now in, per the BBC: "The report has yet not been published, but sources say Gen McChrystal sees protecting the Afghan people against the Taliban as the top priority. The report does not carry a direct call for increasing troop numbers. ‘The situation in Afghanistan is serious, but success is achievable and demands a revised implementation strategy, commitment and resolve, and increased unity of effort,’ Gen McChrystal said in the assessment. Copies of the document have been sent to Nato Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen and US Defence Secretary Robert Gates." Interestingly, how he proceeds on both health care and Afghanistan is as much a test of the loyalty of the Democratic base as it is about garnering the approval of the middle.

*** What about Bob? One of the ironies of the Creigh Deeds-Bob McDonnell gubernatorial contest in Virginia is how it’s been the Democrat talking about social issues like abortion, while the Republican has been mostly silent -- which has surprised those who have followed McDonnell’s career. But that might now change after Sunday’s Washington Post reported on McDonnell’s 1989 graduate thesis at Pat Robertson’s Regent University, in which he called feminism an enemy to the traditional family; said government policy should benefit married couples over "cohabitators, homosexuals, or fornicators”; and described a Supreme Court ruling legalizing contraception for unmarried couples as “illogical.” The Deeds folks believe that highlighting McDonnell’s social issues will help them with the two groups that McDonnell is doing fairly well with: independents and Northern Virginia voters.

*** How does McDonnell respond? McDonnell had to know this was coming, right? He gave this statement to the Post: "Virginians will judge me on my 18-year record as a legislator and Attorney General and the specific plans I have laid out for our future -- not on a decades-old academic paper I wrote as a student during the Reagan era and haven't thought about in years." More: "Like everybody, my views on many issues have changed as I have gotten older." Back in 2005, Tim Kaine knew the Republicans were going to seize on his past opposition to the death penalty. How he responded to the attack -- by invoking his Catholic faith -- helped him win that gubernatorial contest. Make no mistake, this Post story is going to polarize the electorate and fire up both bases, which is precisely what the Deeds camp needs in a state Obama won by seven percentage points. And while McDonnell's path to victory is about cutting Deeds' likely advantages in Northern Virginia, this story -- depending on how Deeds USES it -- is an opportunity for him to consolidate his base up North. But don't underestimate the ability of this story to fire up McDonnell's base. And it's a tradition in Virginia for the Washington Post to become a bogeyman, and this story could bring about some intense Post-bashing by conservatives.

*** The danger of being the favorite: With this story, and with Jon Corzine having perhaps his two best weeks (as revelations about Chris Christie’s loans and traffic tickets have surfaced), we are beginning to see the prospect that Democrats could very well win one of these two gubernatorial races this year -- which would be a significant blow to Republicans who would love to sweep the two blue state races and use it as a recruiting and fundraising tool for 2010. Don’t get us wrong: The GOP should still be considered favored to win both contests. But one of the pitfalls of being the favorite is that a loss becomes MUCH more painful than if you started out as the underdog. Election Day 2009, by the way, is just a little more than two months from now…

*** Another controversial appointment: Charlie Crist’s decision on Friday to appoint his former chief of staff and campaign manager, George LeMieux, to fill Mel Martinez’s Senate seat wasn’t that surprising given that Crist is running for that very seat next year. Nevertheless, the move has allowed Democrats and primary opponent Marco Rubio to criticize the appointment as cronyism. Of course, as we’ve witnessed over the past several months, Democrats have had their fair share of controversial Senate appointments, too -- Roland Burris in Illinois, Michael Bennet in Colorado (who might now receive a primary challenge from Andrew Romanoff), Kirsten Gillibrand in New York, and Ted Kaufman in Delaware (which might be the most analogous appointment to the LeMieux’s and which makes Democratic attacks on Crist a bit more disingenuous).

*** Wrangling over Rangel: Also last week, the press reported that powerful House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charlie Rangel (D) failed to disclose up to $500,000 in assets in 2007. Sorry, but how do you defend this? While she will have A LOT on her plate when Congress comes back next week, how Nancy Pelosi deals with Rangel and these revelations will be a real test for the Democratic speaker. Can Rangel stay a credible player in the health-care debate with this drip-drip hanging over his head?

Countdown to Election Day 2009: 64 days
Countdown to Election Day 2010: 428 days

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Comments

400 Percent Increase:

For weeks I have commented about people with guns attending the rowdy town hall meetings. Investigative journalism revealed many of the hooligans in attendance were bussed in, paid for by the conservative right.

Then I stumbled upon the book, “In the President’s Secret Service: by Ronald Kessler and on the cover it reported that “Threats against President Obama are up 400 percent compared with those against President George W. Bush.” It became a must read.

Some very entertaining stories were told about all previous Presidents and interspersed were chapters discussing the workings of the Secret Service. Without spoiling any of the juicy stories, if you like Jimmy Carter and Hillary Clinton don’t read the book.

Yep, it talks about the crazies, the KKK, the paranoid schizophrenics, the anarchists, and the right-wing domestic terrorists: And those Second Amendment fools who have to bring their guns to public events; because they have a right to. It’s all there.

As the book evolved, the writer shared some of the problems of the Secret Service involving upper levels of management not taking care of our agents. Too long working hours, not enough time for training, cutting corners, just to name a few of the problems facing these brave young men and women.

Whether you are Republican or Democrat, our President is our leader and a national treasure. For anything bad to happen to our President creates considerable chaos and weakens America as a country. His (and someday her) safety is a priority. So, if you read Kessler’s book and feel as I do, email Janet Napolitano and request that she beef-up the Secret Service.

While the Secret Service is doing a great job, my concerns for the President’s safety are still present.

FR: Welcome back!!

Ron Indiana (Sent Monday, August 31, 2009 9:23 AM)

Saw C.Todd on Morning Joe. What's amazing is that Todd and the liberals want to talk about 1) That the Republicans won't vote for a bill written by Nancy Pelosi and 2) What tactics the Democrats will use to pass a bill.

What the liberals do not want to talk about is, the bill! Todd whines and berates the Republicans for not voting for the bill, but says nothing of the Blue Dog Dems that won't vote for it? You protest too much my friend. America doesn't want the Obama/Pelosi bill. And that's been made very clear during the month of August.

Lynn Wheatly (Sent Monday, August 31, 2009 9:27 AM)

Looks like Rangle is bucking for a job in the Obama administration. He'd fit right in.

Tax Cheats Inc. (Sent Monday, August 31, 2009 9:27 AM)

To Jonathan: Answering Friday’s posting--Clarence Thomas In parts...again...

Jonathan--Unfortunately I didn’t have an opportunity to spend much time on this site on Friday, because it was one of my busiest days. However, I did get a chance to check back later that evening and saw your comment. I am only address comments that I feel need addressing, because a great deal of what you posted is absolutely dreadening.

1) As for Clarence Thomas--I did refer to him in past postings as being an “Uncle Tom” and I meant every word then and every word now. He is an insult to me and every other decent American that care about civil and human rights. My contempt for him doesn’t require me to justify my feelings or receive approval from you or anyone else. I will “share” some information with you.

In 1968 Clarence Thomas was one of the “minorities” that took advantage of the “minority recruitment programs that admitted him into the College of Holy Cross. That particular “recruitment program” allowed him to have the “opportunity” further his education to Yale Law School.

a). Thomas is an opponent of affirmative action even though he took advantage of it to earn his own education. He prefers to think that since we don’t need it to benefit anyone else; he’s gotten what he needed. He didn’t decide just yesterday to be an opponent; he has always been an opponent. He worked very hard at “not” doing his job at the EEOC and the Department of Education.

In 1981 he rose into power Under Reagan. Thomas held key positions that affected African Americans. Thomas didn’t perform his duties in any of the offices he was appointed to. Regan and Bush both knew that he was worthless. We would do just as he was told because his loyalty was to them. A “black man” to cut the throat of the back man. The same sh** they’re doing with Steel.

1981-1982 He was the Assistant Secretary of Education for the office of Civil Rights (the fox guarding the hen house) In the Department of Education. Didn’t do a damn thing but collect a pay check.

1982-1990 He was Chairman of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. He didn’t do a damn thing but collect a pay check.

In 1990 President George H.W Bush appointed Thomas to United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. He advanced his status again, preparing to be the point man for George W. Bush. Are you following this? Open your eyes, pay attention.

b). Thomas was nominated in 1991 by George H.W. Bush to Justice Thurgood Marshall’s seat following his retirement. Justice Thurgood Marshall was the “only African American” on the court. The nomination of Thomas was seen as likely to move the ideological balance of the court to the right. It did exactly that. There were better qualified candidates than Thomas.

Justice Thurgood Marshall’s appoint was historical, he was appointed by President Lyndon Johnson during the Civil Rights movement. Blacks need fair representation on the Supreme Court. The appointment of a man that was scandalous, to say the least was a slap in the face to African Americans.

c). He was confirmed by a very narrow margin of 52-48. The narrowest margin in a century.

d). The American Bar Association rating for Judges? Thomas was split between "qualified" and "not qualified.”

e). Thomas "doesn't believe in stare decisis” at all. Look up the meaning--I won’t go into detail. All laws should be decided in an organized methodical balance system. If a Constitutional Law was wrong, Thomas wanted to change it. Yet at his confirmation hearings…he said that he believed that stare decisis was critical to the court.

f). The NAACP, Urban League, and National Organization for Women share my feelings about him. As does “the MAJORITY” of people that look like him. Surely. We aren’t ALL wrong. Not a single one of those “extremely important” organizations approved of Thomas. Thomas represents white Conservatives, not Black America.

g). evidently you are a fan of Rush Limbaugh young man, because in 1994, Clarence Thomas performed “the wedding ceremony” for RUSH LIMBAUGH…at “HIS” (Thomas) home.

Being strict when it’s justifiable is one thing, but personal friendships with people such as Rush Limbaugh, who is racist, just doesn’t sit well with the majority of sane people in this nation. Clarence Thomas was nothing more than a point man for Bush and to serve the purpose and needs of Republicans as a Conservative Justice on The Supreme Court. Thomas was positioned on the court to strike down Civil Rights Laws and affirmative Action. They (Reagan) tried to get Robert Bork appointed, but Sen. Kennedy torn his tail up during confirmation hearings.

How dare you? You’ve never experienced the constant defeat of being denied your right to equal housing, education or an opportunity to earn a decent living to raise your family.

You’ve never had a child that you’ve feared for his safety while driving home from work at night through a neighborhood patrolled by law enforcement officers with trigger happy fingers, simply because perhaps your car was new, or your face was a shade darker than theirs.

Why do YOU think that Affirmative Action laws exist in this country in the first place?
It’s not because minorities aren’t qualified, and by saying minorities I don’t mean just blacks or Hispanics either. White females are included under the Affirmative Action umbrella.

Just because we have a Black President it doesn’t mean that everything will be equally balanced…hell, the right wing is proof positive that it’s still needed.

The definition of Uncle Tom means; a devoted slave to old masta, fearful and subservient to White American authority figures, he’s a damn jump Jim Crow. Actually, young man…Uncle Tom is used by other minorities…the Indians call them Tomahawk; Mexicans in the US call them "tia taco"...Clarence Thomas is disgusting as far as I’m concerned.

Anita, Birmingham, Alabama (Sent Monday, August 31, 2009 9:29 AM)

FR: Charlie Crist’s decision on Friday to appoint his former chief of staff and campaign manager, George LeMieux, to fill Mel Martinez’s Senate seat wasn’t that surprising given that Crist is running for that very seat next year. Nevertheless, the move has allowed Democrats and primary opponent Marco Rubio to criticize the appointment as cronyism.

=============

The Democrats have the balls to be critical of an appointment made legally by a governor in Flordia, but then are silent about the jiggling of the Senate seat replacement process in Massachusetts where the law seems to depend on who is doing the appointing?

Clark Weston, Ohio (Sent Monday, August 31, 2009 9:30 AM)

Speaking of Health Care Cost
Forbes Magazine
Top Ten Most Medicated States (as of 2008):

1. West Virginia
2. Alabama
3. South Carolina
4. Tennessee
5. Arkansas
6. Missouri
7. Kentucky
8. Louisiana
9. Mississippi
10. Iowa

1 thru 9 are in the Republican Heartland.
Go figure !!!!

Dennis, Columbus, Ohio (Sent Monday, August 31, 2009 9:31 AM)

Maybe 'What about' Bob McDonnell can join the Mac-attack team denigrating health care reform. It would get him out of Virginia, at least for awhile.

I think September will be Obama's month to rally. The sooner he acts decisively on health reform, the better, both for his poll numbers and for putting that wooly mammoth of an issue behind him. Then you'll see him reach for peace in the Middle East.

Fancy That, Kennebunk, Maine (Sent Monday, August 31, 2009 9:31 AM)

--- 1) figuring out a legislative path to victory on health care ---

That's the problem with you FR, you think this health care bill is all about Obama. It isn't. It's about the American people. A real victory for the American people would be if Obama, Reid and Pelosi pulled the bill from both the Senate and the House. Maybe send it to a Blue Ribbon Committee and let them study it for a few years.

Tort Reform For All (Sent Monday, August 31, 2009 9:33 AM)

Why can't these GOP fat cats see that we need health care passed now!
My wife works for minimum wage and we cannot afford her employer's health plan while supporting 5 kids. I don't work because it would cost too much to hire a sitter than I would be making.
If it were up to the GOP fat cats, they would take away my food stamps, subsidized housing, and welfare check.
Let's pass free health care!

Bigger Government, Washington D.C. (Sent Monday, August 31, 2009 9:34 AM)

This break was a much-needed reset for the White House and Democrats in general in trying to sell health insurance reform. New talking points, less of a mob atmosphere...There could be a big swing in Obama's favor.

http://www.political-buzz.com/

matt (Sent Monday, August 31, 2009 9:36 AM)

Bush's daughter, Jenna, will work as a reporter for the Today Show.

I wanted her on Fox News. Damn.

Is Olbermann still on TV or did they replace him with Underdog re-runs as a lead in to Maddow?

Moon Dawg (Sent Monday, August 31, 2009 9:37 AM)

First Read, you are just incorrigible. In one story you talk about how Kennedy's Senate seat will be filled, and you talk and glowing terms how the Democrats can change the laws anytime they see fit to make sure a liberal is in that seat.

Then you are critical about the Governor of Florida appointing, my gosh, a conservative to fill their Senate seat. No laws needed to be changed to make the appointment. The appointment would have been a Democrat if a Democrat was governor of Florida, and there would have been no complaints, at least from First Read.

Stunned in Sarasota (Sent Monday, August 31, 2009 9:37 AM)

*** Naming names . . . the frontrunner, unless Vicki decides to run. By the way, should the last Kennedy of her generation -- Jean Kennedy Smith -- be the no-brainer idea for an interim?

When it comes to the Democrats, many decisions are made with no brains. I think they actually prefer it that way.

Leo Hogestein, NY (Sent Monday, August 31, 2009 9:39 AM)

Great to see our brave band of First Read crew here at it bright and early on this last dog day of summer. I hope Chuck, Mark, Domenico and Ali had a good vacation week. It will be good to see the great gang of Obama supporters posting here again.

Time to give StuporMax Baucus and his Cabal of 6 a deadline of September 15th for their inane deliberations that have done nothing but stall health care reform with the public option. Time to pass Uncle Teddy's and the House 3200 bills and then reconcile them without any help from the repugnant ones. Time for the Blue Dogs to show some party loyalty on this issue or they'll be the ones who lose their seats in 2010 as we Liberals won't be supporting them.

If health care reform with the public option does not pass then it will be the repugnant ones who will garner all of the blame as they did nothing but attack meaningful health care with a bunch of fear mongering lies. Time to replace our broken private health care system with Universal Health Care! Time to replace the private industry robberbarons with government beaurocrats who are paid much less.

Pass Health Care Reform with the Public Option to Honor Ted Kennedy!

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Monday, August 31, 2009 9:39 AM)

How clever of the Post to dredge up a 20-year old paper just when Deeds' stale campaign is really going down in flames. Good work, WaPo!

How about we focus on the issues? Haven't most of us had views that have evolved over the past 20 years? I suspect the harshest critics of this paper will be the defenders of Ted Kennedy's actions and Robert Byrd's former KKK activities.

This will wound McDonnell, but it's not fatal.

Sarah, Chesapeake VA (Sent Monday, August 31, 2009 9:40 AM)

I find it interesting how the President's simple call for both political parties to work together for the good of the American people has been used as a negative against him.

This morning, on Morning Joe-ke, I heard Chuck Todd say that President Obama could have had the Republicans to the White House more so they could "Say No" to his face.

WTF?

The President has negotiated in good faith, been open to new ideas, and has been ripped a new one by my of his supporters for the effort.

And still, it is the President's fault?

The media says the President didn't meet his timeline, but this was Senators Max Baucus and Chuck Grassley earlier this year:

" Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) outlined a procedural path to health care reform Thursday. The Finance Comittee will break the issue into three parts - delivery system reform, coverage and cost containment, and a series of roundtables and "walk through" sessions with members through the end of May.

Speaking after a private session with committee members, Baucus said he wants a committee markup by June, and passage in July.

Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) joined him at the podium, and said he was "fully in agreement" with the timetable.

"If we don't do it under this schedule, we won't get it done," Grassley said."

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0309/19655.html

So it was not just the President setting an artificial time line, it was the Senate who set the pace.

And to all of the President's supporters who feel that he has sold you all out to be "bipartisan", what the President has actually said versus what the media told you he said is quite different:

"Early on a decision was made by the Republican leadership that said, 'Look, let's not give them a victory and maybe we can have a replay of 1993-94 when Clinton came in. He failed on health care, and then we won in the midterm elections, and we got the majority.'"
-President Obama, August 20. 2009

"I have no control over what the other side decides is their political strategy. And my obligation to the American people says we're going to get this done one way or another."
-President Obama, August 20, 2009

"There's been a lot of confusion about this, so let me just clarify: I think a public option is important," - President Obama, August 20, 2009

(Ironic that even as the President is quoted saying the exact opposite, the caption under the picture in the Wall Street Journal article continues to create the impression that the President has abandoned the public option.)

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125076789379445975.html?mod=dist_smartbrief

The President has been one of the only honest brokers in this entire process, and yet for some reason, every setback is his fault, regardless of how much members of Congress talk out of both sides of their mouths, spread misinformation, and drag their feet.

As everyone rushes to lay blame, score political points, and make excuses, the President continues to leave the door open to negotiate so that the millions of American people who are suffering under our current health care system can get relief.

Not that is the change that I believe in.

Nashville_fan (Sent Monday, August 31, 2009 9:40 AM)

I was watching a CNN special this weekend on Ted Kennedy and there was a recorded telephone call played with Richard Nixon. I have forgotten who he was speaking to but evidently Ted had requested secret service protection. And President Nixon was fine with this as long as the secret service men were “inside” jobs, meaning, watch and report back to Nixon everything Ted was doing. Nixon was going to then terminate the secret service protection, and said something along the lines during this phone call– “And if he’s killed, so what”. Nixon was up to his eye balls trying to get dirt on Ted before the 1972 presidential election.

So if you add all this up, and with what happened during Watergate, one can only come to the conclusion that Richard Nixon knew about the Watergate break-in before it occurred. There’s no way this break-in was planned without Nixon’s approval. No way.
_____________
I remember seeing footage of LBJ at Robert Kennedy’s funeral and I always told people he looked very sad during the services at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Then I learn this weekend that LBJ wouldn’t approve the payment of invoices he received for Bobby’s funeral. I guess they really hated each other. I often thought that it was the Kennedys who weren’t very respectful to either Nixon or LBJ, but now I can see it went both ways. Nixon not caring if Ted was assassinated was really shocking to me. He was the President of the United States. No wonder Ted saw to it that this guy resigned.

Nixon and LBJ – two men I always gave the benefit of the doubt to. I was totally wrong.

I guess the only remaining question for me is what they were looking for when they broke into the Watergate. Was it dirt on Ted or was it dirt the DNC had on Richard Nixon/Donald Nixon/Howard Hughes.

Pat, Boston, MA (Sent Monday, August 31, 2009 9:41 AM)

Also last week, the press reported that powerful House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charlie Rangel (D) failed to disclose up to $500,000 in assets in 2007.
----------------------------------------------------

Unacceptable, this is the second large snafu for Rangel...being left leaning, I think it's time for his state to find a suitable replacement, that can still fight for health care reform and doesn't let the power get to his head.

Another reason for term limits.

Greg P. NW Indiana (Sent Monday, August 31, 2009 9:42 AM)

President Obama needs to set aside this obsession with health care and focus on fixing the fundamentals of the economy. Unemployment is getting worse despite the positive spin the news and gov't stats want to put on it.

Foreclosures and business bankruptcies are increasing!
Look around your neighborhood and see how many stores and factories are closing or are already shuttered.

People need JOBS and they need to put food on the table today. Worry about healthcare later.

Fix the billions in waste, fraud and mistakes in the social services the government already provides before you create another vortex sucking up billions in tax dollars.

Unemployment should be first and foremost. Stop blaming Bush for everything and take some personal responsibility President Obama! The Dems have full control of Congress, the financial purse and a majority of governorships so don't blame your failures on Republicans.

Democrats have been handed everything on a silver platter, now you must deliver.

Where are the jobs Barack? (Sent Monday, August 31, 2009 9:43 AM)

These are questions I haven't heard adequately answered regarding health care reform.

1) In the current bill, employers are taxed/fined 8% of payroll if they don't offer healthcare. Employers who do offer healthcare pay around 12% of payroll. How will this difference encourage employers to allow me to keep the healthcare I currently have as the President keeps repeating in his speeches?

2) We do not have unlimited resources. How are costs going to be cut if there is no rationing or so called "Death Panels"? I know republicans are demagoging the issue but unless end off life costs are cut before all the baby boomers are on medicare this issue has to be addressed. I want to know when we pull the plug on granny, and I understand that it has to happen.

3) Portability. What exactly does this mean? Is it COBRA-plus or what? If I leave a company who pays the employer portion of my health insurance and for how long (assuming there is any employer based health insurance left - see point 1).

4) Why is pay for service not being reformed?

5) Why is is there no tort reform?

6) Is a personal mandate to buy health insurance constitutional?

Alan, NJ (Sent Monday, August 31, 2009 9:43 AM)

*** Getting something done: But health care’s fate will be decided this fall. And the smart C.W. is that reform will pass this year, although what that reform entails is anyone’s guess.

========

Still cheerleading I see. "Get something done"? The Democrats own the House and the Senate, and have a socialist as president. And the word on the street is that the Democrats will "pass something"? Kind of lowering the bar there aren't you? The Democrats have screwed up the health care debate so bad with their partisan politics, their sell out to special interests, and their gross incompetence. Until 3 months ago, there was no change the Republicans would gain back control of the House next year. Now that possibility seems probable.

Linda Jacobson, Vermont (Sent Monday, August 31, 2009 9:44 AM)

Watching the heartfelt and at times heartwrenching fairwells to Teddy Kennedy this past weekend accentuated the immense importance of getting HCR passed soon. This has been Teddy's labor of love all these years and if the Dems needed a catalyst, then this is it! The President should count the Rethugs as a lost cause, use his considerable communication skills to get the Blue Dogs focused on the good of the country and not their pocketbooks and get HCR passed.

Teddy put it best: "The work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die."

J. Ellis, Virginia (Sent Monday, August 31, 2009 9:45 AM)

Remember when Palin gave that first great speech and Obie sent 150 Chicago dudes to investigate her and tear her down, one way or another?

Now Obie's getting to be like Humpty Dumpty, slipping slowly over that wall. His speaking skills are eroding, as is his ability to get anybody to believe his political nonsense is also eroding, except, of course, those who are easily lead.

Mr. Chitter Chatter knows the GOP will rule in 2010 if Obama/Kennedy Care is shoved down American throats, and many of Obie's mistakes and arrogant political moves WILL be reversed.

Moon Dawg (Sent Monday, August 31, 2009 9:47 AM)

[[ In short, it was a brutal summer for the president; no wonder this week is still being called a "vacation" week by the White House. ]]

Whether the President is on vacation, or at the White House, it always seems that he's out to lunch.

Jimmy Johns (Sent Monday, August 31, 2009 9:47 AM)

Sure looks loike the two governor races are tightening up, August wasn't too kind to the repugnant ones candidates as more dirt has surfaces about the two repugnant one criminals. No doubt more dirt will come out before the elections and all that premature victory dancing by the party of sore losers will turn into defeat dirges.

I just don't understand how stupid the townhall zombies from the right can be. I mean don't they understand they are being used as tools by the big corporate robberbarons to ensure that the robberbarons will be able to rip us all off on medical care and insurance? I mean how stupid are you fools who don't want honest government run health care which will mean lower prices for all of us and more healthy care for more people? When will you right wing sheep wake up and smell the reality that you're being used as witless fools to help the robberbarons continue to rip us all off?

There's little doubt that the party of sore losers are the white supremacist party. We had Mary Kay Lady Hutchison in texas at her old high school saying that she wants to make her school like it was back when she went there, in other words segregated. Now we have some nitwit from Kansas named Lynn Jenkins who is looking for the Great White Hope to run for president. That's about as racist as you can get and it's about time the KKK party admits the truth that they are racists who can't stand a black man as president.

It's Elephant Hunting Season!

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Monday, August 31, 2009 9:48 AM)

Patty Sheehan, now boycotting Obama for the same reason she boycotted GWB .... war.

Does she have a source of income or does she get around from street corner to street corner?

Polythene Pam (Sent Monday, August 31, 2009 9:50 AM)

I thought Edward Kennedy Jr's speech Saturday was incredibly moving. Funny how quickly we turn the corner. Whatever MA residents decide to do about Kennedy's seat is their call.
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Who called the Liz Cheney Apologist Tour - part III? I was very proud of Sam Donaldson yesterday - Lizard and her lying lips really want to rewrite our Constitution and history to suit her desire to keep daddy out of the brig. She repulses me on so many levels. Not the least is her statements such as, "...it is undisputable fact that these enhanced interrogation techniques kept us safe..." Perhaps her twisted perception of fact and her inability to even HEAR opposition makes it undisputed in her twisted, small mind; but it is being disputed ALL over the country. Including John McCain. Here's a quarter, Liz - buy a clue.
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I think the Health Care Opposition is falling victim to previous opponents of President Obama. They are too simple to see that he has given them enough rope to hang themselves. They think when he doesn't come back swinging that they are actually making ground. He will once again, brilliantly, wrap a bow on their pretzel logic and serve it up to them with 51 votes and a passed bill. To coin our President from last summer, "It's like they take pride in being ignorant!" They think they have him on the ropes and he's 15 steps ahead using facts to undermine their nonsense - while sealing the deal, in full view.

When you are intellectually unmatched, your assertions become more phony and baseless out of sheer desparation. Look around folks, who is making the crazy assertions?
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"...Do voters ever remember HOW legislation is passed, or do they simply remember if policy is enacted or NOT enacted?" FR

I would argue that voters in 2006 absolutely remember how policy is enacted (or at least attempted). I know in Missouri alone; many people, former moderate Republicans and Independents voted AGAINST Jim Talent on the Terry Schiavo issue. When things get far enough out there; people start paying more attention. The party of less government is really about more of THEIR government. It back fired on them then; and I predict it will back fire on them now.
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Welcome back, FR. Looking forward to a great week!

Clara Kansas City, MO (Sent Monday, August 31, 2009 9:53 AM)

Obama administration = political thugs.

Bad Moon (Sent Monday, August 31, 2009 9:55 AM)

Redneck thought of the day: heathcare costs 7,000 per year cap it at that. Make it like FICA coming out of a paycheck before taxes. Half by employer half by employee.Legislate what you want it to do. Medicare costs 3.5 % to administrate. Cap it at 4. Go to the top ten insurance carriers and have them administrate it for this.Appoint a bipartisan commision with the deciding vote being the Sec. of health for ovesight. Sunset it for 5 years when we can tweeck and put the oversight contracts out for open bid. For tort reform make this commision part of any suit.On a more personal note for the redheaded lady and others the right phrase is Poor White Trash. Poor white trash is to Rednecks as Gangstas are to African-American as Bloods and Crips are to Hispanics.

Independent Redneck (Sent Monday, August 31, 2009 9:56 AM)

OBAMA and OBAMACARE CONTINUE TO SINK IN POLLS ...

Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Monday shows that only 30% of the nation's voters 'Strongly Approve' of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President
--- WHILE Forty-one percent (41%) 'Strongly Disapprove' ... giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -11

Overall, 46% of voters say they at least 'somewhat approve' of the President's performance. That’s the lowest level of total approval yet measured for Obama.
Fifty-three percent (53%) now 'disapprove'.

Rasmussen said "President Obama's numbers are always several points higher in a poll of adults rather than likely voters."

OBAMA IS LOSING THE BATTLE FOR THE 'HEARTS & MINDS' OF THE VOTERS!

OBAMA POLL NUMBERS GO DOWN MORE & MORE ... (Sent Monday, August 31, 2009 9:56 AM)

FR: President Obama has found so far that his communication skills -- just how many press conferences and media avails did he have this summer? -- haven’t really worked on the tricky issue of health-care reform.
-----------------------------------------

I heard about a recent poll (by a polling organization, whose name I can't remember) that showed shockingly a large proportion of the public believes the lies that the Republicans have been telling about health care. I think it was 45% believed the "pull the plug on grandma" lie, and 55% believed the lie that the Democrats' health care reform would provide health insurance to illegal immigrants.

How can the president's communication skills counter the gullibility of the public and the media's tolerance of Republican lies? That's a tall order for anyone, no matter how brilliant, if they're at the disadvantage of being constrained by integrity and principles while their opponents are not.

Houston (Sent Monday, August 31, 2009 9:57 AM)

It's Elephant Hunting Season!
Eric, Salinas, CA (

You think Mary Jo has had the "talk" with Ted yet?

Chappy H., MA (Sent Monday, August 31, 2009 9:59 AM)

It's a real pity that President Obama inherited such a mess in Afghanistan from those bumbling idiots War Criminals Bush and Cheney. After over 7 years of utter neglect after failing to get their pal Osama bin Laden in their three-sided box at Tora Bora we now see how stupid they were to say the central front in the war was in Iraq, even going so far as to agree with their old pal Osama. Every dead American soldier is on their hands because they failed to secure Afghanistan when they had the chance.

Nice qouting the BBC as BBC America is the best news channel for reporting the war in Afghanistan. Why does MSNBC tv give so little time to covering this mess of War Criminals Bush and Cheney and giving too much time to the likes of Nixon Liar Pat Buchanon? I switched channels when I saw Liar Pat and Uncle Tom Robert Christie on MSNBC tv this morning.

Anti Feminist McDonnell has to stop whining about Democrats holding up one of his clueless papers from that false college of Pat Roberts. Let's not forget that the repugnant ones used old papers by Sotomayor to attack her so fair is fair. Women in Virginia need to know what kind of woman hater they have running against them and hopefully the women of Virginia will vote en masse against Woman Hater McDonnell. I mean what kind of fool would go to Pat Roberts U, oh yeah the conservative fools who are too lazy and stupid to get a real college diploma from a real college.

Prosecute War Criminals Bush and Cheney!

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Monday, August 31, 2009 9:59 AM)

Bammy's War, yes, Bammy's War in Afghanistan is a veritable Viet Nam with an unclear mission, flawed philosophy, confused and incompetent micromanagement, inadequate troop saturation, inadequate equipment, failed intelligence all worsened by an extremely high level and rate of troop casualties. Where, oh where, are you leftist-zealot-Marxists now with your demands for live coverage of our soldiers' coffins arriving in Bammy's back yard? Why are you not promoting Cindy Sheehan as you did during the last administration? Why hasn't your empty suit, greenhorn community organizer brought the troops home as promised? Why is your silence deafening? In three seconds, you hate America thugs will self-destruct.

Bammy's War (Sent Monday, August 31, 2009 10:01 AM)

These are questions I haven't heard adequately answered regarding health care reform.

1) In the current bill, employers are taxed/fined 8% of payroll if they don't offer healthcare. Employers . . . . .
Alan, NJ

Alan, Alan, Alan. You seem to be misguided. You want to talk about what is actually in the health care legislation? That's just not going to happen. It isn't about what's in the legislation, it's about Barack Obama getting his "win". It's not about the People and what they need, it's about Obama getting his "win". There is no one on the Left that will answer your questions, no one on the Left really cares. What they care about is Obama getting is his "win".

Clear now?

He Win's - We Lose (Sent Monday, August 31, 2009 10:02 AM)

FR--His poll numbers have declined; House Blue Dog Democrats are hesitant; most Republicans aren’t willing to cut any kind of deal; liberals have made the politically difficult public option the end-all, be-all of reform; and Max Baucus’ Senate Finance Committee still hasn’t produced a bill. In short, it was a brutal summer for the president; no wonder this week is still being called a "vacation" week by the White House.
------------

I'm not too concerned about the Presidents poll numbers at this stage of his young Presidency. They were expected to take a beating during this HCR fight. They'll rebound. Poll numbers not matter much to me, because they change constantly, they kind of remind me of "Young puppy love"... (Just a metaphor)
----------------------------------------------------

*** Getting something done: But health care’s fate will be decided this fall. And the smart C.W. is that reform will pass this year, although what that reform entails is anyone’s guess.
-------------------------

I am waiting before commenting. Senator Ted Kennedy left little doubt as to his wishes. The Letter to the Pope was amazing and left no doubts. What I found amazing was the fact that it wasn't dicsussed in the press and it isn't listed out here today.

FR--Chuck Grassley’s recent comments, as well as Mike Enzi’s weekend GOP radio address, really don’t suggest that these guys are negotiating in good faith. But ask yourself this question: Do voters ever remember HOW legislation is passed, or do they simply remember if policy is enacted or NOT enacted?
---------------------------------------------

Both Grassley and Enzi are cutting their own throats. The Democrats will get HCR passed and the Republicans that pushed back hard against not passing HCR will ultimately lose the battle. I feel that they've push back the wrong way by aligning themselves with the far right extreme groups. They are becoming uncontrollable that will lead to the Republican's further failure as a Party..

No, people don't care about HOW legislation is passed. There is some living today that don't remember how Medicare was passed or choose to forget and media won't show footage of the nasty fights.
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Anita, Birmingham, Alabama (Sent Monday, August 31, 2009 10:03 AM)

I sure hope that President Obama gets his act together and comes out strong in support of the public option for health care reform. Time for Barack to show some strength against the dopes of nope and to get health care reform with the public option passed to properly honor Ted Kennedy.

Thankfully the towhall madness with the teabagging zombies is almost over. It will be good to not see cowards with guns at political rallies where guns just don't belong. Our political system is about ballots not bullets but the sore losers just want to overthrow our rightfully and legally elected president because he's not the right color.

Guns are Pacifiers for Cowards!

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Monday, August 31, 2009 10:03 AM)

"1) In the current bill, employers are taxed/fined 8% of payroll if they don't offer healthcare. Employers who do offer healthcare pay around 12% of payroll. How will this difference encourage employers to allow me to keep the healthcare I currently have as the President keeps repeating in his speeches? "

- Alan, NJ
===================================================
Alan,

The bill that came out of the Senate's Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) committee addresses this issue:

”The [Health, Education, Labor and Pensions] committee was able to bring down the cost of its bill by nearly half a trillion largely by including an employer mandate, or pay or play, provision . . .

Under the pay or play provision, employers that do not offer their workers "adequate" coverage, covering at least 60 percent of monthly premiums, will be charged an annual fee -- $750 for each uncovered full-time employee, and $375 for each part-time employee. Firms with fewer than 25 employees will be exempt from the mandate. . .

The CBO estimates that the employer mandate would virtually eliminate the migration of employees from their employer-based insurance to public insurance, thereby reducing the financial burden on the government.”

http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/07/02/politics/politicalhotsheet/entry5129890.shtml?tag=contentMain;contentBody

So if an employer is covering at least 60% of their employers health premiums, their employees are not eligible for the public insurance option and they are not charged the fee, and the CBO confirms that this "virtually eliminates" the migration of employees from their current employer based plans.

Nashville_fan (Sent Monday, August 31, 2009 10:06 AM)

Yes Obama did have to battle some tough odds, while the press had all but handed the crown to Hillary.And the noise that the right wing press and radio has made from day one has helped to spread the out and out lies that there party has used for 50 years,there tactics have not changed and neither has there base also.While the problems in congress are much larger them one could have thought,so many in the house and senate are bought and paid for with Health money,with insure money,with pharma money,Big OIL.these people don;t work for us anymore,they work for there real boss's and that ain't us.Those republiklans in committee are stalling,they have a new reason every week,stalling will allow the Neo-wacko to rip apart every line that has been released,just like they did to the Clintons,and then using it to attempt to scare those who are want to be scared.Fear is one of the last tools these tools have.So they are all going to use it as long as there are those who want to be afraid of something.

jesse St Paul MN (Sent Monday, August 31, 2009 10:08 AM)

Where are the jobs Barack? (Sent Monday, August 31, 2009 9:43 AM)

Hot, steaming crap, although served on a silver platter, is still hot, steaming crap. What do you think he can do, seriously? People that don't see that healthcare reform IS essentially a huge tax break to small business, just don't seem to understand how hard it is for small businesses to compete and control labor costs.

I can't even imagine what your 'silver platter' metaphor is supposed to mean. If you think being handed two wars, a record recession, an economy in shambles, record deficits is some how a silver platter - I can't imagine the metal in your wedding rings.

Clara Kansas City, MO (Sent Monday, August 31, 2009 10:09 AM)

Your 'First Thought' reveals your absolute dismay that the man you helped elect is not the miraculous giver of all liberal gifts you believed him to be.

The problem that all liberals have is simple: during the campaign, candidate Obama was able to give lengthy 'policy' speeches-with no definitive policy. Each speech was carefully crafted so that each listener was able to infer what he or she wanted to hear. Those of us who were not mesmerized by Obama tried to warn against this, and hoped that someone, anyone, in the media was listening-all for naught.

Now that candidate Obama is President Obama, the details of his plans are revealed-and rejected by the majority. Even shortly after the election, with Obama enjoying approval ratings in the 60's, his policies were approved by less than majorities. It was only a matter of time before his job approval numbers fell to match the popularity of his policy proposals.
There are many reasons for this-but the first is debt. People think many things would be good to own, but balk at paying the cost, in both dollars and the loss of options. This was last expressed by the voters in California-where voters rejected paying for programs demanded by politicians speaking for vocal minorities, and approved by majorities-until the bills came due.

Candidate Obama was guilty of crafty lies-in that he positioned himself as a moderate. He was able to do this because the media allowed it-they were seduced into ignoring their public trust to reveal the truth behind the rhetoric because they supported his candidacy-in flagrant violations of the canons of journalistic ethics.

Now that the center piece of his presidency-government takeover of the healthcare system-is all but dead, you bemoan the fact that he cannot salvage it with lofty rhetoric.

All is not lost, however-you may still reclaim your dignity and journalistic ideals, and do the jobs you chose. Get a copy of the canons, and pay careful attention to the fact that these were written for exactly this circumstance-to help guide journalists through conflicts of interest, such as when the president is a member of 'your' party.

no joe, no bo, nj (Sent Monday, August 31, 2009 10:09 AM)

How can the president's communication skills counter the gullibility of the public and the media's tolerance of Republican lies? That's a tall order for anyone, no matter how brilliant, if they're at the disadvantage of being constrained by integrity and principles while their opponents are not.
Houston

Yes, that's it, the people are stupid. They are just too dumb to figure out what Obama is talking about. Maybe the people should just bend over and let Obama do what he wants. He did graduate from Harvard you know.

Harvey G., New Haven CT (Sent Monday, August 31, 2009 10:11 AM)

Move on...enough about healthcare reform..it isn't going to happen this year or next...the repugnants are determined to kill any reform bill and the dimocrats aren't very disciplined.

We need a few million more white middle and upper middle class citizens to lose their heavily subsidized healthcare before enough of them will clamor for reform. It will happen, within ten years or so.

Rick, NC (Sent Monday, August 31, 2009 10:12 AM)

Moon Dawg (Sent Monday, August 31, 2009 9:47 AM)

Palin gave a great speech? Seriously? Can you cite the source?

Clara Kansas City, MO (Sent Monday, August 31, 2009 10:12 AM)

What was it that America heard from the previous administration(and their lunatic followers) concerning wiretapping American's" If you having nothing to Hide, you have no need to Worry" ?

So, with the new AG Eric Holder appointing a Special Prosecuter to have a Look into Torture, "If you have nothing to hide Dick Cheney, You should'nt be worried". You can bet that he has a lot to hide, because him & his daughter are the ONLY 2 Republican's on the TV circuit trying to Defend his action's. Guilty on All Counts !

As far as HCR is concerned, Not having the support of Senior's is Nothing new for President Obama, he did'nt have thier support last year & still Mopped the floor ith McCain. Granny was out there last year calling him an Arab, so the Boogeyman was in the Arena before the game started on HCR.

He gave bipartisanship a try(which was his Original plan)to see where he stood with the GOP. Which one of You rightwing Taliban member's on here did'nt think Reconcilliation was gonna be used to Shove it down Your Throats & make ya like it? Thats why it was inserted earlier this year .

Let the Games Begin! Pop the Popcorn Feisty, we're gonna needalot. LMAO !

Rick,Ky (Sent Monday, August 31, 2009 10:13 AM)

If the Dems go the reconciliation route to ram through HCR they will be playing with fire.

Let’s consider the opposition to radical HCR that has surfaced thus far. The key question for the Dems is: is the opposition real, or is it contrived. Contrived means a bunch of astro turfers that organized loudmouths to come to town halls and make must see TV scenes. Real means, well it means real folks have real concerns and are very confused and nervous about what all this HCR stuff is about.

If the Dems conclude that the opposition is contrived, then there is relatively little risk associated with going the reconciliation route. Because under that mindset the astro turfers might blow some more smoke, but things will settle down and life will move on since the country is basically supportive of HCR.

But if the Dems miscalculate and the opposition is real – as I believe it is – then there will be hell to pay if they use reconciliation to force HCR through. That ill considered action could lead to protests in the street that would make the town halls look like a walk in the park. The wrath of an entire nation would be mobilized by the arrogance and hubris of an elitist ruling class that had ignored their misgivings and used an obscure parliamentary device to achieve their goals.

That’s why it’s so funny to see the lefties on this board push the reconciliation approach. They have no clue about the potential negative consequences of that strategy. My guess is that cooler heads will prevail in Congress and the Dems will decide that using reconciliation is too risky. That would mean that any HCR that does pass would be more on the order of incremental reform and not the massive upheaval of the health care system they originally wanted.

And that would be a good thing. It would be an example of the political process producing an outcome that garnered support from the most folks possible. That’s the way the process should work.

Bill, Fairfax, VA (Sent Monday, August 31, 2009 10:18 AM)

Rick,Ky : What was it that America heard from the previous administration(and their lunatic followers) concerning wiretapping American's" If you having nothing to Hide, you have no need to Worry" ?

Thought Obie was going to end that. Guess not.

Granger S., MI (Sent Monday, August 31, 2009 10:18 AM)

We need a few million more white middle and upper middle class citizens to lose their heavily subsidized healthcare before enough of them will clamor for reform. It will happen, within ten years or so.

Rick, NC

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Then who will pay for yours Rick?

Robert NJ (Sent Monday, August 31, 2009 10:19 AM)

"2) We do not have unlimited resources. How are costs going to be cut if there is no rationing or so called "Death Panels"? I know republicans are demagoging the issue but unless end off life costs are cut before all the baby boomers are on medicare this issue has to be addressed. I want to know when we pull the plug on granny, and I understand that it has to happen. " - Alan, NJ
==================================================
The primary driver of increasing costs in health care is not granny's who are "plugged in", and that is why it is not necessary to "pull" any plugs to save money.

The President has ben clear in where he wants to save money, including a savings of $177 billion dollars by ending the subsidies to private insurance companies in the Medicare Advangage program:

"When congressional Republicans first began expanding private insurance Medicare options in 1997, advocates argued the plans would deliver services more efficiently, and hence less expensively, than Medicare's traditional fee-for-service reimbursement.

But the spending on Advantage plans grew over time, with critics arguing Republican majorities were deliberately overfunding it to make the private plans more attractive than traditional Medicare.

As a result, the private plans now cost the government about 14 percent more per person than regular Medicare, according to an analysis by the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, which recommends reimbursement rates to Congress.”

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-tc-nw-medicare-0818-0819aug19,0,667936.story

So there are many savings to be had in our current bloated system that does not involve rationing of care or "death panels".

And if you want to know who is taking the most advantage of the current system, you can start by looking at what industries are spending $1.4 billion dollars a day to stop reform. And here's a hint: it ain't grandmothers.

Nashville_fan (Sent Monday, August 31, 2009 10:23 AM)

Re: the possibility of Vicki Kennedy being an interim appointment to fill Ted's seat in the Senate. Just a bit of political/cultural perspective. Appointing the surviving spouse (usually the wife, of course, in the past) or close relative (child, sibling) to fill out an office-holder's unexpired term is a tradition that has been widely followed in the past. Muriel Humphrey completed her husband's term and it was even more prevalent on the local level, particularly in the days when the husband office-holder was the only breadwinner in the family. ------------ Providing a continuing paycheck and 'cushion' for the suddenly-deprived family was one of the reasons in that case, but it's a practice that has also been favored because it is the best 'bargain' that can be kept with the voters: the person appointed is going to most likely carry on the practices and policies of the deceased, the person that the voters elected to that position. The spouse or close relative is also the most likely to keep on the same staff and provide continuity in dealing with constituents, other officials and the like. And since most often the spouse doesn't aspire to the position on a part time basis (or that can be made a condition of the appointment), it leaves a 'level playing field' for the next regular election. --------- There is much to commend the practice and few downsides. Of course the person appointed needs to be qualified to carry out the duties of the office, but that's certainly not an issue with Vicki Kennedy. Failing a family member, an appointment such as that made in Delaware and Florida is the next most logical, approrpiate choice: someone who will carry on the priciples and values of the person who had been elected and who, not being a candidate in the future, leaves a level playing-field for those who want to compete for the next elected slot. -------------- If Blago had appointed someone like Valerie Jarret to Obama's spot, and Paterson had appointed a close associate of HRC's, on the understanding that neither of those people would run for the position in the next election, things would certainly have been a great deal smoother and more seemly!! As a New Yorker -- a liberal Dem New Yorker at that! -- I am still deeply, deeply offended that Gov. Paterson decided on his own who should be our next Senator and gave her such a head start.

E, NY (Sent Monday, August 31, 2009 10:24 AM)

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