First thoughts: Senate gets the baton

Posted: Monday, November 09, 2009 9:18 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: First Thoughts

From Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, Domenico Montanaro, and Ali Weinberg
*** Senate gets the baton: After Saturday night’s historic, contentious, and very narrow health-care vote in the House of Representatives, the action now moves to the Senate, where things won’t get any easier. On Sunday, President Obama made a rare statement from the White House Rose Garden. “Now it falls on the United States Senate to take the baton and bring this effort to the finish line on behalf of the American people,” he said. Unfortunately for Obama and the Democrats, the Senate will never be mistaken for Usain Bolt. Why? While House Speaker Nancy Pelosi could afford losing 39 Democratic votes on Saturday, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid can’t lose a single one to bring it to the floor. What’s more, conservative Senate Dems -- not to mention Joe Lieberman (I-D) -- have major objections to the “opt out” public option in Reid’s bill. “If the public option plan is in there, as a matter of conscience, I will not allow this bill to come to a final vote,” Lieberman said yesterday on FOX.

Video: Rep. Anthony Weiner, D-N.Y., President of the American Medical Association Dr. James Rohack and the Washington Post's Jonathan Capehart debate whether the House health reform bill will pass in the Senate.

*** Give Pelosi her due: Speaker Pelosi deserves her due on Saturday’s vote. She had said she'd get this out of the House as soon as she had the votes. By going when she did, with another Dem in her pocket (the new seat in NY-23) and keeping the House in session over the weekend, she got it done. And she even quelled a potential uprising among the most pro-choice members of her caucus. It was an impressive performance; she had her share of backseat drivers in all parts of official Washington, and she pulled it off. By the way, the NEXT health care vote in the House should be easier to get, given that what comes out of conference (the “opt out” or the trigger) will likely be a tad easier for moderates to support. That said, the abortion issue could still end up a problem at some point in this process. But the way she navigated the bill over the weekend should re-shape the C.W. on her a tad. As the L.A. Times notes, she's a lot more pragmatic than her opponents want to paint her. And now you know why she was able to become leader of her caucus and why she's Speaker until either the voters decide -- or she decide she doesn't want the job anymore.

*** Republicans aren’t the only ones eating their own: As mentioned, 39 House Democrats -- most of them from conservative-leaning congressional districts -- voted against the bill, while just one Republican -- Cao of Louisiana -- voted for it. Well, liberal MoveOn has announced it will launch a $500,000 ad blitz, which will start in the middle of the week, targeting Dems who voted against it, such as Mike Ross (AR), Jason Altmire (PA), Glenn Nye (VA), Rick Boucher (VA), Larry Kissell (NC), and Health Shuler (NC). Meanwhile, MoveOn says it will hold “thank you” events on Thursday and Friday for some 60 Dems who voted yes, and AFSCME and liberal Health Care for America Now (HCAN) are also running TV ads thanking many of these folks.

*** Drawing more battle lines: Indeed, this "thank you" list is a good place to start our 2010 focus to see how the Obama agenda is playing -- not in the 39 districts of the Democrats who voted no. A First Read analysis of the Saturday’s vote finds that about 60 of the Democrats who voted for health care are either in vulnerable or potentially vulnerable districts, including 18 who represent districts that went for McCain. Another 10 are in districts where Obama got less than 55%; six are from districts where Obama got more than 55%, but the member got less than 55%; 14 are in districts which Obama won by less than 55%, but they won by more than 55%; and at least another 12 are in districts where both they and Obama got more than 55%, but either have been competitive in the past or could be competitive. We'll release the full list later today.

*** Backlash against Muslims? The trickiest issue for the military and the president to deal with this week regarding the Ft. Hood shootings may be the growing concern over backlash against Muslim Americans. The more we learn about the shooter, the more the military is concerned about this backlash issue. With every detail about his religion that becomes public, it's likely that much harder for other practicing Muslims in the military to walk around their bases. Army Gen. George Casey warned on “Meet the Press” that this kind of scrutiny could hurt the military’s diversity. “Our diversity -- not only in our Army but in our country -- is a strength. And as horrific as this tragedy was, if our diversity becomes a tragedy, I think that’s worse.” And if this incident gets classified as a terrorist attack on U.S. soil, something Lieberman raised over the weekend, then the backlash could get even worse.

*** Barack and Bibi: The biggest event on President Obama’s schedule today is a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu at 7:00 pm ET. The Israelis usually love to get their American presidential photo-ops, but Netanyahu won't get one unless the White House releases an official photograph. Why? There is no pool spray or media moment between the two at all. Part of the reason is that the White House only agreed to meet Netanyahu in the last 48 hours, despite Netanyahu's pleas for a meeting for weeks. The Israeli leader is in U.S. for a speech here in DC. The fact this meeting was so difficult to put together only underscores the perception that the two men just don't see eye-to-eye when it comes to their world views; the two are distant, there’s no other way to describe their relationship. The Middle East peace process appears stalled (that should be a topic tonight), and then the news that Iran is reneging on its deal over nukes will also be something that dominates.

*** Time to walk away? On Sunday, the New York Times’ Tom Friedman issued some advice for Obama when it comes to the Middle East: walk away from the negotiating table until Israel and the Palestinian Authority realize they really want peace. “Right now we want it more than the parties. They all have other priorities today. And by constantly injecting ourselves we’ve become their Novocain. We relieve all the political pain from the Arab and Israeli decision-makers by creating the impression in the minds of their publics that something serious is happening… Indeed, it’s time for us to dust off James Baker’s line: ‘When you’re serious, give us a call: 202-456-1414. Ask for Barack. Otherwise, stay out of our lives. We have our own country to fix.’”

*** 2012 watch: By the way, look who was in Iowa this weekend: Tim Pawlenty and Mike Huckabee. “Pawlenty’s speech at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines [was] the first high- profile event of the early audition season in the state that holds the nation’s first presidential caucus,” Bloomberg News writes. And check out this quote from T-Paw: “Minnesota and Iowa have a lot in common. We’re a state that if you drive across the Minnesota border into northern Iowa, you can’t tell that you’re in a different state in a lot of ways.” This is Pawlenty's launching pad, pure and simple. Even if the other major candidates attempt to downplay the Hawkeye State, Pawlenty won't (and can't) in 2012. And here was Huckabee, courtesy of the Des Moines Register: “2008 Iowa Republican caucuses winner Mike Huckabee spent his Sunday in Davenport, Cedar Rapids and West Des Moines, signing copies of his new book, 'A Simple Christmas: Twelve Stories That Celebrate the True Holiday Spirit.' But many of the 300 people who turned out for his book-signing in West Des Moines weren't focused on a holiday that's seven weeks away. Their minds were on 2012.”

*** Remembering the day the wall came tumbling down: Finally, today is the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. Don’t miss Tom Brokaw’s reporting on the anniversary on “Meet” yesterday.

Countdown to MA Special Primary: 29 days
Countdown to MA Special Election: 71 days
Countdown to Election Day 2010: 358 days

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Comments

“the victory came on the heels of sobering evidence that even a president as popular as he remains is subject to the shifting public mood, an economy struggling to recover and events that are beyond his direct control.”

Obama clearly recognizes the constraints on his actions — the narrow range of choices in Afghanistan, the shrunken group of political moderates that might have accelerated his agenda, the decades of policy prescriptions that would take years to unravel...cajoling change that he promised as a candidate over the objections of a nearly unified GOP and a sharply divided party of his own.

But the almost naively hopeful "Yes, we can!" spirit of his campaign is harder to see with the more realistic Barack Obama in the White House.

Very interesting on the Week Ahead post on Friday afternoon that there were six posts made 5:33 pm - 5:51 pm. Only two names showing, Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL and Clara Kansas City, MO, every other post as it was.

Things that make you go Mmmmmmmmmm, Mmmmmmmmmmmm, Mmmmmmmmmmm. ;<)

Mirrors?

Kathy, Charlotte (Sent Monday, November 09, 2009 9:23 AM)

T W O * C H O I C E S * C A P I T A L I S M * O R * C O M M U N I S M

1.] Prosperity and enterprise as set up by our Founding Fathers .

2.] Socialism and suffering because we are lazy and the poorest will suffer the most .

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

The Democrats are now very vulnerable and there are patriots that can vote them out of power.

Annie Mitt (Sent Monday, November 09, 2009 9:25 AM)

I want to take a moment to re-visit last Thursday’s HATE fest by the ‘astro-turfer’s in DC.

Now on Friday we had the right wingers around here who were ALL too quick to point out some of the signs that were seen at Anti-Bush rallies (and for a nice change of pace even posted the link to back up their point).

Fair Enough… But I would like to point out a couple of things that they ‘forgot’ to mention (damn that selective memory syndrome) lol lol

1.) The anti-Bush rallies were not organized sponsored & endorsed by SITTING members of Congress.

2.) Democratic members of Congress WERE NOT signing autographs & getting their pictures taken under vile & repulsive signs.

3.) Not only did these sitting members encourage this hate & anti-Semitic rhetoric
They continued to condone it!

And finally keep in mind that these Repuliklan morons can’t even tell the difference between the Constitution & The Declaration of Independence!

Moral of the story is… you can educate them all you want… but there is a percentage of this country that REFUSES to STOP being stuck on STUPID!

Way to go Madame Speaker! Congrats to you & the rest of the members who voted FOR HCR!!!

Harry? I hope you’re paying attention! This is how things get done…

If this doesn’t cause the right wing whack jobs heads to EXPLODE like a nice fresh pot of kettle corn… I don’t know what will! lol lol lol

Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL (Sent Monday, November 09, 2009 9:25 AM)

Liberals have fallen all over themselves with the one Republican, Rep. Cao, voting for The Health Care Destruction Act of 2009. But the liberals don't seem to have much to say about the 40 some Democrats that voted against the same bill.

Don't Have A Cao Man (Sent Monday, November 09, 2009 9:25 AM)

There are 18 Democrats who voted for the smelly pile of garbage that the Village Idiot passed Saturday night, who live in Red States that were won by John McCain. They have every reason to worry because they most likely have met their Waterloo when they voted for the worthless bill that will be DOA in the U. S. Senate. They seem to be slightly brain-dead so why do we need them making laws?

Peggy Lawton (Sent Monday, November 09, 2009 9:26 AM)

Although I'm basically a pro-lifer, Pelosi is a walking advertisement for abortions.

J.Bodine, Ark (Sent Monday, November 09, 2009 9:26 AM)

The biggest tax increases in American history are included in the House Unhealthy bill. And the leader of the clan to pass those taxes, none other then tax cheat Charlie Rangel!

Thanks Charlie! (Sent Monday, November 09, 2009 9:27 AM)

Judas Goat: As our leaders move forward on healthcare reform, they must develop systems to control the baseline physical condition of our citizenry. The two things that they must consider are diet and physical conditioning. To address the second I believe that a mandatory nation physical fitness routine should be developed.

--------------------------

Oh, good! Will we wear uniforms, and sing songs to our Great Leader as part of our exercise routine? After which we can all go to the rice fields and tend to our crops.

Cao Mein (Sent Monday, November 09, 2009 9:27 AM)

Here I thought I was asking for Health Care Reform. Instead, if I don't comply 100% with what Pelosi passed, I'll go to prison.

Loretta Davis, Dover NH (Sent Monday, November 09, 2009 9:28 AM)

Is this a great country or what! Unemployed? No problem! Our government will just extend your unemployment benefits, some now up to 99 weeks, and you can stay home and watch Oprah! But, you say "What about my health care?". No problem again! Our government will make you buy affordable health care insurance, but if you can't pay for it, like if you're unemployed, the government will pay for it for you! But, you ask, "Who's going to pay for it?". No problem again! The HCR bill is fully funded by the American taxpayers! You know those dolts that still have jobs! We'll just jack them with a 70% tax rate.

What A Country (Sent Monday, November 09, 2009 9:28 AM)

LIEberman cares ONLY about the money train that directly leads to him from the many insurance companies that are based out of Connecticut. Hey you sell out its all about what's in it for you and pay back for McCain/Palin losing.

Juan,Ft Lauderdale,Fl (Sent Monday, November 09, 2009 9:29 AM)

Well, thanks to the Democrats, unemployment is now at a 26 year high. Good thing the country needs ditch-diggers too. What? It doesn't?

Olsen, Concord MA (Sent Monday, November 09, 2009 9:29 AM)

What ever is wrong - It's Bush's fault.

BHO (Sent Monday, November 09, 2009 9:30 AM)

Congratulations to Speaker Pelosi and the House of Representatives for passing the Health Reform bill this Saturday!

I watched it live on C-Span, and after all the ups and downs in health care this year, it was truly gratifying to finally see success.

There is still a long way to go, but I for one am going to take a day or two to SAVOR this historic victory for the American people over corporate money and lies.

It ain't perfect, but it is a BIG STEP in the right direction!

Thanks also go to President Obama for putting Health Reform at the TOP of his agenda where it belongs, and not on the backburner like the pundits and corporate interests were BEGGING him to do . . . WE THE PEOPLE have been victimized by the current system long enough.

Nashville_fan (Sent Monday, November 09, 2009 9:31 AM)

I wish the MSM were more objective. All last week, the MSM were sounding the death-knell on healthcare reform, predicting Pelosi wouldn't have the votes. Well, she got them. I think the country would be in a better mood if the MSM weren't digging for doom behind every story. For goodness sakes, the MSM are already sounding the alarm for the demise of the Democrats next year. RME.

Cindy Lou, TX (Sent Monday, November 09, 2009 9:32 AM)

Things that make you go Mmmmmmmmmm, Mmmmmmmmmmmm, Mmmmmmmmmmm. ;<)

Mirrors?

Kathy, Charlotte (Sent Monday, November 09, 2009 9:23 AM)
_______________

You don't wear jealously 'green' very well dear!

Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL (Sent Monday, November 09, 2009 9:32 AM)

FORT HOOD MASSACRE AN ACT OF RADICAL ISLAM TERRORISM.

The SHOOTER used an FN 5.6 mm assault pistol, a specialized handgun designed to cause carnage. The FN 5.7 is a semi-automatic pistol that fires an extremely high-powered, small caliber, armor-piercing bullet at a velocity of 2,000 feet per second from a 30-round magazine. Its destructiveness is comparable to that of an M-16 in semi-automatic mode.

This is not the type of weapon an average person selects and learns to use in a visit to a local gun store. People who “flip out” and go on a killing spree usually use a traditional weapon, such as a .357 magnum revolver or a 9 mm pistol. And they usually aim there violence towards a specific group of people with whom the have a grudge. Terrorists, however, aim there violence indiscriminately at a group of innocent people they don’t even know! LIKE HASAN DID.

If Hasan, a known disgruntled Muslim, was angry for being ‘picked on,’ he would have gone to the location where those people could be found. He didn’t. All the facts indicate that Hasan was an Islamic radical who committed a terrorist act and that he had been schooled or trained in the choice and use of the “cop killer” weapon by another terrorist. WHO & WHERE? Hopefully the “investigation” will not become a 'politically-correct' cover-up.

TERRORISM IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN OBAMACARE! (Sent Monday, November 09, 2009 9:32 AM)

The Blue Dog Democrats in the House should start their polling for their re-election after the holidays. Why give them something to be upset about until after Christmas?

Merry Christmas BDs (Sent Monday, November 09, 2009 9:32 AM)

oooooh! so scared about backlash to Muslims......the Fort Hood tragedy wouldn't have ahppened in the first place if people weren't so scared of calling the crazy muslim a crazy muslim. Political correctness has gone too far. PC is thought control. If the crazy muslims don't like it, they can go back to their crazy countries.

PC is Thought Control (Sent Monday, November 09, 2009 9:33 AM)

MORE BOTOX

Nancy, your chin is sagging again from all that overnight yapping about your Health Care Bill, which we think will fail in the Senate.

Get on your high horse and ride, Puddin' Pelosi ... til the wrinkles fall out. And this time don't ride Obie. He's been rode hard and put away wet. Get on Harry, for a change.

Sexy Sadie
Louisiana CoCo
Peter Percival Patterson ... and the rest.

The Chihuahua Gang (Sent Monday, November 09, 2009 9:36 AM)

There are so many losers in the bill passed by the house that the Democrats will lose big time in 2010. Thanks, guys for allowing the Republicans back in to power because you can't govern from the center.

Alan, NJ (Sent Monday, November 09, 2009 9:36 AM)

Annie Mitt did you get your education from Fox News that's what it looks like to me. Capitalism vs Communism. Seriously now. The wingnuts have been using this same fear monger tactics since the 50's to bring along the ignorant masses so the former can get their agenda through w/ no check and balances. It's the present day tea baggers and birthers.

Juan, Ft Lauderdale,Fl (Sent Monday, November 09, 2009 9:37 AM)

Why is it that Obie did not attend the shin-dig in Germany?? He can't stand for anything that symbolizes the defeat of government control. He wants the opposite - - he wants to control every aspect of your life.

Keep the Change (Sent Monday, November 09, 2009 9:37 AM)

*** Time to walk away? On Sunday, the New York Times’ Tom Friedman issued some advice for Obama when it comes to the Middle East: walk away from the negotiating table until Israel and the Palestinian Authority realize they really want peace. “

----------------------

But, but, but, but, but, . . . ,but didn't Obama say he'd talk to anyone, at any time, anywhere? Didn't the Liberals believe that Obama could reason with anyone and solve everyones problems without so much as one shot fired? Now Friedman, one of the biggest Liberals ever, is telling Obama to walk away?

So much for Barack the Magic Man.

Hennie Pennie (Sent Monday, November 09, 2009 9:38 AM)

It is now time to make the Health Care Reform Bill even more prolife.

No reimbursements to states that carry out the death penalty. First of all killing is wrong - the ten commandments tell us so. Second, many of those executed are innocent. Everyday more DNA evidence is revealed that we are executing innocent people. Many as innocent as those fetuses that are being aborted.

Also, no reimbursement or coverage should be given to those who have engaged in war. War kills people and it is wrong - the ten commandments tell us so. We need to cut off funding not only in the Health Care Reform bill for soldiers, we need to shut down the VA Hospitals.

Killing is killing - let's be consistent in our principles.

Sharon, Miwaukee, WI (Sent Monday, November 09, 2009 9:38 AM)

Barack and Bibi: Sounds like a new comedy pair, and in fact it is. FR: "The Middle East peace process appears stalled". Bibi will find out what everyone in the US already knows. Obama is all talk, and no action. Bibi probably wants to know what happened to all those inspections that the US was going to have done at all the Iran nuke sites. Those were supposed to happen weeks ago, but never did.

JBonner, SD (Sent Monday, November 09, 2009 9:41 AM)

I still cannot figure how ppl will pay for health care if the unemployment rate keeps rising like it has done so far. I cannot, for thelife of me, figure why Obie wouldn't work harder on employment first and then take on health care. Health care is is an issue that needs attention, but it's not something that hasn't been around a long time. Will the world stop if we don't change it until after more ppl are employed? Now, we have a health care bill that will hit small businesses hard, many will not only lose jobs but they'll lose their insurance. DUMB DA DUMB DUMB

DUMB DA DUMB DUMB...dems on health care (Sent Monday, November 09, 2009 9:43 AM)

Well, thanks to the Democrats, unemployment is now at a 26 year high. Good thing the country needs ditch-diggers too. What? It doesn't?
Olsen, Concord MA (Sent Monday, November 09, 2009 9:29 AM)

------------
Two Years into Reagan's first term, Unemployment was at an all time high, gas prices at record levels, defecit spending exploded, he allowed all those poor marines to be blown up in Beruit...guess that makes Reagan Worst President Ever!!!

Pat Huntington NY...Reagan...worst president ever! (Sent Monday, November 09, 2009 9:47 AM)

It's no surprise that Obama and Bibi don't see eye to eye... Jews and muslims rarely do.

The Truth (Sent Monday, November 09, 2009 9:49 AM)

To Annie Mitt (sent Mon.9:25am)Giving U.S citizens a choice "Public option" is not communisium & you know it. Repubs only care about themselves & the very rich & also they are bought & payed for by the Insurance Companies who paid them big bucks to vote against the Dems who are the real patriots. "they care about the average & poor cititizens, not just the super wealthy. And if you are treatening to vote against Dems ha ha "go ahead & do it ha ha."

gepa (Sent Monday, November 09, 2009 9:49 AM)

Forgot all about those town hall meetings, didn't you Blue Dogs? Need not worry, after next November, you won't have to deal with those meetings anymore.

Blue Dog Vaccine (Sent Monday, November 09, 2009 9:50 AM)

It ain't perfect, but it is a BIG STEP in the right direction!
............
some will definitely debate with it's the "right" direction. It's certainly a "big step" and one that we can't turn back from after it flops. Our system of health care will be destroyed; we'll be standing in lines like in other countries. We'll be told we're too old or you can just take pain pills instead of surgery. Celebrate all you want; too me, this is a time of disaster for this country. there were so many easier, incremental things that could have been done.

lily (Sent Monday, November 09, 2009 9:50 AM)

Stacey K, Indiana (Sent Monday, November 09, 2009 9:52 AM)

MASSACRE

The Fort Hood Massacre was indeed an act of terrorism.

Keep in mind that Barack Obama doesn't believe in Islamic Terrorism, won't use that term. It is offensive to him. We wonder why. Let's look at it closely. Yep, the answer is as clear as glass.

Full Moon
RAZOR
Pagan Baby ... and the rest.

The Chihuahua Gang (Sent Monday, November 09, 2009 9:52 AM)

They still didn't address the illegal immigrant problem, did they? Take out the coverage for illegals and demand proof of legal citizenship. I don't want my taxes paying for ILLEGALs.

Linda, MI (Sent Monday, November 09, 2009 9:53 AM)

vThank you Nancy Pelosi !!
A MAGNIFICANT JOB !

Hey what happened to the Tea Baggers ??

I thought they were gonna 'kill the bill' ?
Came up a little short huh ?
What happened to Boner ?
I thought he was gonna save 'America's Freedom'?
(after sleeping thru Haebeus Corpus and massive uncontrolled wire tapping)

It SUCKS to be a Republican

'...more, conservative Senate Dems -- not to mention Joe Lieberman (I-D) -- have major objections to the “opt out” public option in Reid’s bill. “If the public option plan is in there, as a matter of conscience, I will not allow this bill to come to a final vote,” Lieberman said yesterday on FOX...'

WTF is the PROBLEM ?

USE RECONCILIATION
It takes 51 Votes

WTF is WRONG with Obama ??
Use Reconciliation and STEP ON Lieberman !!
Obama saved Lieberman's seniority
Time to call in your chits

Start putting pressure on the Blue Dogs
Obama seems INTENT on NOT pressuring people
He seems intent on deleting the Public Option

Get it DONE, OBAMA !!

MSierra, SF (Sent Monday, November 09, 2009 9:53 AM)

Democrats: 1
Republicans: 0

Public Interest: 1
Tea Baggers: 0

Pelosi: 1
Boner: 0

HA ! HA !!

MSierra, SF (Sent Monday, November 09, 2009 9:54 AM)

I think we need to recognize how far the HCR movement has come. People on both sides of the aisle admit that there are problems--insurance company abuses, pre-existing condition issues, lack of affordable coverage, needs of the uninsured swamping the system, etc. So the Democrats in the House have passed an attempt to address these issues. As Nashville Fan says, it isn't perfect but it is progress. We must all focus on the Senate and move them forward as well. We have come further than we have before and surely a compromise can be reached. I am sorry that the Republicans haven't participated in the process in good faith but it is time for the train to leave the station with or without them.

P.S. Go Steelers tonight!

Steeler Fan Pittsburgh, PA (Sent Monday, November 09, 2009 9:56 AM)

“If the public option plan is in there, as a matter of conscience, I will not allow this bill to come to a final vote,” Lieberman said yesterday on FOX.

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

A clear, concise, and unambiguous comment from a politician. Rare. Very rare.

RRT - Vermont (Sent Monday, November 09, 2009 9:56 AM)

I think the country would be in a better mood if the MSM weren't digging for doom behind every story. For goodness sakes, the MSM are already sounding the alarm for the demise of the Democrats next year. RME.
Cindy Lou, TX (Sent Monday, November 09, 2009 9:32 AM)
___________

You sure got that RIGHT Cindy Lou!

If I have to hear one MORE time the MSM spewing that the COST is over 1 trillion dollars WITHOUT them also pointing out it is deficit neutral I’m going to puke!

For those of you who don’t know was deficit neutral means… it means it’s PAID for!!!

Then you wonder why this countries in the shape it is… most people take this crap as the TRUTH!

Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL (Sent Monday, November 09, 2009 9:57 AM)

Cheers to Speaker Pelosi for getting the bill passed. No health care reform legislation since LBJ has gotten this far. The Senate in my view has become so divided and coupled with its somewhat arcane traditions it has become difficult for either party to pass major, transformational legislation. Sen Reid has a tough job to get this done. I still think Lieberman is a bag of air right now basking in the sunshine of attention and I do not believe he has the courage to stand alone for a filibuster; he probably thought that IF he said he would vote against cloture a number of democrats would stand with him. Wrong, they may not vote for the final bill but they will not kill their party by voting to filibuster; they know their constituents would be angry and they know it would cost them the next election. Lieberman is calculating for something in return for his cloture vote. Would be nice if Connecticut voters remember Lieberman's threats next time he's up for re-election.

There's a difference between what MoveOn is doing and what is happening to the republican party; the MoveOn ads will get grassroots folks who support HCR to let their legislators know how they feel about the votes they cast but I think it would be better if they stuck to thank you ads. In the political horsetrading world, controversial legislation is generally passed by the magic number needed and a couple more for good measure--those in difficult districts are then allowed to vote the way their constituents want--it's covering the backside so to speak. I would prefer MoveOn concentrate on Senate democrats and Lieberman since that should be the focus now. The GOP is fractured into regular and extreme factions; right now the extreme right is winning but at what price. NY 23 is the perfect example of what will happen nationwide if the far right continues to interfere in local politics. The fact that Pawlenty has moved to the far right will hurt him in a general election should he win the GOP nomination in 2012. McCain embraced the far right during the primary and it cost him moderates and independents in the end--his selection of far right Palin as VP was a huge mistake. Most of us are moderates, we may have strong left or right leaning views on many issues but pretty much we're either center left or center right.

Jody, Iowa (Sent Monday, November 09, 2009 9:58 AM)

OK we are one step closer to the largest fundamental change to our great society since the New Deal. Cao Mein I am talking about singing songs I am talking about killing two birds with one stone. By leving taxes against unhealthy foods like fatty meats we not only lower national healthcare expenses we will also do more to lower green house gases than cap and trade will. If we put a 200% tax or tariff on all fatty meats your 4 dollar a pound steak will cost 12 dollars a pound. We can use the money generated from this to further enhance our healthcare system. You can still eat what you want you just have to be willing to reimburse society for the strain your poor decisions put on the system. As demand for meat reduces worldwide, methane from meat production will drop. In addition as more farmers grow fruits and vegetables the plants will absorb more CO2 lowering emissions further. The same can be done to foods high in cholesterol, sugar, and salt. Money from these can be used to fund the national physical fitness program further lowering healthcare costs. Are you so selfish that you don’t want to do what is best for society? It is that selfishness and greed that has 5 % of the world population controlling over 50% of the world resources. Perhaps you are one of the 5%. We must move forward in the Senate for the greater good. The evolution of our great society has begun.

Judas Goat (Sent Monday, November 09, 2009 9:59 AM)

Pat

Reagan... worst President?

You mean one of the best, don't you?

Obie is the worst ... and
going
down.

And that's the plain truth.

Stop making things up as facts.

Give your "opinion" that Reagan was the worst.

Do not express it as fact because that would be a lie.

Obie is not a lie, but "fact" so far.

Little Nardi (Sent Monday, November 09, 2009 9:59 AM)

I'm sure the Senate will make this Health Care Bill discussion a real fiasco. Makes you wonder if the people running the country really have the ordinary people in mind when they bring up these bills or if they just want to line their own pockets. Everyone including Senators and Congressmen should get the same health coverage as the average man. Then we might see some progress on these issues. Congressmen and Senators get life long coverage and they also get a lifelong salary even when they are no longer in office. Something is wrong with this picture.

JoAnn, Moundsville, WV (Sent Monday, November 09, 2009 10:01 AM)

PRESIDENT BIDEN?

We've thought about it for some time.

Screwball Biden would make a better Prez than Obie becasue at least, wrong or right, he can make a decision and won't allow Pelosi to bullwhip him.

And he knows there's not 57 states.

Bad Chihuahua
RAZOR
Palomino ... and the rest.

The Chihuahua Gang (Sent Monday, November 09, 2009 10:05 AM)

If Hasan, a known disgruntled Muslim, was angry for being ‘picked on,’ he would have gone to the location where those people could be found. He didn’t. All the facts indicate that Hasan was an Islamic radical who committed a terrorist act and that he had been schooled or trained in the choice and use of the “cop killer” weapon by another terrorist. WHO & WHERE? Hopefully the “investigation” will not become a 'politically-correct' cover-up.
TERRORISM IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN OBAMACARE! (Sent Monday, November 09, 2009 9:32 AM)

*****

You have no idea what the facts are with this because you are not part of the investigation.(If you are you should be arrested and thrown in prison for talking about it). You have no idea what the motives are. You cannot assume anything at this point. You are an idiot and need to STFU.

This crap may go on the fox boards, but we don't tolerate it here.

FR B.S. Police (Alter Ego #2) (Sent Monday, November 09, 2009 10:06 AM)

Socialized health care will work as well as the socialized banks, socialized insurance companies, socialized car makers, and socialized distribution of h1n1 vaccine. And the Post Office.

HT - Boston (Sent Monday, November 09, 2009 10:06 AM)

Feisty, a good list, but I would add one more thing. The Democrats did not have a cable news station like Faux News advertising the mental midgets' hate fest. Really, all of you who call yourselves Republicans, do you REALLY support the racist ignorance that Palin, Limbaugh and the Three Stooges, Hannity, O'Reilly and Beck vomit daily? Dear Democrat Party: It is time to do the right thing. Remove Colin Peterson, and the idiot Lieberman from any powerful committees. Run good candidates against them. Dear Idiot Peterson, I have held my nose to vote for you, NO MORE! I will support any reasonable candidate with money and work that runs against you.

newdayDAWNING (Sent Monday, November 09, 2009 10:07 AM)

Sharon, Miwaukee states Killing is killing-let's be consistent in our principles. You and others w/ your mind set are like abortion on demand is murder but support a political party that lies about war resulting in million of deaths but you are so adamant about letting big government have total control over a women's reproductive organs. When millions of neglected and abused children suffer daily in this country we are waiting for you GOP COUNTRY CLUB families to become foster parents and or adopt them. Like myself and my partner who took in a foster 10 y/o boy and now he's a successful 18 y/o in college. So put out for the good of children instead of lip service by claiming to be so pro-life. In regards to the Catholic church which has no credibility when they have the audacity to defend pedophile priests and file for bankrupcles to prevent paying out for their cover-ups. Lets turn the clock back to back alley abortions. If that happens get ready for a revolt that will include nice surburbian gop 16 year old daughters who were suppose to stay virgins until they were married.

Juan, Ft Lauderdale, (Sent Monday, November 09, 2009 10:07 AM)

JT Smith, OK (Sent Monday, November 09, 2009 10:08 AM)

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