Open thread: Cloture vote on stimulus coming soon; Update: Cloture, 61-36
posted at 4:50 pm on February 9, 2009 by Allahpundit
The final floor speeches are airing on CSPAN2 as we speak. Teddy’s in town and ready to rock; The One’s dusting off his old knocks on McCain for the occasion. Zero hour is 5:30 p.m. If the vote’s any more or less than 61-38, it’ll be a stimulus-sized shock.
While we wait, here’s a snippet from Obama’s town hall in Elkhart today. Three weeks after the apotheosis at the Capitol, this is what’s become of Hopenchange. Read MKH’s report from one of the cult’s house parties over the weekend, too. Exit quotation: “We’re supposed to be the ones convincing other people. We can’t do it if we can’t explain it.”
Update: 61-36 (I forgot that Judd Gregg chose to abstain). The first bite of the crap sandwich is taken. Tomorrow they’ll take another by formally passing it at noon, then it’s on to conference committee to chew it up good.
Blowback
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Daschle says health-care reform “will not be pain free.” Seniors should be more accepting of the conditions that come with age instead of treating them. That means the elderly will bear the brunt.
ctmom on February 9, 2009 at 5:18 PM
after all these years of seasoned citizens voting en masse for democrats, and this is what li’l Tommy gives them as thanks?
funky chicken on February 9, 2009 at 5:25 PM
What balls?
izoneguy on February 9, 2009 at 5:25 PM
Did you see the article on Fox News that Obama has moved responsibility for the Census to the White House, specifically to Rahmbo???
It’s getting more scary by the minute, kids…
Sorry for going off topic….
ladyingray on February 9, 2009 at 5:26 PM
Don’t forget tomorrow we will all hear about TARP 2? Any perdictions on what this one will be. I think i’ll put it at a cool trillion dollars.
Brat4life on February 9, 2009 at 5:26 PM
I should have known better than to comment without cruising through all the threads- the irony was not lost regarding Obama pandering to ex-RV workers!
anniekc on February 9, 2009 at 5:26 PM
Don’t worry. If your stomach is hurting because of a burst appendix, under the new appropriate and cost effective health system your doctor will be able to prescribe Pepto-Bismal.
MB4 on February 9, 2009 at 5:26 PM
nice multi-demographic background they set up.
2 military uniforms, one black male, one white female. A business looking white old male, a blue collar white male and a football loving working class white female.
jp on February 9, 2009 at 5:28 PM
His balls aren’t that impressive…the stupidity of his acolytes in IN, OH, and PA on the other hand…truly breathtaking.
funky chicken on February 9, 2009 at 5:28 PM
I don’t mind it if he is acting out of legitimate ideology. Specter, however, is an outright liar when he claims he is acting like a Reagan Republican. He needs to be ousted from the GOP if he even believes half of the crap he was just spewing on Hannity.
highhopes on February 9, 2009 at 5:28 PM
BOHICA.
batter on February 9, 2009 at 5:29 PM
Way way way more than $1T.
BardMan on February 9, 2009 at 5:29 PM
Orwellian.
artist on February 9, 2009 at 5:29 PM
If I go to the doctors on base with my stomach hurting like that, that is exactly what they will give me.
Brat4life on February 9, 2009 at 5:29 PM
I hate it when filthy liars like Obama use the troops as props to make it appear that he gives a damn about them.
highhopes on February 9, 2009 at 5:29 PM
I don’t get it, I thought the Libtards have been bitching for years that the decisions about appropriate care need to be put back into the hands of physicians. Not giant insurance companies, blah, blah. Now they want to decide what is appropriate for the patient and the physician?
I say it again, We’re all gonna die…
JAM on February 9, 2009 at 5:31 PM
Now that’s funny.
Chuck Schick on February 9, 2009 at 5:31 PM
Did anybody else see this, or am I halucinating? The “stimulus” is going to pass…and it’s just added insult to injury that they struck the Isakson proposal to give folks who buy a primary residence for the next calendar year a $15,000 tax credit.
“stimulus for ACORN but not for the housing market?”
funky chicken on February 9, 2009 at 5:32 PM
Motrin and a Peni shot in da a**
upinak on February 9, 2009 at 5:32 PM
830 billion is a sh*t load of money and add in all the interest and it is easily over ONE TRILLION DOLLARS. This is a crime that undermines our government. This is disloyal by virtue of subversive behavior by the congress and the senate and a deliberate betrayal of the American taxpayer. This is treasonous! Outright treason! On top of all this pork is another train wreck that is about to leave the station and that is TARP II which will be in the neighborhood of 1.5 to 2 TRILLION pre-pork dollars. On top of the TARP II and the current stimulus bill is the OMNIBUS spending bill due up for debate in 60 days or so and this bill will be in the neighborhood of 500 700 BILLION pre-pork dollars. Pelosi has said that this is the first of many stimulus bills so this only the beginning.
“The two enemies of the people are criminals and government, so let us tie the second down with the chains of the constitution so the second will not become the legalized version of the first.-Thomas Jefferson”
0321_GUY on February 9, 2009 at 5:33 PM
The ‘stealth’ measures on mortgage and healthcare issues in this bill are amazing!! Inhofe’s name was just called and this is truly an historic measure.
I’m really scared, but I’m not shrieking like an 8 year old girl….
ElRonaldo on February 9, 2009 at 5:34 PM
So nothing much has changed. I remember a guy who went on sick call and got some antacid or something. Later that day or the next he went to a regular hospital and was diagnosed with a bust appendix and they operated right then and there.
MB4 on February 9, 2009 at 5:35 PM
If this thing on C-SPAN passes right now, Collins will have as good as sold the Republican party out.
Ryan Gandy on February 9, 2009 at 5:37 PM
Youngs98
My apologies. You are right. I asked my husband who is active duty AF and he told me that they can be there in uniform. I did what I normally try not to do and let my emotions get the best of me. Again I apologize. :)
milwife88 on February 9, 2009 at 5:37 PM
Its only a trillion with interest if its paid back right away.
Speakup on February 9, 2009 at 5:37 PM
By the time we hear about TARP II tomorrow, I’m betting we will be spending over 3 trillion on 3 months…
Just think of what that is going to do to our currency and what that in turn is going to do to our balance of payments…
And the govt’s ability to borrow money. And how the goverfnment will be competing with YOU to borrow money.
ElRonaldo on February 9, 2009 at 5:37 PM
Obama is a dangerous megalomaniac with a brilliant stealth machine. Obama voters are “useful idiots”.
marklmail on February 9, 2009 at 5:38 PM
So it’s not perfect and Biden says it has a 30 percent chance of failure.
However, it will be the biggest expenditure of money in the history of the world.
So why doesn’t the president and Congress start off with a modest bill of say 200-300 billion just in case it there is a negative or minimal effect?
The real intent of this monstrosity becomes quite obvious.
jjshaka on February 9, 2009 at 5:38 PM
Its official: 20 of them voted to move forward.
Ryan Gandy on February 9, 2009 at 5:39 PM
can that Peter Beinart link be for real? All the comments say that tax cuts don’t bring any relief and the best thing is food stamps. Wow, that’s some serious good Kool-Aid!
They might be prescient though, since we’ll all be on food stamps soon enough.
kirkill on February 9, 2009 at 5:39 PM
Right. Rush talked about that this afternoon. Seniors hardest hit. The projected cost of your treatment will be divided by the number of years the actuarials say you’re likely to live, to arrive at a cost-effectiveness index. The older you are, the less cost-effective will be assessed your treatment options. Your meds and treatment won’t be considered cost-effective, since the gubmit actuarials say you don’t have a lot longer to live anyway. Gubmit rationing will deny you treatment in favor of younger people (maybe even if they’re illegal aliens).
Let the seniors die off. It’s a helluva way to fix social security, don’cha think?
petefrt on February 9, 2009 at 5:40 PM
I think that’s probably right.
I also know it would have been one of Obama’s political people that chose them to sit directly behind him, on camera.
MayBee on February 9, 2009 at 5:40 PM
Percent of sureness 80%? 75 – 80?
Jaibones on February 9, 2009 at 5:42 PM
Prepare to be stimulated
johnnyU on February 9, 2009 at 5:43 PM
They just wheeled Sheets Byrd to vote for it.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on February 9, 2009 at 5:43 PM
Specter – Yes
Snowe – Yes
Collins – Yes
Liebs – Yes
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on February 9, 2009 at 5:44 PM
That old douche is toast.
izoneguy on February 9, 2009 at 5:45 PM
Corker (RINO-TN) – Yes
(mutha focka)
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on February 9, 2009 at 5:47 PM
This bill isn’t perfect. If it were, it would have to be called Barack Obama.
Christien on February 9, 2009 at 5:47 PM
Maybe I’ll head over to the local GreenPeace chapter and pretend I’m a Lefty and enjoy some of the Champagne. Why not… I paid for it.
Maxx on February 9, 2009 at 5:48 PM
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on February 9, 2009 at 5:47 PM
We’re PORKED.
milwife88 on February 9, 2009 at 5:49 PM
Corker too? These Dems must be giving out golden parachutes.
petefrt on February 9, 2009 at 5:49 PM
Just catchin’ up with all that’s going on. This vote now is for cloture and not the actual bill…Right?
Oldnuke on February 9, 2009 at 5:49 PM
Is that Corker? Or Porker?
misslizzi on February 9, 2009 at 5:49 PM
So far only 4 Repubs that must go.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on February 9, 2009 at 5:50 PM
Corker switched!
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on February 9, 2009 at 5:51 PM
Corker = No!!!!!
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on February 9, 2009 at 5:51 PM
Looky there, Corker just pulled a Brownback.
amerpundit on February 9, 2009 at 5:52 PM
61-36.
amerpundit on February 9, 2009 at 5:53 PM
I haven’t been so afraid for my country since 9/11.
Wethal on February 9, 2009 at 5:55 PM
Mr. Steele, you have your assignments. Go to work.
Those 3 squishy Repubs would have been the difference.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on February 9, 2009 at 5:56 PM
Crap!
Oldnuke on February 9, 2009 at 5:56 PM
Wonder what they offered Corker? Probably a safe seat…
Matt Helm on February 9, 2009 at 5:57 PM
This just sucks no matter how you look at it.
There is no way I can watch the one go on tv tonight and pat these 4 traitors on the back. What time is he supposed to be on so I can make sure I have something else on.
Brat4life on February 9, 2009 at 5:57 PM
Now it goes to conference, where the Senate and House will have to agree on a compromise. It’ll have to pass both houses again after that. Oy vey.
amerpundit on February 9, 2009 at 5:57 PM
Are you sure about Corker? I thought I heard No.
Oleta on February 9, 2009 at 6:00 PM
Listen up, people! The Pennsylvania Democratic Party is putting together their version of Operation Chaos for Specter’s re-election.
jay12 on February 9, 2009 at 6:00 PM
Where is the tipping point? Is this it? If not now, when?
World B. Free on February 9, 2009 at 6:01 PM
Where did you hear that?
Wethal on February 9, 2009 at 6:02 PM
I think I had more hope back then.
misslizzi on February 9, 2009 at 6:04 PM
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on February 9, 2009 at 5:47 PM
I am so ashamed to be anywhere in Tennessee right now.
Ryan Gandy on February 9, 2009 at 6:05 PM
I expect that was the price of his vote. Support him in the primary against a conservative challenger. But he’s a fool if he thinks they’ll let him win the general.
Wethal on February 9, 2009 at 6:08 PM
The important vote was today, as it was the only one which could stop it.
A conference report can only be voted up or down in the Senate, and only needs a simple majority to pass… there is no closure vote, as there is no debate.
Of course, all the Repubs who voted today FOR this crap, will tomorow say “I was betrayed as they put more Pork in”, and vote against it… but it will be to late.
Romeo13 on February 9, 2009 at 6:08 PM
This explains best what is happening in our country, now.
Schadenfreude on February 9, 2009 at 6:08 PM
I wasn’t born to walk on water
I wasn’t born to sack and slaughter
But on my soul, I wasn’t born
To stoop and knuckle under
A man can learn to steal some thunder
A man can learn to work some wonder
And when the guantlet’s down,
It’s time to rise and climb the sky
And soon the moon will smoulder
And the winds will drive
Yes, a man grows older but his soul remains alive
All those tremulous stars still glitter
And I will survive!
Let my heart grow colder and as bitter as a falcon in the dive
There was a dream, a dying ember
There was a dream, I don’t remember
But I will resurrect that dream
Though rivers stream and hills grow steeper
For here in hell where life gets cheaper
Oh, here in hell the blood runs deeper
And when the final duel is near
I’ll lift my spear and fly
Piercing into the sky and higher
And the strong will thrive
Yes, the weak will cower while the fittest will survive
If we wait for the darkest hour
Till we spring alive
Then with claws of fire, we will devour like a falcon in the dive
PercyB on February 9, 2009 at 6:09 PM
He’s preparing for his victory lap tonight on television.
But deep down the idiot knows he kicked a hornet’s nest.
Wait till bread hits $5.00 a loaf.
He owns this.
FACT.
jeff_from_mpls on February 9, 2009 at 6:11 PM
Yes but he is touting this as a bi-partisian bill, no one will question it. They will say he is picking up after Bush and the people, I have a feeling, will believe it.
Most people are going to start asking what’s in for me and he’s going to deliver it to them. Now with the census being moved to the White House. I think they are going to give the blue states more seats and take away from the red ones. We are going down a road never taken. I don’t think it looks so good.
Brat4life on February 9, 2009 at 6:14 PM
At a minimum all four Senators should be stripped of all committee seats.
patrick neid on February 9, 2009 at 6:16 PM
He thinks he will own so many voters with this pork, and will get so many fakes on the voter rolls with ACORN, that it won’t matter if he owns it. It’ll be just about everyone against the “rich” who don’t pay their “fair” share. He’ll claim the “rich” and the GOP (synonymous) want to “cut your programs.”
Wethal on February 9, 2009 at 6:16 PM
Brat4life on February 9, 2009 at 6:14 PM
Bi-partisan bill? No one’s going to buy that. How many Democrats voted against this damn thing?
Ryan Gandy on February 9, 2009 at 6:16 PM
On the phone here in Pittsburgh, from a well-connected relative.
jay12 on February 9, 2009 at 6:17 PM
Now we can send the nasty emails!
artist on February 9, 2009 at 6:17 PM
“If we do not soon bestir ourselves for a bloody revolution, we cannot leave anything to our children but poverty and slavery.”
Die Arbeiter Zeitung,
Chicago, 1886
What shall this now leave to the children of the American Revolution? Time to “downsize” the Federal Government by whatever means is required to do so!
djtnt on February 9, 2009 at 6:17 PM
I believe there’s a second cloture-level vote after conference. Byron York of National Review and the DC Examiner is told the same.
amerpundit on February 9, 2009 at 6:18 PM
In the House about 20. None in the Senate. But the GOP Three made the “bill” as a whole “bipartisan.” The MSM will spin it that way.
Wethal on February 9, 2009 at 6:18 PM
Yes but he is touting this as a bi-partisian bill, no one will question it. They will say he is picking up after Bush and the people, I have a feeling, will believe it.
I understand, but I hold out hope that America is psychologically quite different from Europe which caved in to socialism without a fight.
I seriously question whether 300 million people will willingly turn over their freedom to this man.
My prediction is that Obama will be in deep trouble a year from now, running focus groups on the pros and cons of declaring martial law. He’ll lose.
jeff_from_mpls on February 9, 2009 at 6:18 PM
Of cocurse the seniors will be suprised when they get told they’re too old to to qualify for major surgery, that they should just enjoy the time they have left. And they won’t be around to even realize how they’ve shafted their grandchildren.
katiejane on February 9, 2009 at 6:19 PM
Great video from Glenn Beck on what we’re really doing
PastorJon on February 9, 2009 at 6:19 PM
Thanks. I saw on a post here that that is partly what helped Specter in 2004 (along with Bush’s support).
Wethal on February 9, 2009 at 6:19 PM
I think they will buy it. Who is going to question him on this. I don’t think the media will. Watch the cover ups come. They are going to blame the Republicans and his followers will believe it. If he says it is a bi-partisian bill his people will believe him. They don’t keep up with anything else but what he says.
Brat4life on February 9, 2009 at 6:19 PM
I’m with you. One thing republicans are really good at is writing strongly worded messages!
jeff_from_mpls on February 9, 2009 at 6:21 PM
Maybe so, but not in the way they expected. My guess is when they don’t see immediate gratification (i.e. cash money in their pockets) someone like Jesse Jackson will take up the cause and use it to “cut his parts off” like he wanted to do a few months ago. The others who do not hold great and immediate expectations, in other words, die-hard democrats that wouldn’t vote Republican if their life depended upon it, may take a while to come to terms with what they have done. It will take a year for them to admit they made a mistake and/or see the writing on the wall if the economy remains the same and jobs don’t come back. Life as we knew it will be on pause for many years due to this stimulus bill. Those that understand the ramifications of it will hopefully see the error of their voting ways sometime in the next 12 months.
sherry on February 9, 2009 at 6:21 PM
Backstabbers. They should just change that R to D.
Trov on February 9, 2009 at 6:21 PM
Maybe one of Sir Teddy of Kennedy doctors will have the balls to say that to him….
phreshone on February 9, 2009 at 6:21 PM
I hope so,I really do. As of right now I just can’t see it happening. If anything goes wrong with this, which it will, they will blame the Republicans and Bush. I think the media will cover for him.
Brat4life on February 9, 2009 at 6:21 PM
Help us, Pat Toomey! You’re our only hope. Annouce a 2010 primary run against Arlen. (Even if you plan to change your mind.) Bush and Santorum won’t be around to pull him through the general this time.
Wethal on February 9, 2009 at 6:22 PM
And whomever it was who posted that was SPOT ON! They’ve got all the bases covered. Specter has no concern whatsoever.
jay12 on February 9, 2009 at 6:22 PM
Katie did you listen to Rush today?
The pork bill contains a provision for the federal government to monitor all medical procedures and to start the process of regulating them.
The democrat party has its sights on the elderly.
Sad that these poor folks vote democrat because the AARP tells them to.
jeff_from_mpls on February 9, 2009 at 6:23 PM
Absolutely. Michael Steele, in whom we have such trust, are you listening?
petefrt on February 9, 2009 at 6:26 PM
I wonder how far the dow is going to fall tomorrow…
BuckNutty on February 9, 2009 at 6:27 PM
Witnessing the slow death of America. Never thought I’d see it. My children and grandchildren will not know the country I grew up in. Watching Obama’s townhall meeting and hearing the people chant Obama made me weep. By the time they wake up from their hypnosis it will be to late. I guess I will only be able to remember the shining city on hill and tell my children what it used to be like. Remember when socialism was a dirty word?
church on February 9, 2009 at 6:31 PM
He has to trust that the Dems’ (!) actions will be enough to pull him through the primary.
Last time he had Bush, and Santorum on his side, too. Santorum went to bat for him (and Specter didn’t return the favor in 2006.) Santorum had an article in the Inquirer a few weeks ago warning Arlen that if Toomey didn’t run, there were a couple of other GOP state officeholders that might.
Specter had these three factors helping last time. Now he has one. And a very angry conservative faction in the PA GOP.
Wethal on February 9, 2009 at 6:32 PM
Well, guess I’ll fill out the “Survey of older adults” I’ve just received from County Aging Services, and see if I can score some of that stimulus loot.
Skandia Recluse on February 9, 2009 at 6:33 PM
ctmom on February 9, 2009 at 5:18 PM
I’m seriously tempted to refer to Daschle using another seven letter word with “le” on the end of it. Maybe that can be his new nickname.
Ryan Gandy on February 9, 2009 at 6:33 PM
Just got through with emailing all three of them. I kept it short.
Ryan Gandy on February 9, 2009 at 6:36 PM
The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of others people money.
- Margaret Thatcher
MB4 on February 9, 2009 at 6:40 PM
others peopleother peoplesMB4 on February 9, 2009 at 6:41 PM
I’m guessing a sucker’s rally for a couple of days, then look out below.
MB4 on February 9, 2009 at 6:42 PM
If any one caves, then the other two would each have to deny they were the 60th vote. Claiming you were really the 61st is safer, because you can say your vote really didn’t affect things.
Wethal on February 9, 2009 at 6:43 PM
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