Open thread: Senate debate on approving debate on Reid plan; Update: Cloture passes, 60-39
posted at 11:07 am on November 21, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
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The cloture vote to enable debate, amendments, and assorted Senatorial nonsense on a bill that would revamp 15% of the American economy and put it under the federal thumb has been scheduled for this evening at 8 pm ET, but the debate on the debate has already begun … and it’s already had a moment of ironic nonsense. Harry Reid claimed that a vote against opening debate tonight amounted to an Orwellian action:
“Now he said, anyone who votes for this is going to have a lot of explaining to do,” Reid said during his floor speech today. “Now that is really Orwellian. That is Orwellian. Have a lot of explaing to do if they allow a debate to continue?” …
“All were asking today is to have a debate on it. I mean, why would anyone be afraid in supposedly the greatest debating society in the world
to debate healthcare,” he said. “What are they afraid of?”Reid may have aimed his remarks at the two remaining Democratic holdouts on the motion that needs 60 votes to pass.
You know, a man who wants to put government in charge of making decisions on health care, create “comparative effectiveness” rationing panels, and calls over $500 billion in cuts to Medicare “saving” the program should be cautious about referencing George Orwell and 1984.
Update: Should have mentioned this first, but hat tip to HA commenter Willie for prompting the open thread.
Update (AP): The big question mark, obviously, is Blanche Lincoln, but it’ll be worth watching Nelson’s, Lieberman’s, Bayh’s, and Landrieu’s floor speeches too to see what demands they’re willing to issue publicly for their support going forward. As for tonight’s vote, it’s sort of a free kick for conservatives. Granted, 97 percent of Senate bills that pass this hurdle end up being enacted (so keep calling!), but most bills aren’t remotely as politically fraught as this one. Everyone expects Lincoln to cave and give Reid the 60 he needs — read Jay Cost’s excellent easy peasy three-point analysis for why it’s easy for Blue Dogs to say yes this time — but if she’s sweating now, she’ll be melting down before the final winner-take-all cloture vote a few weeks from now. Notes Cost, “The fact that these Democratic moderates are actually spending time ‘pondering’ whether to vote against starting debate is a sign that they are very skittish about this bill.”
Long story short, tonight is low risk and potentially huge reward. If Lincoln bugs out and the vote fails, it’ll be a nuclear humiliation for the Democrats and will have a lot of people suddenly believing that ObamaCare is un-passable.
Update (AP): Stressing that her yes vote today in no way guarantees a yes on cloture next time, Landrieu says she’s ready to proceed. All eyes on Lincoln now. The Louisiana purchase worked.
Update (AP): Lincoln caves in at 2:30, whining about Republican opposition to any type of reform and demanding at least a debate on how to improve U.S. health care. As I write this, she’s patting herself on the back for resisting both the right and “liberal special interest groups,” but emphasizes that she won’t vote for the Reid bill until the public option is dropped.
That’s 60 votes to proceed, unless someone pulls a very big surprise in the next few hours.
Update: And that’s that. 60-39, promptly at 8 p.m. Next cloture vote, if and when it happens next month or next year, is Armageddon. A hopeful note on a dark night: “It really was that hard for them to get to 60 just to proceed. Very telling.”
Blowback
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Proudon wrote: “To be governed is to be watched, inspected, spied upon, directed, law-ridden, regulated, penned up, indoctrinated, preached at, checked, appraised, seized, censured, commanded, by beings who have neither title, nor knowledge, nor virtue. To be governed is to have every operation, every transaction, every movement noted, registered, counted, rated, stamped, measured, numbered, assessed, licensed, refused, authorized, endorsed, admonished, prevented, reformed, redressed, corrected.
JIMV on November 21, 2009 at 1:31 PM
I wonder when someone will come to my door and ask me who I’m voting for. If I say it’s the person they don’t want will their next question be ‘Well, what will it take for you to change your vote? What can I give you?’ Funny that, I always thought that buying and selling votes was illegal or just something that ACORN and SEIU do…apparently not as is it’s done as a matter of course in DC and done in the name of something like Katrina by some insincere and shallow Senator. By the way..is Katrina ever going to go away?
jeanie on November 21, 2009 at 1:33 PM
We can do that while keeping the old constitution.
Our government has gone rogue. That’s the problem, not an issue with the constitution.
Skywise on November 21, 2009 at 1:33 PM
The states need to make it ‘tough’ on the fed, not the other way around. The states formed the fed, now it is time to unform it…
TEXASLEGAL on November 21, 2009 at 1:34 PM
The federal government was never meant to be this powerful.
WisCon on November 21, 2009 at 1:37 PM
Heh… I can’t believe I never realized this -
It IS illegal which is why this statement is carefully worded.
See, she didn’t get paid for her vote… she’s merely voting her conscience. Because if she didn’t… it’d be a paid for vote. That’s probably true of many Senators today.
I’m willing to bet you can get an investigation started on that (if you can get Obama to approve it…)
Skywise on November 21, 2009 at 1:37 PM
Apparently principles and ethics have no place in DC(if they ever did). Doesn’t anyone there stand for anything these days? I guess there are a few, very few. I am ashamed of my government. Our fault perhaps? Instead of voting them out at the first sign of questionable ethics, we keep them. Bah! A pox on them all and none too soon.
jeanie on November 21, 2009 at 1:38 PM
So Mary Landrieu will vote yes. What a surprise! Despite the abortion provision. Ah, she’s from a prominent Catholic family in Louisiana, close to the church hierarchy.
All of these people are so corrupt. She will never lack for the finest health care, even while the rest of us get s***. I am almost ready to support a serious revolt.
chris999 on November 21, 2009 at 1:39 PM
It’s obvious, posting Congress’ phone numbers has not/is not working. Perhaps we should start posting their home addresses and camping out in front of them.
Just like Al Queda, Liberals have been at war with Common Sense Conservatives and the Constitution for years. Conservatives have been trying their case in court. We need to take it out of the courts and move it onto the battlefield.
SoldiersMom on November 21, 2009 at 1:40 PM
It’s only our fault if we let them continue.
Skywise on November 21, 2009 at 1:40 PM
Battle cry for 2010:
REPEAL THE BILL AND TAKE DOWN WITH THE TRAITORS!!!!!
ConservativePartyNow on November 21, 2009 at 1:40 PM
The odds of that happening are probably about the same as winning the powerball.
farright on November 21, 2009 at 1:40 PM
Landrieu shut down her offices at home till after the Thanksgiving Holiday, so as to avoid having to face anything like her voters anger. I would not be surprised to find she has also decided to go on a ‘Fact Finding’ trip over the break so as to insure there is no chance any of the riff raff from her state can not find her.
JIMV on November 21, 2009 at 1:41 PM
Now that is brilliant! These politicians work 24/7 to make our lives hell. Perhaps it is time they were a little inconvenienced?
JIMV on November 21, 2009 at 1:43 PM
Works for code pink…
Skywise on November 21, 2009 at 1:44 PM
TEXASLEGAL on November 21, 2009 at 1:45 PM
aghhh.. Yes by the thousands.. with pitchforks.
TEXASLEGAL on November 21, 2009 at 1:45 PM
Looks like business as usual on the floor of the Senate…
d1carter on November 21, 2009 at 1:46 PM
How about millions?
Again Dems: The Tree of Liberty is Quite Thirsty.
newton on November 21, 2009 at 1:47 PM
OK mary…you got your 30 pieces of silver.
Now what was it that judas did next?
Never have I been so fearful for my family & particularly my grandchildren. These critters make me sick.
lukespapa on November 21, 2009 at 1:48 PM
Does Landrieu think that this is justified because it’s done in the name of oldsters and the poor in her perpetually Katrina driven state? I’ll bet she does. I can just hear her saying’but I did it for you my people’ I’m torn between who is worse, the seller(Reid)or the buyer (Landrieu). And the most angering thing of all is that they do it so blatantly, up front and in your face…in the media yet!! They are proud of it I guess.
jeanie on November 21, 2009 at 1:48 PM
The only reason for having a Constitutional Convention IMO is to reaffirm what we have, and evict the unlawful tenants of the White House and Congress in an orderly, nonviolent way.
Call it something else, if you wish. But, like the Pledge of Allegiance, reaffirmation is necessary when those in power place themselves above the laws of our nation.
MrScribbler on November 21, 2009 at 1:51 PM
America is the second guy who gets to throw the log
http://funnyjunk.com/funny_gifs/4459/Pwned/
CWforFreedom on November 21, 2009 at 1:51 PM
Bwahahahahahahahahahahahhaahaha
SouthernGent on November 21, 2009 at 1:52 PM
The 2010 congress needs to prepare now for the new law to pass to make this law void. It does not need repealed if they do not have to the votes to repeal. It can be defeated by simply passing a new law, or a series of new laws to neuter the blasted thing. Congress does this all the time. Sure, Obama will not sign it, but Sarah Palin will! And it will be a top issue in 2012! When the new congress passes the new “Health Freedom of Choice Act” whatever they call it, it will signal to this nation and to the medical community what this congress intends to do! To return health care back to the people before this piece of dog turd garbage is law!
I spoke with Rep. Thompson about this a week ago. He agreed that congress does do this every time they pass a new bill. New law supersedes old law. He agreed that congress does not have to repeal, it can just pass a whole new health bill! Make it go into effect one minute after this sham goes into law!
JellyToast on November 21, 2009 at 1:53 PM
Good God!!!!!!! Who are these spenders????
ultracon on November 21, 2009 at 1:54 PM
Good God!!!!!!! Who are these spenders????
ultracon on November 21, 2009 at 1:54 PM
Politicians who are believing their own Press Releases. Fools.
kingsjester on November 21, 2009 at 1:56 PM
If the GOP took back the House, every bill they passed could have a provision to repeal this or repeal parts of it (individual mandate). The Senate would pass their version, but if the House held firm, they might chip away at this.
Palin could only sign a repeal if the GOP had 60 votes in the Senate to get past cloture.
Wethal on November 21, 2009 at 1:58 PM
That’s the thing. She probably has convinced herself that
she is. If not then she’s even worse because then this whole shake down was planned from the start and it was her idea. Either way, she’s a disgrace to herself and her State.
jeanie on November 21, 2009 at 1:58 PM
I hate relying on the abortion issue–because common sense and cost argue against the Dem proposals–but I do hope it gums up the work.
BTW: I saw a panel with Kirsten Powers and Angela McGowan (sp), and Powers feigned unbelief that employers will drop their coverage if Obamacare passes. What is she smoking? Maybe large employers won’t, but the small employers will likely notify employees that they’re terminating their plans upon the effective date of Obamacare.
BuckeyeSam on November 21, 2009 at 1:59 PM
I really cannot subject myself to Franken, who can barely speak. Going to do the shopping for Thanksgiving now and back later pre-vote.
Willie on November 21, 2009 at 2:01 PM
I am by nature an optimist, but this last year has drained almost all hope from me.
Jvette on November 21, 2009 at 2:01 PM
Would be a damn shame if Byrd is too ill or frail to make it to vote tonight.
SouthernGent on November 21, 2009 at 2:02 PM
Must be one of the producers
CWforFreedom on November 21, 2009 at 2:04 PM
Is there any way that Reid would try for the Triple Crown tonight? Open Debate, Close Debate, and Vote on it?
Could the wording of the opening of the debate say that once debate is open, it can only be opened for x hours? Anyone know?
Why would he let them go home for Thanksgiving or Christmas Break to the anger of the constituents without this travestly sewn up?
journeyintothewhirlwind on November 21, 2009 at 2:05 PM
Blanche Lincoln, I am praying that you have an epiphany.
Missy on November 21, 2009 at 2:06 PM
Stuart!
Ronnie on November 21, 2009 at 2:07 PM
Those Senators who vote “Yes” better think of their countries of choice… for their exiles.
newton on November 21, 2009 at 2:07 PM
I still have hope, as should you … there are many people fighting the monstrosity Obama wishes to usher in. Sarah Palin for one is putting everything she has into it.
Although I have to admit that I too feel drained at constantly having to fight my own government.
darwin on November 21, 2009 at 2:08 PM
I thought Coburn was going to have them read it aloud? Or does that happen after they “debate” it?
casel21 on November 21, 2009 at 2:08 PM
To buisy going to a klan meeting maybe?
TEXASLEGAL on November 21, 2009 at 2:09 PM
Reid is not going to close the debate, he knows he doesn’t have the votes for that. He’s going to reconcile this bill. So that means he only needs 50 votes.
Nan will make sure her minions are paid for to pass this thing.
I don’t think there is any stopping this. I hope I’m wrong, but I don’t think I am.
Brat4life on November 21, 2009 at 2:09 PM
Coburn backed down, says the GOP leadership talked him out of it.
Missy on November 21, 2009 at 2:09 PM
Or Baucus couldn’t make it back from Montana where he’s visiting his sick mother. Not that Obama wouldn’t send Air Force One for him.
Wethal on November 21, 2009 at 2:09 PM
Landrieu brags about her $100 to $300 million bribe on her home page.
http://landrieu.senate.gov/2009/index.cfm
“But Landrieu has already succeeded in adding a provision to the 2,074-page Senate version of the health care bill unveiled this week that would provide Louisiana between $100 million and $300 million in Medicaid funding in fiscal 2011.”
This is unbelievable. Political corruption and bribery right in front of us.
Definition of “bribe” – “money or favor given or promised in order to influence the judgment or conduct of a person in a position of trust”
4thQTR on November 21, 2009 at 2:10 PM
The republicans helped him change his mind on that. That’s why we are getting the debate now.
Brat4life on November 21, 2009 at 2:10 PM
I don’t know if they can do that, but I’m convinced this entire thing will be passed late tonight.
Knucklehead on November 21, 2009 at 2:11 PM
Forced into cowering by the Mullahs.
thomasaur on November 21, 2009 at 2:11 PM
Can Jindal refuse it?
darwin on November 21, 2009 at 2:12 PM
jeanie:
Your reference to Judas is appropriate… problem is, Judas did the only honorable thing he could do, he hung himself….. would that these traitors would see fit, as well.
MNDavenotPC on November 21, 2009 at 2:13 PM
I’m afraid you’re right.
Why delay if he has the 60 votes?
MrScribbler on November 21, 2009 at 2:14 PM
Al Franken helping to shape healthcare in our country.
WASF
WisCon on November 21, 2009 at 2:14 PM
D’oh
SouthernGent on November 21, 2009 at 2:14 PM
The Return of the Archons
The entire culture is controlled by a group of ‘lawgivers’ known as “The Body” which is, in turn, controlled by the omniscient Landru.
http://www.technovelgy.com/graphics/content08/landru.jpg
mrt721 on November 21, 2009 at 2:14 PM
If he tries that, I hope at least one GOP senator with a backbone (DeMint? Sessions?) says nuts to the agreement with Reid to waive reading of the bill and demands it be read. As he can.
This is how Sessions derailed Shamnesty the first time around. The Senate GOP leadership, which was on board with Bush & the Dems, was furious, as they didn’t expect it, and yelled at him, but he insisted, so they ended the session rather than read it.
Wethal on November 21, 2009 at 2:16 PM
Landrieu IS a pork barrel.
maverick muse on November 21, 2009 at 2:16 PM
What I fear is that a successful passage of this national-destroying health care bill, will lead to a permanent entitlement which cannot be undone by subsequent legislation.
MaiDee on November 21, 2009 at 2:18 PM
I heard that reading the bill now won’t change anything except keep the senators in town over the holidays. I makes more sense to let senators hear from their constituents at home, than stalling in DC.
parteagirl on November 21, 2009 at 2:19 PM
Just wait after this we get Amnesty and crap and tax. If he gets the votes for this we know they will be able to do the same with the other bills they want to push through.
Brat4life on November 21, 2009 at 2:19 PM
It’s too late there is nothing the constituents can do. They should stay up in DC and suffer. We’ll have to suffer for years at least they can suffer for a few days.
Brat4life on November 21, 2009 at 2:21 PM
I caught the Minnesota toad’s promise from the CBS link.
“ObamaCare will make us all healthy.”
maverick muse on November 21, 2009 at 2:22 PM
The problem is that the “conservative” party (GOP) is not actively promoting small government. They are always on defense, sort of just fighting the tide. But over time it doesn’t matter. We need to start reducing the power of the federal government. This requires actively dismantling existing programs and bureaucracies.
WisCon on November 21, 2009 at 2:22 PM
Sic semper tyrannus!
200 years ago anyone who even suggested this, let alone vote to debate it, would be run out,
The tree of liberty is very thirsty! Rise up! Take your country back- use force if necessary- before it is too late!
blaque jacques on November 21, 2009 at 2:22 PM
Where are the governors of the states of these wavering senators? Didn’t they sign a letter saying the states can’t afford to pick up the Medicaid tab that Obamacare would pass on to them? Jindal should be lobbying Landreiu as hard as anyone.
Speaking of bribes, can our side offer any? Is there anything Republicans can offer Blanche Lincoln to vote no?
parteagirl on November 21, 2009 at 2:23 PM
Voting her conscience: Guilty as charged.
maverick muse on November 21, 2009 at 2:24 PM
Fingers crossed. And this put away
FontanaConservative on November 21, 2009 at 2:25 PM
According to NRO, Blanche Lincoln will be coming to the Senate floor soon.
Wethal on November 21, 2009 at 2:25 PM
maverick muse on November 21, 2009 at 2:26 PM
The $100 million dollar bribe is disgusting.
No wonder this country is just waiting to explode – they don’t even hide their corruption anymore.
Oh and Coburn – who gives a rats butt what the leadership says – stand up and do what is right for goodness sakes!
gophergirl on November 21, 2009 at 2:27 PM
Blanche sounds like a yes. Kiss our health care system good bye.
ncconservative on November 21, 2009 at 2:27 PM
Unfortunatley, they have porksters like Cochran and Shelby in Senate and Young in the House who will not change. Young refers to pork as “my money.”
Wethal on November 21, 2009 at 2:27 PM
Blanche is there now. It looks like she’ll vote to move forward. She is so full of it her eyes are brown.
kingsjester on November 21, 2009 at 2:27 PM
maverick muse on November 21, 2009 at 2:28 PM
Sorry to break the bad news, folks:
Senator Lincoln has announced she would give her vote to Senator Reid and the White House to allow ObamaCare to the Senate floor.
For the group of U.S. Senators up in 2010 — the ones facing the independent voters that turned 2:1 against the Democrats in the New Jersey and Virginia elections — they will each be tagged all election cycle with providing the one vote needed for ObamaCare to come before the Senate. They could have stopped it, but they did not.
The vote on cloture on the motion to proceed needs 60 votes, and therefore every Democratic Senator and every Democratic Independent can be accurately accused of providing the winning vote for Senator Reid to proceed to the very unpopular bill.
This message, I am certain, will make it into campaign commercials in 2010.
Below is a list of the Democratic Senators up in 2010, and the email contact links for each of their offices:
Bayh, Evan – (D – IN) Class III 131 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510 (202) 224-5623 Web Form: bayh.senate.gov/contact/email/
Bennet, Michael F. – (D – CO) Class III 702 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510 (202) 224-5852 Web Form: bennet.senate.gov/contact/
Boxer, Barbara – (D – CA) Class III 112 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510 (202) 224-3553 Web Form: boxer.senate.gov/contact/email/policy.cfm
Burris, Roland W. – (D – IL) Class III 387 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510 (202) 224-2854 Web Form: burris.senate.gov/contact/contact.cfm
Dodd, Christopher J. – (D – CT) Class III 448 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510 (202) 224-2823 Web Form: dodd.senate.gov/index.php?q=node/3130
Dorgan, Byron L. – (D – ND) Class III 322 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510 (202) 224-2551 Web Form: dorgan.senate.gov/contact/contact_form.cfm
Feingold, Russell D. – (D – WI) Class III 506 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510 (202) 224-5323 Web Form: feingold.senate.gov/contact_opinion.html
Inouye, Daniel K. – (D – HI) Class III 722 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510 (202) 224-3934 Web Form: inouye.senate.gov/Contact/Email-Form.cfm
Leahy, Patrick J. – (D – VT) Class III 433 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510 (202) 224-4242 Web Form: leahy.senate.gov/contact.cfm
Lincoln, Blanche L. – (D – AR) Class III 355 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510 (202) 224-4843 Web Form: lincoln.senate.gov/contact/email.cfm
Mikulski, Barbara A. – (D – MD) Class III 503 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510 (202) 224-4654 Web Form: mikulski.senate.gov/Contact/contact.cfm
Murray, Patty – (D – WA) Class III 173 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510 (202) 224-2621 Web Form: murray.senate.gov/email/index.cfm
Reid, Harry – (D – NV) Class III 522 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510 (202) 224-3542 Web Form: reid.senate.gov/contact/index.cfm
Schumer, Charles E. – (D – NY) Class III 313 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510 (202) 224-6542 Web Form: schumer.senate.gov/new_website/contact.cfm
Specter, Arlen – (D – PA) Class III 711 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510 (202) 224-4254 specter.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Co…
Wyden, Ron – (D – OR) Class III 223 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510 (202) 224-5244 Web Form: wyden.senate.gov/contact/
parteagirl on November 21, 2009 at 2:28 PM
Democrats are socialist. We can’t continue to let them hide behind names that hide who they are. First we weren’t supposed to call them the Democrat Party, but rather the Democratic Party, allowing them to hide who they are.
We need to insist on calling them what they are – Socialists!
Sic semper tyrannus!
blaque jacques on November 21, 2009 at 2:30 PM
Can’t believe I am saying this but what a shame that Ted Kennedy died. It would have been better for us if he had lapsed into a coma or was otherwise unable to attend and vote.
When MA voted to fill his seat, this was a done deal.
Jvette on November 21, 2009 at 2:30 PM
The above is posted by Dan Perrin at redstate.com
parteagirl on November 21, 2009 at 2:31 PM
Is this thing headed for the streets?
d1carter on November 21, 2009 at 2:32 PM
My Dad has said for years that there will be blood in the streets because of liberal policies.
I think we are there.
gophergirl on November 21, 2009 at 2:34 PM
Lincoln voting to go forward, but says she is against the public option. Just flat out stated will not vote to end filibuster if public option is there.
It’s not over yet.
WisCon on November 21, 2009 at 2:34 PM
Lincoln just announced she has been bought as well….I hope she got a lot.
JIMV on November 21, 2009 at 2:34 PM
Hoah
MikeA on November 21, 2009 at 2:34 PM
Anybody got Coburn or DeMint’s office number handy – I feel like calling and say screw GOP leadership – this is the country at stake.
Read the bill!
gophergirl on November 21, 2009 at 2:35 PM
Only way to stop it is if Lieberman switches in the last hour. If not, it’s a done deal.
If Reid can’t get the 60 votes for final cloture, he’ll just switch it to reconciliation and shove it through. The only way to stop it was to prevent it from coming up to debate.
Enoxo on November 21, 2009 at 2:35 PM
BallisticBob on November 21, 2009 at 2:36 PM
Depends. How bad do you want to remain free?
MikeA on November 21, 2009 at 2:37 PM
Re: Coburn
Gee. I’d hate to see their vacations ruined for the inconvenience of saving the country from ruin. I guess Reid isn’t such a dimwit after all.
casel21 on November 21, 2009 at 2:37 PM
People don’t want to know the truth, they deliberately close their eyes to it. It’s the same with Social Security and Medicare, people know that it is broke, know that it isn’t working yet, they just know that the government will bail them out when their time comes to collect and there is nothing there. As long as there are “rich” people to rape with taxes that is.
Jvette on November 21, 2009 at 2:37 PM
It’s over Harry is going to reconcile this bill he only needs 50 votes.
He’s not to to let this get to cloture.
This was where we needed to stop it cause I think Nan can bribe all of her people to vote for this.
Brat4life on November 21, 2009 at 2:38 PM
darn it….welcome to obamacare 2009
cmsinaz on November 21, 2009 at 2:38 PM
That would pretty much destroy the Democrat Party as we know it. I don’t think he will do it.
WisCon on November 21, 2009 at 2:38 PM
It was actually $300M of our tax dollars. Political whores don’t come cheap:
Rae on November 21, 2009 at 2:39 PM
Reid knows he’s done. He’ll do it he has nothing to lose.
Brat4life on November 21, 2009 at 2:41 PM
I saw on Fox that he said he won’t but I don’t trust him as far as I can spit – and I can’t spit far.
gophergirl on November 21, 2009 at 2:41 PM
They would. They’re willing to take a short-term hit (losing elections in 2010) in order to achieve a larger gain in the long-term (complete takeover of the health industry).
Enoxo on November 21, 2009 at 2:42 PM
She’s lying. These politicians say and do anything to confuse their constituents. In the end, she’ll vote for it.
America has been screwed with TARP and Obama’s bogus “stimulus” bill. Will we be screwed again? It’s up to us.
These crooks are robbing us blind. We’re nothing more than dollar signs to them. They’re disgusting and deserve to be jailed for life.
darwin on November 21, 2009 at 2:42 PM
Well guys, welcome to the land of 6 month waiting periods to change your freaking address, and years to actually get service.
Vera on November 21, 2009 at 2:42 PM
Did you guys know that the bill is dead on arrival.
tomas on November 21, 2009 at 2:43 PM
Lincoln caves – damn.
A few weeks ago I didn’t think Reid would use reconciliation to get it through- now I am sure he will. Most people won’t understand what has happened until it is too late and then the dems will just lie about what they did and why they did it.
Our only remaining hope is the Chinese. Gawd, are we screwed.
LASue on November 21, 2009 at 2:43 PM
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