Breaking: Nelson rejects abortion compromise; Update: Audio added
posted at 1:12 pm on December 17, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
The path to 60 just got a lot more difficult:
In an interview Thursday with a Nebraska radio station, Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) said new compromise language on abortion funding is unacceptable.
“As it is right now, without further modifications, it isn’t sufficient,” Nelson told KLIN radio in Lincoln, NE.
This could be a significant blow to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s effort to line up 60 votes in the coming days for the health care bill. Nelson has said he would filibuster the bill unless the abortion language mirrored what was included in the House bill.
Even if abortion is addressed to his satisfaction, “that is not enough” for Nelson commit to voting for the bill, he said.
How bad will this get? Barack Obama hasn’t even addressed the issue of abortion with Nelson directly. That’s a pretty interesting picture of disinterest coming from the Oval Office on what is supposed to be Obama’s highest priority on his domestic agenda.
Harry Reid will have to go back to the drawing board on abortion funding, but that may not be possible. His progressive wing is already in near revolt over having to vote for a bill with no government-run plan in it. They wanted a precursor to a single-payer system; in fact, that was the entire point of the health-care reform push. Now they’re going to be asked to kill funding for abortion as well, having worked for months to build a path around the Hyde Amendment. There is no way that will get through to cloture, and no way it will pass in the House even if it did.
Nelson’s driving a stake through the heart of ObamaCare. Looks like Barack Obama has his pretext for skipping Copenhagen.
Update: Here’s the audio and a transcript:
HOST: “You’ve been very clear that you do not like the idea of federal funding going towards abortions. You provided the amendment that did not pass muster with the Senate. Is that the single issue right now—if that were changed, would that be enough, right now, for you to go along with the bill?”
NELSON: “No. There are other substantive issues…”
…
HOST: “But if the abortion issue is taken care of to your satisfaction, whether it be some kind of compromise that is to your satisfaction, would that be enough for you to vote for cloture and go forward?”
NELSON: “No.”
HOST: “That’s not enough alone?”
NELSON: “That’s not enough.”
…
NELSON: “A deadline and a timeline that’s out there that is not achievable isn’t helpful. I can’t tell you that they couldn’t come up with something that would be satisfactory on abortion between now and [Christmas], and solve all the other issues that I’ve raised to them. But I don’t see how.”
…
HOST: “Senator, we gotta let you go, but I want you to bottom line this for our listeners. As of right now, the way things stand right now, you would not vote cloture on this bill.”
NELSON: “That’s correct. On cloture on the motion to end debate. I voted for cloture on the motion to begin debate and I said at the time, and I’m following through on that, if … it’s not at the point where I think it needs to be with the improvements that I’m pushing, and they’ve made a lot of them, then I will not vote for cloture on the motion to end debate.”
Blowback
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Yep. This is what happens when you are the Deceiver in Chief. He stands for nothing and thinks that the world falls for everything. Such arrogance must be punished, and it will be.
Schadenfreude on December 17, 2009 at 1:42 PM
Guys…don’t start s-ckin’ each other’s d-cks quite yet, he’s a democrat.
He will cave.
LtE126 on December 17, 2009 at 1:43 PM
Call me cynical but I don’t trust the dems, not even Blue Dogs, for as Rush says, they are still dems and it comes down to ideology.
Could it be this is floated out so that people will stop burning the lines to Nelson?
We don’t let up on this… EVER!
PrincipledPilgrim on December 17, 2009 at 1:43 PM
About sending money to my own Representative, I don’t think so. I have the honor of having Lynn Woolsey as my Rep.
sandee on December 17, 2009 at 1:43 PM
Oh good gravy.
I’ll leave immediately, as I do whenever one of you accuse this.
I don’t care to get involved in this kind of junior high stuff.
You can’t really discuss the issue.
So you accuse anyone of hijacking the thread.
That’s what is really going on.
But, I don’t care.
I exit, due to YOUR post.
Heaven help us if the right-wingers really discuss issues.
And you’ll wonder one day why nobody gives you credibility.
AnninCA on December 17, 2009 at 1:45 PM
Well, Ann, if Ben Nelson votes against this bill and it dies the miserable death it deserves, he will have saved the people of Tennessee from a crappy tax-increasing bill that does none of us any favors.
That connects me to Nebraska.
Just the same way your idiot Senator Pug-ugly affects the people in my state when she pushes her tax and trade bill. It will cost people in my state jobs and money.
Surely you can see the slimmest of connections that actually exists between the different states. We are dependent, to some degree, on the Congressional members from other states.
Maybe if you stop looking in the mirror and start looking around, you will figure this out.
ladyingray on December 17, 2009 at 1:45 PM
Kos actually has a sane piece on how the Massachusetts health plan is a farce and thus so is ReidCare.
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/12/17/815568/-Insurance-premiums,-lack-of-cost-controls,-and-the-great-Massachusetts-experiment
pedestrian on December 17, 2009 at 1:45 PM
Anninca-
yes we are a republic – and that means that representatives from other states / districts are free to ignore us. Yet, that does not mean that we don’t have the right to “interefere” by supporting a rep from another state/district with $$. to say otherwise is asinine. Certainly, if you give money to an interest group, it will lobby reps from other states / districts. Are you saying various lobbiest / interest groups have that right but individual citizins don’t?
Monkeytoe on December 17, 2009 at 1:46 PM
Kind of hard to ignore when every other post is her’s. She’s hijacked every thread this morning with stupid crap. Maybe a good batch of meth today?
Knucklehead on December 17, 2009 at 1:46 PM
President Born-Alive must be SHOCKED! at this news.
gatorboy on December 17, 2009 at 1:46 PM
He’s POTUS. Couldn’t he just come out and say that he isn’t going, no pretext required?
highhopes on December 17, 2009 at 1:47 PM
Nelson is gone, done, history if he votes for this he knows it and Gov. Heinaman reminded him of it, kindly!
These asshat clowns will not close Offut home of the US Strategic Command, Air Force Weather Agency. It is where Bush went after 911 it is centrally located in midwest.
Pinnochio and the Libtards do not have enough time or political capital to shut down Offutt! They have at best 12 months it would take years to shutdown and replace Offutt, maybe a decade!
I’m certain the handouts and bribes will be substantial, we shall see. Nelson says he cannot be bought. He is a staunch defender of right to life and is an insurance co exec even a former States iNs. Div, Director i believe.
He knows more about this than Dingy Harry, Queen Nasty or Pinnochio all put together.
Hang tough Ben its gonna be tough but your states pullin for ya.
dhunter on December 17, 2009 at 1:48 PM
Anninca -
You’ve been coming here for well over a year. Obviously there is something here you like. I’ve tried to go to lefty forums to “discuss the issues”. Not only do they not discuss the issues among themselves with any kind of logic or rationality, if you even give a scintilla of a scent that you aren’t part of the socialist team, you are immediately banned.
So please, who is the junion high name=caller here? did you pick up your ball and go home like you threatened? Probably not.
Monkeytoe on December 17, 2009 at 1:48 PM
I absolutely agree with you there, Ann, but what about those of us whose representatives have turned a deaf ear? When our own reps won’t speak for us, we must — we owe it to ourselves and our fellow citizens — we must find and support someone else who will. I refuse to go without representation just because I live in a state whose politicians have utterly abandoned their duty to listen to their constituents. It is my right to be represented. My ancestors, and yours, fought and died to be free of a goverment that taxed them without representing them.
I used to trust people. :-( More to the point, I used to trust the political process in this country. I used to trust that both Republican and Democrat politicians had something of a common vision of the country’s highest good. I used to trust that our elections were honest and not tampered with. I used to trust that our news media were presenting the news objectively.
Mary in LA on December 17, 2009 at 1:48 PM
but why would anyone other than your senator care what you thought? I mean it’s not like if they agreed with you and decided to change their mind, you’d vote for them. You can’t vote for them, so you don’t have any impact on their decision. . . even though their decision does have an impact on you.
ThackerAgency on December 17, 2009 at 1:49 PM
Ben, SWITCH PARTIES!!! If he did he could guarantee his reelection.
DerKrieger on December 17, 2009 at 1:49 PM
Ann – sounds like you’re in favor of a repeal of the 17th ammendment, no?
gatorboy on December 17, 2009 at 1:49 PM
Who doesn’t have their say? The people of these states have their votes, and their reps get to vote in Congress.
MassVictim on December 17, 2009 at 1:50 PM
When is he going to start
actingbeing presidential?Tommy_G on December 17, 2009 at 1:50 PM
I don’t know, Ed. The Senate is pretty desperate and Nancy can and will make the House hold their noses and vote…
No matter what, they’ll get something, anything, half a bill is better than no bill, to Obama’s desk.
Then, they’ll peel off the abortion stuff later…just like they’ll add the doctor fix.
marybel on December 17, 2009 at 1:53 PM
But you can give financial support to help a rep / senator from another state / district that you like get re-elected.
Also, I would point out that both parties send volunteers from other states / districts out to work in districts they don’t live in every election.
Also, I seem to recall when the left was calling voters in other states, looking to “trade” votes between Nader and Gore, and doing all kinds of other things to “interefere” with elections in states/districts other than in which they live.
the left simply hates it when anyone on the right gets involved in the political process – that is all you need to know to understand Anninca’s argument.
Monkeytoe on December 17, 2009 at 1:53 PM
Thanks. Missed it. Rush just talked about it too.
conservative pilgrim on December 17, 2009 at 1:53 PM
But if I can help get a senator elected in another state that will vote conservative as opposed to doing nothing and watching another liberal or RINO get elected, why wouldn’t I help the candidate who might vote with my Senators and have an affect on the outcome of a bill?
I mean, it seems like common sense to me.
Here’s an example you’ll understand. My Rep is safely conservative and I’m not concerned with a Democrat unseating him. Therefore, with limited funds available, I decide to send money to the true conservative who has a real shot at unseating so called Blue Dog Heath Shuler.
What do you think I’m going to do?
ladyingray on December 17, 2009 at 1:54 PM
I dunno what Ann thinks, but I am most definitely in favor of repealing the 17th Amendment. It erased most of the difference between the House and the Senate for no good reason that I can see.
Mary in LA on December 17, 2009 at 1:54 PM
Stop lecturing us on definition of being conservative. This is warfare.
Beg Borrow Steal… Kill the Bill.
Anything that kills this bill is fine with me.
antisocial on December 17, 2009 at 1:54 PM
‘rebirth of real democracy’? What does that even mean?
What ‘real democracy’ do you want to return to?
The United States isn’t a democracy, by design.
AsianGirlInTights on December 17, 2009 at 1:54 PM
Heaven help us if the right-wingers really discuss issues.
And you’ll wonder one day why nobody gives you credibility.
AnninCA on December 17, 2009 at 1:45 PM
That’s all we do is discuss the issues. You moron liberals come in here and start lecturing us about contacting reps of other states, and then say we aren’t discussing the issues?
Wrong, we aren’t dicussing YOUR issue, becuase it’s blatantly retarded in every sense. You senator’s vote affects my life, so if I want to call her up and bitch her office out, that is my right, even though im in VA.
uknowmorethanme on December 17, 2009 at 1:55 PM
And where was the lefty outrage when Clinton got all that money from China for his campaign, and for the One’s dubious fundraising that likely came from foreign countries. Somehow I doubt ann complained about any of that.
Monkeytoe on December 17, 2009 at 1:55 PM
Ben Nelson is gone if he votes for this bill. His governor backs him and his people will vote him out if he votes for it.
As a former insurance exec., States Ins. Director and staunch defender of status quo on abortion he may just hang tough.
The idea that somehow in 12 months the Dims will be able to close Offutt AFB home of the Strtegic Air Command and Air Force Weather Agency is crazy. It would take years if not a decade!
dhunter on December 17, 2009 at 1:55 PM
If the bill dies painfully, horribly, oozing blood and pus and Nelson is part of that death, then I will give him credit. I may even send a note of thanks. Until then, I will assume he’s like every other pismire Democrat and is holding out for a bigger payday.
SKYFOX on December 17, 2009 at 1:56 PM
This legislation is DEAD
GarandFan on December 17, 2009 at 1:56 PM
Finally found the key!!! Thank you a capella!!!
AsianGirlInTights on December 17, 2009 at 1:56 PM
Ann,
Real democracy would mean everyone votes on every issue. As all of the lefty policies that O! is promoting are losing badly in the polls – would you really be for that? It seems to me that the left would lose pretty badly on that deal.
Monkeytoe on December 17, 2009 at 1:57 PM
Sir you are wrong. The Precedent is not capable of being Presidential. At best he can act Presidential.
antisocial on December 17, 2009 at 1:57 PM
Monkeytoe, fair point. I’m in favor of cross-state contributions, but I would absolutely draw the line at contributions from outside the U.S. Remember when that British newspaper ran the “adopt an Ohio voter” campaign? (I think it was Ohio — it was one of the bellwether states). That backfired hugely, as it should have.
Mary in LA on December 17, 2009 at 1:57 PM
cntrlfrk on December 17, 2009 at 1:57 PM
YW. My post wasn’t very clear. Seems to me that her gesture in Copenhagen could give BO an excuse for not going… has things to do here….SoS has pledged US support for raping the public…, etc.
Cody1991 on December 17, 2009 at 1:57 PM
Here’s the real question. What do those of you who claim to be for allowing voters their voice have a say-so in Nebraska.
You have lost me on this.
Let Ben represent his own constiuents.
AnninCA on December 17, 2009 at 1:58 PM
It’s not over. Everyone has a price.
badtemper on December 17, 2009 at 1:58 PM
I haven’t seen that word in more than 30 years! Cool! And it fits perfectly. :-)
Mary in LA on December 17, 2009 at 1:58 PM
Whenever someone uses “right-wingers,” I am suspicious that said commenter is really a lefty troll in disguise.
conservative pilgrim on December 17, 2009 at 1:59 PM
I’m usually pretty tolerant of your postings. Many people need extra attention. This thread is about Nelson’s impact on passage of the bill, not the validity/correctness of one person offering him support from out of state. You are trying to divert the discussion,..I called it as such. Nothing personal.
a capella on December 17, 2009 at 2:00 PM
He will cave…bill will pass…….
nondhimmie on December 17, 2009 at 2:00 PM
AnninCA on December 17, 2009 at 1:27 PM
Do you ever shut up or just enjoy posting mindless crap?
Would someone please find this babe her own blog so she can talk to herself.
Knucklehead on December 17, 2009 at 1:29 PM
Thank you, Knucklehead.
NJ Red on December 17, 2009 at 2:00 PM
He hasn’t caved yet. Keep hope alive!
Mary in LA on December 17, 2009 at 2:01 PM
Don’t you see? Abortion is the sacrament of their religion.
MassVictim on December 17, 2009 at 2:02 PM
So — will Obama respond by going through the motions of trying to putt Offutt onto the BRAC list, or will he just have Rahm Emanuel (however you spell his name) issue another threat without following through on the first?
Aitch748 on December 17, 2009 at 2:03 PM
A) the above makes no sense. “what do those of you who claim to be for allowing voters their voice have a say-so in Nebraska” – what the heck does that mean?
B) Many people made valid and good points and arguments above and asked you real questions. I see you have not changed your stripes, you simply ignore all of that and claim ignorance.
I actually do beleive the ignorance. You have shown it too many times for me not to.
I’ll ask again – are you really saying that while organizations, such as unions, can take money from people in one state and lobby legislators in another state, the average ordinary citizen should not be allowed to do so?
That people should not be allowed to travel to another district/state to volunteer at a phone bank, canvassing a neighborhood, etc., even in a presidential election?
That I should not be allowed to write a letter to a legislature from another district urging him/her to vote a certain way on something?
Is that really your argument / position?
I assume then that you think Obama is an illegimite president since his campaign did all of those things? Correct?
Monkeytoe on December 17, 2009 at 2:03 PM
What’s your prediction? (place X in box)
[ ] Nelson caves, bill passes.
[ ] Nelson stands, bill fails.
MassVictim on December 17, 2009 at 2:04 PM
I thought you said you were leaving?
You lie!
Knucklehead on December 17, 2009 at 2:05 PM
My prediction is that they get at least one republican to vote for cloture, allowing Nelson to vote no on cloture, but that the bill still passes.
Monkeytoe on December 17, 2009 at 2:06 PM
We don’t care about those nobodies. We know what is happening. In fact we are conspiring. So far it is working perfectly :-) I am a proud member of VRWC – Vast Right Wing Conspiracy (for your benefit).
You don’t need to look to heaven for help. Help is already on the way courtesy VRWC.
antisocial on December 17, 2009 at 2:08 PM
13 minutes. That was longer than your usual thread exit. You must have meant it for real this time.
LibTired on December 17, 2009 at 2:08 PM
Ben, SWITCH PARTIES!!! If he did he could guarantee his reelection.
DerKrieger on December 17, 2009 at 1:49 PM
There’s no shortage of good conservatives here in Nebraska in addition to our governor. I really don’t want him to switch parties, but it would deprive the Dems of the 60 votes.
Oh, heck, trade him for one of the Dixie Chicks from Maine and a future draft pick.
NebCon on December 17, 2009 at 2:08 PM
Still here? If this were a democracy, I’m sure you wouldn’t be.
And it’s not because we don’t value alternative viewpoints.
It’s because a vacuum is a worthless.
AsianGirlInTights on December 17, 2009 at 2:09 PM
He is, but there is no reason I can’t give money to someone who will vote with my Senators.
ladyingray on December 17, 2009 at 2:09 PM
You really think we want to hear every thought that goes through your head or do you just like to see as many of your own posts as possible, whether they make a point or not?
Some of us DO contribute to out-of-state candidates. If you choose not to, keep it to yourself.
KeepOhioRed on December 17, 2009 at 2:10 PM
There are currently no plans for another round of base closures under BRAC. The original bill is still alive and kicking though, so another round can be summoned up by Congress if they want to. From what I remember, the President can only ask them to do it, he can’t go and make another round happen by himself.
Johnnyreb on December 17, 2009 at 2:10 PM
Heh.
ladyingray on December 17, 2009 at 2:11 PM
Thanks. I like that word because it sounds like an even worse putdown than it is.
Also, on your point re: out of country contributions…
I agree with you but isn’t that an issue that came up during the campaign with Obama taking under-the-radar contributions via credit card? Do I remember that correctly or am I having another senior moment?
SKYFOX on December 17, 2009 at 2:12 PM
Oh what a tangled web you weave when you lay down with a kenyan.
LtE126 on December 17, 2009 at 2:14 PM
You remember correctly. His campaign turned off all the controls on theoir donation website that prevent that from occuring.
Johnnyreb on December 17, 2009 at 2:15 PM
Tammy’s hitting the cover off the ball. Boy if I was a chick I’d be such a groupie for her.
LtE126 on December 17, 2009 at 2:16 PM
I hardly think calling the man to either support him, scold him, or offer something…monetary , or otherwise is undemocratic. This man, so far that we know, holds the out come of this bill, in his hands. Calling him, and expressing support for this, is not undemocratic. And in no way requires one to join anything.
capejasmine on December 17, 2009 at 2:17 PM
too bad for Offutt????
ted c on December 17, 2009 at 2:17 PM
I remember that, too. And he wasn’t the first one — as I recall, Bill Clinton got a lot of contributions from China, too.
Mary in LA on December 17, 2009 at 2:18 PM
ROFL!!!
capejasmine on December 17, 2009 at 2:19 PM
What’s your prediction? (place X in box)
[ ] Nelson caves, bill passes.
[x ] Nelson stands, bill fails.
Fails…momentum against too strong now
winston on December 17, 2009 at 2:19 PM
+1000
KinleyArdal on December 17, 2009 at 2:21 PM
Let’s get us some POPCORN!
GarandFan on December 17, 2009 at 2:22 PM
One of the truest tests of character is what we do when what we deeplywish to do comes up against values we have heretofore championed. Do we strike that deal with the devil, or maintain the adamantine sense of self?
The Democrats, in deciding whether or not to continue to either break parliamentary rules (as happened yesterday), or to resort to reconciliation (incidentally, forfeiting their own moral claims to right of filibuster in the future), are now presented with a once in a lifetime chance to prove their quality for once and for all, for the only way to win now would seem to be to cheat.
Horatius on December 17, 2009 at 2:23 PM
Damn, and I am out of popcorn …
tarpon on December 17, 2009 at 2:23 PM
Even if Nelson holds out, I doubt that even obama would have guts enough to put the base on the BRAC list if it was never being considered before. But then, it’s the Christmas season and I’m trying to be charitable.
jeanie on December 17, 2009 at 2:29 PM
Ben will cave to the Chicago Thugs. We are very conservative here in Nebraska, but he fears his party more than he does the voters.
Nice write-up about the rumor in the Omaha Herald today. I see Governor Dave Heineman as the next Senator in 2012 even if Ben Nelson runs.
yoda on December 17, 2009 at 2:29 PM
“I have seen the enemy, and he is us…” – Libtard Dems
Wyznowski on December 17, 2009 at 2:30 PM
Obviously, not everyone in Nebraska is conservative.
ladyingray on December 17, 2009 at 2:31 PM
We will know when the bill is dead by the bailout of other Dem senators who will be voting at that time to protect themselves in the next election. Right now the bill is very much alive. What might be helpful would be for tea party types in the states where Dem senators are at risk to begin declaring that they will run against incumbents as Democrats in the primaries next year. That might get their attention and drive them to the “no” side on ObamaCare.
stefano1 on December 17, 2009 at 2:33 PM
Sorry, wrong site. I think you should be over at KOS or DU.
cntrlfrk on December 17, 2009 at 2:35 PM
Yeah, I think that’s all that is really keeping Ben from caving right now. He knows what is at stake.
a capella on December 17, 2009 at 2:35 PM
URGENT…How do I contact Nelson, by way of e-mail, to say “Good on you, for standing up to the strong B+ One on the abortion clause in the Health Care Bill?”
Muskoka-Eh on December 17, 2009 at 2:36 PM
–Andy Stern, president SEIU, and most frequent union thug visitor to the WH
Schadenfreude on December 17, 2009 at 2:40 PM
He’ll be on the phone trying to save the military base Obama’s using against him.
marklmail on December 17, 2009 at 2:42 PM
If this wasn’t so serious it would be funny. It seems like a rerun of the keystone cops. It is hard to believe that out of sixty dem senators that four or five would not be opposed enough to vote against it. Instead it seems to be coming down to only one who doesn’t always stick to his guns.
duff65 on December 17, 2009 at 2:43 PM
Completely Reckless, Completely Irresponsible
from the Office of Senator Mitch McConnell
Thursday, December 17, 2009
We have a Congress full of drunken pirates.
Cybergeezer on December 17, 2009 at 2:44 PM
Time to start moving things off of the air force base. It’s payback time.
Jimbo3 on December 17, 2009 at 2:45 PM
Bring it.
cntrlfrk on December 17, 2009 at 2:47 PM
Anyone have any word from the Wondertwins of Maine since the Medicare buy-in died? I’d imagine they could be back in play for a yes.
Chuck Schick on December 17, 2009 at 2:47 PM
I think Nelson will cave with a few changes in the bill. I also suspect one of the two GOP senators can be flipped if things get difficult. But we’ll have to see what happens….
Jimbo3 on December 17, 2009 at 2:49 PM
Yes, but McConell should have offered a viable alternative.
Schadenfreude on December 17, 2009 at 2:50 PM
Nelson is holding out for something, but the only thing Obama can promise him is some of his magical unicorns.
ConservativeTony on December 17, 2009 at 2:54 PM
Nelson’s indicated that individually the non-abortion stuff are not deal killers but collectively they are. That’s why I suspect he’ll cave.
Jimbo3 on December 17, 2009 at 2:57 PM
Just a note on the trasnscript…
I’m pretty sure Nelson’s first response is “There are other subsidies issues.”
Could be wrong, but that’s how it sounds to me.
John on December 17, 2009 at 2:57 PM
Right; He should kill all legislation taking place in Congress on any health care management, and leave it to the States to administer.
These drunken pirates already have too much power; The states should exert their Constitutional powers.
Cybergeezer on December 17, 2009 at 2:57 PM
I can see some Republican offering a healthcare bill–limiting to a max of a hundred pages–and asking the clerk to read it.
ConservativeTony on December 17, 2009 at 2:58 PM
Muskoka-Eh on December 17, 2009 at 2:36 PM
Do it through his Web site: http:bennelson.senate.gov.
NebCon on December 17, 2009 at 3:00 PM
Mwahhhhhhaaaa!
lovingmyUSA on December 17, 2009 at 3:13 PM
It goes way beyond that.
The whole base closing and realignment procedure only works if everyone – everyone – believes that there is no politics involved in it, that security, economic and efficiency concerns are behind every decision. Once one person tries to inject politics to over their interests, everyone gets in on the game, and the process falls apart.
I tend to be very much in favor of BRAC, as I think far too much American money is spent on defense of the world, while this country is bankrupting itself. But even the most hawkish of people is interested in making sure that limited military budgets are being spent wisely, and not to be used as high-priced incumbent protection. That was the whole idea behind BRAC. If it becomes known that Barack Obama corrupted this process (and if it is true, and he carries through on that Offut threat, someone will leak it), he will be justifiably accused of setting back our national security in terms of hundreds of billions of dollars, and in terms of decades.
JohnGalt23 on December 17, 2009 at 3:15 PM
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