It’s official: Kucinich switches to “yes” on ObamaCare
posted at 10:55 am on March 17, 2010 by Ed Morrissey
As Allahpundit predicted last night, Dennis Kucinich didn’t call a press conference today just to reaffirm his opposition to a bill that contains almost nothing of what he wants. Greg Sargent confirms the inevitable for the Plumline:
In a big get for House Dems, Dennis Kucinich just made it official: He’s voting for the Senate bill, making him the first member to go on record fliping his vote from No to Yes.
“In the past week it’s become clear that the vote on the final bill will be very close,” Kucinich, who voted No last time because of the lack of the public option, said at a presser moments ago. He acknowleged that he’d be voting “not on the bill as I would like to see it, but as it is.”
“However, after careful discussions with President Obama, Speaker Pelosi” and others, Kucinich said, “I’ve decided to cast a vote in favor of the legislation.”
Kucinich’s stance was being closely watched by both sides, partly as a test of President Obama’s ability to corral the support of reluctant Dems. Obama wooed him directly with a lift on Air Force One and gave a big health care speech in his district earlier this week.
How big is this get? It depends on how influential Kucinich is with his caucus. The man runs for President on a regular basis and manages to get little draft among Democrats except as a curiosity, although he does have the childrens-book character vote locked.
Obviously, having one former no vote swing to yes doesn’t mean Nancy Pelosi can pass the bill. It does, however, create a sense of momentum. Kucinich, as one of the most loony of the progressive caucus, provides cover for those progressives more connected to reality to follow suit and switch their votes to yes. Despite Kucinich’s insistence that Barack Obama didn’t offer him any deal to convert, other Democrats may decide it’s better to be on board and get something rather than end up empty-handed on the losing end of the vote anyway.
On the other hand, Blue Dog moderates who already don’t want to be linked to Nancy Pelosi in upcoming midterms may find being linked to Kucinich even less palatable. We’ll see. In this case, the real test may not be Kucinich’s switch but who will be the first to follow him.
Blowback
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What do you expect? They gave him the matching AF-1 t-shirt AND foil-lined cap.
n0doz on March 17, 2010 at 11:32 AM
I’m happy to say that I don’t HAVE to call my Congressman, as Congressman Chris Lee (R) has been STAUNCHLY against Obamacare since the beginning. He has, multiple times, reaffirmed his opposition to Obamacare, and I have no doubt will vote NO as he did the last time it came through the house.
However, I may give him a call just to thank him.
So Kudos to Chris Lee, and God Help anyone who votes YES on Obamacare, because the voters certainly WON’T help them be re-elected.
wearyman on March 17, 2010 at 11:32 AM
crr6 wants to be a serf to his betters. Haven’t you learned this yet?
lorien1973 on March 17, 2010 at 11:33 AM
Spoken like a true liberal. First you admit Kucinich strayed away from what he believed in. The man sacrificed his principles. There is no honor in that.
Then you give Obama an atta-boy for pulling this off.
Sick.
fogw on March 17, 2010 at 11:33 AM
<blockquoteOnce again, good thing I’m amish.
lorien1973 on March 17, 2010 at 11:28 AMSnort! I see that windmill thingy is working.
katy the mean old lady on March 17, 2010 at 11:33 AM
This guy is waaaaaay beyond looney tunes.
OmahaConservative on March 17, 2010 at 11:34 AM
Here’s the tweet in question:
Doesn’t say Pelosi has the votes.
DRPrice on March 17, 2010 at 11:34 AM
I’m sick of this charade. As much as I hoped it would fail the inevitability of its passage has started to sink in.We shouldn’t stop pressing Congress by phone, fax etc.,but I think the fix is in. The CBO numbers have evidently been “adjusted” to suit Pelosi.I’m going to pray it can some how be overturned in the Courts.
sandee on March 17, 2010 at 11:34 AM
Right on the mark Rovin…..
..liberals show once again that they are nothing put narcissistic sellouts. All their righteous faux indignation means nothing because it stands for nothing.
Now maybe Dennis “where is my spaceship” Kucinich can tell us what happened to all of the anti-war outrage and his fellow peace sign waving liberals that have no problem with war and the same Bush policies now that Obama is waging it….
……..What a pathetic joke!!!!
Baxter Greene on March 17, 2010 at 11:35 AM
Your comments here are a near-perfect exhibition of psuedo intellectualism.
UltimateBob on March 17, 2010 at 11:35 AM
Well DRPrice, why would she release the score and set a vote for Saturday if she didn’t have the votes?
andy85719 on March 17, 2010 at 11:36 AM
Because the buzz also says they want a vote before the Easter recess?
More importantly, the tweet is double hearsay. Be disciplined and wait for the facts, not the “buzz.”
DRPrice on March 17, 2010 at 11:38 AM
He didn’t stray from his principles. He simply realized the most rational way to realize his principles (and no, I’m not necessarily talking about single-payer. I’m talking about improving access to health care in America).
And Obama helped him do that.
crr6 on March 17, 2010 at 11:39 AM
That is all you and your ilk care about isn’t it, your own power and the egotism that comes with it.
You don’t care about Liberty, Rights, the ethics of your politics. You don’t care how many people you screw over just so long as you get the psychological sustenance from acquiring more and more power over others.
Holger on March 17, 2010 at 11:39 AM
Okay. I was just worried. Malkin is being mean to me.:)
andy85719 on March 17, 2010 at 11:39 AM
Good! He can do my laundry.
29Victor on March 17, 2010 at 11:40 AM
Ha! Ha! Ha! This reads like a quote from Cold War spy movie.
“Vee simply helped heem realize that geeving us information vas reely in hees best eentrest.”
29Victor on March 17, 2010 at 11:42 AM
crr6 on March 17, 2010 at 11:12 AM
He’s your president, not mine.
He’s made it clear that those of us who disagree with him are the enemy.
He’s nothing to me and millions of Americans feel the same way.
The day we throw Barry out on his worthless, corrupt ass will be a great day for America.
NoDonkey on March 17, 2010 at 11:42 AM
Well, if the guy who bankrupted Cleveland is for it, who are we to argue. Really.
lorien1973 on March 17, 2010 at 11:42 AM
Crr6 is a clueless female law student. However, she is learning the principles of relative ethics and morality quite well.
kingsjester on March 17, 2010 at 11:42 AM
Good line. But nothing new here. Move on.
MainelyRight on March 17, 2010 at 11:43 AM
Oh fer chrissake.
Dennis Kucinich was always a “yes” on ObamaCare. Expecting him to vote “no” on a massive expansion of the federal government is like expecting Lindsay Lohan to remain sober at a nightclub with an open bar.
Why anyone is “surprised” by his this is beyond me.
Mike Honcho on March 17, 2010 at 11:43 AM
I’m going to so much love when Obow and his Party crash down. Some might say that’s never going to happen, so rather than debate I’ll keep a wait-and-see outlook.
Liam on March 17, 2010 at 11:44 AM
That was one oddball speech Denny gave. What, is he going to go home and celebrate his epiphany with some grain alcohol and rainwater, to preserve his precious bodily fluids? Yeesh.
Mr. Pickles on March 17, 2010 at 11:44 AM
Isn’t crr6 a she?
OmahaConservative on March 17, 2010 at 11:44 AM
We just lost the extraterrestrial vote!
p40tiger on March 17, 2010 at 11:44 AM
His principles are as weak as his chin. Don’t like his politics; don’t like his liberalism. Used to be the enemy of my enemy is my friend. Now, it appears that it only takes a ride on the big plane to become a total squish.
Tennman on March 17, 2010 at 11:44 AM
Oh, I understand the worry, believe me! From experience, it’s just better to wait until we have something more solid to work with.
DRPrice on March 17, 2010 at 11:46 AM
Flying on Air Force One is as close as the perpetual loser Kucinich will ever get to being president.
Liam on March 17, 2010 at 11:47 AM
The Precedent must have offered to have alien anal probing covered in the bill.
TQM38a on March 17, 2010 at 11:47 AM
Pathetic, but not surprising.
jaschenb74 on March 17, 2010 at 11:48 AM
Yes comrade, through our re-education efforts we were able to show him the enlightened path of correct thinking. Soon we will be able to open re-education centers throughout the US and show everyone what enlightened thinking is all about.
Heil Obama.
Skywise on March 17, 2010 at 11:48 AM
Did anyone ever doubt it? Of course he flipped…
JIMV on March 17, 2010 at 11:48 AM
HAHA. The most rational way to realize your principles is to abandon them.
Priceless troll logic.
fogw on March 17, 2010 at 11:48 AM
Even better, then she can do my laundry and the dishes.
29Victor on March 17, 2010 at 11:50 AM
. . . to illegal aliens and other deadbeats.
There will be decreased access for those who actually work and pay their Bills.
But who cares? Illegal aliens and deadbeat vote Democrat, so by all means, shovel more of our money to them.
What happens when the entire population turns deadbeat? Who are you going to sue then, counselor?
NoDonkey on March 17, 2010 at 11:51 AM
This will eventually lead to another healthcare crisis where total Socialized Medicine is the cure. So Kucinich didn’t abandon his goal, he merely accepted an intermediary step to attain his goal.
Holger on March 17, 2010 at 11:51 AM
Nuns went corrupt too. Lobbying Congress for DeathCare. Satan’s plans are coming to fruition.
andy85719 on March 17, 2010 at 11:51 AM
What Obama did was promise K what he really intends with this bill’s passage.
Its the beginning of single payer.
rickyricardo on March 17, 2010 at 11:52 AM
Helped Kookcinich “realize” his principles?
Heehehehehe…if you need help realizing your principles, you don’t have any to begin with.
Bishop on March 17, 2010 at 11:52 AM
When your “principles” consist of getting more and more power and control over the people of the U.S., then making power deals really does line up with your principles.
29Victor on March 17, 2010 at 11:54 AM
I specifically asked Dennis’ call screener if he had got any kind of deal, kickback or bailout for switching his vote. She said that was inappropriate and hung up on me. Sheeesh, I thought EVERYONE gets some kind of deal from the Big O.
Rick554 on March 17, 2010 at 11:54 AM
Rick554 on March 17, 2010 at 11:54 AM
Good. Make her life a living hell for working for a worthless, corrupt Democrat.
Hopefully she gives up and quits.
NoDonkey on March 17, 2010 at 11:57 AM
Rae? Paging Rae. Love ya bud, but I think I recall something about hat-eating and a youtube video if this came to pass? :-)
Firefly_76 on March 17, 2010 at 11:57 AM
Never, ever rely on any politician.
They are bought for a living.
Hening on March 17, 2010 at 11:57 AM
His wife is leaving him , give him a break .
borntoraisehogs on March 17, 2010 at 11:58 AM
It is getting awfully hard to not harbor real hatred for these tools. Christians are not supposed to hate…
OmahaConservative on March 17, 2010 at 11:59 AM
So crr6 apparently doesn’t care that Massachusetts’ expermiment gone national will bankrupt the country according to MA’s own treasurer (from the Examiner)?
Firefly_76 on March 17, 2010 at 12:01 PM
Love the tool, hate the toolishness.
29Victor on March 17, 2010 at 12:02 PM
Which is why I’m casually Christian with a large agnostic streak: hatred has a nice home here in my little piece of paradise.
Bishop on March 17, 2010 at 12:02 PM
Exactly.
The reason that this bill will not provide services for the next few years is because the Dems what the market to respond first and they will. Remember last year when the few big insurance companies had backdoor talks with Obama? It most likely is because they were looking for an exit strategy. Obama and his thugs know that they can’t really start their own insurance company or program. It would make better since to get in bed with the largest existing companies. When excepting pre-existing becomes law, the thousand or so smaller insurance companies will not stay afloat and fold. Their customers will flee to the so called “Government Sponsored Entities” who also will not be able to handle the cost hence another bailout and take-over of these companies. Single payer.
Electrongod on March 17, 2010 at 12:02 PM
stupid little smurf
bluegrass on March 17, 2010 at 12:04 PM
Michelle Malkin is now reporting that Nancy has the votes and the CBO report. Bill to be released at 5 pm today for a vote on Saturday.
andy85719 on March 17, 2010 at 11:20 AM And Obama is going to speak live on Fox at six. Imagine that ,just part of the plan . Happy St Patricks day to us.
LSUMama on March 17, 2010 at 12:06 PM
I never said he abandoned his goals. He abandoned his principles in order to (possibly) acheive his goal. The dwarf has been going on and on for months about how he would not vote for a healthcare bill without a single payer option. Now he is, and the bill, as it stands, does not have single payer.
fogw on March 17, 2010 at 12:07 PM
The little whore sold his vote for a plane ride. TOOL
Kuffar on March 17, 2010 at 12:08 PM
All things “tiny” are indignant.
Schadenfreude on March 17, 2010 at 12:09 PM
Then why didn’t he vote yes the first time?
fogw on March 17, 2010 at 12:10 PM
Who can tell with liberal women?
Sporty1946 on March 17, 2010 at 12:17 PM
Can that be any clearer that this is not the end of the health care debacle but just the nose of the camel in the tent.
Single-payer down the road.
skatz51 on March 17, 2010 at 12:17 PM
Wipe your chin off, dear.
Del Dolemonte on March 17, 2010 at 12:24 PM
“The American Republic will endure until the day Congress discovers that it can bribe the public with the public’s money.” — Alexis de Tocqueville
rvastar on March 17, 2010 at 12:25 PM
I thought the rumor of Nancy having the votes and CBO score etc. was just that …. a rumor.
sandee on March 17, 2010 at 12:26 PM
Does this mean Denny is a cheap whore if he can be purchased with a plane ride?
jack herman on March 17, 2010 at 12:27 PM
Anyone pinning hopes on frootloops here, is bound to be disappointed.
NoDonkey on March 17, 2010 at 12:27 PM
Who is forbidden access now?
anuts on March 17, 2010 at 12:27 PM
No one is forbidden access in America for treatment. Now ,not everyone is given free treatment here. I do have a story of my friends trip to the ER. Spent 10 hours in ER with problem they thought might have been heart related. Never was checked in to hospital, but had numerous tests. Bottom line the bill was 18,000 dollars. No health insurance because of being unemployed. The hospital charity section paid the entire bill. I forgot to say they own a home and were not threatened with it being taken away.
sandee on March 17, 2010 at 12:33 PM
FIFY
Del Dolemonte on March 17, 2010 at 12:36 PM
Just wrote to him by email. Going to take his little speech with me when I campaign against him. Bankrupting Cleveland when he was the “boy mayor” isn’t the half of it. His office spends most of their time getting visas for constituents.
elclynn on March 17, 2010 at 12:36 PM
Which is what is great about not being a Christian. No requirement to love the people who want to shackle you in chains of slavery. The more hatred the better and bonus points for how you execute your enemies, I’m a fan of the Blood Eagle.
Holger on March 17, 2010 at 12:46 PM
The Progressive Caucus’ earlier token opposition was simply an attempt to make this bill seem more “centrist,” in order to appeal to the Blue Dogs — if Kucinich and Slaughter oppose it, it must be “middle of the road.”
Kucinich’s public switch means one thing: they’re not getting the Blue Dogs, and so they have to scramble for every possible lefty vote, and threaten and bribe their way to a few late defections.
notropis on March 17, 2010 at 12:46 PM
Um:
and
I don’t think we need to go to either of these two places to correct the commenter in question.
DRPrice on March 17, 2010 at 12:49 PM
I’ll have it up by tomorrow, with a strongly worded message for sell-out and health care corporatist Dennis Kucinich. Stay tuned!
More on Big Pharma’s Bill
Rae on March 17, 2010 at 12:50 PM
Why not? A secret dream of ‘conservatives’ like them is to reduce women to voteless maids and incubators.
Dark-Star on March 17, 2010 at 12:50 PM
Judas…
Khun Joe on March 17, 2010 at 12:53 PM
I’m sure BHO promised him a new red pointed hat, a new green vest and permission to work in the presidential garden.
Claypigeon on March 17, 2010 at 12:53 PM
Can’t wait to see our resident corporate apologists try to spin their way out of this one.
Big Pharma has bought themselves a bill designed to ‘Pharma’ more money from an already-stressed American citizenry.
Dark-Star on March 17, 2010 at 12:53 PM
You really are a pathetic, gullible little twit, aren’t you?
Why is this so wonderful in your vastly overrated opinion? The Constitution that got us this far is being ignored, treaded upon, and abused. Yeah, great day, blah blah… grow up, live a few years in the real world, then get back to me.
hillbillyjim on March 17, 2010 at 12:56 PM
Listening to Rush today I am reconsidering my Obama is not the anti-Christ stance. I may deem him to be him.
inchdeep on March 17, 2010 at 12:57 PM
Usurpation of people’s rights and liberties is a good thing?
Holger on March 17, 2010 at 12:58 PM
Rae on March 17, 2010 at 12:50 PM
Definitely can’t wait for the link on the strongly worded message for the sellout… but don’t eat that hat. You might get sick and be denied coverage (self-inflicted) by the ‘evil’ insurance companies.
Firefly_76 on March 17, 2010 at 12:58 PM
(Sigh). What right is usurped by this bill?
crr6 on March 17, 2010 at 1:01 PM
For starters, the freedom to engage (or not engage) in commerce.
lorien1973 on March 17, 2010 at 1:02 PM
My rights to buy, or not buy insurance. When the actual bill is released, and I have no doubts it won’t be until AFTER they pass it…..we’ll certainly get to know just what they intend to do to us.
I have the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. If they tell me I can’t have certain treatments because it costs to much…they are stripping me of my right to life. How’s that for starters? We won’t know more til they let us read the bill, and for some reason….they don’t want us to, before it’s passed.
capejasmine on March 17, 2010 at 1:04 PM
lol. Where exactly is that right in the constitution? This should be good.
crr6 on March 17, 2010 at 1:04 PM
Where’s that in the constitution? I must have missed it.
Aren’t you guys supposed to be strict constitutionalists or something? Why are you inventing all these new rights?
crr6 on March 17, 2010 at 1:05 PM
I’m going to make one! It will be delicious.
“Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains sit lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen!”
–Samuel Adams
Taxes now, “benefits” NEVER. Trust.
Rae on March 17, 2010 at 1:05 PM
crr6 minion of the Anti-Christ Obama.
inchdeep on March 17, 2010 at 1:06 PM
As usual, your brain is on backwards.
The constitution is an article of negative rights – it protects the rights of the people against government.
Where is it in there that the government -can- force you to engage in commerce against your will?
lorien1973 on March 17, 2010 at 1:06 PM
That’s awesome. I see my new bumper sticker.
inchdeep on March 17, 2010 at 1:07 PM
Project much?
“How strangely will the Tools of a Tyrant pervert the plain Meaning of Words!”
–Samuel Adams
Rae on March 17, 2010 at 1:08 PM
heh. I remember a bunch of you morons trashing Obama because he said the Constitution contains “negative liberties”. Looks like you agree with him now. Anyway…
That’s a negative right? Looks like you need to go back to the drawing board.
That would be the commerce clause. So now your turn. Again, where is your right in the Constitution?
crr6 on March 17, 2010 at 1:10 PM
You guys are just so adorable. It’s amazing little wingnut-bots who think and say things like this actually exist.
crr6 on March 17, 2010 at 1:13 PM
Don’t twist things up so much. Try understanding things. Nowhere in there does it give the government power to force you to buy a candy bar, if you don’t want to buy a candy bar. It’s a very sad world you live in, if you think that is the proper scope of your betters.
Commerce clause applies to trade between the states (ie you cant levy taxes on trade from NY to NJ), etc. It doesn’t give them authority to demand you buy a loaf of bread.
lorien1973 on March 17, 2010 at 1:13 PM
Your reading ability is astounding these days. The freedom to -not- engage in commerce.
lorien1973 on March 17, 2010 at 1:13 PM
Wherein the Constitution does it guarantee healthcare for all Americans? Where in the Constitution is abortion mentioned.
fogw on March 17, 2010 at 1:14 PM
Nowhere.
Nowhere. I’m just holding you to your standard. If I can’t invent rights neither can you.
crr6 on March 17, 2010 at 1:15 PM
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