More no-mentum: Lynch says firm “no” from earlier yes on ObamaCare
posted at 2:14 pm on March 18, 2010 by Ed Morrissey
Many people predicted that an optimistic CBO score, even if preliminary, would result in Democrats flipping on ObamaCare. Few would have predicted that the first two flips went the other way. After Michael Arcuri started spreading the news that Pelosi couldn’t count on his New York vote, Stephen Lynch gives another no from Massachusetts:
Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.) is a firm “no” on health care reform — in large measure because he opposes the idea of any kind of excise tax on Cadillac plans, even one that’s delayed for years and years.
That’s put Lynch a former ironworkers union official in Boston at odds with many union biggies, who are swallowing hard and accepting a proposed House-Senate compromise.
Lynch — who voted for the tax-less House bill last year — has become a serious target of his union buddies, enduring pickets at his district office, an AFL-CIO robocall blitz and at least one recent drop-in visit from a very influential old friend — Joseph J. Hunt, president of the International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers.
The irony of this is just too delicious. Lynch is taking a position that protects union workers from getting slammed by the new excise tax. Do union bosses cheer Lynch for his stand? No — they’re threatening him instead. Who do the union bosses really represent these days?
Democrats had hoped to hold Lynch to a yes. Apparently, though, Lynch has seen enough, both on Capitol Hill and at home. After all, this is the same state that sent Scott Brown to replace Ted Kennedy specifically to stop ObamaCare from becoming law. On Capitol Hill, Lynch blasted the Slaughter strategy as “disingenuous”:
Even one of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s floor whips, U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch, says a proposed parliamentary move to pass health-care reform would be “disingenuous” and harm the credibility of Congress.
In a sign of how tough it’s been for Pelosi to round up votes for the massive bill, Lynch – a South Boston Democrat who supported a House reform package last year – said he’ll probably vote against a key Senate version of the legislation, unless unexpected major changes are made soon.
Lynch, who serves as one of Pelosi’s key vote counters, said he also can’t support a proposed “deem and pass” procedure that would allow Democrats to vote to strip out controversial portions of the Senate bill and then “deem” that the entire package has passed without a second, direct vote.
“It’s disingenuous,” said Lynch, who considers unfair a Senate provision to tack a surcharge on higher-end health plans. “It would really call into question the credibility of the House.”
If Pelosi can’t even hold onto her floor whips, she’s in serious trouble. She got her momentum, all right — in the wrong direction.
Blowback
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Encouraging news, but I just can’t believe any of them. Show me the vote!
SaintGeorgeGentile on March 18, 2010 at 2:17 PM
OH SNNNNNNNAP!
angryed on March 18, 2010 at 2:17 PM
Seems like integrity for themselves and the institution are winning out. Not surprised Nancy and co. didn’t take this into consideration.
sherry on March 18, 2010 at 2:18 PM
Second look at optimism!
I’m suddenly filled with Hope and Change!
flyawaybird on March 18, 2010 at 2:18 PM
I propose you don’t read anything by Allah tonight.
angryed on March 18, 2010 at 2:18 PM
Yay! Maybe, just maybe…some of the long lost ethics may bubble to the surface in some of these clowns.
search4truth on March 18, 2010 at 2:19 PM
Beautiful…
PatriotRider on March 18, 2010 at 2:19 PM
Steven Lynch?
The Steven Lynch from Southie?
The former Steelworkers local president Steven Lynch?
Someone needs to help me pick my jaw up off the floor.
turfmann on March 18, 2010 at 2:19 PM
Say “yes” to “no”!
rollthedice on March 18, 2010 at 2:19 PM
Titanic like evacuations.
Those who remain on board are sure to be pulled down in the wake.
portlandon on March 18, 2010 at 2:19 PM
This bill isn’t going anywhere. It will never pass and Obama won’t let it die.
Mord on March 18, 2010 at 2:19 PM
Apparatchiks always look out for themselves. Not the peasants.
rbj on March 18, 2010 at 2:21 PM
If this stuff continues, my local supermarket it going to be out of pudding. Oops, wrong blog.
LibTired on March 18, 2010 at 2:21 PM
Praise be,the KOOL-AID is wearing off!!
canopfor on March 18, 2010 at 2:22 PM
Looks like someone has been doing their own internal polls and are giving Obie and Nan the middle finger.
Dire Straits on March 18, 2010 at 2:22 PM
Lynch to Pelosi: “I’ll see your testosterone and raise you.”
AubieJon on March 18, 2010 at 2:22 PM
Why on earth would Nancy believe that any Democrat has integrity? She damned well knows better.
NeighborhoodCatLady on March 18, 2010 at 2:22 PM
Poor ol’ Nazi.
/
OmahaConservative on March 18, 2010 at 2:23 PM
Call them now, and use their local numbers. Tell everyone you know to call them now! This is a fight for the soul and future of the United States of America; for the country we all love, and have inherited and preserved out of the blood and treasure of our forefathers.
Will the American citizens stand and fight as our great Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Guardsmen, and United States Marines, past and present, always stand and fight for our sacred liberty? This is a seminole moment in American history. We will live as one nation under God, or under government? Now is the time of decision! You must act now! Now is the time to let your voices be heard as never before. Where is the march on Washington? Where is the American spirit that never quits? Where is the American spirit that says “no” and “never again” to our enemies, and backs it up at all costs? Our soldiers are willing to die for this country’s preservation. Shall we not stand up on their behalf while they face bullets and bombs so we do not have to?
If you called already, call them again! If you have e-mailed them, do it again. If you have told your relatives, friends, neighbors, and co-workers, tell them to call and email, and fax them again! Stop what you’re doing and do it now! Our great republic is at stake!
Think of your children; and do it for them. Look into their faces; and then pick-up the phone and get on your computer, and let them know, we are still Americans, and we will not accept tyranny from anyone – foreign or domestic. We will never surrender to state control of our lives. Tell them that when you call and email them. Tell them we are not socialists, and we will not live under it now or ever. Tell them like Churchill “We will fight them in the air; on the land; and on the seas. We will never surrender.” Tell them like John Paul Jones, “We have not yet begun to fight.” Call them now! E-mail them now! Fax them now! Let them feel the people’s power. Do it now!
PLEASE CALL! DC OFFICE LOCAL OFFICE
Harry Mitchell (202) 225-2190 (480) 946-2411
Gabrielle Giffords (202) 225-2542 (520) 881-3588
Ann Kirkpatrick (202) 225-2315 (928) 226-6914
Jerry McNerney (202) 225-1947 (925) 833-0643
John Salazar (202) 225-4761 (970) 245-7107
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SheetAnchor on March 18, 2010 at 2:23 PM
“Yes We Can”?? Funny how this simple chant has new meaning.
Electrongod on March 18, 2010 at 2:23 PM
YES WE CAN!
MyImamToldMeToDoIt on March 18, 2010 at 2:24 PM
Looks like some politicians are having an integrity attack.
BobMbx on March 18, 2010 at 2:24 PM
BREAKING NEWS!
Rahm Emmanuel just placed an order for a shipment of thumbscrews to be delivered via overnight express.
pilamaye on March 18, 2010 at 2:24 PM
Nancy in a dominatrix costume, dropping her whips…
… that is a troubling image to ponder.
Seven Percent Solution on March 18, 2010 at 2:25 PM
Ya know,this kinda sounds like the last days of WW2,where
they were getting out of dodge!!!
So, another Democrat has regained his logic!!
canopfor on March 18, 2010 at 2:25 PM
Barry,
Maybe you should just go to Indonesia this weekend like you planned to. Seems like the longer you stay around, the worse things get for your pet project.
On second thought, stay here. We want this thing dead and buried.
Sincerely,
The American People
UltimateBob on March 18, 2010 at 2:25 PM
Let’s be honest.
The union bosses have been promised that this glitch will be “fixed.” They believe Obama can come through on this promise after his re-election in 2012, when the Democrats regain the majorities they are willing to lose in 2010, on the strength of Barry’s coattails.
Lynch is more realistic about the popularity of the whole Health Care mess, and has seen first hand the fact that if the Emperor has no clothes, he can also have no coattails.
notropis on March 18, 2010 at 2:25 PM
Explains Obama’s cancellation of his Asia trip nicely.
WashJeff on March 18, 2010 at 2:26 PM
I can see Barry on the phone to Nancy right now; “You told me that a BROUGHT vote stayed BROUGHT!”
GarandFan on March 18, 2010 at 2:26 PM
The same people they have always represented.
Themselves first, the Democrats second.
MarkTheGreat on March 18, 2010 at 2:27 PM
Not every freaking thread, please. We all know how to contact people.
Or at least reduce it to a link.
notropis on March 18, 2010 at 2:27 PM
The enemy of my enemy is my friend.
Thank you Congressman Lynch.
Ted Torgerson on March 18, 2010 at 2:27 PM
The Reconciliation Bill has been posted.
Enoxo on March 18, 2010 at 2:27 PM
Where’s Mr. Allah P to bring everybody back down? It’s so good cop/bad cop here at HotAir.
Marcus on March 18, 2010 at 2:27 PM
LOL.
Here, I gather, it’s a “humpbot.”
notropis on March 18, 2010 at 2:28 PM
Can someone lay this out for me? Why would unions attack him for wanting something that favors them? Right now, I’m in a fog, and can’t even fathom a reason for this!
capejasmine on March 18, 2010 at 2:28 PM
Has the vote been scheduled yet? I know they keep talking about Sunday, but what time?
MarkTheGreat on March 18, 2010 at 2:28 PM
And Obama called up Joe Cao, the lone GOP House member who voted for the House bill (with Stupak language). Cao hs been a firm no to the Senate bill.
Obama is really hard up for votes? Thinks one GOP vote makes it bipartisan?
Wethal on March 18, 2010 at 2:28 PM
Yep. You know him?
Holger on March 18, 2010 at 2:29 PM
Yup, and I’m betting the idiots in the media will report it that way.
capejasmine on March 18, 2010 at 2:29 PM
Pelosi’s reaction
JVelez on March 18, 2010 at 2:30 PM
“Just Say No”
……….Nancy Reagan
Knucklehead on March 18, 2010 at 2:30 PM
Can you smell the stench from Pennsylvania Avenue? It’s from all the broken limbs.
Schadenfreude on March 18, 2010 at 2:30 PM
Ed, I gotta ask. Are you as tired, and stressed out from all this, and reporting this, as we are? God bless you though. I’m getting all my info from you, and I really do appreciate the work you, and Allah are doing!
capejasmine on March 18, 2010 at 2:31 PM
There were apparently enough reps in the house to endorse the slaughter strategy…
ninjapirate on March 18, 2010 at 2:31 PM
NRO
Wethal on March 18, 2010 at 2:32 PM
Ugh, the bill is so bad. $2000 penalty on any business where the employee doesn’t have health insurance. Nearly 4 percent tax on dividends. Nearly 3 percent tax on all medical equipment. Oh, and the take over of student loans. Ugh!!!!
andy85719 on March 18, 2010 at 2:32 PM
IN Sec 1201, the Federal government will fund 100% of medicaid immediately and will scale down to 90% in 2019, and hold at 90% thereafter. Has this been measured by the CBO?
WashJeff on March 18, 2010 at 2:32 PM
“If Pelosi can’t even hold onto her floor whips, she’s in serious trouble.”
Nancy in a dominatrix costume, dropping her whips…
… that is a troubling image to ponder.
Seven Percent Solution on March 18, 2010 at 2:25 PM
Seven Percent Solution: You just had to ask!!:)
========================================================
***************WARNING**************************
Might be distrubing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
————————————-
http://iowntheworld.com/blog/?p=18644
canopfor on March 18, 2010 at 2:32 PM
It used to work. Back then, it was called “the token black guy”.
BobMbx on March 18, 2010 at 2:32 PM
Obama cursing Villanova no.
lavell12 on March 18, 2010 at 2:33 PM
The hammering….is working….
the theme song of the afternoon is Aerosmith, of course.
ted c on March 18, 2010 at 2:33 PM
HUH? To whom are they credible NOW?
Elizabetty on March 18, 2010 at 2:34 PM
She did. She figured they were Democrats and that integrity isn’t part of the equation.
KeepOhioRed on March 18, 2010 at 2:34 PM
Need to bleach out my eyes now…
OmahaConservative on March 18, 2010 at 2:34 PM
Yeah, it’s almost the same thing. Sort of.
LibTired on March 18, 2010 at 2:34 PM
I smell a “comedy gold” thread coming soon…..after all this stress, we’re going to need one.
HotAir–please plan accordingly :)
ted c on March 18, 2010 at 2:34 PM
Politics over all. It’s more important to the unions to keep a Crat in the WH than any single policy position. They know that if the Tea Guys occupy Penn. Ave, it’s curtains for the Big Labor power broking thugs.
paul1149 on March 18, 2010 at 2:35 PM
Michelle.
Wethal on March 18, 2010 at 2:36 PM
Hey,where is Michael Moore!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
canopfor on March 18, 2010 at 2:36 PM
Take the total number of hours part-time employees work in a month (call it h). Divide h by 120 hours and you have the number of additional employees a business has when calculating if a business has to provide insurance.
WashJeff on March 18, 2010 at 2:37 PM
I would say that some of these people have had their noses rather brutally rubbed in reality and are having a sudden attack of common sense. Nothing like self-preservation to wake a guy up.
hachiban on March 18, 2010 at 2:37 PM
This weekend we’ll see some soiled pants and pantyhoses, Obama’s and Pelosi’s.
Schadenfreude on March 18, 2010 at 2:37 PM
He’s doing it at RedState too.
KeepOhioRed on March 18, 2010 at 2:37 PM
I thought it was the smell of decaying tonsils and feet that all those doctors cut off to make a quick buck.
UltimateBob on March 18, 2010 at 2:38 PM
And he’ll be hanging out in the gym shower room alllll weekend.
NickelAndDime on March 18, 2010 at 2:38 PM
If there are problems with the rules, change them, problems with the Bill change it, if the Constitution is the problem, ignore it.
What are we doing to our country? Turning it into a two-bit tin pot democracy, like Hug Chavez’s Venezuela.
And shredding our Constitution in the process. The Constitution is nothing but process.
tarpon on March 18, 2010 at 2:38 PM
Us Amish people laugh at the idea that your future freedom relies on socialists.
lorien1973 on March 18, 2010 at 2:38 PM
Does Nazi P & Robert Gibbs voices grate on anyone elses ears/nerves like they do mine?
OmahaConservative on March 18, 2010 at 2:38 PM
I smell a “comedy gold” thread coming soon…..after all this stress, we’re going to need one.
HotAir–please plan accordingly :)
ted c on March 18, 2010 at 2:34 PM
ted c: Yes,I`m afraid the USS Hot Air,will need a warm port
of call,for R and R!:)
canopfor on March 18, 2010 at 2:38 PM
Allah isn’t here yet.
capitalist piglet on March 18, 2010 at 2:39 PM
Hey Lynch, don’t bend over to pick up the soap in the House gym shower today. Rahm has been seen in the area and he isn’t wearing a towel again.
DrW on March 18, 2010 at 2:40 PM
“Yes We Can?
I like “No You Di’nt” too!
Yellowdog12 on March 18, 2010 at 2:40 PM
Jim Oberstar from MN 8th district is back in play. He’s not 100% yes vote (he voted no in the Stupak group before). Time for this former Duluthian to get cracking on the phones! Thank god for Skype. I’ll be calling from Latvia. (202) 225-6211 to DC office for everyone.
Renwaa on March 18, 2010 at 2:41 PM
OmahaConservative on March 18, 2010 at 2:41 PM
Is this as bad a sign as I think it is? Why would anyone vote to allow the Slaughter stupidity, and then turn around and vote “no” on the Health Care p.o.s.?
(I suppose I could look over the 222 “no”s for a clue….)
notropis on March 18, 2010 at 2:41 PM
FIFY
Aviator on March 18, 2010 at 2:44 PM
Does this cancel out Kucinich?
manwithblackhat on March 18, 2010 at 2:44 PM
Does it make me a BAAAAD person that I do NOT give one flying freak WHY someone’s willing to vote no !!
JUST SAY NO !!!!!!!
I don’t have much hair left .. BURY this monster !!
SOON !!
ARGGGGGGGGHHHH.
pambi on March 18, 2010 at 2:47 PM
Nancy-baby must be about to fill her Depends.
Robert17 on March 18, 2010 at 2:50 PM
He’s from Massachusetts … you know, where that Scott Brown guy is from?
I think he got the hint.
darwin on March 18, 2010 at 2:51 PM
More no-mentum:
=====================
Well,Team Obama Titanic,has hit its 3,888 iceberg!
And thats just his first year,however,reports are
coming in that the Liberal Party is sailing full
speed ahead into a nasty icefield!
Arrival time is Sunday!
And,the Party of NO,says,NO to the LifeBoats!!
(snark).
canopfor on March 18, 2010 at 2:55 PM
If the bill fails does the Cupid Stunt keep her job?
jwp1964 on March 18, 2010 at 2:55 PM
JUST SAY NO !!!!!!!
pambi on March 18, 2010 at 2:47 PM
pambi: U-Betcha with a SarahCuda *Wink*!:)
canopfor on March 18, 2010 at 2:57 PM
SOMETHING IS VERY FISHY!!
Lynch is AGAINST the Bill b/c of the Slaughter Rule but he just Voted YES on the Slauther Strategy Amendment?!?!?!?
I don’t trust this “Firm No”
LordMaximus on March 18, 2010 at 3:01 PM
Nothing but a Deem and passocrat that was let off the hook.
Me… Thinks the Witch has the votes and the rest is nothing but a continuation of the Obama dog and pony show.
roflmao
donabernathy on March 18, 2010 at 3:06 PM
Basically, its this:
He doesn’t like some feature of ObamaCare, so he’ll vote no. But, he likes the idea of not having to vote on controversial bills and would rather do it by stealth as the need arises, so he votes to keep the “deem” process in play.
No need to throw the baby out with the bathwater….
I’m not against bribery…just this one.
BobMbx on March 18, 2010 at 3:10 PM
At this point, if this bill is to be passed, I HOPE it’s passed using the Slaughter Rule and not by an up-or-down vote. There are enough people who think that using the Slaughter Rule would be unconstitutional, and they are willing to take it all the way to the SCOTUS to fight to have it overturned. If this bill passes by an up-or-down vote, then that’s it, it’s law. So, I’d rather put my faith in having it overturned than waiting several years to (hopefully) have it repealed.
joejm65 on March 18, 2010 at 3:10 PM
Now is the time for all good Democrats to stand up to, and start to take back, their once respected party from the morons and psychopaths who have taken it over.
MB4 on March 18, 2010 at 3:10 PM
Intrade has it 78 to pass. Is Intrade being manipulated by Obama’s crew, or is all this “good” news just a sham?
Dale on March 18, 2010 at 3:18 PM
someone please post the list of 222 Liberal Socialist Democrats who voted Against the U.S. Constitution and are the votes that will pass NObamaCare Health Deform
mathewsjw on March 18, 2010 at 3:19 PM
Check Michelle’s blog. She’ll have the list before HA…
joejm65 on March 18, 2010 at 3:22 PM
Not enough to save him . He still has supported Pelosi . Rats must go in November .
borntoraisehogs on March 18, 2010 at 3:24 PM
Requirements that health care be provided to part time workers?
Millions of part time workers around the country about to be fired.
MarkTheGreat on March 18, 2010 at 3:26 PM
Almost certainly some of them will be officially fired, but paid cash under the table to keep on. Not a few businesses (especially smaller ones) would have a very hard time surviving at all without their part-time workers.
Dark-Star on March 18, 2010 at 3:30 PM
Yep. This summer is going to be brutal. The people who haven’t been paying attention to this are going to freak out. Not that I’ll be entirely sympathetic, I don’t have much remorse for people who live with their head buried in the sand. Still, it won’t be fun to watch.
joejm65 on March 18, 2010 at 3:31 PM
I think the point is that the dems will say they oppose the HC plan, vote for Slaughter, and go home and pretend they didn’t vote for it.
Vashta.Nerada on March 18, 2010 at 3:32 PM
FIFY. Once they pass this we become slaves to the government and those hooked on their government freebies become our masters through our elected reps…isn’t one
persondollar one vote a real joy?jwp1964 on March 18, 2010 at 3:33 PM
That is the only way it can be passed.
Vashta.Nerada on March 18, 2010 at 3:34 PM
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