Healthcare Reform Thread II

[Kidlicious]

Go figure.

[KrazyHorse]

You Nebraskans are wily.

[Drake Tungsten]

You Nebraskans are wily.

I would agree if I thought this was really a cunning plan by Nelson to cause the failure of Reid's bill. That can't be the case, however, as Reid and Obama have already shown that they give up whatever it takes to pass something they can call healthcare reform. The three unnamed senators will get the payoff they want and the bill will still pass; all Nelson did was make the fiscal outlook for the federal government even worse.

[KrazyHorse]

Drake, you are completely misunderstanding Ben's game:

1) Grab some cash from the federal coffers for Nebraska (completed)
2) Inoculate the bill against further giveaways by "leaking" that others are just looking for a handout, whereas your initial opposition was principled. As far as we know, this supposed conversation never even took place.

[Drake Tungsten]

Inoculate the bill against further giveaways by "leaking" that others are just looking for a handout

Why would he want to do that? Given the heat he's taking for his bribe nationally and in Nebraska, it would probably be better for him if further giveaways were approved, making him seem like just one scumbag out of many rather than the uber-scumbag.

The bribe has hurt his image so badly that he tried to blame it on Nebraska's governor (who promptly pwned him) and then offered to give it back.

[KrazyHorse]

Nebraska will forgive him. Money heals all wounds. As for the rest of the country, why should he give a ****?

[Drake Tungsten]

Remember that Senators are elected by residents of their state, not by national popularity contest.

Dude, Nebraskans are pissed. It's all over the local news.

[KrazyHorse]

I DanSed you

[Drake Tungsten]

Nebraska will forgive him. Time heals all wounds.

Fixed.

This might be true, as he isn't up for re-election until 2012. Still, I think he must be planning on retiring or he wouldn't have had the balls to vote for Reid's bill. It's extremely unlikely that he can beat his most likely Republican challenger now (Dave Heineman, the current governor that just pwned him).

[Drake Tungsten]

With a Christmas Eve health care reform vote looming near, Sen. Roland Burris (D-Ill.) had a holiday story for all those who would hear.

The junior senator from Illinois delivered a gift in poetic form Tuesday morning to weary Democratic Senate staffers and politicos watching C-SPAN when he recited his own rendition of "'Twas the night before Christmas" on the Senate floor.

So gather around the warm glow of your computer screen and take in Burris' spirited tale:

It was the night before Christmas, and all through the Senate, the Right held up our health care bill, no matter what was in it.

The people had voted a mandated reform, but Republicans blew off the gathering storm. We'll clog up the Senate, they cried with a grin. And in the midterm elections, we'll get voted in. They knew regular folks needed help right this second, but fundraisers and lobbyists and politics beckoned.

So try as they might, Democrats could not win because the majority was simply too thin. Then across every state there rose such a clatter, the whole Senate rushed out to see what was the matter. All sprang up from their desk and ran from the floor, straight through the cloakroom and right out the door. What in the world would be quite so raucous, but a mandate for change from the Democratic caucus.

The President, the Speaker, and, of course, Leader Reid had answered the call in our hour of need. More rapid than eagles, the provisions they came, and they whistled and shouted and called them by name. Better coverage, cost savings, a strong public plan, accountable options. We said, yes, we can. No exclusions or changes for preexisting conditions.

The Democrats all came together to fight for the American people that Christmas Eve night.

And then in a twinkle, I heard under the dome, the roll call was closed, and it was time to go home. Despite the obstructionists tactics of some, the filibuster had broken, the people had won. And a good bill was ready for President Obama, ready to sign and end health care drama.

Democrats explained as they drove out of sight, better coverage for all, even our friends on the right. And I say to all of my colleagues in this season, Merry Christmas and a happy, happy New Year.

http://www.politico.com/livepulse/1209/Twas_the_night_before_Xmas_Burris_style.html

Burris

Blago

[Kuciwalker]

Okay, that was pretty cool.

[Drake Tungsten]

It's a far better way to waste time than the usual Senate presentation of boring charts on an easel. I hope Illinois re-elects him.

[DinoDoc]

God I hope the Progressives rebel.

[Drake Tungsten]

God I hope the Progressives rebel.

Don't Expect The House To Kill The Senate Bill

[DinoDoc]

Drake: How is Nelson rationalizing this vote to the Nebraska press given the fact that it is so at odds with his history and its unpopularity in his state?