President Obama on the campaign trail promised an open, bi-partisan reform of the health care system. Perhaps the "bi" referred to the internal debates, bribes and threats within the Democratic Party. And the "open"? The two health care reform bills, House and Senate, are being integrated into one by the Democratic leadership - behind closed doors. Expect white smoke above the Capitol Building signaling the crafting of a final bill. Next, the Dems will try to use their super majorities in Congress to ram through another unread multi thousand page bill sometime before the January 19 special election in Massachusetts to fill the late Teddy Kennedy's seat. Should the Republican candidate, Scott Brown, win, out goes the 60 vote Democrat strangle hold on the Senate and Obamacare just might be shelved until the 2010 congressional election campaign where the Democrats will blame Republicans and George W. Bush for their failure to pass reform.
Democratic control of Congress does not assure passage of any "consensus" legislation. The House Republican Conference has produced a paper, "Issues to Be Resolved Between Pelosi and Reid Health Care Bills", delineating the thorny issues that would need to be resolved between the House and Senate bills if the Democrats have any hope of seeing a Rose Garden Presidential signing ceremony. Don't be surprised, however, if chameleons Obama, Pelosi and Reid with a strong dose of Chicago Style politics pull it off.
Posted by warrenpeterson at January 09, 2010 09:00 PM | Email ThisIn the coming years many faces of it will be shredded to pieces inside courtrooms across the nation.
Posted by: u on January 9, 2010 09:16 PMIn its current form, I sure hope it fails. The things they should address they aren't, and I can't understand liberals who want to make us like Canada---inferior care with inadequate medical infrastructure. Makes no sense. They make no sense. And look at all the tax increases. Penalties on married people etc./ just shut this thing down.
Posted by: Michele on January 9, 2010 09:54 PMI am encouraged by what's happening in MA, but then again the hateful, conniving demoCRAPS have bragged they will refuse to seat Scott Brown until the healh 'care' vote has been taken.
I thank God for the 2nd tier media of blogs and internet that is usurping the MSM and keeping the folks informed. Granted our knowledge is not keeping them from their shenanigans but I do beleive there will come a tipping point and that we are close to it.
Unfortunately winning seats and taking over congess could be a mixed blessing for conservative. When it happened in 1994 it served to moderate Clinton and hence he was re-elected.
Posted by: RagnarDanneskjold on January 10, 2010 11:01 AMIf just one Democrat in the Senate would show any integrity to be committed to their principles and vote this bill down, that would change the landscape. Bart Stupak may galvanize enough Dems in the House to vote this down there. They would reinsure their reelection if they did. Don't give up yet, there continues to be negative PR, plus it is widely believed that parts of this are unconstitutional and it will go the SCOTUS, upon signature.
#7 - even though this is a catastrophic election year, I don't expect the GOP to take control of the House, but expect to be within only a few votes of doing so. The Senate is out of play this time. Right now, the GOP does not have a concerted campaign - they may get one up and running soon, but not like 1994 - too much of the Bush hangover still, and believe that an steadying economy will help the Dems hold on to a very slim margin in the House. That will not help Obama's reelection chances in 2012.
In the meantime, the GOP and Tea Parties (teabaggers) need to get principled smaller government candidates who are dedicated to working for the grass roots who elect them.
Posted by: KDS on January 10, 2010 01:00 PMI disagree that if the bill is somehow defeated otherwise, the process for putting together another bill will be a different dynamic as the GOP will be in a position to have more say in the new bill, given the likely results of the Nov. 2010 election.
Posted by: KDS on January 10, 2010 01:07 PMhe's going down harder than mcgavick did.
Posted by: mike on January 11, 2010 08:19 AMwww.michellemalkin.com
has more information
Posted by: ajday on January 11, 2010 10:27 AMWe must be permitted to kill our children (oh, and you will fund it).
Posted by: Alfa on January 12, 2010 12:22 AMWe must be permitted to kill our children (oh, and you will fund it).
Posted by: Alfa on January 12, 2010 12:23 AMOtherwise, not passing this POS may be said to be a miracle.
Posted by: KDS on January 12, 2010 09:41 AMHave a good time "fisting" each other.
Posted by: Attila on January 12, 2010 12:37 PM