Saturday Roundup
Update: I’ve got audio of a new robocall that Republicans are pumping into dozens of districts of House Dems who are said to be undecided on the health care bill. The call bashes the bill as “dangerous” twice, and refers to it as “Nancy Pelosi’s” measure three times.
You can listen to the version that hits Dem Rep. Dennis Cardoza of California right here.
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So where are we on health care?
* First, the abortion standoff: The anti-abortion amendment to the health care bill will likely pass with GOP support, a GOP aide predicts.
As you may have heard, House Dem leaders temporarily resolved a standoff last night by agreeing to allow a full vote on an amendment to prohibit the government-run insurance plan created by the bill from covering abortion. Anti-abortion Dems had been withholding support for the bill.
A senior GOP aide tells me only a handful of Republicans will oppose the amendment, and a majority will support it. So if the 40 or so anti-abortion Dems expected to support it don’t change their position, it’ll almost certainly pass.
Then what? Either it ends up in the final measure, or it gets dealt with in conference negotiations, when the House and Senate merge their bills into the final product.
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* The abortion amendment secured for the bill the critical endorsement by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. You can read their letter to members right here.
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* Now, the immigration standoff: The GOP leadership hasn’t decided whether to insert language banning undocumented workers from buying insurance.
The issue is whether the House bill will end up with language banning those workers from buying insurance thourgh the marketplaces created by the bill, as favored by the White House and some in the Senate. That could cause some Hispanic lawmakers to consider opposing the measure.
House Dem leaders have apparently assured members that such language won’t be in there. The question is whether Republicans will attempt to insert such language via a parliamentary maneuver. A House GOP aide tells me that hasn’t been decided yet.
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* How close are Dems to securing the 218 votes they need for passage of the health care bill? According to one count, they had 205 votes as of last night.
* Here’s the most up-to-date rundown I can find of which members remain undecide and which way they’re leaning.
* The argument Obama is making privately to House Dems wavering on the health care bill: “The only two options are failure or move the ball down the field.” One imagines Obama’s also arguing how catastrophic “failure” could be for House Dems in 2010.
* Interesting: Some vulnerable House Dems appear to be interpreting the losses in Virginia and Jersey as a sign that Dems need to tend to their base.
* Dem Rep. Tom Perriello, in the above link: “People aren’t showing up for Republicans or Democrats: They are showing up for people who are giving them something to vote for.” And he’s in a red-leaning district.
* FactCheck.org debunks the widespread claims that the health care proposal amounts to a “government takeover” of health care — a claim that’ll only grow louder in the days ahead.
* And Sarah Palin is back to talking about the death panels again.
What else is happening?
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Mr. Sargent:
“* Interesting: Some vulnerable House Dems appear to be interpreting the losses in Virginia and Jersey as a sign that Dems need to tend to their base.”
Really?
Like these seven?
http://blogs.usatoday.com/onpolitics/2009/11/vulnerable-democratic-freshman-abandon-the-health-care-bill.html
What was that?
Oh yeah…Elections have consequences.
Bildge, 49% of those that came out to vote in VA approve of the job Obama is doing. Deeds lost by 19% points.
Something doesn’t add up.
I’d say it was a combination of a couple things. Deeds sucks as a candidate, he failed to bring out the base by running from Obama early on and he is unable to sell the Democratic agenda successfully.
Dems don’t have a chance in hell if they start panicking by the relentless united Republican voice. If they think otherwise they are fools.
I feel sorry for the pathetic fools that think by not voting and supporting Democratic initiatives strongly, they won’t get targeted and voted out.
Greg, Politico apparently sez (no, I’m not going there) that catholic bishops endorsed Pelosi Plan (of course what the wimp dems ceding ground on the abortion issue, why would they not ?). Could you check it out ? This could probably, repeat probably, get some repugs on board.
None of this really matters anyway because I am just going to filibuster the bill in the Senate. This vote is about as meaningful as the Cap-and-Trade vote almost four months ago.
right right Joe, we know you’re a pathetic soul and have a price. It might cost a lot…maybe a few ship building contracts, but you’ll bend. You always bend.
Elections have consequences. Indeed. On Tuesday night two yes votes were added for the House HCR bill.
Red state dems have to publicly show doubt, just like the faux threats from Liebermann. The votes will be there when the time comes, this is just the beltway “look at me” drama game.
Greg, At a dkos live blog of HCR debate, it’s being said that the repugs are not allowing the women members to speak by constant interruptions. What thugs ! I hope one of the women goes and slaps a repug thug.
“Red state dems have to publicly show doubt, just like the faux threats from Liebermann. The votes will be there when the time comes, this is just the beltway “look at me” drama game”
Nope, I will be filibustering this bill. It has no chance of passing the Senate. The fact that Senators Lincoln and Bayh will probably be joining me will make it even harder to pass the Senate.
And what is even more pathetic than the people thinking they can get this bill past my filibuster is the notion that the Democratic base can save Blue Dogs in districts that voted for both Bush and McCain.
There are no words to fully capture the depth of the contempt, disgust and loathing I feel for these despicable, proudly ignorant, backward, retarded, mentally ill teabaggers and Palin-esque grifters, lowlifes, con artsits, vermin and scum-sucking pigs.
I will fight these extremist, radical, fascistic, anti-American, regressive jackasses, morans and criminals with every once of my strength, every day, for the rest of my life.
amk-
Yeah, I’m watching it. Basically, they keep interuppting with U.C. and paliamentary requests. Sessions: “tyanny of majority”. Oh lawd. Yadda, yadda. Hey Pete- what about being in favor of women paying more for health care than men, like you said yesterday? Oy…
“The Weekly Standard, Where It’s Always Good News For Republicans”
http://www.tnr.com/blog/the-plank/the-weekly-standard-where-its-always-good-news-republicans
Thanks for all the updates Greg. I don’t know if anyone saw Maddow last night, I just watched a clip of her with Weiner that was pretty interesting. He thinks it will go to a vote tonight, we’ll see.
He also said something pretty funny, the reason the numbers of the “press conference” on Thurs. are being so inflated by Repubs. is because everyone there has about 6 different personalities. They like, love Medicare and VA care, but don’t want a PO for others, that sort of thing.
amk, I have a link in the roundup above to the actual letter from the bishops endorsing the plan
They sholy loves them some “socialist” Medicare, DC Metro service, etc. Schizophrenic, I tells ya’… LOL!
Watching c-span. If we just record some of this and play it back in some of those blue dog districts, re-election won’t be a problem. These lawmakers do know they are on television right?
The Senate will be a piece of cake compared to the house.
Andy, it is pretty hard to believe how the Republicans are acting. It’s pathetic. Childish. That whole episode of objecting to the Dem unanimous consent requests was bizarre. It was written in their body-language. Like children. The Dems have to use those video clips.
The best though was Bachmann’s unanimous consent remark that the Dem bill would explode the “economic economy.” She actually said that. I hope Olbermann runs that over and over.
All, see update I added: audio of GOP robocall bashing bill as “dangerous” in dozens of House Dem districts across country.
Wow, Greg, thank you for posting that FactCheck on the “Government Run Health Care Mantra!
That is absolutely a Must-Read!
In any case, whether 6 million people take up the “public plan” (CBO) or 12 million (the Lewin Group’s high-end estimate), neither number comes close to backing up the GOP claim that this bill would “drive every private health insurance company out of business” and result in “government-run” health care.
http://factcheck.org/2009/11/the-government-run-mantra/
And that’s the facts.
amk, where are you? why do you need politico when you can get the actual bishops’ letter right here?
so much hatred for republicans…last time I checked, you can push though anything through the house and senate with just Democrats…all this wrangling over republicans shows that you dem’s are about as dumb as posts. I don’t like either side, but you progressive libs, look more like kids than anyone.
you all have no idea of general economics and supply and demand. Go to a school that doesn’t teach you that capitalism is evil and socialism/communism is best b/c its….its….its….its….FAIR. Grow up everyone, the world isn’t fair. The strong survive.
If we actually worked on getting good regulation and stimulus to companies that hire workers, then you’d fix minimum 15 million people without healthcare right away b/c they WOULD HAVE A JOB!
Or you can pass a 3 trillion dollar plan for healthcare that is sure to send our country right over the edge that its sitting on.
WOW… that robocall was really moving and compelling! The guy doing the read really knows how to make a point. YEAH that’s sure to kill the bill.
Now back to football.
An American with Universal Health Care is the kind of America I want.
I imagine your idea of America is one covered in oil rigs and natural gas pipelines, 50 lane super highways everywhere, massive homes and shanty towns. That would be the result of absolute conservative Republican rule.
I want no part of that America.
3 trillion dollar plan for healthcare
Can’t we just stick to facts instead of making stuff up.
Some dumb idiot woman on Fox Propaganda Network is about to have a skit on how Obama is signing a bailout bill for the dead beats.
Wonder if Fox will break to the 1:15 Rose Garden address by the President or continue with their propaganda.
Mr. Sargent:
“* The abortion amendment secured for the bill the critical endorsement by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. You can read their letter to members right here.”
This letter means exactly nothing, whether it be for or against the measure.
Re the robocall, I stand by my earlier post.
These extremist, fascistic rightwing vermin are anti-American, anti-democracy, anti-truth, anti-decency liars, parasites and two-bit grifters.
Bilgeman, it means nothing to faux Catholics like yourself.
Anyone else interested in real Christian ideals such as care for the sick and unfortunate, this means a great deal.
mike from arlington:
“Bilgeman, it means nothing to faux Catholics like yourself.”
I’m not the self-professed “Catholic” who ran away in shame from the ridicule of his liberal friends when I challenged him to claim the Nicene Creed.
That was you.
I have no clue what you’re talking about, honestly. You said recite the creed, then typed it out. I didn’t realize you wanted me to type it again.
What exactly would that prove?
I prove my Christ like actions through supporting measures like caring for the sick, elderly and unfortunate unlike you who fights tooth and nail to expand the justness and decency of basic health care needs.
Maybe you need to go back to Mass and listen to what your Priest has to say rather than going in there with preconceived positions and only hear what you want to hear.
This site needs an editor.
You fight tooth and nail NOT to expand…
mike from arlington:
“I have no clue what you’re talking about, honestly. You said recite the creed, then typed it out. I didn’t realize you wanted me to type it again.”
You believe this, right?
” We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
one in Being with the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation
he came down from heaven
by the power of the Holy Spirit
he was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered, died, and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in fulfillment of the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of Life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified.
He has spoken through the Prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come.”
just the facts huh Andy boy?
http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/107xx/doc10710/hr3962Dingell_mgr_amendment_update.pdf
1.2 trillion for the HCR
1.8 trillion in tax hikes =
3.0 trillion
math is hard.
What I believe is between God, my dad and I.
all, check this out:
http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/health-care/gop-rep-pence-dems-against-reform-akin-to-world-war-ii-vets-who-risked-lives-for-freedom/
mike from arlington:
“What I believe is between God, my dad and I.”
That makes twice that you have denied him.
Fox, fair and balanced my behind.
They’ve had no pro reform voices on all morning. It’s non stop 100% against health care.
No wonder Fox viewers have no idea what the hell is going on.
Oh wait, they have one on, vs. 4 others mocking health care. And they are trying to promote this crowd of a few dozen outside congress as representative of the country.
What a bunch of idgits.
Bildge, not talking about my beliefs to you has not baring on my beliefs.
But if you think it makes you a better Christian than go right ahead.
You can say you believe and love Christ but if you act into anti Christ like ways then, well, you connect the dots.
Anyways, I gotta go to a one year olds birthday, yahoo.
I’ll talk to you later.
mike from arlington:
“Bildge, not talking about my beliefs to you has not baring on my beliefs.
But if you think it makes you a better Christian than go right ahead.
You can say you believe and love Christ but if you act into anti Christ like ways then, well, you connect the dots.”
You were the one with the temerity to call me a faux Catholic.
But you again fail to claim the Nicene Creed.
Who is the faux-Catholic here?
Math is hard and so is reading:
“The estimate includes a projected net cost of $891 billion over 10 years for the proposed
expansions in insurance coverage.”
and
“According to CBO and JCT’s assessment, enacting H.R. 3962 would result in a net
reduction in federal budget deficits of $109 billion over the 2010–2019 period.”
Sorry, Greg. I don’t know how I missed your bulleted point on bishops’ endorsement. Good work.
Report the robocalls at http://www.callcatalog.com and log your experience.
So what happens when:
The Democratic Party WON two Congressional seats.
The corporate-media’s responds: “Dems lose!”
Violent anti-American right wing secessionist’s (like Bilgewater) respond: “Dems need to fear!”
Yes folks, every time the Democratic Party has added seats in Congress (in 2006, 2008, and now 2009) the right wing propaganda machine and it’s subservient corporate media readily declare that it’s a victory for Republicans and a defeat for the Dems.
You’d think the right wing liars would have some shame, but no, denying reality is a core right wing trait.
The right winger Bilgewater has repeatedly expressed anti-American beliefs.
Vive free speech.
Bilgewater is welcome to express his anti-American beliefs all he wants.
But lets be clear, the violent right wingers who openly talk about destroying America through violence, as Bilgewater has, are no different than the al-Qaeda movement.
And to be doubly clear, Bilgewater is also anti-Christian.
Any true Christian would be working for Universal Health Care, for as Jesus clearly stated, the only way to Heaven is to provide for the least amongst US.
Jesus Christ specifically said that the path to Heaven was reserved for those who, amongst other things, tended to the sick. [Matthew 25: 31-46]
That’s not only pathetic Biblical theology but just plain absurd logic, OldNews.
In fact, even based on your own misstatement, it is a better argument that those wasting their time demanding socialized medicine are shirking their responsibilities and trying to foist them onto others. Your argument is preposterous.
Right winger “quarterback’s” “argument” is designed to deny Americans lifesaving health care.
OVER 44,000 AMERICANS DIE EVERY YEAR because they lack healthcare.
Beyond right winger “quarterback’s” un-American refusal to work towards saving the lives of the over 44,000 Americans, is his absolutely un-Christian refusal to help the least amongst US.
Right wingers need to read Christs words on how to get to Heaven, he was very explicit: Those that help the least amongst us will go to Heaven. [Matthew 25: 31-46]
Amongst the things Christ said was the path to Heaven was to help those least amongst us that are sick.
Providing the sick amongst us healthcare is Christian AND is pro-American.