For Democrats, A Wake-Up Call

The Washington Post ^ | Nov 26, 2003 | David Von Drehle

[neverdem]

In politics, there's nothing like having the other side steamroll your party -- using your own steamroller -- to jangle the emotions.

Democrats have owned the Medicare issue for nearly 40 years. But this week, the Republicans climbed into the driver's seat and mashed the gas pedal. In closed-door sessions that excluded nearly all Democrats, through rule-bending roll calls, dishing out goodies to friends and twisting arms of the recalcitrant, the Republicans passed $400 billion worth of changes. Democrats spent the day picking carpet fibers out of their hairdos and sorting out their reactions.

[neverdem]

Figuratively, hold your nose while thinking about this pubbie pandering. Hope that come next November, the rats take such a drubbing that it drives a stake in the heart of the party that hates its own country. Maybe not, but you can dream.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Who will suffer the biggest backlash next November...

...the Republicans for geometrically expanding government...

...or the DEMO(N)cRATS for standing in their way?

[neverdem]

I clicked on WaPo's page to send the article to the printer. I didn't realize that would cause the defeat of the excerpting function when I right clicked to copy. Sorry

[neverdem]

Good question, that's why I say "hold your nose".

[hflynn]

In closed-door sessions that excluded nearly all Democrats, through rule-bending roll calls, dishing out goodies to friends and twisting arms of the recalcitrant, the Republicans passed $400 billion worth of changes.

The liberal big lies continue. When the House vote was 215 -217 and defeated the clock ran on for another 4 hours for votes. The only votes that changed were Democrat votes. Explain how the Republicans twisting the arms of recalcitrant Republicans led to Democrats changing ther votes?

[OpusatFR]

"Longtime party strategist Harold Ickes was at a loss to see any upside to a Republican victory in an area Democrats have always owned. He said he was flabbergasted that key Democratic senators, led by John Breaux (La.) and Max Baucus (Mont.), went along with it."

If he can't see it, I'm not telling. You mean to tell me that the much vaunted intellect, Clinton and that deranged fishwife of his can't analyze this statement and get it?

Hehehehehehe.......Bush in 2004.

[eddie willers]

FYI...the best way to get a moderator's attention is to click the "Abuse" button.
It is what they read.

I sent them the message that they are needed here.

[Naspino]

Frontline actually covered this pretty well (surprisingly). After the Supreme Court lifted the injuction against "Maine Rx" a drug prescription bill was inevitable. In fact the drug companies were lobbying the Republicans to pass one before other states gained support to implement similar programs. It is far better that we have this program than one passed by or expanded by Democrats.

[gitmo]

What is the abuse here? Is it that conservatives object to their own party creating an entirely new welfare state, one that has been estimated to cost trillions?

[eddie willers]

What is the abuse here?

No....you don't understand.

The "Abuse" is the pipeline to get the moderator's ear.

That is what read....NOT pings to their names.
They hurry to read an "Abuse" report.

Thus I told them they needed to redact the FULL article to one that conforms to the court order by pressing the "Abuse" button.

They will tell you themselves, "If you want to get in touch with us...press the "Abuse" button."

[neverdem]

Thank you. Adios

[neuron2]

I can still read the entire unexcerpted posting in the thread history. Does that conform to the judgment?

[neverdem]

"I can still read the entire unexcerpted posting in the thread history. Does that conform to the judgment?"

I don't know. I'm not a lawyer. But it is linking to WaPo's stories and an advertiser. My guess is no. I'll forward your concern to the Admin Moderator.