Sources: Pelosi, Dems lock up 218

Politico ^

[Sub-Driver]

Sources: Pelosi, Dems lock up 218

By PATRICK O'CONNOR & JOHN BRESNAHAN & JONATHAN ALLEN | 11/7/09 7:16 PM EST

POLITICO 44

Hours before an expected vote on a sweeping health care bill, House Democrats believe they've secured the 218 votes they need to approve the bill, several party insiders said.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi took to the House floor about 6:30 p.m. to say, “Today we will pass the Affordable Health Care for America Act.. . .We will make history. We will also make progress for America's working families."

In response to a question about whether the bill would pass when she brought it up, Pelosi told reporters Saturday night, "That is our expectation."

Thirty-two Democrats have publicly declared their opposition to the bill, giving party leaders the narrowest possible margin to push the bill across the finish line. But numerous sources said Democrats believe they do have the votes after a day of intense lobbying of wavering Democrats.

Votes have a tendency to shift in the final hours before a controversial vote, but party leaders were expressing more genuine confidence as the sun set over the Capitol than they had exhibited all week. Word started spreading around 5 p.m. that leaders had the votes they needed to pass the $1.2 trillion bill.

Pelosi had all-but-predicted passage of a House health reform bill earlier Saturday, following an emotional appeal from President Barack Obama to fellow Democrats urging them to “answer the call of history” and vote yes.

But she and her top lieutenants earlier stopped short of saying they had the 218 votes needed for passage – signaling a day of vote-wrangling and arm-twisting that could stretch into Saturday night.

And Pelosi spokesman Nadeam Elshami declined to comment. “We are not commenting on whip counts,” Elshami said.

[Sun]

This energizes me to fight HARDER.

Now it’s time to pray and contact our reps and tell them to vote no for the entire bill. If we can’t get through by phone, we can FAX and email.

I’d like to see faxes on their floors 100 feet tall.

[ExTexasRedhead]

It’s destroy the American people’s freedom and make them slaves of the state act. Those that do not comply, deny them healthcare and let them die by dictate of Pelosi et al.

[FreeAtlanta]

They need to also declare that if Republicans win, the benefits that former representatives get (full salary, health care, etc.) will be stripped.

Republicans should also declare that they will pass sweeping pay cuts for the house of representatives, senate and eliminate travel perks.

[ExTexasRedhead]

Welcome to Nazi Germany next come the Pelosi camps for conservatives, veterans, pro-lifers, and any other group she cares to get rid of.

[manc]

good point and I agree free Atlanta(smiles)

[EternalVigilance]

Maybe. We’re not Germans though, we’re Americans.

The only thing left now between us and tyranny is the habit of liberty of the American people.

Time will tell if that will be enough to turn back the tide.

[cblue55]

If they had the votes they would vote. To say they have the votes, then, but must mean they want the phone calls to stop. Don’t fall for it!

[Renegade]

12 billion rounds of ammo sold this year and all it takes is 635 to set the country straight.

[jws3sticks]

I assume the First Dog had his own plastic lined chopper, given it's propensity of peeing on everything, just like his former owner, Teddy K.

[Tzimisce]

You wanted it America.

Now you’re going to get it. :D:D:D:D:D:D:D

Seriously though - this sucks. :(

[fantom]

Which sources?

[fantom]

Oh wait , this is from politico ? Junk news .

[Hexenhammer]

Thrown out of office and thrown into jail for subverting The Constitution of the United States.

[CSI007]

This bill will pass tonight. They have to much at stake now. In the end we are all screwed because of it. But it WILL happen.

[Know et al]

The only thing left now between us and tyranny is the habit of liberty of the American people.

Time will tell if that will be enough to turn back the tide.

---

I wish I could be so positive but if the people had any influence on congress, they would be listening to the people they supposedly represent. A majority of the population already do not want this legislation.

Can you say taxation without representation?

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Heard it on KFI and CSPAN is carrying the night session at this moment!...

Just listened to Mike Pence(sp?)

[Yorlik803]

To them, Freedom is only an illusion. Something that exists only in peoples minds. They want total and complete control of every part of Americans lives.
They dont seem to understand that Freedom comes from God and God gave us rights.
To them, they are the gods. What a scary way of thinking.

[LS]

Er, Chet that’s why I said we needed at least 45 blue dog votes for cushion.

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

Why does Pelosi always have that annoying smile on her face?

[napscoordinator]

I think she has it. She is on tv and doubt she would do it unless she has those votes. 218...how many Dems does she have???? She must have a crap load. I know she won big time as far as votes go but she must have quite a cushion. Man elections have consequences. I bet she is laughing all the way to the vote. We are in bad shape because we have absolutely no control at all. It is a shame that we have the Presidency, house and senate and did ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!!!!!!