[gas_dr]

OK Ladies and Gentlemen, I have been watching tonight from afar and I think it is time that we stop this hyperventilating and look at the facts. Then we can rationally forecast what may or may not happen and act accordingly, we need to stop being children because emotion is what can defeat us.

We are in GOOD SHAPE. So many of you are asking what I am smoking. True enough, I would have preferred this die in the house but let's look at what happened:

1. The bill passed 220 - 215, hardly a screaming mandate. So what that a DIABLO voted for it, 37 DEMOCRATS DEFECTED to our 2...so we hammer out the 2 republicans, get conservative in and move on. Fine.

2. The senate has to act on it, and they are not going to act until after the first of the year, if they act at all. The best thing for the senate is to delay it, because once this garbage hits 2010, it is an election year baby, and NO ONE will want this hung around their neck.

3. This thing CANNOT get through the senate if, in fact, Lieberman is going to join the republican filibuster. No republican, even Snowe and Collins will vote for cloture, so this thing dies in the filibuster in the senate (Probably comes up well short of cloture because Byrd has indicated he would filibuster as well if he can be present to vote). What this means is that there is only, at best, 58 votes for cloture, this thing mever gets off the ground in the senate. If you want history, look at cap and trade, this passed the house by an almost identical margin and has languished in the senate, and will likely not get out. No senate vote, no conference committee, no bill, no problem.

4. Reid is in the fight of his life to keep his seat. He really does not want to see this SOB pass. San Fran nan is safe, but Reid is not. It is a lot more fun being the senate majority leader than the head of the Kiwainis in freaking searchlight, Nevada.

Remember the house of representin' is the place where emotion can surge and all sorts of crazy stuff can happen, but the senate is the "cooling plate" of the legislative process. I think that the senate will not be able to bust through a bipartisan filibuster. Now the news will mindlessly pant this great victory, but this is far from over, and, I believe, likely will not see any further action. WAY to many democrats up for election in conservative states, and remember, two big Obama states just threw democrats out on their ass, everyone will remember that who has to vote for this freaking thing.

I am a physician, so my livelihood is on the line with this, but as disappointed as I am in the house vote, I think this thing dies in the senate, and that is the bottom line for tonight.

Remember, our government is awful, but it is the best way in the world to run a country, this too shall be OK...

Keep praying, turn your attention to the senate and melt their phone lines, and I bet anyone here a steak dinner that in six months, we will have the exact same health care system we have today, BUT, the blue dogs will be gone with the next election, because they have to defend what their party did. All in all for as much as this sucks, this will aid in the purge of rats from the congress...

[exit82]

A cogent, level headed analysis, doctor.

The Senate is where we have to focus the heat, starting Monday.

Tomorrow is Sunday—let’s get a day of rest and pray that the Lord girds us for the fight ahead.

Because Plan B ain’t gonna be pretty.The people are not going to be enslaved.

Remember: the Democrats are the enemy of freedom.

[1066AD]

only, at best, 58 votes for cloture

What about the supposed option to do it on a straight majority vote ?
If that truly is an option why wouldn't they take it ?

[Darnright]

Thanks for your cool-headed analysis. We really need to bust these Senators to their last nerve, but as you’ve said, cap & trade has gone quietly underground.

That said, we’ve a lot of work to do next year, cleaning out the rat’s nest (pun intended) that our House of Representatives has become.

[dr_who]

1. Polls have been against Obamacare from the beginning, so the question of whether this vote suggests a mandate is moot. The partisan/bipartisan nature of the bill is also irrelevant because Democrats and Republicans alike have made those words completely meaningless in the first place.

2. How is it best for the senate to delay the bill? Even if Reid can't force a vote in the senate 30 minutes before midnight on a Saturday, you haven't explained to me how or why the Dem leadership will slow down the bill now when Pelosi was able to force a weekend vote on a week-old bill. Reid has already hinted at using budget reconciliation to avoid a filibuster. You're counting on the senate "debate" (hopefully it'll be an hour longer than the so-called house "debate") to stop a government power grabs for a change? You're whistling in the dark!

3. See 2. You're counting on Lieberman? God help us.

4. Reid is arrogant as hell and voting him out will not be easy, regardless of what the polls say. If Democrats in general were worried just about what the polls said and the results of the last few elections, Obamacare would be dead by now. It isn't just alive and healthy, it's one vote away from becoming law. After that, it will be too late.

You may be a physician and no doubt a good one, but this is politics, not medicine.

[snippy_about_it]

Those who believe we can vote them out in 2010 must still believe in our system. I don’t, even with the wins in VA and NJ. I believe ACORN will be alive and working really hard in the 2010 election to foil our votes. Maybe then we’ll get concensus and march.

[COUNTrecount]

Excellent analysis.

Thanks.