Senate Races Clock on Health Bill(hmm)

NYTimes ^ | December 18, 2009 | REUTERS

[mdittmar]

With the clock ticking toward a self-imposed Christmas deadline, Senate Democrats scrambled on Friday to win over a potential defector and line up the 60 votes needed to pass a broad healthcare overhaul.

Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid and others spent hours negotiating with wayward Democratic Senator Ben Nelson, an abortion rights opponent who refuses to pledge his support until he gains stronger restrictions on the use of federal funds to pay for abortions.

[mdittmar]

Obama has asked the Senate to finish by year's-end to prevent the issue from spilling into the campaign for November 2010 congressional elections. Opinion polls show the bill losing public support, with majorities now opposed to it.

[goldstategop]

If the Democrats can't pass it by Christmas, its good as dead. And that would be the best Christmas present America has ever had!

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find only things evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelogus

[combat_boots]

A Defector!

[Steely Tom]

They’ll do like Obammy did in Hopenhagen. They’ll pass some ridiculous sham that even a retarded person can see through, declare it to be an unprecidented victory and a turning point in human history. Then they’ll watch as their media lapdogs talk it up. They’ll go home to their districts and try to keep a low profile.

[Gene Eric]

>> A Defector!

Yes, not a Maverick.

[screaminsunshine]

Time to break out the “Tar and Feathers” and run these Scoundrels out of town on a Rail.

[FormerACLUmember]

Not one human being has read this bill.

[goldstategop]

There isn't any bill! Dingy Harry is still waiting for it to be cost-scored and to agree on a final deal with Nelson before getting it printed. But he's operating under a tight deadline.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find only things evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelogus

[sickoflibs]

My god this is exciting, add a snowstorm so we will be home to watch it.

[onyx]

Notice the language.

POSSIBLE DEFECTOR

ABORTION RIGHT’S OPPONENT

[Jet Jaguar]

Good point.

[freekitty]

Why is so much attention being paid to Nelson? They have several RINOS waiting in the wings to defecate all over the people.

[Kenny]

Not one human being has read this bill.

Well somebody better read the damn thing, in it's entirety, on the Senate floor. I've been defending Republicans, saying I think they've been doing the best they can but if they don't fight this to the death, I'll be done with them.

[AD from SpringBay]

If the Democrats can't pass it by Christmas, its good as dead.

I pray you are right. But how can you say that? We have eleven long months until the midterms - and the shorter the time they have, the more desperate they will become.

[onyx]

The Republicans have and are standing firm and they’re fighting to defeat the monstrosity which NOBODY has been allowed to read, by any means possible.

[onyx]

There is no bill to read.

Reid has not released written legislation, yet 59 democrats stand ready to vote for it!

[dusttoyou]

After Joe Leiberman got frankened, he went home and now just happens to be marooned by the snowstorm.

If this storm does anything near what they are predicting dingy harry’s plans will fall to hell. and it will sure be convincing about Divine Intervention.

[SoCalPol]

*POSSIBLE DEFECTOR
ABORTION RIGHT’S OPPONENT*

It’s the pro life ooooh noes

[Reagan69]

Where’s the CBO scoring. I thought it was supposed to have been scored last Monday.

[onyx]

CBO can only score what it receives.

There is no written bill that anyone has been permitted to see. I suspect that Reid has not been pleased with the CBO numbers he has received and has had to send his revised legislation back to the CBO several times, hoping for better numbers.

Then there’s the problem of all the backroom deals he’s had to make to buy the votes of democrat senators. Those deals have to be included in the CBO numbers.

I am furious that 59 democrat senators are willing to vote for a monstrosity they have not read.