Posted on 03/15/2010 10:34:48 AM PDT by b4its2late
At a roundtable meeting with several health care reporters and bloggers this morning, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi once again predicted final passage of a far-reaching heath care bill by week's end--but she insisted that success will only be possible if she acts quickly, even if that means members and reformers will have to abandon some of their key priorities, and trust the Senate to pass an amending bill through the reconciliation process.
"I have no intention of not passing this bill," Pelosi said in response to a question from TPMDC. "Let me say it in a positive way: I have faith in my members that we will be passing this legislation."
Pelosi explained away a statement by her Whip, James Clyburn, that the votes aren't there "yet," by noting that the bill is still not yet complete. But getting a majority won't be easy. No vote is easy, Pelosi said, and she'll need members to focus on the big picture--insurance for 31 million people--without getting distracted by the demise of the public option, or the fact that the Senate may not be able to deliver what they say they can in reconciliation, in order to get it done.
"Time is important for us here, because this city is the city of the perishable and every special interest group out there who doesn't want this to pass--including the entire Republican party--benefits from any delay," Pelosi told those in attendance. "Delay is our enemy."
That's true even if it means members must move beyond the demise of the public option and other high-priority provisions. Pelosi said it's important that members "keep the focus on what is in this bill. Because the more we talk about public option, the more we talk about abortion, we're not talking about innovation, prevention, wellness. We're not talking about 31 million people."
Still, one key obstacle remains, and that is assuring her members that the Senate will be able to act to pass the fix bill in reconciliation. That may take a leap of faith.
"There has to be complete agreement on what the package is...I have asked [the Senate] to show me what it is they can show me that I would be able to convince my members to go forward," Pelosi said. "We're...willing to trust the Senate that they are able to pass the reconciliation package."
Pelosi avoided delving deeply into postmortems--Why didn't the public option survive? What should have been done differently?--but she did suggest, at a couple different points, that the White House was not a perfect ally in this fight.
"There will be plenty of time for whatever--in the executive and the legislative branch--as to how [the public option] evolved to what it is now," Pelosi said, suggesting that some fault lies with the White House.
Equally vexing for her have been elements in the White House who urged her to revert to a strategy of passing a small--rather than comprehensive--health care bill. "Those who are trying to say 'just do a small bill,'" Pelosi said gesturing out the window of her office, westward toward the White House. "In our midst there's the small bill crowd. Here and there. And that empowered [the insurance companies]."
And that's to say nothing about the White House/PhRMA deal."If you're asking me were we unhappy about the pharmaceutical thing? Yes. Very. But apart from that, I don't know what else they've done with industry....We just thought, Wait a minute, the Senate and the White House and PhRMA made a deal, and we have to honor that?"
You’re welcome. All lines are busy for me.
I keep auto dialing.
Emergency surgery is clearly in order. I'll bring the axe.
“Washington D.C. is a cloistered, incestuous place.”
Respectfully, that is a polite understatement!
As pointed out by OldCorps in 2002 and jmstein7 in 2004 (and, I am sure, other FReepers), Pelosi has played an executive role in the Progressive Caucus. The Caucus is a working spinoff of the Democratic Socialists of America and spawned the Congressional Black Caucus and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, all of which include several dozens of members of Congress (100+).
Here is Nancy:
“Anybody who’s ever dealt with me knows not to mess with me...”
Time Magazine, August, 2006
“She was a role model for many of us,”
Speaking of Vivian Hallinan who, along with her husband Vincent, was deeply involved with communist activities via association with several U.S. fronts of the Communist Party, a friendship with Daniel Ortega and relations with Fidel Castro.
“If we are ever going to protect the American people, we must have an outside independent committee.” Quotesandpoems.com
Named one of the “Ten Most Wanted Corrupt Politicians.”
Judical Watch 2007 and 2008
Described raids by ICE, statutorily authorized by Congress, as “un-American.”
March 14, 2009
“Are you serious? Are you serious?”
Her only response to the question: “Where specifically does the Constitution grant Congress the authority to enact an individual health insurance mandate?”
CNS.com Oct, 2009
NO....once she opened her mouth we knew at once she was an
idiot....!!!
Her skull is generally believed to be so thick that a simple axe may not suffice. I’d bring a 1/2” pneumatic drill with titanium bits. Then, nuke her from orbit. It’s the only way to be sure.
They hate the Senate plan? And they trust the Senate Democrats to fix it?
=========================================
REFERENCE Axelrod says Americans Are Too Stupid To Care About Congressional Procedures FR POSTED by callisto:
Obama strategist David Axelrod and spokesman Robert Gibbs threaten that the Obamacare bill will be passed this upcoming week...............despite the lack of votes that stand in the way of passage.............So just how are defiant Democrats going to overcome insufficient votes for passage? It may well be chicanery. According to Axelrod, the White House is retreating from earlier demands that special, sweetheart deals by certain lawmakers be removed in order to aid with passage. In order to pass a bill----- that the majority of Americans detest-----Ohaha is permitting special deals for senators Landrieu, Max Baucus and Chris Dodd to remain in the bill. (Excerpt) Read more at associatedcontent.com ...
=============================================
PASS THE WORD If they use the Slaughter Rule to pass it, it will not be a law because it’s unconstitutional.
If Nanzi allows this to happen her seat is in jeopardy.
If Obaba signs this...........he can be impeached.
USE THESE Toll free numbers------set up by OhahNuts and illegals to support O/care.
1-800-828-0498, 1-866-220-0044, 1-866-338-1015, 1-877-851-6437, 1-877-210-5351
If you get a DA, try this Toll free Capitol switchboard no 1-800-965-4701
That wench wretches my stomach. Can’t even describe what the foreign one does.
Thanks for the “Code Red” link!
Shows her real level of confidence. This does not mean we can relax, however.
You’re welcome. It’s a great link for contact information, but I’m not sure their vote count is current.
Blah, blah, blah...Pelosi talks a lot not to be saying anything.
Budget committee approves recon bill 21-16 (two Dems voting no: Boyd & Edwards)
My first laugh of the day. Thank You!!!
She’s so stressed out fearing defeat that it’s getting to her.
Most excellent fax! May many more follow your example.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.