This Politico piece calls Nancy Pelosi “one of the strongest speakers in modern history.” I suppose that depends on what you mean by the word “strong.” If you’re thinking Nurse Ratched strong rather than the greater strength that comes from … Continue reading →
Andy McCarthy gets it. The “it” is what we’ve been saying on this blog for what seems like a long, long, time: that Obama and the Democratic leaders in Congress are playing a very different game with very different rules. … Continue reading →
I was thinking what a huge and personal set of changes would result from the passage of the contemplated comprehensive health care reform bill, and how close the vote will be either way. If we dodge it, it will be … Continue reading →
[NOTE: I’m bumping this up to keep it at the top. Scroll down for newer posts.] Well, I tried. But a couple of minutes was it for me. I suspect that the vast majority of people will not be watching … Continue reading →
Here’s my question: do bills passed by the reconciliation process require the inclusion of a five-year sunset provision? And if so, why has this fact hardly been mentioned in the ongoing discussion about using reconciliation to pass health care reform? … Continue reading →
Sounds like Pelosi doesn’t have enough votes to pass Obamacare in the House. Yet. She wasn’t making any promises Tuesday, saying the White House proposals are “getting a good reception,” but “we have more work to do.” As for the … Continue reading →
Let’s see: I want to compromise with a group of people, get their ideas on solving a joint problem. I call a meeting with them, and ask others to witness it (I even get cameras to film us and broadcast … Continue reading →
And it looks pretty much like the Senate version, with a few minor tweaks. See this and this for some interesting analysis. In related news, the White House says that if Republicans try to filibuster health care reform, reconciliation is … Continue reading →
Let’s see if I can follow this: Harry Reid says that if reconciliation is used to pass health care reform, he’ll cooperate and work for a public option provision. And you thought the public option was through. Seems the stake … Continue reading →
In the chess game between the parties, Obama has proposed televised bipartisan health care talks, and the House Republicans have countered with a rather nice gambit of their own. Check. Your move, President Obama.
Continue reading →I would like to point out to E.J. Dionne that his analogy falls flat when he approvingly quotes Rep. Jay Inslee comparing health care reform legislation to a kitchen renovation: …[Inslee] recounted all the grief he and his family went … Continue reading →
Fifty-nine-year-old Newfoundland Premier Danny Williams needs heart surgery—and he’s going to the US to have it. That’s his prerogative. He’s lucky to have the resources to do so. But it’s an especially glaring example of a fact most of us … Continue reading →