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 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 →
Today two columnists try to dish out the tasteless old pap claiming that, although Obama and the Democratic Party are tanking, it’s not the President’s fault. The dauntless Obama apologist E.J. Dionne claims that it’s the Senate’s fault, as well … Continue reading →
Does anyone think that Indiana Senator (D) Evan Bayh would be retiring from Congress but for the current internecine and anti-incumbent atmosphere? Bayh says it’s not because he doubts that he could be re-elected, and polls back that up (he … Continue reading →
Jennifer Rubin describes a process we’ve all noticed recently, in which moderate Democrats who ought to know better risk their chances of re-election (or actually give them up) in order to fall in line when Party leaders crack the whip: … Continue reading →
One would think that—if bipartisanship were possible—one issue on which Congress might be able to unite would be jobs creation. After all, everybody knows jobs are needed, and everyone wants credit for reducing unemployment and helping the economy. What’s more, … Continue reading →
I’d like to start a movement: Judd Gregg for President in 2012. Seriously. The only problem is, I’m not at all sure Gregg wants the honor. He’s on record as intending to retire from the Senate in 2010, and hasn’t … Continue reading →
This piece about the influence of Obama’s inner circle of Chicago-based advisers is good. But like many articles on the subject, it somewhat misses the point. Axelrod, Gibbs, Jarrett, and Emanuel are not just random aides who have led Obama … Continue reading →
Once more Obama poses as victim: it’s those mean old Republicans, out to get me! Obama is determined to paint the Republicans as the obstructionist bad guys, and he says it’s personal rather than about any sort of principle. If … 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 →Obama’s support is dropping among the independents of New Hampshire. This has become a general trend for Obama; the Scott Brown election polls and results showed the same precipitous decline among independents in Massachusetts, whose swing from Democratic to Republican … Continue reading →