Representative Eric Massa (D-NY) accuses the Democratic leadership of forcing him out to save health care reform. He says the target has actually been on his back since he voted against cap and trade: “When I voted against the cap … Continue reading →
If you’re finding it difficult to understand exactly how reconciliation would work in terms of the current bills regarding health care reform, you’re not alone. To clarify—or perhaps to add to your confusion—here are two somewhat opposing articles on the … Continue reading →
What a difference an election makes. Obama used to sing quite a different tune on why a strong and bipartisan majority was needed to pass a transformative bill such as HCR. There are lots of previous Obama quotes to that … Continue reading →
Today’s thoroughly excellent WSJ editorial on using reconciliation to pass health care reform makes the point that Democrats’ comparisons to previous transformative bills such as Social Security, Medicare, and welfare reform are inappropriate, because all those measures enjoyed significant bipartisan … Continue reading →
This WaPO piece is another in a series of recent articles about how Rahm Emanuel is the only voice of practicality, incremental change, and reason in the Obama White House (I wrote about an earlier piece here). I’m not at … Continue reading →
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 →
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 →
I happen to like Susan Estrich more than I do most liberal Democrat pundits. She isn’t afraid to criticize her own party, for example (see this and this). But Estrich lost me at the starting gate when this article of … Continue reading →
…a few years and a transfer of power makes. I haven’t heard Democrats been so eloquent—and make so much sense—in quite a few years. [Via the geniuses at Breitbart TV.]
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 →