Reid Continues Health Care Sound And Fury
I’m sure you’ve noticed that the press conferences on health care have set a new record in dueling PR wars. Never before have so many contained so little content with so few facts. They are targeted not only to the public, but frequently to those in Congress who are not falling in line. Today Harry Reid announced the Senate health care bill will contain a state opt-out form of the public option, but he had nothing definitive to say about the number of votes he has lined up.
On Democrats:
“I believe we clearly will have the support of the [Democratic caucus] to move to the bill,” Mr. Reid said.
On Olympia Snowe:
“I’m very disappointed that this one issue, the public option, has frightened her,” Mr. Reid said.
On Republicans:
“I’m always looking for Republicans,” Reid said.
William Jacobsen of Legal Insurrection (via Michelle Malkin) concludes:
Harry Reid: “I Have Nothing to Announce, So Pay Attention”
…he does not have a single Republican on board. So he will need every single Democratic Senator to vote for cloture. Reid evaded a question as to whether he had the Democratic votes for cloture
Another press conference full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.
__________
H/T: Wall Street Journal, Fox News, Legal Insurrection, Michelle Malkin, Shakespeare.
[1]
Watching Reid give a befuddled concession speech next year will be one of the great thrills of my life. Burn, Harry, Burn!!!!
[2]
Watching Reid give a befuddled concession speech next month will be a great thrill.
[3]
The greatest danger is the things they sneak in during the dark of night.
[4]
“I’m always looking for Republicans,” Reid said.
Interesting. We’re always looking for Conservatives. Tell Senator Reid if he finds what we’re looking for we’ll show him where to find what he’s looking for.
[5]
As I predicted
They have pushed the bill far left and they have/will lose Snowe
Now all 60 Communists will have to hold firm to get cloture
And
They
Don’t
Have
The
Votes
[6]
I think Reid’s strategy now is to lose this as quickly as he can so he can back away and try to save his Senate seat
To the far left he’ll say, “I tried! The Republicans stopped me!!”
To Nevadans he’ll be able to point out that a massively unpopular bill DIDN’T pass
Win-win
Why else is he bringing up a bill HE ADMITS HE DOESN’T HAVE THE VOTES TO PASS…???
Who the hell does that…???
No, he wants defeat ASAP so he can concentrate on saving his Senate seat…
[7]
If that’s Reid’s strategy MFG, it is pretty gutless. A smarter thing for him to do would be to step down from the leadership position. That way ObamaCare could still be voted up or down but he could for aye or nay depending on which was his political wind was blowing.
[8]
Now all 60 Communists will have to hold firm to get cloture
And
They
Don’t
Have
The
Votes
THEY
WILL
HAVE
THE
VOTES
The wavering ditchcarp will vote for cloture,but be given the fig leaf of voting against the actual bill.~~
WSBSTTM~~~
[9]
All the Blue dog senators are saying they’ll vote cloture because they think the bill deserves a vote.
They are going to pass it. I’ll believe it dies when it dies, not until….
[10]
To Nevadans he’ll be able to point out that a massively unpopular bill DIDN’T pass
Win-win
A smart player would turn that. I can see the ad now –
He had control of the Senate.
…
He has 60 members in his caucus
…
He even had 2 of the opposition who voted to advance HC.
…
Yet when the votes really counted Harry Reid could not deliver.
…
What has Harry Reid done for you lately??
Insert your own laughable photo op shots.
[11]
OT, Detroit is so bad that even at a low bid auction real estate won’t sell
[12]
O/T Suffolk University Poll:
Corzine opens nine point lead:
Jon Corzine (D-inc) 42%
Chris Christie (R) 33%
Chris Daggett (I) 7%
Thar she blows. Moby may have been harpooned.
I’d gladly trade a Christie loss for a Hoffman win (hopefully the first many GOP office holders to owe Sarah big time).
[13]
drdog09 -
The bad thing about being a slumlord in Detroit is there’s no one to rip off.
[14]
Well, Christie may lose, but, there is no way he is down 9…. Seems the polls are trying to start a stampede….
[15]
Yahoo -
Real Clear Politics has Corzine up .1%, but that’s down (for Christie) 5 points in the past month and down 15 points from the end of July. He is definitely trending the wrong way.
From what I have read, Christie has run a horrid campaign and has been unable to define what his plan for NJ is.
Given the choice between a Democrat and a Democrat wannabe, the voters usually choose the Democrat.
[16]
Corzine needs to win just so New Jersey will go belly up under his watch just as it deserves to do.
[17]
‘what his plan for NJ is.’
Let them eat donuts!
[18]
PG -
The Christie campaign team carefully plans Christie’s daily campaign route around Dunkin Donuts, McDonald’s, Burger Kings, Wendy’s and Pizza Huts.
[19]
I agree, Bc, but I disagree he’s down 9.
And if Christie’s election makes some Dems and RINOS a little more skittish on Obama’s agenda than they’d otherwise be, say if only Hoffman and McDonnell win, (a delightfully satisfactory scenario as far as I am concerned, and one that looks increasingly likely) then I hope Christie can turn it around.
[20]
‘Detroit is so bad’
Imagine the worst thing possible, magnify it to exponential powers, and compress it to ultimate density and you have Detroit.
The ultimate end-product of liberalism.
I am somewhat concerned that Detroit will implode into a black hole that will suck the rest of the country into oblivion.
[21]
heh, he has a feed bag strapped around his neck at all times, not to drop below 3,000 calories.
Plus a milkshake backpack, I’ll bet….
[22]
‘The Christie campaign team carefully plans Christie’s daily campaign route around Dunkin Donuts, McDonald’s, Burger Kings, Wendy’s and Pizza Huts’
The complexity of the mapping and the timing requires several laptops–although Christie hasn’t seen his lap in a good long while….
[23]
‘Plus a milkshake backpack, I’ll bet….’
More like a double foam-dome and direct IV drip
[24]
Old Fort Detroit used to be surrounded by farm land. Maybe they ought to go back to that.
[25]
‘I hope Christie can turn it around.’
Me too, but he’ll need the radius room of an aircraft carrier.
[26]
heh.
[27]
Detroit was founded by the French, so it was off to a bad start from the get-go.
[28]
Here’s something that caught my eye.
[29]
Me too, but he’ll need the radius room of an aircraft carrier.
NJ is not THAT big.
[30]
I remember 1978. Even from the perspective of age 13 it wasn’t pretty.
Professor Obama is firing up the way-back machine. Will he bring back the hair and clothes as well? Could disco be next?
We could all use a good laugh on our way to hell.
[31]
I saw that article too, Dr, and I think history will repeat itself.
This same author, a Heritage fellow, wrote that “Obama could follow an open course with his next immigration bill to help get US companies the workers they need to grow the economy.”
Um, hello? We have 17% unemployment. Why do we need millions more workers to help grow the economy?
#$%^#$%^!!!
[32]
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/columns/Immigration-reform-kept-behind-closed-doors_-under-wraps-8340863-63545537.html
[33]
Never fear–OL predicts robust 3.5% growth in the next quarter and exclaims that he loooovees him some government healthcare!
[34]
Obama and Harry are willing, I believe, to pass hellcare with no republican votes. This is so important to the libs, they will absorb the political damage for the greater good of the left.
The trouble for Harry, other than the fact he is no LBJ, is the Obama deficit, and the need for Congress to raise the debt limit another trillion (or two) at this most inopportune time. The deficit is the elephant in the committee room, and the more centrist dems are very aware of it.
Once one democrat breaks bad for Harry’s bill, several others will run for the exits too. His vote count is extremely fragile.
[35]
‘The Obama bill will grant blanket amnesty to millions’
Change you can believe in.
[36]
I wouldn’t worry about JokeLeaf. The Fed is trying to reinflate the bubble, and all the interests who will profit from that are jumping on the bandwagon, all pulled by taxpayer money.
It’s a house of cards, and the fiscal situation is totally unsustainable.
I know so many people out of work, I would love for the economy to come back. I don’t think it can because the structural imbalances, made worse by Bush and dramatically so by Obama, are not being addressed.
So, use the 1930s as an example: The economy bounced around, 33% unemployment one year, 15% the next, 18, 25, 14, 28.
So in those bad years, there were some periods of economic growth, but it was not sustained.
Watch. We will bounce around positive to neg to plus to minus.
[37]
MO
He doesn’t have 60
If he had 60 the bill would already have passed
He doesn’t have the votes
[38]
Yahoo
The problem is business is worried to death over the end of the Bush tax cuts, Crap & Trade, HellCare, the inevitability of tax increases etc
Who would hire under that scenario…???
Business confidence is non existent right now…
[39]
Yes, but it’s not over yet.
Hey, I hope you’re right, MFG, I hope it does not pass. But something will pass, they will not go back home without something.
And so the camel’s nose and all that…
[40]
Who would hire under that scenario…???
Yes, of course. Same as in 1930s….
There are always people who want to grow, and hire. But with the government running the private sector, who would? For all you know you might get taken over on a whim at any time, and lose your life’s work.
So, you sit tight and wait to see what will happen.
[41]
And I wonder where this 3.5% GDP bullcrap is coming from
Look at the list of stats,
CCI
weekly jobless
durable goods
They are all bouncing around, not trending up.
I think the 3.5% is bogus. When they revise it, it will be under 2.0, ie nothing…..
[42]
Plus card check
You find out your business is suddenly unionized and you can no longer make a profit
People hunker down in times like this and it’s not going to change for quite a while
[43]
Right, which is why I say it will mimic the 30s with numbers bouncing around, from a very low floor.
Look, ugly people have sex sometimes. They don’t get any for a long time, and they it happens once or twice, and they can say “oh, I’m getting 300% more than I did last year! I am a stud!”
One or two is a lot more than 0, but it still sucks when your goal is 9 or 10.
Bouncing around a low floor is what Europe has been doing for 40 years. It’s not something we should be happy about.
[44]
Yes, but how do you explain this?
[45]
I agree, MFG. Harry doesn’t have 60 and that is why he continues to cobble together a bill with public options weakened by triggers and opt-outs and other spoilage. The excuse now is a new CBO assessment.
All I am saying is maybe he has 57 or 58 he can count on, but a lot of moving parts. He might lose one to gain one. It’s fragile.
None of these centrist cowards wants a vote without substantial cover. They would all like to hide behind Olympia’s bloomers. Absent that, unanimous democrat is a thin veil indeed.
[46]
oh for the love of …..blarrgghhh!
[47]
(still reading)
#4 – Interesting take, but your giving Harry credit there for actually having a plan. lol Plus all it take is for 3 more red state dem, or blue state R senators to cave, that is not that much of a stretch though I admit it’s not going to be easy.
What Harry was saying publicly was “Mr. President I can only get 57 you have to find 3 more yourself”.
[48]
And thus the Rahm-signal is flashed across the D.C. night sky…..
[49]
I am sure the RINOs will live down to their reputation and meet all expectations.
They simply cannot resist the temptation to stab their own party in the back.
Think of all the media face-time, and the thrilling cocktail party invitations!
[50]
The Democrats in Congress are saying one loud and clear voice:
“It is NONE of your business, America!”
I truly believe that the Democrats (and even some Repubs) are tired of Americans DARING to immerse themselves in the workings of government.
HOW DARE WE?
[51]
Maybe this is like calling tax increases ‘proactive revenue enhancement measures’.
Or something.
[52]
Key is dragging this out past nov 3rd, after that whatever crap is in the bill will only get more and more watered down. I believe RWY is correct, something will pass, they end they year without something for the president to sign no matter how watered down, the president after investing so much time and effort simply can’t let that happen, he has to make a show of signing something or else even the left will start making fun of his arse.
[53]
Yeah I love mrs. piggy’s “It’s not raising taxes, it’s not renewing the existing rates”
WTF??? That even worse then the whole “Republicans cutting school lunch program” crap, when we just wanted to reduce the rate of the proposed increase.
[54]
Hey he can sign my expense voucher!
[55]
Hoffman is surging, and so now the Democrats are running ads against him based on the fact that he is a successful businessman.
How DARE somebody be successful??
Unlike the Kennedys and Rockefellers who politely inherit wealth, this MANIAC actually started and ran (shudder) “businesses” that (gasp!) employed people!!!!!!!!!! WTF? Naturally he must be destroyed!
[56]
The individual mandate is as bad as the option.
[57]
Yahoo -
Don’t know if you are watching Hannity. Hannity asked Christie if he is moderate to left of center on any issues. Chris Christie is pro gun control.
Just another stinking RINO (in more ways than one).
Great American Panel is on. Time for the NFL.
[58]
So, who does everyone predict will be the next
RINORepublican to endorse Hoffman?Romney? Huck? Crist?
[59]
Good grief! It isnt enough that Greta is having Newt on to whine about the unwashed idiots supporting Hoffman, she is also having Grahamnesty and Cornyn. She will probably have to leave the room when the circle jerk commences.
[60]
Hoffman is not god’s gift to conservatism but at least he can be considered an inside the tent republican, your all gonna probably hate him though when the next amnesty bill come up, though from what I read Obama’s not even going to include any republican carrots in that one either so maybe he’ll balk at it in the end, assuming he even beats Ownes.
[61]
LOL greta and circle jerk with those name…. eek thanks for that visual.
[62]
Greta hit Newt on NY23. He repeated about letting the local GOP make the decision, Dede is not that liberal for upstate NY, need to support Republicans, oppose Pelosi. etc. He didn’t come across as polished as he usually does.
Like the GOP, the woman is the only one in FNC’s prime time lineup with any balls. BOR doesn’t normally have any balls, Hannity seldom does.
Newt ought go to a college where he can teach history and hit on coeds.
[63]
BC,
Something to consider. Huckabee maybe contractually obligated to NOT endorse anyone having a Fox show. Anybody seen Fox endorse anyone?
[64]
If the Eagles can win by 28 points or more, this will be the 7th NFL game this weekend that was decided by 28 points or more. Talk about a league of haves and have nots.
[65]
drdog09 -
That may be the case. I’ve tried to watch Huck’s show a few times, but too much drippy wet sincerity and too many amateur musicians.
[66]
Bruce -
For some reason FNC has been having Grahmesty on alot recently; mostly on Greta.
[67]
CNN Drops to Last Place Among Cable News Networks. Drudge has the detail.
From that booming voice (forget the actors name) when once they were king: “THIS IS CNN” to being by MSNBC.
[68]
Hoffman is anti-amnesty and open border. He is way too lenient on H1B, however…
He does the old Glenn Beck deal where we are supposed to kick out the illegals (good) but invite -carrier-loads of H1Bs for Bill Gates.
[69]
BC,
In general, in my own viewership, I have not seen an endorsement flow across BOR, Hannity, Greta, Shep, etc. If anybody knows otherwise it would be a good thing to ascertain.
[70]
Jeez, did Newt just embarrass himself more? Or is it just me?
[71]
as has been pointed out here, by me and others, it is nigh on “foxhole time”…you’re in or you’re out. If you’re IN, then get the hell IN…and FIGHT!
Newt, et al, want to kinda sorta get MOSTLY in. Sorry. Palin’s IN. Pawlenty (albeit late) appears to be IN. Huckabee and Romney need to hurry up and decide.
[72]
Just watched Greta with ‘Senner’ Grahammesty. Wouldnt you love to have her ask him: “Senner Grahamnesty, who is your current squeeze?”
[73]
I haven’t seen any endorsements by the personalities on Fox. Hannity comes real close on his radio show.
[74]
I would like to ask him why he supports amnesty for 20 million illegal marxist squatters when the unemployment rate is 17%.
I would also like to ask him how he thinks that will “grow the party” when the r party has never gotten more than 38% of the hispanic vote.
The 44% from 2004 was a lie, it was 38%…….
[75]
If the dem wins in NY-23, and Hoffman is second, does that not position Hoffman pretty well as a challenger to the dem in 2010, in a two-way race?
The polls seem to indicate the dem is no where close to 50% in that district, and never could be. Only the 3-way race allows him to win.
[76]
mullet, I REALLY have to wonder if even the clueless GOP can continue to back Scuzzy. Thus far they continue to pour MORE money in on her.
Imagine if in horse-racing they didn’t close the betting windows once the race starts. Scuzzy has “broken down” on the back-stretch..and the meat wagon is racing onto the track to haul her away. And there at the ParaMutual window is the GOP: “$100,000 to WIN on Scuzzy!!”
geez
[77]
Bruve -
I agree, Newt was pretty bad. I think he realizes he made a huge mistake in endorsing Dede, but isn’t man enough to admit it. At the time he made his endorsement, he probably thought the race would gain little notice.
[78]
Pretty good analogy there, JR. Does JustMary know you’ve been spending time at the tracks instead of the range?
[79]
JR -
As we have discussed, the only thing to do is donate money to individual candidates or SarahPAC. Pete Sessions has proven he doesn’t give a damn about conservatism or the opinion of rank and file Republicans. Remember, the NRCC pulled funding from Michele Bachmann last year because she was “too outspoken.”
Cornyn, who heads Senate GOP funding is no better (Specter, Crist, Kirk, etc.).
We have to take the GOP back and there’s no better place to start than NY23.
[80]
drdog09 -
Perhaps Shep is a Log Cabin Republican.
[81]
justrand – remember in 2006 and 2008 as the GOP went from state to state supporting incumbent senators in trouble. Each one was to stop the bleeding, each one was to stop the democrats. They put money into stupid races instead of shoring up real possible stops.
The GOP can not admit it is wrong – they are stuck on stupid and will do this (support dede) until the clock has run out. Yet they wont invest money into good races (Michelle Bachman was denied money in 2008).
The best bet is to deny the RNC any resources, time or trouble. Invest in individual candidates. What we really need is a conservative caucus within the GOP to get conservatives nominated and elected.
[82]
Justrand, the more money the RNC dumps on Scuzzy, the more it saves me money — as in never donating to them again. Every cloud has a silver lining, even one that stinks as bad as the GOP these days.
[83]
My sense is that conservatives feel they have nothing to lose — I know I certainly feel that way. When you reach the point that you have nothing to lose it can actually be very liberating. You can start making stands on principle without worrying about the consequences. Or, you can start acting out of vengeance without concern for the consequences. Either way, that should scare the sh*t out of the GOP.
[84]
“Jeez, did Newt just embarrass himself more? Or is it just me?”
—
Has been a recurring event the last couple years. Perhaps less TV time might help him.
[85]
“I think he realizes he made a huge mistake in endorsing Dede, but isn’t man enough to admit it.”
—
That’s his problem, all he had to say was “you know I made a rare (cough) mistake and did not examine her record closely enough before giving the endorsement, it’s now clear to me that Hoffman is the better person to represent district 23 in New York”
Thing is I’m not sure if he really believes he made a mistake given what I saw in the snipped from his talk in Dallas.
[86]
Newt is so 1990’s. Can we move on?
[87]
I hate to hang my hat on a poll (Club for Growth) but I will definetely party if Hoffman wins that NY-23…..but even a toast if he beats Fuzzyscumbagg.
But the hubris of Newt lecturing us…..jeez….just what we need….a white Obama!
[88]
I have always been a fan of Newt, but this Scozzafava thing is the last straw for me.
Newt, go away…please.
[89]
Yahoo…you are such an astute observer….Newt telegraphed this stuff in 95, 96 when he was easily rolled by the Clintons. Of course you were probably just a babe then.
[90]
Newt has been out of office for more than 10 years. He has been a gadfly who has written a number of historical novels, appeared on FNC so often it’s boring (like Rove and Morris), but what has he done to help the conservative movement since he left Congress. Now, he thinks he’s a viable candidate. Like MPT said, “He’s so 1990s.”
[91]
I remember Tom Delay saying that Newt never had the patience to see legislation through. Great for ideas but did not understand the real workings (slow but sure) of congress.
Either he had ants in his pants or a rocket in his pocket. I think we all know which it was.
[92]
gngang #78 – right on! That’s a new phrase I am trying to coin. Right on!
[93]
No, I remember very well. He has always been one to take the political hits and then cave at the last minute, thereby getting the worst of both sides….
He always could make the left sound so silly. That’s what I liked. It would have been better if he fought as effectively as he spoke….
[94]
Yahoo -
Newt did a great job in developing the Contract with America and getting Republicans elected in 1994 and then just fizzled out. Perhaps all the extra-marital affairs took their toll. Since 1996 he has been next to useless.
He’s a tool of the GOP establishment and knows they are his only hope for obtaining the GOP nomination in 2012.
[95]
If you want to see Chris Christie, the rerun of Hannity is on at midnight. If I remember correctly, the interview is about 10 minutes into the program.
[96]
bc3b – I hope not. If Newt was nominated, he would make Dole look like a landslide winner.
[97]
Newt is, unfortunately, a revelation of what being inside the beltway does to you over time. First you represent. Then you resent the peasants that dont understand how wonderful you are.
[98]
Yeah, I saw Chris Christie. Despite Hannity’s fawning, he really came across poorly…..and I wanted to see something to like. Screw it. New Jersy deserves another dose of Corzine….at least then they cant blame it on R’s.
[99]
i don’t see Newt as a serious candidate for anything any more.
[100]
bruce -
Is the GOP any better off with Arnold being governor of California? Will the GOP be any better off with Chris Christie, another RINO, being governor of deep-blue New Jersey? Now, New Jersey is a Democratic problem. With a Republican governor, the media will call it a GOP problem.
Like you, I was not impressed. Maybe his weight and Jersey accent had something to do with it. But, I’ll let you in on a secret that not many are aware of – I HATE RINOS.
[101]
Lights out, here…what are you doing still up bc3b? I am sure Jennifer will have another great morning song for you to sing! Barack Obama, hmm, hmmm, hmmm.
[102]
Yeah, agree bc3b97, screw Christie. You are a little wrong about Arnold….something happened to him….they got something on him and he caved. His first term he was ok, but then it was Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Maria had something on him….for sure. He was probably hanging out with Uncle Teddy for a waitress sandwich or something.
[103]
Newt, NY-23. Based on the interview with Greta last night even now Gingrich does not believe he made a mistake. He stands on the idea that it is a local election and so should be decided by local officials for a local party candidate who represents the district. He then trotted out a few week positives for DeDe.
Newt is invoking a state’s rights stance in party politics that is not even valid. He needs to retire and go write more books.
[104]
One other thing that the Reps are screwing up on. The more that the NRCC pours money into NY-23, the more the Teas are organizing to a national level. The Reps keep this up and give or take, in 6 months the Teas will have a national internet network and loose governing board to coordinate challenge efforts across the country. Do the Reps want to face that prospect?
[105]
Hmmm, guys, circle jerk is a term I really would prefer not to see on a thread that I start.
Thanks!
[106]
Newt is the example of what happens when there is diminished blood flow to the male brain. I should not have to explain any further.