Reply #17: The NYT should check their own reporting since the story I linked to in #9

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

clearly says that there were 2 meetings with not just a deputy chief of staff but THE Chief of Staff, Rahm Emmanuel.

Personally, I think it was a essentially a give-away if was negotiated as the be-all-end-all concession from Pharma to extend for 10 years at the exclusion of anything else. Most commentaries, opinions I have read share that view. Bad deal.

I have been following this very closely and knew that the time would come when the Dems would either have to accept or reject this lame ass deal negotiated by Baucus with the White House's approval. It is what it is. And yes, it is embarrassing for the Dems to be rejecting a deal that the White House signed onto. Oh well, that's why we have ADVISE AND CONSENT and if Baucus and the White House allowed themselves to be rolled for whatever reason, it's good to know that the backstop is working like it's supposed to.