3 Democrats Could Block Health Bill in Senate

[depakid]

Source: NY Times

Senator Ben Nelson, Democrat of Nebraska, says he is not sure he is ready to help a Democratic health care proposal clear even the most preliminary hurdle: gaining the 60 votes his party’s leaders need to open debate on the measure later this week. Two of his fellow Democrats, Senators Mary L. Landrieu of Louisiana and Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas, are proving tough sells as well, raising the prospect that one or perhaps all three of them could scuttle the bill before the fight over it even begins on the Senate floor.

“I think what is most important for me is to take a look at what is presented on behalf of Arkansans and figure out whether it is something that really makes sense,” Mrs. Lincoln said Tuesday. “I am responsible to the people of Arkansas, and that is where I will take my direction.”

Typically routine, the procedural approval needed to begin consideration of a bill looms as anything but routine in this instance. Instead, the vote is fast becoming a test of the leadership abilities of Senator Harry Reid of Nevada, the majority leader. It will also decide at least the near-term prospects of President Obama’s top domestic priority. And it is providing a case study of the Democrats’ difficulties in managing high expectations fueled by large Congressional majorities.

Inability by the Democrats to advance their emerging plan could require them to regroup and redraw the measure or even switch to a more contentious procedural shortcut around the need for a 60-vote majority. Given what is riding on the vote, party leaders have been busy talking to holdouts, negotiating deals in an effort to get them on board as wavering lawmakers exert their leverage at a critical moment. In response to demands from Mr. Nelson, for instance, the leaders appear willing to drop plans to use the bill to strip health insurance companies of their antitrust exemption.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/18/health/policy/18senat...

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. Oh wait I am supposed to believe they are moderates

what is the other word I am thinking about?

[Demeter]

19. Assholes?

They may be doing us all a favor, at least the women of the nation.

And the voters get a really good reason to vote for somebody, ANYBODY, else.

It's going to come out, really. There's nothing in the middle of the road but yellow stripes and dead animals.

[Hawkeye-X]

2. No deals period. Time to use the nuclear option and get the HELP based bill

passed, and in memory of Edward Moore Kennedy.

No more obstructions, no more assholes. Get it done, and strip the Stupidak language out and co-jointly insert language expelling his ass from Congress.

Hawkeye-X

[tonysam]

3. The usual suspects

Ben Nelson is about as useless as tits on a boar.

[Frank Booth]

4. Why not threaten to deny any DNC funding if they won't allow it to go to a vote?

I can understand letting these most corrupt senators vote against it, but by stopping it from even going to debate they're sabotaging the party and the will of the electorate. How do we possibly benefit by continuing to offer them unconditional support?

[DJ13]

5. Because the party cares more about numbers in Congress

than they care about passing good legislation.

The party has sold its soul to be in power.

[Frank Booth]

12. Politics as sport.

You're right. More "Democrats" in Congress is now the be all and end all, regardless of their politics, ethics, etc.

[digidigido]

6. And Strip Them of their Chairmanships, I'd like to see some serious arm twisting here

[rollingrock]

7. Any bill that forces you buy something against your free will should be killed

I think it should die for that reason alone, whatever their particular reasons are for opposing this monstrosity of a bill may be.

[MaineDem]

21. Does your state require you to have car insurance?

Most do.

[Bluenorthwest]

24. Incorrect.

Not one state requires that a person own a car. Also, the Federal Government is not the same as the State.
Most states require automobile owners to insure their vehicles if used on the public streets. They do not require 'you' to have car insurance, the require your vehicles to be insured, if you own any. If you do not, 'you' are not required to buy insurance. Big difference. Big.

[kirby]

25. Distinction without a difference...

If you do not have a car, car insurance is pretty useless. Everyone has a body that can and will get sick at some point so it makes sense for everyone to have health insurance.

[rollingrock]

29. You have a choice not to drive

you do not have a choice to opt out of private health insurance under this crap bill. Didn't BO campaign against mandatory health insurance? How many broken campaign promises is he up to now? btw, his approval rating has dipped below 50% for the first time today. He'll be heading toward Bush territory soon if he keeps this up.

[tomm2thumbs]

8. If they were cunning, they'd say they weren't voting because it isn't single payer

bwahahahaha - and then they would have to try to keep a straight face. That's the difficult part.

[Blandocyte]

16. That's hilar

I'm going to use that one today

[DallasNE]

9. It Looks Like The Insurance Companies Will Get 100%

Of what they want so what is the use of having a bill. As I have been saying from the beginning, the first bill they need to pass is public financing of federal elections. Only by taking the corrupting influence of money out of the election process will Senators like Ben "Mutual of Omaha" Nelson lose their power base.

[depakid]

11. "the first bill they need to pass is public financing of federal elections."

That along with media deconsolidation and re-regulation. Put the major rules back into place that existed for 50 years prior to Reagan, and there might actually be responsible and honest coverage and discussion on issues of public concern.

[Bitwit1234]

10. Since the people of Arkansas

have been polled and they overwhelming want health care, AND Lincoln has accepted 1,500,000 dollars from lobbyist we know what she is doing the best for..don't we. The heck with the people from Arkansas, she took the money.

[droidamus2]

13. What they really mean

What Senators like Lincoln really mean when they say they must 'represent the will of the people in their state' really mean is that their reelection is more important than any piece of legislation. Sometimes legislation, for example the Voting Rights Act, go beyond the provincial desires of individual states and true statesmen and women rise above their personal wants and needs to vote for the betterment of our society as a whole. In the case of Ben Nelson I think he just really likes being in a position of power and is going to use it to get something he wants down the line. Any Democrat that will not vote to at least bring the bill to the floor of the Senate should be targeted for replacement and given no support by the Democratic Party. I might even be willing to accept the seat falling to the Republicans for a short while just to get rid of these DINOs.

[rudy23]

14. Don't worry, I'm sure President Obama will send Rahm to twist some arms.

Just like he did with the Progressives when they didn't fall in line, right?

[placton]

15. if only the PRESIDENT

knew about this, I am sure he would do something.

[Xipe Totec]

17. Where is Mutual of Omaha located? n/t

[SHRED]

18. So they are arguing over a POS bill

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz..............

[deutsey]

20. The Dems are quite adept at snatching defeat from the jaws of victory

[ramapo]

22. They never cease to amaze me

I don't know why I am surprised.

I do know why I am angry and disgusted.

LBJ never would've put up with this crap. Neither would Reagan.

If Obama lets these a-holes deep six the bill, then he might as well start writing his book on being a one-term president.

[olegramps]

23. YES, WE CAN'T!

[Vinca]

26. If Democrats (so called) cannot muster up a procedural vote for the party,

they are not Democrats. Throw the bums out.

[swilton]

27. Get rid of the three of them

Throw in Bayh and a few blue (dog) representatives then get a decent health bill with a strong public option that deserves the title of such.

[Cass]

28. There should be repercussions if they block the bill from coming to the floor.

No DNC funding for their re-election bids for starters.

What is the point of giving the dems a majority in congress if this is the result

Obama needs to open a can of whoop-ass on any of them who want to play games like this.

[UTUSN]

30. Why, of COURSE!1 n/t`