Gang Of Seven Is Now Six

[masuki bance]

The health care Gang of Seven is now down to six.

Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), one of seven senators involved in bipartisan Finance Committee negotiations, has left the talks.

Hatch informed Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) Wednesday afternoon that he couldn't continue to particpate because there were too many aspects of the bill that he could not back, including the employer mandate, individual mandate, Medicaid expansion and tax increase.

"It is going to be difficult for me to support what they are talking about," Hatch said shortly after he told Baucus on their way to a noon Senate vote.

Democrats have long viewed Hatch's vote as a long-shot prospect. But he stuck with the bipartisan talks for weeks, despite regularly criticizing the process and policy.

Hatch said he told Baucus he would try to be helpful, but he couldn't stay in the talks under "false pretenses."

Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/25268.html#ixzz0M1f7CGEu

I don't get the need for bipartisanship anyway, this can be done without any r's.

[tekisui]

1. If the repukes filibuster, or if Reid is too scared that they will filibuster,

we will need at least one repuke and all of the Democrats, and all of the Blue Dogs. Sen. Kennedy hasn't been back for some time now. We can't count him. We start at 59, if all those who caucus with the Dems, vote with the Dems on this bill. I think Collins or Snowe are about to come on board.

[quantass]

4. To pass Healthcare = 51 Votes (Reconciliation) nt

[masuki bance]

6. bingo. nt

[tekisui]

7. Well, shit, let's do it now, then!

[Perky]

2. Ell at least he was honorable about seeing the need to leave

[Autumn]

3. Slither off

you bastard, you are not needed.

[BlooInBloo]

Good. Fewer idiotic demands to try to compromise with.

[rurallib]

5. I hope the Dems are not under the delusion

that repubs will accept anything short of their demands.
It totally frosts my brain that we can win a huge victory in the election and still don't have enough balls to govern.
But then the repugs have 24X7 radio and TV propaganda going for them.

[Mass]

8. It seems like good news. What were the chances Hatch agree with something that is worthwhile?\nt

[alcibiades_mystery]

9. This is good news...it means Hatch sees the writing on the wall and is bailing

in order to not be perceived as supporting.

[stevenleser]

10. Hatch was one of the idiots who torpedoed Gore's effort to improve aviation security...

without which the 9/11 terrorists probably do not penetrate airport security.

His analysis is worthless.