Another Massachusetts Guy Threatens Obamacare

Stephen Lynch, one of Pelosi's floor whips, said he would not support a proposed “deem and pass” procedure allowing Democrats to vote to strip out controversial portions of the Senate bill and then “deem” that the entire package had passed without a second, direct vote. Lynch said it was “disingenuous” and was outspoken about one of the unfair Senate provision involving the taxing of Cadillac health care plans. Lynch said, “It would really call into question the credibility of the House.” One has to presume that Lynch is more opposed to the bill and skeptical of reconciliation than the deem and pass strategy as both sides have used that in the past. But whatever the reason, since deem and pass is the only way they can potentially get the necessary votes, I welcome another "no" vote, as it only keeps us further away from the passage of this abominable bill.

Obama and Pelosi: Pulling Out All the Stops

I knew they could peel off some votes with bribery, as they did with two house members from California today (see link to increased water allocation to their regions). But I still hope there will be enough Democratic house members that will stand their groud to vote "no" to the health care bill, knowing that they will be stuck with the Senate's version as reconciliation will prove fruitless. I am less optimistic than I was yesterday, but I still believe that enough members will see this legislation as their ticket to political banishment. However, I am aware as I write this, that Obama is threatening to pull their campaign money and Pelosi is vowing to shut them out of leadership roles in the party if they defy her. We'll have to watch it unfold.

NY Times CEO Pay

New York Times Co. CEO Janet Robinson got roughly $4.9 million in compensation in 2009 as her company's revenue continues to plunge. Robinson's base salary fell 4 percent to $962,500, but her bonus of about $2.3 million, quadrupled from her 2008 bonus. Robinson also received stock options that were worth $1.6 million.

House Health Care Count

37 House members say they will not vote for the Senate's health care bill, seven are in the "yes" column and 70 are "undecided." Hmmm, I wonder if this has anything to do with the wavering: http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/house-races/86761-four-months-after-last-health-vote-many-dems-in-tougher-reelection-races Apparently, 2010 elections are polling much more tightly now than they were when the House first voted on health care. This, and this, alone, will sink the health care ship. I've always believed in the overpowering principle of self interest despite Pelosi and Gibb's constant spin.

Pelosi Shuns Stupak and Pro-Life Position

Pelosi gave up on Bart Stupak, but not his colleagues who vowed to vote against the health care bill if it involved federal funding for abortion. And apparently, it's working. Stupak said she's "peel[ed] off one or two" of the twelve. Stupak claims that even if they can't garner the votes elsewhere, they won't insert the abortion language that the group has based its votes on. Which tactics is Pelosi employing? Stupak said both the White House and Pelosi are "twisting arms" and the members are also receiving pressure from their Democratic supporters, "like unions" to pass the Senate bill. Stupak said the deliberations with party leadership, "are a pretty sad commentary on the state of the Democratic party" as they have argued that abortions are more cost effective than caring for unwanted babies. He added, "This has really reached an unhealthy stage. People are threatening ethics complaints on me. On the left, they’re really stepping it up. Every day, from Rachel Maddow to the Daily Kos, it keeps coming. Does it bother me? Sure. Does it change my position? No." Let's hope most of the other 12 have the integrity and strength to withstand the thuggish arm twisting. I feel confident they will. I believe this will be the decisive issue for the bill and the party.

Plans Slaughtered

The Senate Parliamentarian has ruled that President Obama must sign Congress’ original health care reform bill before the Senate can act on a companion reconciliation package. This precludes Slaughter's nutty rule change idea (see yesterday's post) as well as any meaningful reconcilation that would bring the Stupak 12 on board. Of course, now, Democrats are claiming they will go forward without the Stupak group. They are saying they will "call Stupak's bluff." How, exactly is that? They need those votes. Period. Stupak and company have been firm in their stance. This is not going to happen. They simply do not have the votes. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100311/ap_on_bi_ge/us_health_care_overhaul

First Reconciliation, Now This?

The Democrats have gone completely insane over health care. Because the Stupak 12 are holding firm on their promise not to vote for the Senate bill's abortion language, Louise Slaughter, the House Rules Chairwoman, is drafting a rules bill that would allow health care to pass through the House without a vote. Apparently, she wants to pass a bill that would consider the Senate bill passed once the House approves a corrections bill making changes to the Senate version. This is nuts and will not happen, but the fact thar they're proposing it means they are growing desperate as Stupak and company hold their ground.