From WaPo:
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Thursday that the Senate will have to amend its version of a health-care reform bill before her chamber can pass it.
“I don’t think it’s possible to pass the Senate bill in the House,” Pelosi told reporters after a morning meeting with her caucus. “I don’t see the votes for it at this time.”
Pelosi has been struggling for days to sell the Senate legislation to reluctant Democrats in order to get a health-care bill to the president’s desk quickly. But moderates in her caucus have raised doubts about forging ahead without bipartisan support — a challenge as the midterm election approaches — while liberals rejected the Senate bill as not going far enough.
Read the rest here.
January 21st, 2010 at 12:02 pm
“House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Thursday that the Senate will have to amend its version of a health-care reform bill before her chamber can pass it.
“I don’t think it’s possible to pass the Senate bill in the House,” Pelosi told reporters after a morning meeting with her caucus. “I don’t see the votes for it at this time.”” Haha, that is a no brainer when you have 7 to 14 people who vote for the house bill saying that they will not vote for the Senate version and you do not have people jumping up and down to support the bill, the math is simple.
January 21st, 2010 at 12:05 pm
Toomey 49
Specter 40
Toomey 43
Sestak 35
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections2/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/pennsylvania/2010_senate_election/election_2010_pennsylvania_senate
January 21st, 2010 at 12:09 pm
Thank you Sean M, I am glad that my neighboring state is also turning Red.
January 21st, 2010 at 12:13 pm
Anyone know when the NY Democratic gubernatorial primary is? Rasmussen has also relased polling on the race there and Lazio leads Patterson but trails Cuomo. I imagine Cuomo only has so much time left to file if he wants to run.
January 21st, 2010 at 12:14 pm
Now she gets it. (Or better!)
1. Jobs, jobs, jobs through tax cuts.
2. Start the Heath Care debate over from the beginning with piece by piece legislation: tort reform, across state lines purchases, portability, reducing costs etc. etc.
3. Governing from the middle does work best for America.
January 21st, 2010 at 12:16 pm
Thank you Scott Brown and the good independent voters of Mass.
January 21st, 2010 at 12:20 pm
Is that the end, then?
If the House can’t pass the Senate bill, and the Senate bill can’t break a filibuster on changes, and the Senate won’t ram the House bill on reconcialtion, seems to me they either quit or start over.
January 21st, 2010 at 12:20 pm
Thank you, Mr. Brown, from saving us from Nationalized Romneycare.
January 21st, 2010 at 12:21 pm
Sara and Mike,
“2. Start the Heath Care debate over from the beginning with piece by piece legislation: tort reform, across state lines purchases, portability, reducing costs etc. etc.”
There is now talk from some Democrats about shrinking the bill and addressing some of those issues, specifically the crossing state lines issue, which I think is huge.
January 21st, 2010 at 12:22 pm
so Pelosi was trying to ram this through by asking House members to vote for the Senate bill.
January 21st, 2010 at 12:23 pm
Assuming healthcare fails this year perhaps House Republicans can pass reforms in 2011 such as tort reform and purchasing across state lines. The trial lawyers are too entrenched in the Democratic party so I don’t see them passing any tort reform.
January 21st, 2010 at 12:25 pm
“Thank you, Mr. Brown, from saving us from Nationalized Romneycare.”
Never short on unsubstantiaed $#!^ to throw, are you?
Hint: Brown supported Romneycare at the state level, and even Romney doesn’t support “Romneycare” at the national level.
January 21st, 2010 at 12:33 pm
I think Pelosi has probably lost votes on the left and right of the caucus. I don’t see her passing the Senate bill, and I don’t even see her passing the same House bill again, if they took a re-vote.
January 21st, 2010 at 12:36 pm
I see a TENT POLE ISSUE FOR THE REPUBLICANS!
“Assuming healthcare fails this year perhaps House Republicans can pass reforms in 2011 such as tort reform and purchasing across state lines.”
If the republicans were actually able to move a NON-THREATENING BILL through congress…they would be seen by independants as heros!
January 21st, 2010 at 12:38 pm
Best. News. I. Heard. All. Day.
Awesome. Let’s hope this begins to put the fear of the people into “Blue Dogs”
January 21st, 2010 at 12:44 pm
I’m beginning to think the Feds may just have to hand down the orders to the states and let them figure out what to do….we might just have to tell states to get everyone covered, and see what they come up with.
January 21st, 2010 at 12:47 pm
Poll: Most Americans want more GOP support on health care
http://www.usatoday.com/news/usaedition/2010-01-21-poll-health-care_N.htm
January 21st, 2010 at 12:49 pm
This guy is an idiot.
January 21st, 2010 at 12:59 pm
watered,
Excellent idea. Congressional Republicans should start moving on real (and serious minded) bills one by one that starts bringing reform people can get behind.
Bill #1 simply allows health plans to be sold across state lines, nothing more or less. Let the Democrats vote it up or down.
Bill #2 brings tort reform. Again, make it only about that. Let the Dems vote it up or down.
Bill #3 sets up oversight to wring the fraud and waste out of Medicare.
Bill #4 allows the import of drugs from Canada.
On and on it goes……
January 21st, 2010 at 1:00 pm
…..but every bill should be about either bringing down the cost of health care, improving choices, or bringing more portability to health insurance.
THAT is what people want to see done!
January 21st, 2010 at 1:05 pm
I believe Pence is meeting with the NRSC, right now.
January 21st, 2010 at 1:12 pm
Within Last Hour: Brown meets with McCain, says ‘people want good government’
January 21st, 2010 at 1:14 pm
Kris,
I think Pence could beat Bayh this year. Bayh has already voted for ObamaCare and Stimulus. I think the good people of IN will toss him out if given a good alternative.
January 21st, 2010 at 1:18 pm
MWS – and what is our proposal to get everyone covered? Like it or not, it is a major component of the healthcare mess…the numbers may be overblown, some of it may be optional, but we nonetheless need to figure out a way to get universal (not socialist) coverage.
January 21st, 2010 at 1:32 pm
Tax credits is the best direction to move on Health Care …to get more folks covered.
January 21st, 2010 at 1:33 pm
Mandates are NOT the answer by a long shot.
January 21st, 2010 at 1:35 pm
WSU,
There is simply no way to “get everyone covered” without a massive expansion of government into 1/6 of our nation’s economy.
Health insurance companies are businesses whose core purpose is to provide a financial service product that protects people against unforeseen loss. Health insurance companies do not provide health care. The perversion of this simple and plain fact is the major factor in this whole mess.
If everyone knew when their house was going to burn down, how long could home owner’s insurers stay in business? If everyone knew when exactly when they would get into a car accident, how long could auto insurers stay in business?
The same thing is true with people with preexisting conditions. How long could private health insurance companies stay in business when they are forced to cover preexisting conditions? Even with individually mandated coverage, private insurers become nothing more than public utilities, and the growing control over them via government regulation would achieve the same effect as national health care eventually.
The whole societal disconnect we have with the conception of Health Insurance Company = Health Care Provider is the reason we are in this mess right now.
January 21st, 2010 at 1:35 pm
pearlstein, wasn’t he the one that compared tea party goers to terrorists, for whatever reason
January 21st, 2010 at 1:37 pm
Wow, the healthcare legislation really seems to be falling apart. Reid has already said he won’t do anything until Brown is seated and now Pelosi said she can’t pass the senate bill. Put those two facts together and it looks like healthcare isn’t going anywhere. The only way it is moving forward is if the senate tries a new legislation and they can get one Republican at least. The only thing else I can say is wow.
January 21st, 2010 at 1:37 pm
so we’re expected to accept that some people are just going to have to go with out? You see – I think thats where the GOP hits a problem. Saying, essentially, that we’re content with allowing some people to die isn’t going to help us win votes or anything like that.
I’ve also made it clear that I have a big problem with the free loaders – first thing to do is tackle that problem, bring those younger, healthier individuals into the system, that probably frees up a little room to allow expanded coverage to older, sicker individuals.
January 21st, 2010 at 1:38 pm
The GOP congress in general and McConnell in particular has done a great job of running out the clock on this abuse of the constitution. They’ve done a great job tactically of playing the cards they had.
20. If we want to get control of health care costs in the long haul, we have to increase the supply. Between the 30 million who are under-utilizing the system now and the increasing health needs of boomers, increasing demand will automatically increase costs. The country can bend the curve by incentivising the increase of health care supply: grants/scholarships for medical/nursing school (merit based only, no AA), accelerated depreciation on hospital construction and equipment, etc. But to make this work, we’ll have to alter the third-party pay system so that consumers are incentivised to use informed choice.
January 21st, 2010 at 1:42 pm
The Lessons of Massachusetts
by Newt Gingrich
http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?print=yes&id=35276
January 21st, 2010 at 1:59 pm
Hopefully we can stop Obama’s socialistic agenda in its tracks and kick a few RINO’s out also in 2010 in addition to some Dems.
January 21st, 2010 at 2:01 pm
WSU,
There are many horrible things that happen as result of the reality of life on earth. Utopian promises will not (and never have) been able to surmount them. This has been true across time throughout human civilization.
I would like to write more in depth regarding this, but I unfortunately am running out of time. Maybe later.
January 21st, 2010 at 2:01 pm
Can Obama really get cap and trade thru by doing it executively through the EPA – I think people would go crazy if he tried that.
January 21st, 2010 at 2:04 pm
I don’t necessairily disagree kavon, but its a hard sell to the US voters.
January 21st, 2010 at 2:12 pm
Lets see Now:
Romney gets Scott Brown to run for the Senate.
Romney introduces Brown to McCain
McCain encourages Brown to Run for Senate.
Romney kicks Browns Senate run with donations from his PAC
Romney gives Brown his valuable list of Donors
Romney encourages his Donors to help Brown
Scott Brown runs on Romney Care and against ObamaCare
Romney continues to help Brown behind the Scenes.
Romney gets the RNC to chip in
RNC quietly chips in Donations.
Scott Brown gets Elected.
Scott Brown Thanks Romney for all his help.
Scott Browns Election kills ObamaCare.
Thank you Romney for giving us Scott Brown.
For those who are attacking Romney using Scott Brown, get your facts right. Without Romney, there would be no Scott Brown, and ObamaCare would pass.
January 21st, 2010 at 2:20 pm
WSU,
To expand on what Kavon wrote, when insurers have to cover pre-existing conditions, not only do premiums skyrocket, but people are incented to game the system. They simply wait until they are sick, and them get “insurance” and have the “insurer” pay for it. They are doing this now in MA, and the mandate doesn’t stop it. The penalty costs less than the premiums (esp. the inflated premium to cover preexisting conditions). Even a lot of people who WANT insurence will be forced to drop it, because they can’t afford the higher premiums. So what you wind up with is a viscious cycle where healthy people drop insurance, and sick people pick it up, and the insurance pool continues to get sicker, which means premuiums continue to rise.
The best way to get more people insured is to make insurence cheaper, and the best way to do that is make it real insurence, (instead of a pre-paid, all you can eat buffet) and bring in more private sector competition.
January 21st, 2010 at 2:22 pm
37 – Brown endorsed McCain in 2007.
January 21st, 2010 at 2:27 pm
Judging from what Brown said he’s not putting his chips into a far-fetched Presidential nomination. I like his attentiveness to the prevailing concerns of his state. If he works hard as he’s done so far I think he can become pretty close to invincible, barring a hyper-popular Democrat in a bad year for Republicans.
MWS, I totally agree with you on healthcare. Focusing on healthcare reforms we want, that Democrats supposedly want, and letting Democrats either join us in passing them or vote to obstruct them is the way to go. Democrats know they can’t push their unilateral bill anymore, hence the many public displays of humility in the past few days from them. We offer to help soothe voter anger at our government in exchange for working on the healthcare reforms we want to see, and the chance to rebuild our party’s reputation nationally.
Mandates are the last thing we should ever want to try as part of a healthcare solution, as they don’t control costs. It’s simply the creation of another entitlement.
January 21st, 2010 at 2:27 pm
And where did you get that fact? Even if true, it shows what a big man Romney is. Besides, the Nomination was held in 2008, not 2007.
January 21st, 2010 at 2:35 pm
Off thread but stil important: Governor Bob McDonnell is going to give the GOP response to President Obama’s State of the Union Address:
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D9DCAC0O3&show_article=1
January 21st, 2010 at 2:35 pm
Thunder,
Romney certainly played a big behind-the-scenes role in helping Brown, as evidenced by the fact that his campaign was packed with Romney staffers.
But do you have evidence that each and every thing you’ve listed Romney as doing (introducing him to McCain, how much Romney’s money and donors played a role, Romney being the one to get the RNSC involved, etc) was actually done by him? It seems a bit exaggerated, really.
And in the end, for all the outside help, this was Scott Brown’s to win or lose. He took it seriously from day one and won the respect of his state in the process. Scott Brown is in Washington, because Scott Brown respected the voters.
January 21st, 2010 at 2:36 pm
37. Silly.
January 21st, 2010 at 2:38 pm
“Without Romney, there would be no Scott Brown”
lol
signed, Scott Brown
January 21st, 2010 at 2:38 pm
41 – everyone knows that Brown was one of the lone MA Republicans who supported McCain. McCain and Brown have joked about it.
Watch video in comment #22. I believe Brown mentions it.
January 21st, 2010 at 2:39 pm
That’s the best response you got, no wonder you are supporting Mike and Sarah.
January 21st, 2010 at 2:39 pm
Pre-existing conditions are definitely a difficult concept to cover in any health insurance reform debate.
I was born with a genetic heart condition that has required four open-heart surgeries – one when I was 11 days old, one at age 5, another at age 10, and a final surgery at age 18. When I graduated college, I found a job; however, the job did not have health insurance. I was denied from some private plans due to my condition, but signed on to another that cost approximately $600 per month, just to cover myself.
Of course, I should have to pay more for insurance since I use it more often than many people, and I have no qualms with doing so. However, it can definitely be tough trying to find a plan that will cover you when you have a pre-existing condition while also trying to pay for that plan.
It would actually be cheaper for me to just outright pay for my care (twice yearly cardiologist visits, three pacemaker appointments, and one Echocardiogram per year add up to about $3000 per year according to my EOB; however, I’m paying close to $6,000 now just for the insurance). However, due to restrictions and regulations placed on private practices, my doctor’s office can refuse to see me if I do not have insurance.
The regulations put in place by the government make it more expensive and more difficult to receive treatment. I’d be happy to just pay out-of-pocket costs associated with my yearly visits and pick up a high-deductible catastrophic plan should the unthinkable happen, yet no such plan exists where I currently reside.
Like I said, I think it’s only right and fair that I pay more since I use more health care than many people. If the government would just lessen the regulations and allow competition across state lines, I think I could buy a cheaper plan that meets my needs. Too bad that seems like nothing but a pipe dream.
January 21st, 2010 at 2:41 pm
Yes, Scott Brown acknowledged it.
January 21st, 2010 at 2:42 pm
I will have to take your word for it, since I am at work, and can’t watch it now. However, as I said, that just gives me greater respect for Romney who put the country ahead of anything in the past.
January 21st, 2010 at 2:48 pm
It really doesn’t matter who Brown endorsed in 2008. Kudos to both McCain and Romney for their efforts on Brown’s behalf. There is plenty of credit to go around for this race, everyone can get a share without stepping on any toes.
January 21st, 2010 at 2:50 pm
We all won Tuesday evening.
January 21st, 2010 at 2:51 pm
50 – sure.
You place a high importance on ‘facts’, I was just doing your bidding.
January 21st, 2010 at 2:52 pm
49,
Acknowledged what, exactly? Of course he recognized Romney. Romney came through in a big way for him and deserves credit for that. But to acknowledge that he owes his Senate seat to Mitt Romney, that Mitt Romney held his hand the whole way there, as you claim, that’s something I’ve yet to see and you guys are prone to exaggerate
There’s a difference between to help and to carry. This election was never about Mitt Romney. It was Scott Brown’s to win.
January 21st, 2010 at 2:54 pm
I kinda figured you might have some facts since you are not known for making things up and are usually very knowledgeable. As always, I may not always agree with you, but I do respect the fact that you usually know what you are talking about.
Now, the bigger question, is who will Brown support in 2012 (or for that Matter who will McCain endorse). Odds are pretty good it will be Romney, but time will tell.
January 21st, 2010 at 2:56 pm
Yet, without Romney’s help, Scott Brown would never had the resources to get his message out. It was after all, Romney’s people who where running Scott Brown’s Campaign. Now, I realize that Brown was the candidate, and he did a terrific job, but Romney deserves a lot of credit for bringing us Scott Brown in the first place.
January 21st, 2010 at 2:57 pm
Langdon,
#48
A lot of wisdom there. And I know there are some really tough cases out there. I think there is a place for the government to cover very difficult cases, which I imagine don’t amount to more than 1-2% of the population. I read a great article in the Atlantic (actually written by a Democrat) that stated the government could cover those hard cases for a fraction of what ObamaCare would cost.
As a traditionalist (or Tory) conservative, I believe in a safety net. Nothing extravagent or that would encourage free-loading or that would bring out the worst in human nature, but there is a place for it.
January 21st, 2010 at 2:59 pm
#55:
If all of the Big Three (Romney, Huckabee, and Palin) run, then McCain will probably endorse no one. McCain just has connections with too many of the candidates to endorse one of them while leaving the others hanging out to dry.
As for Brown, he’ll probably endorse Romney this time around. I suspect he supported McCain as one military man to another. Added to the fact that Brown is going to be a national figure, as opposed to just a state Senator, he’ll probably feel obligated to support his state’s favorite son.
January 21st, 2010 at 3:02 pm
I don’t think McCain really likes Huckabee, he was just a usefull tool. Nor do I think he respects him based on the way he ran his campaign.
Until Recently, I would have said he doesn’t like Palin that much either based on the way the two camps sniped at each other, but with Palin now stumping for McCain, it may be a different story.
January 21st, 2010 at 3:05 pm
Thunder,
“It was after all, Romney’s people who where running Scott Brown’s Campaign.”
So perhaps we should be praising Romney’s people more?
After all, if it weren’t for Brown’s parents, he wouldn’t have won, and I don’t see anyone heaping praise on them.
January 21st, 2010 at 3:07 pm
#59:
McCain probably feels that as one of the main leaders of the Republican Party, he should wait until the voters make their decision in the primaries before he gets involved. After all, Al Gore endorsed Howard Dean in December 2003 and he ended up looking like a fool when Dean crashed and burned. If McCain is smart, he’ll wait and give his endorsement as a sort of final blessing on the presumptive nominee.
January 21st, 2010 at 3:07 pm
The irony of your statement is that it was Scott’s Parents who gave the credit to Romney on election night. But, hey, lets not let the facts get in the way of tearing down a good man.
January 21st, 2010 at 3:09 pm
I guess I have more respect than you do for McCain. After all, its easy to endorse someone when you know they have it sown up, its much more difficult when the out come is in doubt. I would hope that McCain (as I am sure he will), will put the good of the Party and the country ahead of watching his political backside.
January 21st, 2010 at 3:13 pm
#63:
I’m not trying to disrespect John McCain and I’m sorry if it is coming across that way. Quite the contrary, I think McCain feels that as a party elder, he should defer to the voters and let them decide. He probably also feels that he can’t backstab any of the contenders by endorsing their opponents.
January 21st, 2010 at 3:17 pm
63. …and endorse Palin or Huckabee after one or the other’s
IOWA-SCAR-FLA s w e e p.
Nah, I think JMac will just wait.
January 21st, 2010 at 3:19 pm
What Jonathan said.
January 21st, 2010 at 3:32 pm
Well, like I said, a leader leads, a follower follows. If McCain is a leader, he will back the candidate who he thinks is best for the nation. If he is a follower, he will wait at let others decide for him.
January 21st, 2010 at 3:37 pm
Thunder,
So why isn’t Romney leading in the FL Senate race?
January 21st, 2010 at 3:42 pm
Thunder,
Scott Brown’s win was a win for ALL Republicans — well maybe not for Glenn Beck. He seems strangely unhappy about it. Anyway, I’ll be the first to say that Mitt’s help was absolutely crucial in Scott’s victory. In fact, I’ve done just that in at least two FPPs on the subject. Nobody but the most obstinate die-hard Mitt-haters can dispute Mitt’s role in Brown’s victory. However, let’s not oversell it.
One of the best descriptions of a bore I’ve ever heard is, “A ‘bore’ is someone who spends so much time talking about himself, that nobody has the chance to talk about themselves”. Don’t be a bore for Romney, okay?
January 21st, 2010 at 3:58 pm
Mark, you are an amazingly good supporter for Mitt. So is Thunder! I pray both of you will keep up the good work. Something Thunder didn’t put in his little list is the fact that if Romney hadn’t worked with the Heritage Foundation and many others to put in the Mass. health care plan, it is very doubtful that Brown had the votes to overcome the Coakley lead. It was by far the biggest issue on the minds of the voters that day, as shown by the Rasmussen poll. I don’t think it’s a stretch to say without Mitt Romney Brown would not have been elected. By his own admission, Brown indicated that Mitt talked him into it.
January 21st, 2010 at 4:00 pm
I just respond to attacks against Romney. If people wouldn’t make ridicules claims, I wouldn’t have anything to say.
January 21st, 2010 at 4:02 pm
How do you know he isn’t. Romney works behind the scene, and often his involvement doesn’t come out until later.
Regardless, I am voting for Rubio. Not that I am much of a fan of his, but I can’t stand Charlie Cris.
January 21st, 2010 at 4:13 pm
marK,
Amen
Anyone that runs around saying “Romney did nothing to help Brown” starts with a credibility deficit anyways. The only way you can make that look like a surplus, is to go even deeper in the hole.
Sometimes is best just to concede an argument, for the sake of getting along.
January 21st, 2010 at 4:15 pm
Thunder,
Did you see where Charlie Crist is claiming that Scott Brown, “sounds like a Charlie Crist Republican, from what I heard”?
Yes, I know. I almost lost my lunch, too.
January 21st, 2010 at 4:22 pm
Scott Brown does sound a lot like Charlie Crist (that’s not a bad thing, cause Crist isn’t the devil by any means), with the exception of Charlie losing touch with the people for just a minute with the stimulus support. That’s what is going to sink him, if he ends up losing the primary.
Charlie Crist is really not the worst we could do in terms of Senate candidates – hopefully he jumps over to take on Nelson in 2012 – it’s just that Marco is looking far too good at this point to pass him up.
January 21st, 2010 at 4:27 pm
#75:
Crist is an awful candidate because he has been an awful Governor. When insurance prices went through the roof, he brought a public option to the insurance industry which could bankrupt our state. When we needed to cut spending, he pushed for cutting taxes without cutting spending. He restored the right to vote for felons after having run as “Chain-gang Charlie”.
Rubio is not perfect and I’m not a huge fan of his, but Floridians have seen what a disaster Crist has beeen as Governor. He won’t be any better as a Senator.
January 21st, 2010 at 4:31 pm
“2012 – it’s just that Marco is looking far too good at this point to pass him up.”
AMEN
January 21st, 2010 at 4:33 pm
marK,
Only Bob Dole can refer to himself in the third person without sounding like an arrogant ass, but Crist now thinks he defines an entire brand of Republican?
LOL!
January 21st, 2010 at 4:34 pm
Brown a Crist Republican? ….maybe adjusted for the political inflation of MA being the most liberal state in the country.
January 21st, 2010 at 4:34 pm
Besides, Marco Rubio is a possible future great leader for our nation, imho.
Maybe as VP sooner than some think.
January 21st, 2010 at 4:45 pm
Jonathan,
I’ll take your word for it, then. It’s sad to see someone with the political skills of Crist have them go to waste by basically doing the opposite of what he implies.