Pelosi Jeopardized Vulnerable Democrats With Healthcare Vote

[Cees Binkhorst]

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Hoe bereikt Obama zijn doelen, wie moet daarvoor zweten, en wat denken
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Groet / Cees

http://www.usnews.com/blogs/linda-killian/2009/11/09/pelosi-jeopardized-vulnerable-democrats-with-healthcare-vote.html
Pelosi Jeopardized Vulnerable Democrats With Healthcare Vote
November 09, 2009 10:42 AM ET | Linda J. Killian | Permanent Link |
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By Linda Killian, Thomas Jefferson Street blog

In all of the celebratory remarks by President Barack Obama and other
Democrats about making history with this weekend's House vote in favor
of healthcare reform nobody is really talking much about the fact that
the Democrats did it by the skin of their teeth.

Thirty-nine Democrats voted against the measure which passed 220-215.

Shortly after the vote, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the Democratic
leadership team gathered before reporters to take a victory lap. But
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer couldn't help but let reality intrude
on the celebration. "Much work remains," he said soberly.

Truer words were never spoken.

With no idea of what the final Senate version of health reform will look
like, or even when it will be voted on, Pelosi called on her most
electorally vulnerable members—moderates who come from swing districts—
to make a tough vote in favor of sweeping healthcare reform which
included a public option with mandatory coverage, higher taxes and
costs.

And it wasn't just the Democratic moderates who had to swallow hard and
vote yes. To placate them and win their vote, Pelosi had to allow them
to offer an amendment which would forbid any insurance plan which
receives federal money from covering abortion procedures. The amendment
passed handily and was included in the final bill so that all of the
Democrats who voted in favor of final passage, including the staunchly
pro-choice ones, were forced to vote for limiting abortion.

And after all of that angst there is no way of knowing whether the
anti-abortion measure or anything else will be in the final Senate
version which is reportedly going to be some kind of a blend between the
Finance and Health committees' bills and is being worked out behind
closed doors in consultation with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and
Sen. Chris Dodd and Max Baucus.

The struggle Pelosi and her team went through to come up with enough
votes for passage may look like a walk in the park compared to what lies
ahead in the Senate.

For most Americans, their biggest concerns about healthcare are cost and
choice, and it is far from clear the House approach would result in an
improvement in either. Jason Altmire, a moderate Democrat from western
Pennsylvania's 4th District, said that was why he voted against the
measure. Another Blue Dog Democrat told me he was unenthusiastic about
the legislation but voted for it because he thought at this stage of the
game the Democrats have got to do something.

Dan Maffei is a freshman Democrat from upstate New York's 25th District
who decided only a few hours before the vote that he would support the
measure. His swing district has not been represented by a Democrat in
almost 40 years and he is mindful that what Congress does on healthcare
along with whatever happens with unemployment numbers and the economy
next year could have a big impact on his re-election chances.

As he was leaving the House chamber immediately after the vote I asked
if he gave any thought to this when making his decision. "I think about
next year every day," Maffei said, revealing what most lawmakers think
but few are willing to admit publicly.

Maffei says he has no idea whether his vote will cost him his seat but
ultimately he had to make his decision not based on what the leadership
or the president was saying to him but what he was hearing from his
constituents.

He certainly can't be alone is wondering how the vote might affect him.

Among those who voted in favor of passage were 18 Democrats from
congressional districts carried by Republican presidential candidate
John McCain in 2008.

"This bill will get better in the Senate," predicted Representative Jim
Cooper, a Tennessee Democrat who was critical of the measure but
ultimately voted for it.

For the sake of Altmire, Maffei and holding onto her majority, Nancy
Pelosi better hope Cooper is right.

Read More Comments »
Pelosi's District in CA

Okay, folks, it's time for you to throw the witch out of office.

If she were here in VA, she would have been gone a long time ago.
ss of VA
Nov 09, 2009 16:43:55 PM [permalink] [report comment]

see ya

Don't break your arms patting yourself on the back. You have just
witnessed the end of the Democratic party, shoving your clunkercare down
America's throat. Keep following Obama off the cliff. Sorry to witness
the end of the two-party system. Hopefully, another party will spring up
that has Common Sense. 1.3 trillion? Good luck. It would have been
cheaper to buy individual policies for all uninsured individuals. And
once again, WHY DOESN'T CONGRESS OPT TO JOIN???? It's because this bill
sucks.
Dennis Brennan of NY
Nov 09, 2009 15:52:28 PM [permalink] [report comment]

Dems' healthcare bill is a travesty!

The 'Wall Street Journal' called the House bill -- "the worst piece of
legislation ever written." The Dems keep harping that Repubs don't want
healthcare reform, that's a lie! They do! They just don't support
stupid, ruinous legislation that accomplishes none of the articulated
goals -- namely cost control and choice, nor does it reward personal
responsibility for healthy choices. My health insurance costs will
skyrocket, resulting in less choice since I'll be forced to purchase a
federal government mandated 'comprehensive' policy, defined by the Dems.
Health Savings Accounts are being phased out. Taxpayer funded abortions
would become the preferred method of birth control. Healthcare resources
will so strained, extreme rationing will result in healthcare triage --
only those near death will receive any attention.

This bill is a travesty. Obama's idea of change will ruin the US!
Leigh of AL
Nov 09, 2009 15:47:09 PM [permalink] [report comment]

Government Control Voted for by the Government

In order for this to work, they have to FORCE people to have insurance,
so those who wouldn't use it, or use it very infrequently help cover the
cost for those who don't. Give me freedom of choice, and I'm with you on
the public option. Force me to do something for my own good and I do NOT
agree with the government. I want the freedom to do what others don't
want to do. I may not do it, but I want the choice. Does pro-choice end
at the life of a child, or does it extend to our everyday lives, our
society and our culture?

Mandatory auto insurance protects others from your stupidity...fine, you
want to drive, you have to make sure others are protected from YOU. On
the other hand, mandatory health insurance only pries into our personal
lives, forcing the agenda of others on all of us. I already pay taxes. I
don't need mandatory insurance as an additional "tax." I have enough
difficulty supporting my own family, now I have been given a mandate for
another monthly bill that is non-negotiable. And since I don't use it, I
am being FORCED to support others past my public obligation of paying
taxes.

Indeed, if/when it is passed, if it contains a forced requirement, then
there are many other programs coming that are in the best interest of
others...yes, it's called socialism. We now stand in the doorway of a
new society. Power hungry politicians capitalize on the virtues of
taking care of others by making demands our forefathers vehemently
fought against. Named King and Queen in the country we left, the
President or Legislator is the new name of our masters. And the sad part
is the power they now hold is the exact power we agree to give to them.
This power that so many in past generations died to take back, is now
freely handed back to those who know better how to spend your income.
Steve of CA
Nov 09, 2009 15:30:26 PM [permalink] [report comment]

Naivete

"2010 run everyone that signed this monstrosity out of office."

This is very naive, and written like someone who doesn't know the lay of
the land in Congress.

Democrats will lose a few seats in the House but retain a firm majority.

They will hold or gain in the Senate.

You can quote me.

The only thing that could truly derail the Democrats is if they vote
down reform and start a war with their own base.
Myron of NC
Nov 09, 2009 14:35:10 PM [permalink] [report comment]

Huh?

"but the Dem's have no room for moderates or party members who disagree
with Obama's agenda."

That's a strange thing to write, considering the Democrats only two days
ago added an amendment to the health care overhaul the left wing finds
onerous, in order to appeal to the moderates in their party.

Maybe you have your parties mixed up?

It's the Republicans who are out to "primary" all their moderates. It
worked wonders for them in NY-23.

Also, you may or may not know that health care reform is something
wanted by 85 percent of Democrats. So, in that case, Obama's agenda IS
the Democrats agenda. 78 percent of Democrats said they would pay higher
taxes to achieve reform -- which I think is an indicator how badly they
want it.

There is a split in the Dems, but not where you seem to think it is.
Myron of NC
Nov 09, 2009 14:31:29 PM [permalink] [report comment]

(BS) which means Pelosi

I cannot believe that the garbage representation we have in the House
would even vote for this pile of Pelosi. That Hussien so called
President we have has only one thing on his mind which is the
destruction of the United States of America and his Social Justice
agenda mind set. So when the dollar collapes and the US is no longer
just remember what your so called president said "We are 5 days away
from fundamentally changing the United States of America". So if this
really concerns you and you are worried all we can do is unite and vote
out the garbage that keep running our country into the ground.

"VOTE IN 2010"
Brad(Libertarian) of OH
Nov 09, 2009 14:18:58 PM [permalink] [report comment]

Anti-Incumbent

I think it's funny - because the primaries begin this spring (for my
area of the country) - I will vote against Meek in the Primary and I
will cross party lines to vote against him in the General Election.

The repugs may be the party of 'no' - but the Dem's have no room for
moderates or party members who disagree with Obama's agenda.
9corona of FL
Nov 09, 2009 12:37:40 PM [permalink] [report comment]

She limited the damage

But she jeopardized as few as possible.

All 18 will not lose and maybe not even half of that.

Remember, she has a 70-vote advantage and room to move.

I think the Stupak Amendment was political brilliance.
Myron of NC
Nov 09, 2009 11:55:54 AM [permalink] [report comment]

Pete

2010 run everyone that signed this monstrosity out of office.
Bubbette of CA
Nov 09, 2009 11:44:12 AM [permalink] [report comment]

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