Sausagemaking, Horsetrading And Milking The Cow

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Other Politics
Posted on Thu Oct 01, 2009 at 07:52:23 AM EST
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Apparently, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid cut Nevada a sweet deal on Medicaid. Some Blue Dog Dems want theirs too:

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid moved swiftly to ensure that his home state of Nevada wouldn’t be hurt by Medicaid changes included in the health care reform bill moving through the Senate Finance Committee. Now some of his Democratic colleagues are demanding the same treatment for their states.

“We have to make sure Colorado is treated fairly,” Democratic Colorado Sen. Mark Udall said Wednesday. Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh [. . .] said: “If they want our votes ultimately, I suspect that they should take our concerns into account.” “We’re watching it,” added Arkansas Sen. Mark Pryor.

Of course Reid could and should say, if you want your concerns taken into account, you better vote for the bill, with a public option. Cases in point:

When Baucus first floated the bill in mid-September, Reid strongly criticized it because the federal government would pick up just 87 percent of the new costs, leaving the rest to the states. But Baucus later modified the language to ensure that the federal government paid 100 percent of the costs in Nevada. Reid’s state — along with Michigan, Oregon and Rhode Island — has been given the added protections because it has been hit especially hard by the recession.

Let's see, the Senators from Michigan, Oregon and Rhode Island are all publically and firmly in support of HCR with a public option. All 6 of them. Where is Mark Udall? Bennet of Colorado is in favor. How about you Udall? Evan Bayh has been an impediment to health care reform. You want your concerns addressed Bayh? Then get on board the DEMOCRATIC health care reform proposal. The one with a public option. Mark Pryor of Arkansas? He's been basically a No vote. And Blanche Lincoln has been disastrous on health care. Arkansas' senators need to get with the program or forget about getting their concerns addressed.

They want the milk for free. They want their money AND be able to vote No. They forget only Republicans get to shape the bill and vote No. (Unfortunately, not snark.) Only Republicans get the milk for free.

You want a health care reform bill? Then the vaunted Rahmbo and Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi and PRESIDENT OBAMA need to learn how politics works. Right now, only Pelosi seems to understand how the game is played.

Speaking for me only

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Sausagemaking, Horsetrading And Milking The Cow | 9 comments (9 topical)

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Gluttony (5.00 / 1) (#6)
by mmc9431 on Thu Oct 01, 2009 at 08:30:01 AM EST

I'd hate to think that the main reason the the concept of just expanding Medicare was dismissed was so that everybody would have a chance to stuff a "new" program with pork.

I would have thought that department of homeland security and defense contracts would have been enough to satisfy even the most voracious appetite.

I have one number for them. (none / 0) (#1)
by Fabian on Thu Oct 01, 2009 at 07:59:59 AM EST

2010

In a little over a year, people will be asking one simple question: "What have you done for me lately?" and then they'll cast their votes. Or stay home.

Oh not even that long (none / 0) (#2)
by jbindc on Thu Oct 01, 2009 at 08:06:17 AM EST

Election season (with all it's robo-calls and horrid advertisements, especially in close states) will start before Christmas.

Get ready for an ad blitz that will make the Obama campaign seem like something from 1930....


Nah (none / 0) (#3)
by andgarden on Thu Oct 01, 2009 at 08:08:10 AM EST

Nobody's going to be spending that money.


: No one has that money. (none / 0) (#5)
by Fabian on Thu Oct 01, 2009 at 08:14:24 AM EST

It's no wonder that lobbyist money is speaking loudly right now. The 2010 strategy us going to be finding the biggest bang for the buck, not mass marketing blitzes. I expect highly controversial ads in an effort to get the Media to pick up on the controversy and give them free air time.

BTD (none / 0) (#4)
by jbindc on Thu Oct 01, 2009 at 08:10:44 AM EST

since you mentioned other farm animals - pigs, horses, and cows, you forgot the two most relevant. Many Dems are acting complacent like sheep in this debate, and many others (including the President) are chicken to stand up for a public option.

: Ummm....you didn't mention (none / 0) (#8)
by oldpro on Thu Oct 01, 2009 at 10:50:14 AM EST

herding cats.

IIRC the House bill picks up (none / 0) (#7)
by MO Blue on Thu Oct 01, 2009 at 10:22:18 AM EST

the entire tab for all additions to Medicaid.

The Senate could adopt the House bill with the strongest public option and resolve the whole matter.

: It's easy (none / 0) (#9)
by diogenes on Thu Oct 01, 2009 at 04:40:42 PM EST

It's easy for the feds to cover the medicaid tab--just print more money and raise the deficit yet more, all the while hoping that the Chinese don't stop buying our bonds.