August 19, 2009

Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition

The Democrats may grow a spine yet. From tomorrow's NYT: Democrats Seem Set to Go It Alone on a Health Bill.

Top Democrats said Tuesday that their go-it-alone view was being shaped by what they saw as Republicans' purposely strident tone against health care legislation during this month's Congressional recess, as well as remarks by leading Republicans that current proposals were flawed beyond repair.

Rahm Emanuel, the White House chief of staff, said the heated opposition was evidence that Republicans had made a political calculation to draw a line against any health care changes, the latest in a string of major administration proposals that Republicans have opposed.

"The Republican leadership," Mr. Emanuel said, "has made a strategic decision that defeating President Obama's health care proposal is more important for their political goals than solving the health insurance problems that Americans face every day."

This was undoubtedly helped along by the letter sent to HHS Secretary Sibelius by 60 liberal House members which says, in part,

We have attached, for your review, a letter from 60 Members of Congress who are firm in their position that any legislation that moves forward through both chambers, and into a final proposal for the President's signature, MUST contain a public option (emphasis in original).
It's about damned time these guys realize there are more liberals than Blue Dogs in the House and start using their number as a club. That might light a fire under some Blue Dog Senators, too.

Posted by Linkmeister at August 19, 2009 12:01 AM | TrackBack
Comments

Obama's waterloo? The lolos.

Posted by: RONW at August 19, 2009 12:24 AM