Former President Bill Clinton was reportedly working the phones to maximize Democratic votes on health care reform yesterday -- all aimed at today, D Day for the Democratic party and for President Barack Obama. Why is it D Day? Because unless there is some unexpected twist, by the end of the day (a phrase used literally here, not as a figure of speech) political junkies … [Read more...] about It’s D Day Democrats and Obama on Health Care Reform Vote Day
Arizona To End Children’s Health Care Program
With Congress expected to vote on healthcare reform today, it is cruel irony that the Arizona Republic reports that Kids-Care, providing health coverage to 39,000 Arizona children of the working poor, has been eliminated. The program, part of a federal initiative, was cut in an attempt to balance the state’s budget. $56 million of the $74 million price tag was paid by the … [Read more...] about Arizona To End Children’s Health Care Program
The Schedule for Today’s Expected Heath Care Reform Votes in the House
Here's the schedule for today's expected health care reform votes in the House of Representatives. Note that it's going to be a long, politically dramatic day with expected votes on the "fixes" to the Senate bill, reconciliation and President Barack Obama signing it if it passes. The next step (and resulting drama) will be when the bill goes to the Senate for a vote. Via … [Read more...] about The Schedule for Today’s Expected Heath Care Reform Votes in the House
The Party Of No Problem
RJ Matson, Roll Call This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to appear on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about The Party Of No Problem
Tea Party Activists Show Their Classy Side
Only the class is detention: … [Read more...] about Tea Party Activists Show Their Classy Side
New Whip Count Updates: Vote Is Close, Should They Delay ?
Of course these are only estimates and I can't see them holding the vote unless they know for sure they have the numbers. But according to the Hill, they are right on the edge with 37 Democrats voting No and at least 19 unclear, including 3 who voted No last time. If the 37 no votes stick and one of the three former No's stay that way, then that is enough to defeat the … [Read more...] about New Whip Count Updates: Vote Is Close, Should They Delay ?
Behavior Unbecoming Protesters—No Matter What the Cause
It has become almost a fait acccompli for some readers to complain when a contributor brings to readers’ attention some unpleasant or unflattering news about members of the “other party.” And perhaps the number and type of such reports tilts more one way than the other. It is also true that members of the party that “made the news” will often not only point such … [Read more...] about Behavior Unbecoming Protesters—No Matter What the Cause
VIDEO: Obama’s Final Pitch to Sway House Democrats on Health Care Reform
Sunday promises to be a particularly historic day for the United States: it'll be the day when health care reform passes the House and goes onto for battles in the Senate or it goes down in flames. And it promises to be a turning point day -- one way or another -- for President Barack Obama, who has put his personal political capital on the line in an era where politics is … [Read more...] about VIDEO: Obama’s Final Pitch to Sway House Democrats on Health Care Reform
Some Sanity Around Sexting
While in DC we've got THE TEA PARTY & THE CIRCUS, in other news... The NYTimes reports on a real problem that needs to be addressed, not criminalized: In most states, teenagers who send or receive sexually explicit photographs by cellphone or computer — known as “sexting” — have risked felony child pornography charges and being listed on a sex offender registry for decades … [Read more...] about Some Sanity Around Sexting
Why Democrats are Fighting for a Republican Health Plan (Guest Voice)
WASHINGTON -- Here is the ultimate paradox of the Great Health Care Showdown: Congress will divide along partisan lines to pass a Republican version of health care reform, and Republicans will vote against it. Yes, Democrats have rallied behind a bill that Republicans -- or at least large numbers of them -- should love. It is built on a series of principles that … [Read more...] about Why Democrats are Fighting for a Republican Health Plan (Guest Voice)
Extreme Politics, OH Senate Race Edition: Should State Parties Endorse Pre-Primary?
Extreme politics isn't being practiced just on Capitol Hill right now. In Columbus, Ohio, the Ohio Democratic Party has been placed in what at least some Ohio Democrats feel is an untenable, undesirable and improper although absolutely legal and rightful (in that a candidate can do this) position: they've received a request from Ohio Lt. Governor and U.S. Senate primary … [Read more...] about Extreme Politics, OH Senate Race Edition: Should State Parties Endorse Pre-Primary?
Time Out! America
Chill America. This healthcare reform debate has normal people acting as all the rest of us crazies. Passions are running so high the antis are emptying their arsenals and threatening to huff and puff and blow down the doors to the Supreme Court. The fors act as the sun won't rise if Congress votes down the legislation. It's time to act as good, responsible parents when … [Read more...] about Time Out! America
House Democrats to Take Separate Vote on Senate HCR Bill
The Washington Post reports that House Democratic leaders say they will take a separate vote on the Senate health care bill, rejecting an earlier, much-criticized strategy that would have permitted them to "deem" the measure passed without an explicit vote. For more details, click here. … [Read more...] about House Democrats to Take Separate Vote on Senate HCR Bill
What’s Up – And Down – With Credit Cards
Did anybody notice that the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009 (the CARD Act) took effect last month? Passed early in the Obama presidency, it gave credit card companies nine months to “adjust” before the legislation became law. And, boy did they adjust. Earlier this year the American Institute for Economic Research reviewed Federal … [Read more...] about What’s Up – And Down – With Credit Cards
John Barrow’s Mailbox Is Full: One Blue Dog’s Tale
I've been trying to call my Georgia Blue Dog representative, John Barrow, all morning. Busy. Busy. Busy. When, finally, I got through his voice mail apologized that there was no one there to take my call, but invited me to leave a message. When I got the beep, the invite was rescinded. His voice mailbox is full. I called back. Again. This time I got an answer. I told the … [Read more...] about John Barrow’s Mailbox Is Full: One Blue Dog’s Tale
Fox News Foaming-at-the-Mouth Weekend
Rep. Steve King calls Sunday's health care vote sacrilegious "to take away the liberty that we have right from God," and Glenn Beck agrees that it is the work of "a group of people that have so perverted our faith and our hope and our charity, that is a--this is an affront to God." Just the kickoff for a foaming-at-the-mouth festival in Murdochland as Peggy Noonan in the … [Read more...] about Fox News Foaming-at-the-Mouth Weekend
Romancing the Health Care Memo Hoax
If you were awake and even glancing at the news yesterday, you likely caught wind of a fast breaking kerfuffle in the ongoing health care reform debate. Republicans were excitedly talking up a supposed "leaked memo" which was - eventually - alleged to have originated from Majority Leader Steny Hoyer's office, instructing Democrats to avoid talking about planned increases in … [Read more...] about Romancing the Health Care Memo Hoax
VIDEO: Rahm Emanuel Talks With Katie Couric on Health Care Reform
Here's the video of an interview CBS' Katie Couric did with White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel (clothed and not in the shower) about health care reform and other issues. In this interview, Emanuel says the GOP is now under the control of a "fringe group" and professes confidence health care reform is on track: Watch CBS News Videos Online … [Read more...] about VIDEO: Rahm Emanuel Talks With Katie Couric on Health Care Reform
And the Cotton Still Grows – A Native American Story of Heroism, Sorrow and Struggle
THE TRIBE Akimel Au-Authm, “river people” in their native tongue, lived in what is now the Phoenix Valley. Known more commonly now as the Pima Indians, in the early 1800’s they were a friendly, agrarian people who believed themselves to be the descendants of the Hohokam (“those who have gone”) who had lived in Arizona dating back to 300 B.C. Today the Akimel Au-Authm are … [Read more...] about And the Cotton Still Grows – A Native American Story of Heroism, Sorrow and Struggle
Quote of the Day: the “Freak Out Award” in the Health Care Reform Debate
Our political Quote of the Day is from Dick Polman, who, in a piece that needs to be read in full, provides us with the "Freak Out Award" in the health care reform debate. Polman gives several reasons why he believes it's now in the tea leaves cards that health care reform will pass. The first is the Congressional Budget Office's verdict. The second is "theanti-abortion … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: the “Freak Out Award” in the Health Care Reform Debate