Republicans Poised to Allow Senate Debate on Financial Overhaul Bill

By GottaLaff

All I've gotten so far is a news alert from Fox:

Republicans Poised to Allow Senate Debate on Financial Overhaul Bill

So forcing the Party of No to actually stand up and filibuster in front of the whole wide world worked. Remember this day, Dems.

UPDATE, via another e-mail:

	WASHINGTON (AP) Republicans say they are ready to allow financial overhaul bill to be debated in Senate.

UPDATE:

Sen. Richard Shelby, the top Republican on the Senate Banking committee, said he has assurances that Democrats will adjust his banking regulation bill to address concerns that it perpetuates bailouts. [...]

But McConnell and other Republican critics are now focusing their objections on Dodd's proposal to create a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau within the Federal Reserve.

Senate Republicans Vote to Block Debate of Financial Oversight Legislation

By GottaLaff

The Democrats may have been blocked-- again-- by the Party of No, but they made it loud and clear on the Tee Vee Machine that even a loss is a win. Why? Because now America will see who sides with Wall Street, and who sides with them.

Via an email alert from the New York Times:

Senate Republicans, united in opposition to the Democrats' legislation to tighten regulation of the financial system, voted on Monday to block the start of floor debate.

The vote was 57 to 41, as Democrats fell short of the 60 votes needed to cut off a filibuster of the motion to proceed to the bill. One Democrat, Senator Ben Nelson of Nebraska, sided with Republicans apparently out of concern over a provision related to tightening the rules on derivatives trading.

Debate is blocked. Nelson voted no. Welcome back to the GOP, Ben.

Bernie Sanders just confirmed what I said above, saying, "We were vindicated," and this proves the Republicans are, indeed, the obstructionists we know them to be.

Kucinich to Introduce Troop Withdrawal Resolution Next Week

By GottaLaff

Here comes Dennis:

Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) is offering a resolution calling for a swift withdrawal from the [Afghan] war. His office confirmed the Ohio Democrat will introduce his resolution March 4 with the goal of setting up a three-hour debate and vote on March 10.

This is not something that will pass. But it will be interesting to see who hops on the bandwagon, and who doesn't.

Fireworks?

Peace.

House GOP document: We won showdown with President Obama

By GottaLaff

How deluded are these people? Black is white, up is down, Palin is smart:

House Republicans won their televised debate with President Barack Obama last month, according to a GOP document distributed to lawmakers on Thursday. [...]

In the document titled “Recent Public Surveys, Fielded Post Baltimore Retreat,” Republican leaders focused on Obama’s job approval, generic ballot matchups, party brand image and issue handling. [...]

Democrats dispute the Republican claims.

Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) spokesman Ryan Rudominer said, “No amount of spin and arrogance from these House Republicans, who continue to be caught taking credit for president Obama’s recovery policies they led the fight against, will change the fact that the president took on the entire Republican Conference and walked away the winner.”

Meanwhile, a New York Times/CBS poll released this week shows that Obama has an edge over the GOP in public support.

Oh puh-leeze. GOP: Straws, grasping.

MUST SEE VIDEO- Sheldon Whitehouse: "The lying time is over....there will be a reckoning."

By GottaLaff

CORRECTION: I apologize. I had 2 videos up, and grabbed the wrong one. THIS is the video I meant to post.

Sheldon Whitehouse smacks down the GOP/Tea Baggers:



Suh-freakin'-NAP!

Medicare Buy-In Proposal Could Begin In 2010

By GottaLaff

Bingo.

Glimmers of encouraging news are sneaking in to the health care mess:

Now, it appears, negotiators are making headway to ensure that the expansion would take place at a far quicker pace than any proposed public option. According to the well-placed source, Democrats are rallying behind a proposal that would allow a portion of the 55-64 year old age group to buy in to the Medicare system as early as 2010. By contrast, a public plan for insurance coverage would not come into being until 2014.

This would be a major breakthrough in the context of negotiations. Former DNC Chairman Howard Dean, who was responsible for pushing the buy-in proposal among Senate Democrats this past week, told Think Progress that he backed the idea, but only if it was available from day one.

There are new caveats. Please go read the rest.

Senate rejects abortion amendment

By GottaLaff

I was watching this live. Senators Lieberman, Collins and Snowe voted to set aside the amendment:

The Senate narrowly rejected an amendment that would have restricted abortion coverage in the pending health-care bill, leaving in question whether Majority Leader Harry Reid (Nev.) has the 60 votes needed to move the bill toward final passage.

The measure, which failed 54-45, addressed the scope of restrictions on coverage of abortion services for people who receive subsidies to buy insurance. The outcome was expected, but could cost the support of Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.), who has threatened to filibuster the $848 billion bill unless abortion restrictions are tightened.

On to the next challenge...

Order! Order in the Senate... cloak room!

By GottaLaff

You gotta laff during this convoluted mess of debate in the U.S. Senate, so here's some trivial congressional quipitude to lighten things up some.

Senator Byron Dorgan (D-North Dakota) to Senator Al Franken after hearing the distant, but very audible sound of someone clapping:

"Mr. President, would you mind getting order in the cloak rooms?"

I'm hearing shouting now. Dorgan didn't flinch this time.

Laugh Line-O'-The-Day courtesy of Harry Reid

By GottaLaff

Laugh line of the day:

Harry Reid just now on Senate floor during health care debate:

"We've got to start trusting each other."

Who knew he had it in him to be so funny?

The Rushpublics were whining because President Obama met with the Dems, got cranky because they had to kill an hour plotting more obstruction.

Quickie: McCain Rants About "Change" edition

By GottaLaff

Today's Quickie:

I'm watching the Senate health care debate on CSPAN2. I see John McCain waving his arms around, raising his voice as he vociferously mocks Obama's promise of change and bipartisanship in his State of the Union message.

McCain is literally bellowing, "Here we are, ready to sit down and talk!"

I believe he meant, ready to sit down and "block".

And that, J Sid, is why change isn't happening.

That was today's Quickie. Was it good for you?

VIDEOS: McCain Loses Temper On Senate Floor, Reprimands Baucus

By GottaLaff

Poor J Sid. He's so easily provoked and has anger issues. Let's watch together as he gets a little peeved during the Senate health care debate:

Visibly peeved at Sen. Max Baucus, both about time regulations and health care wheeling and dealing, McCain’s voice goes a bit shaky as he steps out from behind his podium. “He is violating the rules of the Senate!,” McCain exlaims. “I thought he would’ve learned them by now!”

And then there was this:

Sen. John McCain is also extremely sick of his presidential campaign being brought up.

Survey: More health care debate, less Palin please

By GottaLaff

You, you, you, it's all about you, right Barbie McLipSchmutz? Wrong:

[A] survey of what news piqued the public's interest this week found people were far more interested in what's going on with health care. The debate over health care debate was the week's top story in terms of news coverage, according to a study by the Project for Excellence in Journalism. [...]

"Most Americans (52%) say they have been hearing too much about Palin, while 26% say they have been hearing the right amount and 13% say they have been hearing too little about her."

Lesson for Sarah: Sometimes "the people" care about actual issues like living and dying, not lipsticked pit bulls, rambling interviews, and vanity books.

We got our 60

By GottaLaff

All Democrats voted Yes. All Republicans voted No. Final vote: 60-39.

Lieberman voted Yes.

The health care bill will move forward. It's debate time.

Details here.

VIDEO-- Harry Potter: The Sequel- Democratic health care debate talking point

By GottaLaff



I've heard a number of Dems use this one. Hey, if it works, go for it. Maybe some of the magic will rub off on them.

Poof! A robust public option!

BREAKING: Blanche Lincoln votes to move health care bill forward

By GottaLaff

I'm watching CSPAN2, and Blanche Lincoln (D-Arkansas) just announced that she will vote to move the bill forward, allowing a debate on health care reform.

How can anyone move against debating a bill? Debating. That's what Congress is supposed to do. Share ideas. Discuss. Exchange arguments. Decide. Vote.

Kinda like democracy.

60. Finally.

UPDATE: Lincoln says more votes to come, and she told Reid she will oppose any procedural vote in future if public option still on table. (via Greg Mitchell on Twitter)

Landrieu to back Dems on healthcare vote

By GottaLaff

Yes, good, now vote for the bill:

Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.), one of two Democratic centrists previosuly not committed to supporting a crucial test vote on healthcare reform Saturday night, will back her party, according to the Democratic leadership.

Max Baucus will return for vote

By GottaLaff

We'll at least have our full 60:

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, who is with his ailing mother in Montana, will return for Saturday's key test vote on health care reform, his office confirmed Friday.

Who's left, Blanche Lincoln? Landrieu is leaning toward allowing debate (how big of her after stuffing her pockets with money from guess who). Blanche, how about it?

Note: Sorry about the misinformation. I've corrected. My head is somewhere else at the moment. Bygones.

H/t: samJtwit

Mary Landrieu will reveal decision on motion to proceed Saturday morning

By GottaLaff

She said she is still neutral, but she sounded bullish.

Ben Nelson will vote for health care bill to proceed to debate

By GottaLaff

Per Greg Sargent on Twitter (his site is down, so no link):

Ben Nelson will vote for health care bill to proceed to debate, his office announces, but stresses it's NOT a vote for the proposal

More soon.

UPDATE: MSNBC confirms that Reid needs only two more votes.

VIDEO- Rep. Weiner says he'd debate Lieberman and his filibuster "audacity" on Morning Joe

By GottaLaff

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

I'd pay to see Traitor Joe get demolished by Rep. Anthony Weiner. Go for it.