Democrats Consider the "Slaughter Solution" on health care reform

Ooooh, major undies in knots, I like very much.

The Daily Caller reports House Democrats might use "a highly unorthodox procedure," called the "Slaughter Solution," to pass a reconciliation bill for health care reform "that simply deemed the Senate bill passed, allowing hesitant lawmakers to circumvent actually casting a ballot in favor of a law they don't like."

Republicans coined the phrase after House Rules Chairman Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-NY), who CongressDaily reported is "prepping to help usher the healthcare overhaul through the House and potentially avoid a direct vote on the Senate overhaul bill."

Washington Examiner: "Each bill that comes before the House for a vote on final passage must be given a rule that determines things like whether the minority would be able to offer amendments to it from the floor. In the Slaughter Solution, the rule would declare that the House 'deems' the Senate version of Obamacare to have been passed by the House. House members would still have to vote on whether to accept the rule, but they would then be able to say they only voted for a rule, not for the bill itself."

Louise Slaughter for NY Senate

This is such a great idea in so many ways, but I'll let Chris explain some of them to you-

1. Louise has won twelve terms in Congress.
   
2. She is a woman, a group that is undeniably under-represented in the Senate.
   
3. Her modest roots and lifestyle are anything but elitist and insider.
   
4. As chair of the rules committee, her ethical standing is beyond reproach, which is something that Democrats need in their Senate appointments right now.
   
5. She will turn 81 in 2010, making it likely that she will not seek a full-term.
   
6. She is progressive, ranking 21st on Progressive Punch in 2007-2008 scores.
   
7. She represents Upstate New York--parts of both Rochester and Buffalo--which right now is pretty much entirely lacking representation at the statewide level.
   
8. Her seat is safe.
   

I pared down Chris' reasonings, so go over there for the full blown explanation. Count me in with the people who are uncomfortable with Clinton's seat being handed over to another "political dynasty". If Caroline Kennedy wants the seat, let her run in '10 for it.