In the latest episode of our national soap opera, As the Health Care Reform Turns, Senator Joe Lieberman said that he would support a filibuster of a bill that contains a public option. Sort of, kinda, maybe:
Doesn't agree with it "right now" and won't support it "if the bill remains what it is now" being the operative phrases. Meaning the current form of the alleged public option (although it's only an option for a limited number of people who happen to live in states not governed by a yahoo like Rick Perry) known as the opt-out.
Nobody except the script writers knows what will happen tomorrow in this ongoing drama, but here's my $0.02 worth today.
Lieberman is providing cover for the other Democratic senators who oppose any version of a public option, but didn't want to be the ones to side with Republicans in support of a filibuster; Lincoln, Landrieu, Bayh, and Ben Nelson to name a few. Now they can vote for it without worrying if it will get 60 votes and upset their insurance company campaign contribution apple carts.
So if Lieberman "doesn't agree with the public option proposal making its' way through the Senate,"what would he agree with? Roy Rogers' horse:
Speaking of co-President Snowe, there was this from the Washington Post on Saturday, after Senate Majority Leader Reid spoke to President Obama about the opt-out compromise:
Trigger is also the favorite horse of White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, by the way.
Anywho, that's what it looks like today. Tomorrow? Who knows? Stay tuned.
"Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) told reporters today that he would in fact filibuster any health care bill he doesn't agree with--and right now, he doesn't agree with the public option proposal making its way through the Senate.
"I told Senator Reid that I'm strongly inclined-I haven't totally decided, but I'm strongly inclined--to vote to proceed to the health care debate, even though I don't support the bill that he's bringing together because it's important that we start the debate on health care reform because I want to vote for health care reform this year. But I also told him that if the bill remains what it is now, I will not be able to support a cloture motion before final passage. Therefore I will try to stop the passage of the bill."
Doesn't agree with it "right now" and won't support it "if the bill remains what it is now" being the operative phrases. Meaning the current form of the alleged public option (although it's only an option for a limited number of people who happen to live in states not governed by a yahoo like Rick Perry) known as the opt-out.
Nobody except the script writers knows what will happen tomorrow in this ongoing drama, but here's my $0.02 worth today.
Lieberman is providing cover for the other Democratic senators who oppose any version of a public option, but didn't want to be the ones to side with Republicans in support of a filibuster; Lincoln, Landrieu, Bayh, and Ben Nelson to name a few. Now they can vote for it without worrying if it will get 60 votes and upset their insurance company campaign contribution apple carts.
So if Lieberman "doesn't agree with the public option proposal making its' way through the Senate,"what would he agree with? Roy Rogers' horse:
"Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) both cast doubt Tuesday on their support for a public-option component to the Democratic healthcare reform effort, which suggests that the Obama administration is still struggling to win over key Senate centrists.
However, Collins and Lieberman both told The Hill they are more supportive of a "trigger" concept floated by Collins's Senate colleague, Maine Republican Olympia Snowe, which calls for a public option to be implemented if insurance companies fail to fix the current system's cost inefficiencies."
Speaking of co-President Snowe, there was this from the Washington Post on Saturday, after Senate Majority Leader Reid spoke to President Obama about the opt-out compromise:
"The Democratic leader pitched the opt-out idea to Obama at a White House meeting Thursday night and received a noncommittal response. Several senior Democratic sources said Obama is wary about alienating Snowe -- the only Republican so far to support a Democratic health-care measure -- and had already concluded that her plan for a "trigger" that would create a public option if private insurers don't offer affordable rates represented a satisfactory compromise."
Trigger is also the favorite horse of White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, by the way.
Anywho, that's what it looks like today. Tomorrow? Who knows? Stay tuned.
Jon Stewart and Colbert both went after Lieberman tonight, but Colbert SKEWERED him. Watch the first part of Wed. tonight's segment.
must have missed her LIEberman post, too busy telling her off about stupak worship for her pro-life zealotry. honestly it could be too late to deal with the "lieberman problem" because if reid did what he should do, like calling fox out, doggy blue dogs would flock to his side and the entire healthcare bill would vaporize. as it is, obama can still say he passed healthcare, GOP can claim victory, and america can continue to "die quickly". sickening.
Evan Bayh ain't half the man Birch is/was.
Lieberman is such a wormy thing little. I love it that Texas Sparkle is going on about how he "did the right thing".
What a crock of shit.
I think a visit from the friendly folks at the IRS might get their attention too.
I'm telling you......we need Donald Segretti or somebody like him to control these self-serving senators from both parties. Photos, call logs, break into a psychiatrist office or two. Motel records.......
IF, and I say IF, Obama can be an effective leader and arm-twister, we will find out very soon.
Can you say "campaign finance investigation?"
That's been known to be a real "attention grabber".
And Lieberman now says the public option must be “off the table.”
http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/65203-lieberman-says-public-plan-must-be-off-the-table-to-win-his-vote
Another domino falls. Evan Bayh agrees with Mitch McConnell on cloture.
http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2009_10/020671.php
why was this not anticipated??? lieberman campaigned for mccain & palin, openly slammed obama in a very dirty campaign until the very moment the election results were coming in. probably from the mccain election night party called reid or pelosi and said "well your guy won so i'll see you tomorrow to discuss my future" and THAT IS WHEN HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN TOLD TO TAKE A HIKE! how could such a tactical error be made, allowing lieberman the opportunity for an inside fatal blow? he and mccain no doubt plan and scheme all the time, he's such a weasel who demonstrates no loyalty to either side. now if we dump him publicly it will blow up in our face like when fox news was cut off and fellow reporters cried foul when they know good and well fox is a GOP propaganda arm. do nothing and lieberman could kill reform by turning moderate dems his way, if not kill weaken beyond any good. my guess is so much damage is done lieberman will extort ungodly sums for his insurance companies back home, possibly immunity from reform itself.
In theory, I have no problem with the "trigger" idea. In reality, I know it's a horrible idea because it is simply putting off the fight for another day. Seriously, does anybody think that once (not if)they have failed to keep from tripping the trigger, that they'll just say,"Oh, well, okay guys bring on that public option." Hell no they won't. Putting it off till another day I think, benefits the insurance companies. Once some sort of quasi, sort-of reform is passed, I think we lose some of the imperative we have now and even now the fight is hard as hell.
You got that right!
Lieberman has no shame. He consistently opposes anything that will help the average American or protect the consumer. You ever notice how he has to shove his fat face into every news conference? He's almost as bad as McCain.. sorry washed ups who continue to promote themselves and their own agendas screwing the little people along the way.
Its to the point where Websters is putting a picture of bi-directional Joe next to the definition of hypocrite.
Pardon my French, but fuck Senator Lieberman. He should've left when he lost the Democratic nomination for his Senate seat. Now, he caucuses with the Dems, but stabs them in the back when he feels like it. At times, he can make the Blue Dog Dems in the House look like pansy-ass liberals. He should take his hawkish, Republican, pro-insurance lobby, AIPAC-loving self out of the Senate and go stuff himself.
There. That feels better.
Wonder if Lieberman would give up HIS OWN "government run healthcare"?
Nah.
Slightly related...
Have you noticed that when Lieberman jumps ship and joins the republicans he's a "patriot" and a "statesman" but when Arlen specter does it he's a "typical lib" and "anti-American" and "a traitor to his district" and "a typical politician"?