One Democrat is a true pessimist about Obamacare’s chances with a Scott Brown victory. From POLITICO:
Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.) is the latest pessimist on the Democratic side of the aisle, saying health care may be “dead” if Republican Scott Brown wins the Massachusetts Senate race.
“I think you can make a pretty good argument that health care might be dead,” Weiner said on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.”
Weiner, one of the House’s more progressive members, said “it’s going to be very hard” to ask members of the House to vote for the Senate bill – what some believe would be a likely scenario if Democrats lose the Massachusetts Senate seat.
(snip)
“I’d have a very difficult time doing that,” Weiner said about voting “yes” to the Senate’s (more moderate) bill.
However, I’m nowhere near putting the champagne on ice yet, either for Brown’s victory or the prospect of Obamacare’s demise.
One needs to remember how this process has worked all along and what’s at stake for the Democrats. One way this could work out is that Nancy Pelosi buys votes on the Senate legislation with consideration for future “fixes,” reminiscent of President Clinton’s vow to liberals in his party to “fix” welfare reform during his 1996 re-election camapign. Once they get the base legislation out there, any number of changes can be made to it before it eventually becomes fully effective.
If you thought the bribery was in full effect for the Senate version, imagine what it would be like to buy off 20 or 30 recalcitrant liberals in the House. Mind you, they wouldn’t be paid off on this bill but an earmark here, an appropriation there, and a carve-out or two along the way and they’ll make their way back to the liberal plantation. Sure they’ll squeal for the time being but that’s all for show because their victory is at hand.
So Weiner is already making it known he’s expecting some sort of tribute paid for his vote, and chances are it won’t be cheap. When you read between the lines the sentiment of “I’d have a very difficult time doing that – but you can twist my arm a little and get me to do it” seems more likely.
Call it cynicism, but my instincts tell me that Washington brings out the worst in people and I’ve rarely been proven wrong. Taking statements at face value isn’t the proper way to go.
I know it sure pissed ME off when they did the whole “let’s say this now to appease the naysayers and pass it through” thing regarding the Stupak amendment. Pelosi threw all pro-choice women under the bus to pass this crap through! Way to go, piss off anyone who would even want the health bill anyway!!!!!!
And I’m pro-choice and anti-Obamacare, so I was pretty much spitting nails over the entire issue, thank God they got rid of that!