A survey of 4,518 likely voters by Zogby International Aug. 28-31 put Obama’s approval rating at a record-low 42 percent; it also showed he’s well liked.
“He’s got to get control of his presidency,” said John Zogby, president of Zogby International.
And the Washington Post has the following assessment for Obamacare:
With health-care reform, the administration appears to have two options, one of which would involve the support of a single Republican senator, Olympia Snowe. The other option would involve using a parliamentary tactic to circumvent the usual 60-vote minimum for ending the Senate debate and instead ram through a more limited health-care bill with a bare majority, dispensing with the support of conservative Democrats or any of the Republicans.
Note that both of these “two options” involve the U.S. Senate.
And the U.S. House? The Washington Post is essentially announcing the U.S. House will wait for the U.S. Senate on health care — meaning that the House does not want to walk the plank a la Cap and Trade, only to watch the Senate let the House twist in the wind on their vote. The other possibility is that the House Leadership does not have the votes to pass health care.
Either reality means the Senate is up next on health care.
Don’t wait for orders from HQ. Here is the list of Dem U.S. Senators who are up in 2010:
Bayh, Evan – (D – IN) Class III
131 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5623
Web Form: bayh.senate.gov
Bennet, Michael F. – (D – CO) Class III
702 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5852
Web Form: bennet.senate.gov
Bennett, Robert F. – (R – UT) Class III
431 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5444
Web Form: bennett.senate.gov
Bond, Christopher S. – (R – MO) Class III
274 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5721
Web Form: bond.senate.gov
Boxer, Barbara – (D – CA) Class III
112 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3553
Web Form: boxer.senate.gov
Brownback, Sam – (R – KS) Class III
303 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6521
Web Form: brownback.senate.gov
Bunning, Jim – (R – KY) Class III
316 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4343
Web Form: bunning.senate.gov
Burr, Richard – (R – NC) Class III
217 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3154
Web Form: burr.senate.gov
Burris, Roland W. – (D – IL) Class III
387 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2854
Web Form: burris.senate.gov
Coburn, Tom – (R – OK) Class III
172 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5754
Web Form: coburn.senate.gov
Crapo, Mike – (R – ID) Class III
239 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6142
Web Form: crapo.senate.gov
DeMint, Jim – (R – SC) Class III
340 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6121
Web Form: demint.senate.gov
Dodd, Christopher J. – (D – CT) Class III
448 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2823
Web Form: dodd.senate.gov
Dorgan, Byron L. – (D – ND) Class III
322 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2551
Web Form: dorgan.senate.gov
Feingold, Russell D. – (D – WI) Class III
506 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5323
Web Form: feingold.senate.gov
Grassley, Chuck – (R – IA) Class III
135 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3744
Web Form: grassley.senate.gov
Gregg, Judd – (R – NH) Class III
201 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3324
Web Form: gregg.senate.gov
Inouye, Daniel K. – (D – HI) Class III
722 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3934
Web Form: inouye.senate.gov
Isakson, Johnny – (R – GA) Class III
120 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3643
Web Form: isakson.senate.gov
Leahy, Patrick J. – (D – VT) Class III
433 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4242
Web Form: leahy.senate.gov
Lincoln, Blanche L. – (D – AR) Class III
355 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4843
Web Form: lincoln.senate.gov
Martinez, Mel – (R – FL) Class III
356 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3041
Web Form: martinez.senate.gov
McCain, John – (R – AZ) Class III
241 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2235
Web Form: mccain.senate.gov
Mikulski, Barbara A. – (D – MD) Class III
503 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4654
Web Form: mikulski.senate.gov
Murkowski, Lisa – (R – AK) Class III
709 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6665
Web Form: murkowski.senate.gov
Murray, Patty – (D – WA) Class III
173 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2621
Web Form: murray.senate.gov
Reid, Harry – (D – NV) Class III
522 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3542
Web Form: reid.senate.gov
Schumer, Charles E. – (D – NY) Class III
313 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6542
Web Form: schumer.senate.gov
Shelby, Richard C. – (R – AL) Class III
304 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5744
Web Form: shelby.senate.gov
Specter, Arlen – (D – PA) Class III
711 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4254
Web Form: specter.senate.gov
Thune, John – (R – SD) Class III
493 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2321
Web Form: thune.senate.gov
Vitter, David – (R – LA) Class III
516 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4623
Web Form: vitter.senate.gov
Voinovich, George V. – (R – OH) Class III
524 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3353
Web Form: voinovich.senate.gov
Wyden, Ron – (D – OR) Class III
223 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5244
Web Form: wyden.senate.gov
Steve Maley
Moe Lane
Dan McLaughlin
Neil Stevens
Daniel Horowitz
Should have known they'd
redneck_hippie (Diary) Saturday, September 5th at 10:16AM EST (link)switch the fight away from the chamber closest to the American people. That reconciliation was never off the table tells the tale.
The GOP needs to work on Snowe
bk (Diary) Saturday, September 5th at 10:23AM EST (link)Where is Susan Collins on this? Would she bail if Snowe does, so that her sister isn’t standing alone?
Unclear
Dan Perrin (Diary) Saturday, September 5th at 1:20PM EST (link)And it is unclear where Snowe really is as well.
It's Time to Expel
julianusrex Saturday, September 5th at 10:33AM EST (link)Olympia Snowe from the Republican caucus. This RINO phony is not needed.
How would that help?
RedBeard Saturday, September 5th at 10:43AM EST (link)If she could be replaced in her next re-election bid by a conservative, I would be all for that. But we’re talking about a state where liberals run amok, and conservatives are as scarce as hen’s teeth.
Under the circumstances, we need to swallow hard and realize that even a dope like Snowe is many time preferred over a hard-left Dem, and sadly those may be the only two choices.
Standard-bearer for grouchy curmudgeonry since, oh, 1975 or so.
Throw her out
Kayla Saturday, September 5th at 10:51AM EST (link)She is not a Republican, let her go to the other side. She needs to know if she does not stand by the Party it’s over. There needs to be consequences for stabbing the team in the back.
I'm as steadfastly opposed to her as anyone...
RedBeard Saturday, September 5th at 12:17PM EST (link)…but throwing her out without having a way to replace her with someone better is like shooting ourselves in the foot.
What’s better, assuming that there is no third choice; Snowe in the R team, or a leftist Democrat who is much worse?
Put up a better candidate against her in the primaries, someone who is judged to have a decent shot in the general election. But if Snowe wins the primary, go vote against her Dem opponent in the general.
Standard-bearer for grouchy curmudgeonry since, oh, 1975 or so.
As a citizen of the People's Socialist State of Maine...
From ME to You (Diary) Saturday, September 5th at 12:53PM EST (link)I can truthfully state that had Olympia Snowe or Susan Collins not been elected the HR3200 would have been passed without any discussion.
In Senator Collins last re-election bid she was opposed by former Representative Tom Allen (D-ME1). Now, Mr. Allen is not THE most liberal person from the Great Northeast. I’m positive there is at least one, his replacement, Chellie Pingree (D-ME1). Mr. Allen & Ms. Pingree are slightly to the right of TheOne™, with Mr. Allen being a tiny bit more so than Ms. Pingree. (n.b. Chellie Pingree was President & CEO of Common Cause)
I can’t remember who Sen. Snowe’s opponent was but she won quite easily! Years ago, conservatism was the thing here in Maine but the influx of people “from away” (i.e. Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York etc.) steered the majority away from traditional conservative principles.
Senators Snowe and Collins may not be the most conservative Rs in the Senate but, unfortunately, they are probably the most conservative you’ll get elected from Maine for some time to come!
Wait...wait
SteveLA (Diary) Saturday, September 5th at 1:32PM EST (link)From Me to You
You mean to tell me that Snow and Collins actually reflect the views of the people of Maine? What a concept, elected politicians who actually reflect the electorate they serve.
Maybe we should just throw all parts of the country that are populated by RINOS who don’t agree with “true conservatism” out of the US. Yea, that’s the ticket.
______________________________________
Competency over ideological purity and litmus tests
Actually, They Don't Steve
IJB Saturday, September 5th at 4:10PM EST (link)The proper interpretation is that Snowe & Collins are to the right of the people of Maine, and this don’t represent their views – it’s a Blue State.
Nail meet hammer!!! IJB you are correct!
From ME to You (Diary) Saturday, September 12th at 1:02PM EST (link)I’d gauge Maine to be a 65-35 split ideologically with the liberals in the lead. Ten percent of each end could be realistically considered to be far- left or right for each ideology.
Most of the voters (i.e. the people that do show up to vote) are from the conservative end (probably about 90% of the conservatives) and a significantly lower percentage of the liberal stripe. If you do the math if 90% of the population who are conservative vote their ideology and only 50% of the population who are liberal vote the liberals win (32.5% v 31.5%)!
If the Republican party ran a true conservative more moonbats would wake up and vote to “save the country” from the evil rich Republicans”. In the last election there was more outside money spent in Maine for political advertising than was generated within state. It was good for our economy!
Much of the money was spent to defeat Sen. Collins…it didn’t work. The supposedly “popular” Tom Allen was defeated, quite handily, by Ms. Collins.
Had either of the two Republicans who opposed Sen. Collins in the primary won and run against Mr. Allen the outcome would have probably resulted in Mr. Allen winning.
I may not agree with Senator Collins 100% of the time but it’s better than disagreeing with Tom Allen 99.9999% of the time!
What?
hondav65 Saturday, September 5th at 11:23AM EST (link)How is Olympia Snowe’s solitary GOP vote even considered an option here?
Kennedy’s seat hasn’t been filled. And there are more than a few moderate Democrats who oppose this bill.
The only way this happens is with a watered down version – period.
I’m aware that Snowe is working on a public option “trigger” – which a lot of people have heralded as a great compromise. But that “trigger” is going to be even more controversial than the full-monty public option was. Libs are going to want a hair trigger – Conservatives are going to want a good 10lb military pull on that baby.
The trigger isn’t going to save this.
Trigger = target
briann (Diary) Saturday, September 5th at 11:33AM EST (link)…and wherever that trigger is set, you can rest assured that the collective muscle of SEIU, ACORN, 50 other astroturf orgs, and the executive and legislative branches will do everything they can to make sure that trigger is reached.
Any ‘trigger’ will be reached.
-Bri
I agree completely
bk (Diary) Saturday, September 5th at 3:30PM EST (link)They won’t include a trigger they don’t plan on pulling.
Given the macro politics on this
Dan Perrin (Diary) Saturday, September 5th at 1:24PM EST (link)it is likely that the Congress is collectively walking back
Can I just say how beautiful that 42% looks to the eyes...
JadedByPolitics (Diary) Saturday, September 5th at 3:33PM EST (link)and if I am correct we will be in the 30′s by Christmas…..whoooo hoooo I cannot wait to open that present! I think The Won is trying to surprise me and will give that gift earlier but either way I will be happy.
Unified Patriots – How-To:
Activists Taking Action
The best Christmas Present...
redtillimdead (Diary) Sunday, September 6th at 9:38PM EST (link)Would be if he was in the 30s by Nov. 3, that way we can sweep all the special elections, and the election in NJ, VA, and midterms in some state houses (maybe?)
Nancy Pelosi can kiss my asstroturf.
Spinning Obama's low polls
illinois (Diary) Saturday, September 5th at 9:13PM EST (link)If you look at some of the left political sites——–saw that some are talking about Obama’s poll’s “stabilizing!” Anything to prop up the annointed one. And, also—no word about the lunatic Van Jones but instead talking about the cost to AK of Palin leaving office. State run media to the max! Thank God for Redstate, Fox and all you patriots doing the footwork to keep us informed
The longer Van Jones
Dan Perrin (Diary) Saturday, September 5th at 11:04PM EST (link)stays, the better