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EDITOR OF REDSTATE

Why We Must Hold the Line

By: Erick Erickson (Diary)  |  November 20th, 2009 at 02:10 PM  | 

RESIZE: AAA

Call your Senator right now. Use this link to bypass the congressional switchboard.

Tell your Senator to vote NO on cloture for the motion to proceed to debate.

If the health care legislation goes to debate, Harry Reid will start offering amendments to pick off votes.

Call your Senator right now. Tell them both that a yes vote on cloture is a vote for the health care bill. The Congressional Research Service’s latest study proves that.

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COMMENTS

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  • RedBeard

    Poor “Crist Lite” Le Mieux’s office is swamped. Finally got a frazzled but polite lady on the phone, and left my message. She’ll go home exhausted tonight.

  • Tbone

    NT

  • danielbdp

    COURTESY OF ONE NATION PAC:

    http://www.onenationpac.org/takeaction/healthcare/callfaxemail.html

    HERE ARE A FEW KEY “SWING VOTE” SENATORS:

    ARKANSAS
    Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D)
    D.C. Phone: (202)224-4843
    D.C. Fax: (202)228-1371
    Little Rock Phone: (501) 375-2993
    Little Rock Fax: (501) 375-7064

    Staff Emails:
    ? elizabeth_burks@lincoln.senate.gov
    ? anna_taylor@lincoln.senate.gov
    ? ashley_ridlon@lincoln.senate.gov
    ? roger_fisher@lincoln.senate.gov
    ? ed_french@lincoln.senate.gov
    ? jim_stowers@lincoln.senate.gov
    ? katie_laning@lincoln.senate.gov

    INDIANA

    Sen. Evan Bayh (D)
    D.C. Phone: (202) 224-5623
    D.C. Fax: (202) 228-1377
    Indianapolis Phone: (317) 554-0750
    Indianapolis Fax: (317) 554-0760

    Staff Emails:
    ? tom_sugar@bayh.senate.gov
    ? josh_sargen@bayh.senate.gov
    ? chris_murray@bayh.senate.gov
    ? eric_kleiman@bayh.senate.gov
    ? sarah_rozensky@bayh.senate.gov
    ? charlie_salem@bayh.senate.gov
    ? martha_pabon@bayh.senate.gov
    ? cynthia_walker@Bayh.senate.gov
    ? meghan_keck@bayh.senate.gov
    ? brian_weiss@bayh.senate.gov
    ? marie_francis@Bayh.senate.gov

    LOUISIANA
    Sen. Mary Landrieu (D)
    D.C. Phone: (202) 224-5824
    D.C. Fax: (202) 224-9735
    Baton Rouge Phone: (225) 389-0395
    Baton Rouge Fax: (225) 389-0660

    Staff Emails:
    ? jane_campbell@landrieu.senate.gov
    ? kate_nicolai@landrieu.senate.gov
    ? sarada_peri@landrieu.senate.gov
    ? scheduler_landrieu@landrieu.senate.gov
    ? adam_sharp@landrieu.senate.gov
    ? jason_matthews@landrieu.senate.gov
    ? laverne_saulny@landrieu.senate.gov
    ? Stephanie_allen@landrieu.senate.gov
    ? aaron_saunders@landrieu.senate.gov

    MAINE
    Sen. Susan Collins (R)
    D.C. Phone: (202) 224-2523
    D.C. Fax: (202) 224-2693
    Augusta Phone: (207) 622-8414
    Augusta Fax: (207) 622-5884

    Staff Emails:
    ? steve_abbott@collins.senate.gov
    ? holly_nesbit@collins.senate.gov

    Sen. Olympia Snowe (R)
    D.C. Phone: (202) 224-5344
    D.C. Fax: (202) 224-1946
    Boston Phone: (207) 622-8292
    Boston Fax: (207) 622-7295

    Staff Emails:
    ? john_richter@snowe.senate.gov
    ? anna_levin@snowe.senate.gov

    NEBRASKA
    Sen. Ben Nelson (D)
    D.C. Phone: (202) 224-6551
    D.C. Fax: (202) 228-0012
    Omaha Phone: (402) 391-3411
    Omaha Fax: (402) 391-4725

    Staff Emails:
    ? melanie_rogge@bennelson.senate.gov
    ? tim_becker@bennelson.senate.gov
    ? jonathan_coppess@bennelson.senate.gov
    ? dayle_williamson@bennelson.senate.gov
    ? kate_howard@bennelson.senate.gov
    ? christiana_gallagher@bennelson.senate.gov

  • Trelaina

    Even the direct line was busy, at 2:30pm. Will try again later.

  • Trelaina

    Even the direct line was busy, at 2:30pm. Will try again later.

  • joayn

    the health care motion to proceed from his website. This guy’s a WEASLE and this statement is a joke. Talk about misleading people.

    Wednesday, November 18, 2009

    NELSON STATEMENT ON HEALTH CARE MOTION TO PROCEED
    November 18, 2009 ? Today, Nebraska?s Senator Ben Nelson issued this statement concerning a vote the Senate is expected to hold soon on a motion to proceed to debate health care reform legislation:

    ?Once Senator Reid releases his merged health care bill and the Congressional Budget Office fiscal analysis I and my colleagues will need adequate time?over several days?to review both. Later this week, the Senate is expected to vote on a motion to proceed, which needs 60 votes to pass. As I?ve said many times before I won?t decide how I?ll vote on the motion to proceed until I know what I?m voting on.

    But I would like to explain what that vote means because there?s been a lot of commentary in the media, by special interest groups and in Congress offering definitions.

    Some who define it as a vote in favor of the Reid bill are misinformed, or are intentionally trying to mislead people. I remember that some in my party said the same thing?equating this procedural vote with a vote for a bill?when the Republicans were in charge. If your goal is to obstruct, that?s a convenient argument.

    But it didn?t stop me from reaching across the aisle and working with a Republican majority and a Republican president for bipartisan improvements to legislation.

    Some who define it as supporting or opposing President Obama and his agenda do so because they either want him to succeed or fail. And some who define it as the last chance to stop bad legislation have a political agenda: They want to kill any health care bill Congress considers this year for leverage in next year?s congressional elections.

    That?s more of the old Washington political gamesmanship people are fed up with. It?s not about working together on a bipartisan basis for the good of the American people. It?s not about taking time to get the right health care bill.

    In reality, the meaning of the motion to proceed is very simple:

    It?s a motion to commence debate and an opportunity to make changes.

    Let me say it again: it is a motion to start debate on a bill and to try to improve it.

    If you don?t like the bill, then why would you block your own opportunity to amend it? Why would you stop senators from doing the job they?re elected to do?debate, consider amendments, and take action on an issue affecting every American?

    But before I say yes or no on that motion to proceed, I believe Nebraskans want me to have adequate time to read the bill and to study its costs. That?s just common sense.

    To do otherwise would be like deciding before the opening kickoff of a football game to punt on first down. Once I have the ball?or the bill?and can assess the situation, I?ll be ready to call a play.?

  • zaxour

    They better not sell us out.

  • johnCV

    Warner’s office (1 of 5 that I could get thru to), said he was voting for cloture. When I asked the aide why the Senator supported the health care bill, he said Warner did not, but wanted a debate to ‘modify’ it. I then explained that we understand the process and how after debate, passage is nearly gauranteed, The Senator would be remebered for his vote – the miffed aide thanked me for my opinion.
    —
    Finally got one of Webb’s offices. As usual he ‘has not made up his mind’. This is the answer they always give. If he truly doesn’t have hos mind made up on these important votes this close to the actual deed, he’s either a vacuous boob or totally devoid of any priniples.
    He’s up in 2010 – a yes vote for this abonination and he will be toast. Hopefully toast anyway….

  • irishgirl

    Faxed both this morning, because hard to make calls. Besides switchboard was tied up. I heard Cornyn on Am Family Radio and he said he would absolutely not be voting for cloture and anyone that did was voting for the healthcare bill.

  • danielbdp

    AND…REMEMBER!!!

    THE 2010 VOTING SEASON IS ONLY MONTHS AWAY…THEN WE’LL START TO SEE CHANGE WE CAN BELIEVE IN!

  • TxCon

    I just read two stories about how he changed his mind about reading the bill. That bill needs to be read.

    202-224-5754

  • danielbdp

    Below are all the Senators’ e-faxes – hopefully those voting NO on motion to proceed, can also influence at least one of the “undecided”:

    2022241152@myfax.com; 2022282186@myfax.com; 2022281229@myfax.com; 4159566701@myfax.com; 2022248858@myfax.com; 2022280012@myfax.com; 2022241651@myfax.com; 2022280776@myfax.com; 2022282183@myfax.com; 2022281371@myfax.com; 2022281264@myfax.com; 2022241193@myfax.com; 2022241388@myfax.com; 2022283027@myfax.com; 2022241083@myfax.com; 2022246020@myfax.com; 2022286326@myfax.com; 2022242126@myfax.com; 2022246747@myfax.com; 2022280325@myfax.com; 2022283954@myfax.com; 2022280400@myfax.com; 2022242417@myfax.com; 2022281377@myfax.com; 2022284054@myfax.com; 2022281382@myfax.com; 2022247327@myfax.com; 2022249787@myfax.com; 2022244680@myfax.com; 2022280380@myfax.com; 2022281067@myfax.com; 2022284131@myfax.com; 2022242852@myfax.com; 2022283997@myfax.com; 2022243149@myfax.com; 2022281373@myfax.com; 2022285143@myfax.com; 2022286363@myfax.com; 2022241724@myfax.com; 2022282856@myfax.com; 2022247665@myfax.com; 2022282193@myfax.com; 2022248525@myfax.com; 2022282862@myfax.com; 2022285429@myfax.com; 2022282090@myfax.com; 2022242207@myfax.com; 2022248594@myfax.com; 2022249750@myfax.com; 2022244952@myfax.com; 2022240776@myfax.com; 2022241100@myfax.com; 2022247776@myfax.com; 2022280282@myfax.com; 2022248149@myfax.com; 2022283398@myfax.com; 2022243808@myfax.com; 2022245301@myfax.com; 2022280514@myfax.com; 2022242354@myfax.com; 2022280908@myfax.com; 2022246471@myfax.com; 2022246295@myfax.com; 2022249735@myfax.com; 2022249412@myfax.com; 2022242237@myfax.com; 2022241933@myfax.com; 2022281375@myfax.com; 2022280359@myfax.com; 2022245213@myfax.com; 2022242499@myfax.com; 2022241946@myfax.com; 2022246331@myfax.com; 2022243514@myfax.com; 2022243479@myfax.com; 2022240238@myfax.com; 2022282981@myfax.com; 2022243416@myfax.com; 2022280360@myfax.com; 2022280002@myfax.com; 2022280604@myfax.com; 2022281168@myfax.com; 2022282197@myfax.com; 2022280378@myfax.com; 2022285417@myfax.com; 2022282717@myfax.com; 2022242725@myfax.com; 2022281265@myfax.com; 2022240103@myfax.com; 2022282853@myfax.com; 2022246519@myfax.com; 2022242693@myfax.com; 2022249450@myfax.com; 2022285765@myfax.com; 2022282190@myfax.com; 2022246008@myfax.com; 2022249369@myfax.com; 2022283261@myfax.com; 2022282577@myfax.com

  • TxCon

    holds firm.

  • jrhode2873

    Reading some of the posts on this website the last couple of days and browsing articles on the web about this vote coming up on Saturday, I can’t help but to wander if we’re getting a little too bent out of shape about what really is at the end of the day a procedural vote that isn’t in any sense gonna be the final say on health care reform. If you think about it, is there really a lot to be gained from a Democrat Senator by voting no to begin debate on the bill? There are still votes on very important amendments and the final passage of the bill that will all require 60 votes. Maybe debating this monstrosity for a couple more months and watching it die might not be such a bad thing.

  • countessolenska

    He will vote no on the cloture motion to end debate and vote for the actual bill, which probably will not come until December.

    So, his vow to block the public option is admirable, but he still favors moving ahead on health care reform.

  • countessolenska

    The Democratic base would absolutely revolt if some of their own wouldn’t even let this bill get to the floor.

  • countessolenska

    Reid and Baucus are co-sponsoring a milder version of Wyden’s Free Choice amendment. This is significant to many Senate Democrats, as Wyden is considered an expert on health care reform, spending many years on this issue.

  • Illinicon

    the race bewteen him and Allen was in 06. Given that he was largerly a single issue candidate (Iraq) and that issue will be resolved in 2012, I doubt he runs again especially if Barry is still radioactive in Virginia as he was this year because it will be hard for Webb or any dem to win with him on top of the ticket.

  • http://www.bloggybayou.com muckraker

    He’s a lost cause, but I tried anyway

  • countessolenska

    Lieberman opposes the public option. He favors allowing debate on the bill, so he will vote yes on Saturday.

    If the public option is in the final Senate bill, Joe will vote no on cloture to stop debate and go to a vote.

    I predict that they will remove the public option or change the “opt-out” provision to a “trigger” provision. The bill is still bad though.

  • TxCon

    yes tomorrow and no in December. If so, he is a weasel. He knows good and well it will pass the full Senate so he can easily vote no in December. Tomorrow’s vote is the real one.

  • jrhode2873

    There are other votes that will require 60 votes including to end debate on the bill before final passage.

  • redneck_hippie

    “procedural” or aka “test” vote, become law. It Must Be Stopped Now.

  • eburke

    Dems are between a rock and a hard place – if they vote no on this pile of manure, the netroots will have a collective hemmorage; if they ultimately vote yes, they’re privileged Georgetown cocktail circuit careers are done.

    I’m thinking that the ‘thread the needle’ position on this is everyone votes ‘yes’ on the Motion to proceed, we get a ton of ammendments that either pass or don’t pass which will make no difference whatsoever, one D senator whose career is in a world of hurt if they vote for cloture will not vote for cloture saving the others from political death.

    My money’s on Lincoln or Nelson (my guess is Lincoln) to be the ‘savior’ of the other mods for 2 reasons: 1) the net roots have little real impact in either NE or AR; and, 2) Lincoln, especially, will hit the endangered list *big time* if she votes for cloture so *if* there’s going to be a ‘fall on the sword’ moment, I’m thinking it’s one of those 2.

    At least that’s what I’m praying for.

  • DavidS1787

    others did also. The thing we need to know who got to him last night and made him change his mind!!!!!! In other words tell him to name names! Also ask him to Fillibuster!

  • eburke

    to ‘buy him off’, I’m sure it wasn’t much more than a cheap bottle of wine and a box of cracker jacks.

  • jrhode2873

    99.9% of bills aren’t as controversial and have as much riding on them as this one. That 3% probably represents the most difficult and divisive bills that ultimately don’t survive the politics of the Senate.

  • redneck_hippie

    big open purse whereby the King’s treasury is raided to convince “problematic” senators.

  • jrhode2873

    that Mod Democrats would fire their bullets at this “early” stage in the Senate process. Nothing to gain really.

  • DavidS1787

    the United States then he has had blinders on! The Good people of Nebraska will remember come time for re -election!

  • readmeat9

    Spector’s line was busy for 10 mins strait or I got a message saying all lines were busy. Casey’s mailbox was full.

    I sent both emails, and faxes. I got delivery confirmation on the faxes but who knows if they were read. I believe they have both made up their minds to vote yes anyhow. I did remind Spector that he needed some votes from the good people of this state next year, but I don’t think he cares.

  • http://travismonitor.blogspot.com Freedoms Truth

    It’s never ‘useless’ to call the Dimwit Senators, for this reason:

    If even the Dimwit Senators are getting 9 to 1 against calls on an issue … THEN THEY KNOW TO KEEP THEIR HEADS DOWN ON IT. Which makes it harder for the leaders to shame the ‘holdouts’ to go along.

    It helps ‘shape the battlefield’

  • GregInFla

    meet the Stupak Amendment. And still tell me that amendments matter. They are the closest thing to vapor known in legislation.

  • eburke
  • GregInFla

    Too?

  • GregInFla

    He replies quickly (within a day recently) about the topic. My last one was on Hamilton confirmation. Here is webform. I am thinking about the free trial from myfax.com. Anyone else doing that?

  • Spartan4Life

    I have generally kept to a “No politics” rule with my family because there is no good to come from discussing. On this I made an exception. I sent my entire family an e-mail suggesting that if they don’t like what Congress is doing to let tthem know.

  • http://www.skiloveland.com skicougar

    In DC and the states(of those staff that haven’t had enough already and gone home).

    So, keep calling ! I’m not quitting until the cloture vote passes.

    BTW – Reid’s local # is: 702-388-5020 – f-702-388-5030.

    I enjoyed telling his staff this is their last year and they’ll be part of the 2010 unemployed numbers.

  • GregInFla

    And I am sure it is not full of “Vote for Reidcare” messages either. I wonder if they really care. Just thought of it, if you rearrange Reid you get “dire”. How appropriate.

  • GregInFla

    was:

    If you vote for this bill, be prepared for your government-run retirement home or hospice in 2013.