Roll Call Reports “GOP Considering Throwing in Towel in Health Fight” [UPDATED]

http://vbushmills.blogtownhall.com/ vassar

…they should deny the Democrats all comfort of collegiality.

The skunk eye. Not so much as a handshake or “How’s the wife?”

A walk out is the perfect last statement.

And yes, Mr McConnell out not be calling the shots any longer.
Cordially

http://vbushmills.blogtownhall.com/ vassar

…they should deny the Democrats all comfort of collegiality.

The skunk eye. Not so much as a handshake or “How’s the wife?”

A walk out is the perfect last statement.

And yes, Mr McConnell ought not be calling the shots any longer.
Cordially

Common_Cents

dhorowitz3

Do the Republicans still have the options of forcing the rats to read the full 2,000 pages before the vote?

smitch61

I think most of us know the real reason for the tea parties…. We KNOW what the Democratic party is, what they choose to do with it is their problem.. If we were not protesting, the GOP would have assisted in ushering in health care reform, and a lot sooner than now. The tea parties I attend, is to remind them I am out here…

I mean we are talking about the same party that when in control decided not to remove Bill Clinton from office. They are the party with no gonads. They cannot be trusted, it is a shame really.

http://www.jeannie-ology.com jeannieology

Come to the mike and explain to the American people:

1. There is nothing we can do
2. They are determined to ruin health care
3. When your taxes go up, your health care is ruined and your grandmother dies, don’t blame us –
4. They should also tell them that anything the left says is a “LIE” and that

Elections have consequences — the new motto:
“There is no HOPE and lots of rotten CHANGE”

www.jeannie-ology.com

billyd

They can go home and be with their families on Christmas. They can smile and laugh and give presents to their loved ones. Then they can look them in the eye, and tell them that they failed, and decided that rather than continue to fight for what is right, they decided to quit. And as a gift to them, we will allow them to stay home with their families following the 2010 elections.

If you want to quit, go ahead. Just don’t bother coming back, we’ll find someone else who’s willing to fight.

VizBiz

What type of constitutional callenges can be made as soon as it’s law? (can Republicans and States bring challenges right afterwards)

USNJIMRET

to throw. Or wrap their face in to avoid being photographed.
And if they do, it’s probably got some crap motto about Big Tents and Moderation imprinted on it.
And they borrowed it!
From the French!!

shadowtax

That is a subscription only article. I have no idea what is being proposed.

I can see the media labeling a walk out as throwing in the towel, but if you posted disagreement there must be something else going on.

And if it only takes one Senator to object to unanimous consent, I doubt what the leadership says makes a lick of difference.

honorable

GOP in Senate and the House should make the legislative life painful and time consuming. Do not agree to the unanimoue consent and keep calling for the rol calls and have the majority spend time on these parliamentary procedure. Slow down the train. Demorats have not played nice or by the rule so go ahead and make our day!

farstar99

The trouble is, the GOP elite don’t have the stones to do it. They’re dreadfully concerned about still getting invited to parties and having the pressies like them, which they never will.

http://www.theprecinctproject.wordpress.com ColdWarrior

Erick is not our cavalry, either.

As Moe Lane says, “we are the cavalry.” In other words, YOU and me and every other conservative who wants to “do something” have to do more than hold a sign at a Tea Party or write a blog.

“The GOP” is defined by its voting members — the precinct committemen. You are either a voting member of the Party, inside the Party, helping to define it, or you are not.

HALF the Republican Party precinct committeeman slots nationwide were VACANT on Election Day, 2008. And split about 50-50 between liberals/moderates/RINOs and conservatives.

Too many conservatives talk the talk but don’t walk the walk.

THAT’S the problem.

You are either in the Party helping to define it and change it being part of the solution, or you are a nobody — from the perspective of McConnell, Kyl, McCain and all the rest.

Thank you.
ColdWarrior

fsured

Even if Republicans have little left to slow down this monstrosity of a bill, to simply refuse to even cast a vote would appear childish and undignified. I understand everyone’s point of view, but why give the Democrats any ammo to use against us in the 2010 mid-terms? To not even show up to vote would open us up to a whole new line of criticism and alter the message. Make the Dems defend their actions, instead of question ours.

I do agree that we need to make the Dems life hell next year.

farstar99

Which is why the Democrats infiltrate all third party movements.

The people pressing hardest for a third party challenge in our area are all DNC block captains.

What a coincidence.

If the GOP elites don’t get their fingers out quickly and tell the Tea Party organizers they will back the Tea candidate, then the GOP really will be finished.

Tbone

like the Senate Republicans are, but he is still staggering around, his manager will throw a towel in the ring as a signal to the referee to stop the fight. It means giving up.

Tbone

“appear childish and undignified”

polthereal

I agree–Republicans should walk out! Show the American people what they think of this monstrosity.

When they get elected next year, they can repeal it.

And repeal Medicaid and Medicare too!

WarEagle01

McConnell is just giving it all away. Pathetic.

countessolenska

Ross Douthat in the New York Times:

“In the end, when the history of the health care debate is written, I don’t think any of the choices that G.O.P. lawmakers made this year will loom particularly large. The choices that they made, or didn’t make, across the last fifteen years are what made all the difference. Between the defeat of Clintoncare and the election of Barack Obama, the Republicans had plenty of chances to take ownership of the health care issue and pass a significant reform along more free-market, cost-effective lines. They didn’t. The system deteriorated on their watch instead. And now they’re reaping the consequences.”

AngryMatt

Walking out would just make it a 60-0 vote. Is that what we really want?

Look, there could have been more obstruction on the part of the GOPers in the Senate and there still may be. If the leadership objects to the conference then the last shot in the gun will be fired. If left unfired, we should rightfully be angered. If it is and the Dems STILL pass this thing, then we’ve done all we can.

I get that Erick is mad that Reid got his caucus together and used shady horse trading and outright bribery to do it. Me too. There was more that the Senate minority leadership could have done to pressure this vote before Reid secured 60. But ultimately there was little they could do to actually FORCE a vote before Reid had the numbers.

The Dems have a supermajority. That’s all there is to it. Elections have consequences and we’re baring them now. Our goal should be to delay as long as possible and try to convert any Dems we can. We should be trumpeting this awful bill to the public even more than we are now. And at the end of this long and winding road if they STILL pass it, and they can because they have the numbers, we should make it as costly a Pyhrric victory as possible and get our candidates pledge to do everything possible to repeal it should we win huge gains in November.

Common_Cents

I meant putting more conservatives in the GOP.

timothypeterleal

Is mandatory coverage still in the House or Senate bill?

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/08/20/health.care.glossary/

http://www.suvstrategery.blogspot.com SoFiMil

If everyone wants to work on the debt ceiling bill, fine. There’s no deadline on HCR. There is on the debt ceiling (as much as I hate the debt itself). Priorities!

But no deal if it means caving-in on health care. Sure, the Dems will try to spin it and say the Republicans are risking the debt solvency, if there is such a thing. In fact, the Dems are the obstructors if they won’t work on the debt ceiling first.

redneck_hippie

are the frogs in the pot of water. Sorry, guys, the water has already boiled.

They’ve been enmeshed in their business as usual for all these years. That’s the water. Obama & crew only had to turn up the gas, and now it’s too late for them to jump out.

cwilson

NO more unanimous consent on ANYTHING. EVER. And if that slows the Senate down to a crawl for the next 233 years, so much the better. NO more “my esteemed collegue” or “the honorable so-and-so”. Instead, how about “That lying fascist over there” and “The corrupt kleptocrat from California”.

Heck, not a single Democrat objected when Senator Whitehouse called every last Republican Senator a birther, fanatic, militia member and “Aryan support group”. Harry Reid accused every last Republican Senator of wanting to kill sick people. You idiot Washingtonians are boxing by Queensbury rules, and the Dems are playing “nuke ‘em from orbit”. LEARN THIS.

I don’t bleeping CARE if the Senate is not a fun place to work anymore. I don’t CARE if it no longer has the loving collegial bonhomie you enjoyed in the Carter administration! You BLEEEPING BLEEPHEADS are hired to do a job: protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.

That’s it.

Not to have fun or be liked by your “coworkers”.

If you don’t LIKE that, then let us know — and we’ll be glad to let you return home next November and find someone else who WILL do your job.

http://www.examiner.com/x-1597-Charlotte-Law--Politics-Examiner Mike gamecock DeVine

http://www.skiloveland.com skicougar

Yes, it’s a done deal; but waiting until Christmas Eve to vote puts this thing right in front of all of America to talk about for the Christmas holiday and most likely will gain even further dissenters.

Yes, I fully understand that Christmas and Christmas eve should be about what Christmas is all about, Christ; but think of it this way: Let’s say there’s a history of heart disease or cancer in your family and one of you family members is 50 now.

Which would you rather have, a bad taste in your mouth this Christmas and a greater chance of obamacare to fail and having your family member still getting treatment at 65 with many more Christmases or being denied by some policy written in DC and not having some family around ?

shadowtax

Erick answered in his update.

Thanks anyway.

LRC96

Republicans need to stay in the fight. To leave just because the Democrats are bullies, thieves, and (yes) LIARS is tragic. To walk away sobbing and crying that Mr. Reid or Ms. Pelosi punched you. YECH!!!!

What has changed to cause such faltering? The Republicans have been in the minority for months. The Democrats have cowered hiding behind closed doors and whispers. And so as currently the Democrats charge blindly into and apparently through the Republicans-who continues to hold the line? How about over half of the American citizenry?! And you think that they will not push back with great intensity and heart if asked? Be sure to let the people know for certain where you are and ask them, once again to stand forward. Make this Christmas break a loud one.

Republicans–make NOISE over ALL paths of communication. NAME NAMES! McConnell–ENOUGH of the civilities. They do not understand. They have rolled the traditions of Congress and attack the very foundation of our nation, the Constitution. They do not care about what you believe or what any Americans believe. They place all of their faith in themselves alone–as earlier posted they seek the will to power. Call them on this! They are cowards as ALL bullies are!

Seek courage in the Lord. Do not evade the Democrats. Face them. Make them tremble once again.

mbecker908

“make the Dems life hell next year” is what the a$$wipes who pass for party leadership have been doing for 60 years. Except they never seem to get to it. After all, they ARE their friends you know.

The Washington Republicans have been reacting to the “line of criticism” crap forever and guess what… no matter what they do they’ll be criticized by the Democrats and the NYT/WaPo/CNN etal.

What the leadership needs to do is to make the Democrats life hell every minute of every day. Shut the Senate down. I’m good with the idea that they don’t pass another bill, ever.

redneck_hippie

you ever read The Closing of the American Mind? I’m still only half-way through it cause I’m reading 3 books at once.

Christmas can’t come soon enough for me. At least while I’m out of town visiting for a couple of days I won’t know what is happening to the country.

ottomustaine

That is the problem. I can’t believe NYT is right about something. If the GOP ever proposed reform of the health care system while they were in charge I sure don’t recall it.

polthereal

Reagan fought bravely against Medicare…he would have fought against this health care sham too!

E Pluribus Unum

since McConnell and most of that bunch seem to spend all their time running around the shower looking for soap bars on the floor that they can bend over and pick up.

If ya get my drift……

fsured

How is that “trolling?” Like I said, I understand the sentiment, but ithat would just be bad politics. If ‘m an elected official, I’d rather be on record as a “no” vote on this horrible bill than a “not voting.” Think how many people would be upset that their elected official didn’t even do their sworn duty and represent their interests and cast that vote. Fee free to disagree, but these Senators have a job and skipping this vote would be a derelict of duty.

http://www.rightproadvisors.com erinmist

Remember, folks, the House bill only passed by THREE votes. There are AT LEAST that many on the House Pro-Life Caucus that won’t vote for any bill that doesn’t have the Stupak Amendment, and Rep. Stupak has dug in his heels and said Sen. Ben Nelson’s compromise language is unacceptable. The whole public option thing will rear it’s ugly head again, and Lieberman stands ready to quash it. Look, at the end of the day, both the House and the Senate passed bills that are so frail, so fragile that any modification to either kills the entire effort. And in an ironic twist, the libs can then go back and say to their leftist base that they VOTED FOR the “right” bill, before it got “corrupted” in conference and they had to vote against it.

The bigger “danger” if you want to look at it this way is that nothing will come out of the Congress and the GOP will have nothing to hang around the necks of Democrats, Democrats who will, of course, come out all “moderate and centrist” by advertising they voted against the health care bill. In a perverse way, if nothing comes of all this, the Dems get their cake and eat it too…voting “FOR” the bill they wanted to appease the Radical Left. and voting against the Frankenstein monster that comes out of committee to appeal to middle America.

It won’t work, however. The “giant” is awake, and taking names.

Last, but not least, the bill is unconstitutional. The Robert’s Court will find any individual mandate a step too far. But failing that, states are already stepping up with 10th Amendment legislation that prevents this from being fully implemented, whereupon it collapses under its own weight.

If ALL of that fails, I think you’ll see a revolution. I really do. I think we can “reform” the GOP before then, and reverse most of this damage by late 2011, run the Chicago thugs out in 2012, and get down to serious fixing of things in 2013, but it remains an arrow in our quiver.

It goes unspoken, and is not a threat to throw around lightly, but every once in a while, a gentle reminder needs to be made that they have simply gone too far, and while elections have consequences, so too does tyranny.

TxCon

nt

burbmom

Our military never quits on America and here our own Republican party chatting about quitting on us. They should be willing to fght to the end.

The way I look at it the Senators placed themselves in this situation. At least they are able to get home for the holidays. Our brave troops do not have the luxury.

God Bless America and God Bless our Troops.

neoavatara

This goes back to what I said this morning. Our leaders need to understand that the fight, even though futile at this point, is worth having. We need to clearly state the vast deficiencies in Obamacare, why it is bad for America, and why Republicans are the superior choice. Just giving up because you are going to lose is a way to cement long term defeat. You fight until the fight is done. Liberals want us to go home and be quiet for Christmas. I say, fight until the fat lady sings. Make the Dems pay for every inch of freedom they take from us.
http://neoavatara.com/blog/?p=9145

Achance

State’s will have a simple choice; pay for all of Medicare/Medicaid out of state funds, deprive their citizens of Medicare/Medicaid, adopt a state equivalent of Medicare/Medicaid when most of them are broke, or go along with CommieCare. Where are you putting your money?

eburke

The guy who was supporting Snarlin’ Arlen up to the moment he stabbed us in the back and switched sides? The fearless “conservative” leader who endorsed the guy who endorsed and embraced the Porkulus package? The principled leader who hasn’t endorsed Carly Fiorina but keeps working with her?

THAT John Cornyn?

Are you daft?

Let’s see…the definition of insanity is……

countessolenska

Ross Douthat is one of the New York Times’ “token” Republicans. He has written a book with Reihan Salam called, “Grand New Party: How Republicans Can Win the Working Class and Save the American Dream.”

Here’s the link to his blog posting. He makes some good points and refers to two other explanations for why the Republicans appear to have lost this fight.

http://douthat.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/21/did-the-republicans-blunder-on-health-care/

Third Street

First, there’s a very very big chance of this becoming law. We have no idea what the Democrats in the House might do, even the very same ones who voted against it the first time around.

Second, I think it’s become abundantly clear how much we can rely upon Lieberman and Nelson to save our asses.

Third, nothing is a bigger danger than this bill getting to Obama’s desk. Not even Democrats retaining Congress. If I could trade away a GOP majority in the next Congress to stop something that will destroy the futures of the next several generations of my family, it would be a no-brainer.

Fourth, we have four solid constitutionalist votes in the Roberts Court. No more.

And finally, you should probably make it clear that you are not advocating revolution, ’cause that’s not gonna fly here. I would agree so far as to say that Health Deform is going to be such a crushing burden upon the American people that it’s going to make it nearly impossible for us to live according to the system they’re constructing; that when we cannot continue society itself will begin to collapse, and very bad things will be a result of that.

Third Street

snowshooze

I would stand until I was knocked down and could not get up.
And I expect my Senator Murkowski will do just that.
However, my other Senator Begich..he is on the wrong side of this and is doing everything he can to gather favor under Harry Reid’s desk.
But giving up the battle is no option. There is still a shred of hope, and we need to cling to it and do our very best to run this bill into the ground.
Mark

Third Street

Disgusting. I’ve been giving McConnell the benefit of the doubt lately but if these guys were even seriously considering taking a powder just to get home for Christmas, then the entire leadership needs to be thrown out ASAP. Make the Democrats turn this into a Christmas Eve Massacre. Make them own that.

duke87

if they take their marbles and go home, they might as well have been shoveling sh*t in LA as the great Patton once said. I feel like I’m listening to “Coward of the County” and no rape of this nation is disgusting enough to incite them to fight.

snowshooze

We need to make sure that they spend their Christmas on a runway instead of in front of the fireplace.
I have e-mailed both of mine and hope it gets through…but this is no time to be nice, and no time to let up.

louisiana

enemies ( or possible GOP opponents) that you did not have the cajones to vote your convictions. On my local news today, factsaboutreform.org ran 2 ads within 20 minutes THANKING Mary Landrieu for her vote. Will there be an opposition ad? I doubt it. Have to agree with GC about spending money NOW on ads, and I’m not talking about ads with Boehner with a dog. If Rep. have not learned by now that Dems are not their BFF’s, then they do need to go home! The Dems BEST WEAPON HAS BEEN RIDICULE, why are we not doing the same? Joker posters of McCaskill (with the caption: Obama’s joker) have appeared in Missouri. That is the type of fight we must wage!

bigredone

Molasses on a cold day should run faster than the Senate in 2010!

Make them read everything. Make quorum calls, and make the Democrats sit during the reading. Stop the process.

We are no worse off if the Senate does nothing. In fact, we are probably going to enjoy more Liberty if the Senate does nothing.

Stop the process and lock the doors.

jacon4

have played this pretty well overall. They have forced fractures in dem ranks to remove public option, add abortion language, etc.

Now we have the spectacle of dem leaders buying off one state after another in a desperate bid to get something passed.

Dems seem to think the public will grow to like this bill if they can get it passed. I really doubt that, its much more likely to have a drip drip drip effect in 2010 as details of this bill become known.

mblack

Try patrolling in the mountains of Afghanistan or in Iraq for Christmas. The troops are doing the heavy lifting meanwhile these “public servants” are crying about their holiday.

What a load of snivelling cretins. One word comes to mind SACRIFICE, the troops of whom average their in the early Twenties are more adult than Senators & their staff, with which seems Coburn is always the exception & a scrapper.

I hope Coburn becomes Senate Majority leader but he has integrity & will more than likely keep his pledge to limit himself to two terms.

Third Street

jotink78

Yes, it is included in both bills.

For details, go to http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/11/19/us/politics/1119-plan-comparison.html#tab=0

jotink78

Yes, it is included in both bills.

For details, go to http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/11/19/us/politics/1119-plan-comparison.html#tab=0

bigredone

http://spectator.org/archives/2009/12/21/democrats-break-ground

Sen. Jay Rockefeller told the New Republic “that liberal advocates could try again another year to push for the reforms that didn’t make it into the current bill.” He said, “You know we’re going to be back next year, and the year after that, and the year after that.”

Quote from the article cited above.

They will never quit so why should we allow them to bring ANYTHING to the Senate for a vote without exhausting every possible way to stop it.

GRIND IT DOWN!

Menlo

People seem to be far too concerned about what message is sent to the public, one that frankly does not matter one whit, especially when all they end up doing is speaking respectfully and civilly to Democrats.

As long as they don’t have the numbers to stop it, then it doesn’t matter whether they stay or not. The notion that they have techniques available to stop it is ridiculous. Holding things a few hours makes no difference, and neither does “exposing” the bill. The Democrats don’t care what is “exposed” or what people think about it; they just care about doing it before the next election when they know they will not likely have 60 votes. They aren’t stupid, and they aren’t merely disagreeing on how to achieve a good goal; they are actually evil and sadistic with no good goal in mind. I am absolutely serious in that sentiment.

Whether Republicans want to stay and continue their friendly chat with Democrats is certainly nothing worth arguing about as it cannot affect the ultimate outcome of this bill which may as well be considered passed.

Joe_Cor

and fight. Maybe someone will get a flat on the way to a procedural vote, someone will feel the heat and change his/her mind, another blizzard might cause a loss of quorum. I can’t believe they even thought of going home.

RedBeard

Other than Corker, what Republicans were in favor of giving up?

We must find out. The last people we want on our team are the ones who give up a fight when things get tough.

http://www.theprecinctproject.wordpress.com ColdWarrior

I introduced myself as a conservative Republican precinct committeeman from Maricopa County. I asked whether the senator would be doing EVERYTHING that a single senator can do, according to the Senate rules, to slow down the passage of this bill. He said he thought so. I asked if, according to the Senate rules, Sen. McCain could ask that the bill be read. The staffer said he thought that to be the case. I asked whether Sen. McCain would be making that request. The staffer said he didn’t know — that maybe some other senator would be doing so. So, I told him that he didn’t really know whether Sen. McCain, himself, would be doing everything he possibly could to stop the passage of the unconstitutional “health care” bill. I then told the staffer that if Sen. McCain did not, himself, do everything possible under the Senate rules to slow down the passage of the bill, in an attempt to kill it, that I would not be supporting his re-election.

If you want to call McCain, call (202) 224-2235. Listen to the recorded message and press 2 when instructed. It may ring for a few minutes.

Thank you.
ColdWarrior

http://vbushmills.blogtownhall.com/ vassar

…no sense agonizing over it. The whole “Club” culture has to come down…just to be rebuilt

…so we can do it again in another 200 years.

This is how things go around> Get busy with changing the bosses.
Cheers

eburke

would object to the appointment of conferees per Dan’s earlier post today? If so, what kind of response did you get?

Again, thank you for your ceaseless, untiring efforts to recruit precinct committeemen.

Have a blessed Christmas, CW.

smagar

Kyl’s next

laxconservative

Just don’t apply a social conservatism litmus test to candidates in places like California.

The gap between Boxer and Fiorina is much more meaningful than the gap between Fiorina and DeVore.

smagar

I just spoke with his staffer, and he was very polite. I told him that I STRONGLY encouraged him to use any parliamentary procedure at his disposal to retard the process of this bill. I told him that, if the Democrats were going to use their majority this way, then IMO he was not bound to follow all the niceties of Senate procedure.

Marcus_Traianus

Perhaps someone can put out a page in the Senate Republican caucus.
Paging Mr. Spine, Mr. Spine your car is ready.

http://www.hakubi.us/ Neil Stevens

I think it’s funny that you think that the vote will be ammo *against* us.

Tell us another one.

smitch61

Since the Grinches took Christmas anyway… stay and fight…. till New Years if you have to. I mean hey, if it is going to pass might as well make it mighty uncomfortable.. They have plenty of vacation time in which to celebrate Christmas at a later date.

http://www.hakubi.us/ Neil Stevens

Not only is your comment offtopic, it doesn’t even make sense.

laxconservative

I’m going to get on the phone and ask Jim Webb to reconsider. I have a lot of family back in VA who would be considered swing voters and they think this health bill is hideous.

http://www.theprecinctproject.wordpress.com ColdWarrior

I didn’t call Kyl’s office today only because I’ve only got so much time and I made the same point to his office (as well as McCain’s) a day or two ago. They just lie. The say they are going to fight with everything they have, but then don’t. The reason? What do they have to fear in terms of getting reelected? Neither sees a huge increase in political activity where it matters — into the Republican Party as precinct committeemen. Sure, we’re up to over 3,000 PCs now in Maricopa County, for example, up from 1,989, but we’re still far short of the total we could have of 6,350 or so. Out of the 694,000 registered Republicans in Maricopa County, only 3,000 want to be in the real ball game of party politics. Of the remaining 691,000, I can’t believe there aren’t 3,350 good conservatives with a few hours of time a month to devote to being a precinct committeeman. But, apparently, that’s the case. Oh well.

I also didn’t mention the appointment of conferees issue, either, only because of limited time.

Pray. Recruit. Repeat.

And a blessed and merry Christmas to all of you.

Thank you.
ColdWarrior

Aaron Gardner

http://www.theprecinctproject.wordpress.com ColdWarrior

Sen. Kyl’s office is at (202) 224-4521.

Made the same spiel as I did to McCain’s staffer with a few additions.

The staffer could not confirm that Kyl would do everything possible to slow down the passage of the bill because, apparently, Kyl did not want to unveil his “secret strategy” (my words, not his) and thereby allow the Dems to know what he was going to do.

Sure.

I told the staffer to tell Sen. Kyl that we conservative Republicans in Arizona have had it with the failure of our elected Republican representatives to FIGHT for our individual rights and, when they come back to Arizona, unless they tell us how they invoked every possible Senate rule to block the passage of this bill, they will not get our support in the next election. I told him, for example, that we will not sign Sen. McCain’s nominating petitions for his primary race unless he explains to us how he invoked every possible rule to stall the passage of the bill in the hope of killing it. I told him to tell Sen. Kyl we conservativesprecinct committeemen are taking back the Party at the grass roots and we’ll be poised to affect the outcome of the all-important, traditionally-low-turnout primary elections in a way like never before. I told him we are over the 3,000 mark in the number of precinct committeemen, up from 1,989, in Maricopa County, and we are recruiting more. I told him I knew, from lots of conservative blogs, that this kind of recruitment is going on all over the country.

He listened politely and, at the end, said he’d pass on my remarks to Sen. Kyl.

I hope you’ll call both McCain and Kyl if you have a chance, but only if you’ll be telling them either that you’re a conservative Republican Party precinct committeeman or that you’re becoming one and that you are, or will be, recruiting more.

Sen. McCain’s office number is (202) 224-2235.

Thank you.
ColdWarrior

RJD

Huh? Who would have thunk it?

RJD

If the GOP senate leadership thinks they do not share blame in this mess, they have something else yet to learn.

ellisclarke

Obama likely knows that the Constitution does not mandate Americans be forced into a contractual agreement with a private party for health insurance as he was ?a senior lecturer but not a constitutional professor so one assumes he at least has some knowledge of the principles of the Constitution.

?Nowhere in the Constitution is Congress given the power to mandate that an individual enter into a contract with a private party or purchase a good or service,? and No decision or present doctrine of the Supreme Court justifies such a claim of power.

Is it possible Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid, and this new gang of sixty Senators, have not read Article I of the Constitution? It states that the government?s rights are limited. Article 1, Section 8 reads, ?The Congress shall have Power ? To regulate Commerce with foreign nations, and among the several states, and with the Indian Tribes.? It does not say a word about health care. The federal government only has the power to regulate trade between itself, foreign governments, and the states. NOTHING MORE.

History will record this gang of sixty Senators as the treasonous bunch of politicians who themselves succumbed to accepting 30 silver pieces and blindly following the orders of paid political special interest groups, unions and lobbyists, indirect opposition to the voters and in violation of the constitution they all have sworn to uphold, but apparently have not read.

Final passage of this structural reform health care bill will be yet another violation of the Constitution but it will be the most egregious one to date and a further circumcising and castration of the Constitution of the United States of America. God help us all.

PS. The USA Federal government was already bankrupt before this draconian piece of legislation was introduced and if passed will make a bad situation even worse!

eburke

than calling my two senators: Amy ‘I’m a socialist’ Klobachar and Al ‘I’m a total douchebag’ Franken (for the love of God, I don’t know what’s in the water up here),

Anyway, as I think I’ve relayed to you, I can inform both Kyl and McCain that I am the MN equivalent of a precinct committeeman (we call ‘em “Precinct Delegates” up here in tundra land).

Now…if we could just find *someone* up here in purplish to red CD 1 who will call Tim Walz out for the socialist he is rather than the ‘moderate’ he portrays, that would be wonderful (this is the clown whose staffer informed me that having a profit motive in health care was ‘immoral’; it was a lovely 20 minute conversation…the ignorant putz. I’ll give him some credit though; he managed to spew banal talking points for 20 solid minutes; was never able to answer any of my questions…but the tape recorder never stopped playing)

eburke

countessolenska

What Might Not Have Been [Ramesh Ponnuru]

I agree with most of what Ross Douthat has to say in this post, except for his conclusion: “Between the defeat of Clintoncare and the election of Barack Obama, the Republicans had plenty of chances to take ownership of the health care issue and pass a significant reform along more free-market, cost-effective lines. They didn?t. The system deteriorated on their watch instead. And now they?re suffering the consequences.”

Let’s not forget that at no point during that period did the Republicans have anything like the Democrats’ current strength in Washington. Through Bush’s first term they had at most 51 senators. They had 55 starting in 2005, but everything went south for them politically within months. And even when they had Congress and the White House they were unable to break Democratic filibusters on free-market health-care measures as modest as the small business health fairness act. Yes, Republicans should have paid more attention to health care over the years. But the collapse of Lehman Brothers did more to get Democrats to this point than any strategic mistake of the GOP on health care.

http://corner.nationalreview.com/

anotherindyfilmguy

I think back to the pre-Civil War legislature and see Senators occasionally cane whipping each other and fighting over their hot topics of the day.

I look at the current bunch of PC correct wimps on the R side and think: There are things they could do to disrupt the process, some are dirty and some are simply procedural. If they won’t do either to defend the Republic then they should not be in office anymore than the saboteurs and traitors on the left.

Scope

I’m sure that you can find some Gruffpo articles to bash the entire Republican party also. I guess Redstate really is a big tent supporter.

Scope

Many have been banned for far less. Dumb isn’t banable as far as I know. Not Republican I thought was bannable. I guess I was wrong. It is the big tent party, every Republican hater welcome. Yeah!

Scope

Many have been banned for far less. Dumb isn’t banable as far as I know. Not Republican I thought was bannable. I guess I was wrong. It is the big tent party, every Republican hater welcome. Yeah!

http://www.hakubi.us/ Neil Stevens

GregInFla

from the press show up besides FNC?

penguin2

But I do have a concern about the countess not double checking that she had her quote marks in for the second paragraph. To someone who does not follow the link, it is confusing as to which are her thoughts and Ramesh Ponnuru’s work. After checking the link, the entire two paragraphs is his text.

Scope

but, I can tell you that when Webb was running for his seat, there were facts put out there that Webb wrote a “novel” in his past. In that novel he has a segment where a father had sex with his son. Yet, George Allen was defeated because he used the word “macacca” which the usual WashPo demonized him for it. I still don’t to this day know what the word “macacca” means. I remember as a child hearing the word cacca as poop. It had nothing to do with the word macacca. It had everything to do with the Liberals removing anyone who has any credibility.

Swamp_Yankee

I dont think my liver can handle any more bad news and bad weather. Lowry posts five reasons that the health care bill may still be defeated.

http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=YzM3MzBiNDM0NzU0ZWU3ZmYyNWY5YTFhMTlhYmNhODU=&w=MA==

FIGHT

Scope

“The bigger ?danger? if you want to look at it this way is that nothing will come out of the Congress and the GOP will have nothing to hang around the necks of Democrats, Democrats who will, of course, come out all ?moderate and centrist? by advertising they voted against the health care bill. In a perverse way, if nothing comes of all this, the Dems get their cake and eat it too?”

Really, the biggest danger is that the dems. lose, and, the R’s then have nothing to hang around the dem’s neck’s. That is a statement that takes a willing suspension of disbelief. You beat Hillay Clinton!

mbecker908

and you’re posting history is more than a tad thin. And, they don’t show much knowledge or intuition of how the political process works. This post is a prime example.

You apparently don’t understand the difference between “a” Senator missing a vote and the entire caucus walking out. I’m not going to bother explaining the difference to you, it’s not worth the time and I’m pretty sure you wouldn’t get it anyway.

Highmaintfmale

With so many (including myself) burning mad over the progression of the Nobamacare Bill, and even more upset over the actions, and the very apparent INACTION of others, and at the risk of making myself the target of some of that anger and frustration, I really feel it’s time for someone to say this, no one else has (that I’ve heard of or seen,) so here goes:

Not all Republicans are the bad guys, some of us are trying very hard to change things, case in point:

www.sheboygancountygop.com

Change can only come from within, if you don’t like the way the Republican Party does things, you need to ask yourself a few questions, after you do, you may get a pretty good idea of why things aren’t being done the way you want them to be.

1. Are you a current member of your county Republican Party?

2. When was the last time you paid dues? Attended a meeting? Your county’s yearly Caucus?

3. Who are your county Republican Party’s Board members?

4. When was the last time you volunteered for your county or state party or one of it’s activities?

5. Have you ever stepped forward to be a member of your county Party’s Board of Directors? Lead a committee?

6. When was the last time you donated even $10-$20 to your county Party?

7. If you are not a member, committee chair, Board member, or volunteer, if you haven’t attended a county party meeting in the past three months, if you didn’t or haven’t attended your county party’s caucus, paid your membership dues, volunteered, or donated any funds to your local party, if it never occurred to you to become a board member, chair a committee, or pitch in to help in any way, just how in the world do you expect them to consider doing anything YOUR way?

8. Do you think they are somehow able to telepathically read your thoughts or mind?
9. If you will not step forward to help make the changes your seeking, or financially support those who are making that effort, then why should anyone else, and what right do you have to complain?

10. If you don’t like the way things are being done, when will you step forward, find or make the time, and make the effort to change them from within?

The bottom line here is, the only way anything is going to change is from within, if your not willing, or for what ever excuse, (yes I said excuse) you won’t get up and get involved, consider that there is NO reason good enough to pardon apathy.

If your doing nothing except sitting on the sidelines whining and complaining about the way things are or telling everyone and anyone who’ll listen “how things should be done” or “how messed up things are,” if you have never made any real effort to make the difference you want to see, then:

Get up, get the phone book, or sit there and google the phone number of your local county party, call them, join them, pay your dues, or make a donation, volunteer, get going, get involved, make the Republican Party into the one you want it to be, or frankly stop Bit**ing about it, because if joining us isn’t worth your bother, your time, effort, your money, or support, we hope the current “Hope and Change” are workin out well for ya’.

bk

You’re not talking about these pre-Christmas Senate votes are you?

paint_it_red

Coburn would be a great minority leader. He’s not into the bull and too clever for one’s own good nonsense that is causing problems now. I like McConnell, even though I disagree with his approach, but Coburn I think has a fire and, dare I say it, *leadership quality* that would be nice to see more of in the Senate. Bring on the straight shooter.

bk

1. It had no chance of passing the House.
oops

2. It had no chance of passing the Senate.
oops

3. It has no chance of …
tbd, but I know what my guess would be.

Some good folks on our side are assuming things like honor, honesty, principles, etc. Instead the Democrats have made it plain that they will do whatever payoff is needed to get any particular vote.

I’m no Congressional scholar by a long shot, but I’ve never seen anything so blatantly shameless as what has been happening lately. I never would have believed it could get this bad.

bk

Who would have thought the liberals would come up with that mess?

http://www.rightproadvisors.com erinmist

While I will clarify that at this stage of the encroaching tyranny upon our liberties, a revolution would be unnecessary and unwelcome. As one commentator pointed out, the damage done by this administration could be undone in a single afternoon. So we are not there yet. But I also think, as did Governor Perry of Texas, that it serves as a useful reminder that Jefferson’s words are not hollow, and that there is a limit to which we will submit.

Let’s chat after cap and tax is passed, gas hits $5 a gallon, tax rates skyrocket, inflation is at 20%, unemployment is still above 15%, and they start coming after the gun owners. Oh, and when the UN starts telling property owners what they can do with their property.

http://www.rightproadvisors.com erinmist

BK, I’m not assuming honor, honesty, or principle. I’m assuming something far baser — survival. While the Senate is an animal unto itself, the House has to defend its actions every 24 months. And in about 11 months we’re going to send a boatload of these folks home. But in the meantime, all of these Democrats are now in the position of telling the Radical Left, to say nothing of their leadership, that they’ve already walked the plank, and aren’t interested in doing it again, because what they want most of all is..to stay in office. The irreconcilable differences between the two bills is their ticket out.

While Pelosi may be willing to sacrifice her majority to get this passed, she can only be so cavalier with other people’s careers because she knows her own is safe. Those who will be sacrificed may not be so willing to play along.

http://www.rightproadvisors.com erinmist

Wake up and smell the coffee. The Democrats at this stage have “delivered”, at least politically, if not in actuality. If this fails, as I still completely believe it will, it will be spun as “unacceptable compromise” foisted on the plan by the GOP. I GUARANTEE you the state run media will play it that way and blame the GOP, plain and simple. And a ton of folks who only get their news from NBC once a week will buy it. Ask Newt how well that whole obstructionist gig worked out for us and how well that went over.

My point is simply that Dems can’t get to where they want to be from where they are today, and there aren’t enough House members on their side willing to eat a “career bullet” to get this passed. So-called “moderate” Democrats can go back to their districts, and with a completely straight face say they tried (to the Left) but ultimately couldn’t swallow the “compromise” (to everyone else). Cake and eat it too time – best of all worlds if you’re a “Blue Dog”.

Willing suspension of disbelief? I think you’re the one trolling.

MrAleGuy

… in fact, I’m afraid one of the DEMOCRATS will object in order to force the bill to go to the House unaltered.

As I see, it our ONLY chance is for the conference committee to try to re-insert some of the house language thereby losing senate support.

If the conference is skipped, there can be NO changes which one of the 60 will find objectionable.

Sigh.

Why can’t my senator, Coburn be minority leader. He kicks butt and he knows what he’s talking about healthcare-wise.

audax

Take the Party from the RINO’S!!!!!!!!! In ’76 I moved to the precinct of the RINO Republican National Committeeman from MI and lost by 6 votes in a precinct he had lived in his entire adult life. Knocked on EVERY door and asked for their vote. Went to National Convention as At-Large Delegate for Reagan. Delegate GOPNational Convention ’76 and first vote for REAGAN from MI Jerry Ford’s (RINO) homestate!

In Colorado, when they found out I was pro-life they didn’t want me going to State Convention from Summitt County…but not enough people would go as delegate so I got in as alternate and then at State Convention most of County delegates didn’t show up so I got to vote as delegate. To paraphrase Woody Allen…”90% of life is just showing up”.

audax

…your own profile….This bill should be right up your alley as you say: “I am unapologetically pro-choice…However, if a candidate delivers the goods on fiscal policy, these topics mean little to me.”

Amazing how we “can have developed the type of political outlook that can play well as a Republican, even in Los Angeles” and to hell with the innocent life of a baby if it’s inconvenient for same lifestyle…

A Republican and Conservative (noun) since 1964 and know why.

http://www.examiner.com/x-1597-Charlotte-Law--Politics-Examiner Mike gamecock DeVine

No, we have essentially conceded this bill and have moved on to the 2010 elections which we will sweep. But what will we have left to save? We won’t play hardball to save this country.

http://www.examiner.com/x-1597-Charlotte-Law--Politics-Examiner Mike gamecock DeVine

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/dreading_our_future_EmFMYk61Kja4iC3EMYePVP

http://www.examiner.com/x-1597-Charlotte-Law--Politics-Examiner Mike gamecock DeVine

here

http://www.redstate.com/gamecock/2009/12/20/when-did-conservatives-lose-america/

is that we haven’t done what we needed to do (shaming the dems with ads in their home states and tough moral language against them on the floor) to defeat this bill, but we ought to start today to try, because once this passes, much of the gig we call the USA is up!

redneck_hippie

Obama thinks he can get away with The Big Lie. Those who have even enough brain cells to strike a match on, are going to stay home in droves next year and in 2010. Will be extremely interesting to watch voter registrations. There will be a surge, don’t you think?

Tbone

Just ask John McCain.

RS

EDITOR OF REDSTATE

Roll Call Reports “GOP Considering Throwing in Towel in Health Fight” [UPDATED]

COMMENTS

ALL

COMMENTS

POPULAR

#RSRH

PICK YOUR STATE & GET LOCAL