Senate Finance vote forces the traitors out into the open: Baucus, Conrad, Lincoln.

[seafan]

With the second string of Bill Nelson and Tom Carper bringing up the rear guard.


With Republicans irrelevant in this vote, it exposes the trojan horses posing as Democrats. And that bit of information, we must have to act accordingly.



Nutshell:

Rockefeller Amendment: *DEMOCRATS* VOTING NO: Baucus, Conrad, Lincoln, Bill Nelson, Carper

Schumer Amendment: *DEMOCRATS* VOTING NO: Baucus, Conrad, Lincoln



Over at digby's blog, writer dday sums up where we stand with the Senate Finance Committee:

Here's the vote on the Rockefeller amendment: Rockefeller, Aye; Conrad, No; Bingaman, Aye; Kerry, Aye; Lincoln, No; Wyden, Aye; Schumer, Aye; Stabenow, Aye; Cantwell, Aye; Bill Nelson, No; Menendez, Aye; Carper, No; Grassley, No; Hatch, No, Snowe; No; Kyl, No; Bunning, No; Crapo, No; Roberts, No; Ensign, No; Enzi, No; Cornyn, No; Baucus, No.

8 Ayes, 15 Nos. Conrad, Lincoln, Bill Nelson, Carper and Baucus have been ferreted out. We'll see if anyone flips on the Schumer "level playing field" amendment. Given the debate on the prior amendment, I'd say that MAYBE Bill Nelson could go that route. Probably not anyone else.

Now we know which Democrats want to protect the insurance industry at the expense of people.

...UPDATE: Bill Nelson just agreed to vote for Chuck Schumer's "level playing field" amendment. And during Schumer's remarks, he thanked Tom Carper for helping "move us toward consensus." So we may pick up a couple votes here. Of course, the "level playing field" amendment, which doesn't tie a public option to Medicare rates, saves $85 billion less over 10 years than the Rockefeller amendment.

...Kent Conrad is saying that the Schumer amendment reflects a "significant improvement" on the Rockefeller amendment... so will he vote for it? No. "The place where we still have a difference is whether the non-profit option is run by the government." He's sticking with his crappy co-ops. Conrad says that Schumer is moving much closer to package that can get 60 votes on the floor, but he won't help move it, of course.

...Schumer amendment vote coming right up. Max Baucus once again says that "the public option can't get 60 votes, so I won't vote for it." It's the "innocent bystander" theory of government. Why, if only a Senator like Max Baucus had a vote on the bill, surely it could attract the necessary votes!

..here's the vote: Schumer Aye; Rockefeller Aye; Bingaman Aye; Kerry Aye; Cantwell Aye; Stabenow Aye; Wyden Aye; Menendez Aye; Bill Nelson Aye; Baucus No; Conrad No; Carper Aye; Lincoln No; All R's no.

So Carper and Nelson flipped. Amendment fails 10-13. Only Lincoln, Conrad and Baucus against it.

Up for re-election:


These first three deserve severe punishment: Stripped of chairmanships and defeated in their next election.


Baucus: 2014
Conrad: 2012
Lincoln 2010

Bill Nelson 2012
Tom Carper 2012



Carry on.

[rurallib]

1. Baucus is only a traitor because others are. He really doesn't mean to

see? Makes sense to Max. If it won't get 60 it won't get Max's vote.

[LynneSin]

2. I hate to say it, but Carper is pretty much safe especially with the other senate race in DE

Sen. Kaufman only agreed to finish out 2 years in Biden's seat and then retire (although the way he's been voting I wish he would run and keep the position - it's just like having Biden in the senate in his old senate seat but then again he is Biden's former Chief of Staff).

Thing is, the republicans see Biden's open seat as a potential senate pickup and may have a few strong contenders to run for it plus I'm sure there will be a slew of dems running for the chance to have Joe's old seat including (perhaps) Joe's kid Beau Biden.

Because this race is going to be a cat fight, there's a good chance that no one will bother with Tom Carper. The republicans know they can't touch him and the dems figured they have a better shot at running for the other senate seat where there is no incumbant.

On the other side, there have been a few rumors on Carper's own health (although he is a fitness nut - regularly participates in all those charity 5k races they have in DE). Rumors have been thick that Carper might retire but Carper responds that they are just rumors.

[sinkingfeeling]

3. Lincoln is the only one facing election next year. I predict that she will be defeated by a Repub.

There are 7 GOP candidates for the primary. Some think the independent, Trevor Drown, will take the seat.

[1776Forever]

4. "They" just don't get it do they? Even with their millions we are stronger with our votes!

I swear I will work for defeat of every last one of them and I will give their opponents all the support I can! I don't care if their opponents are Independent or Dem I just want these traitors OUT!

Damn!:argh:

[t0dd]

5. I don't care if Lincoln's opponent is Republican. She just needs to go. She is

a DINO, and I'd rather get rid of the pretense we have a Democratic majority.

[1776Forever]

7. I respect your opinion but I cannot go there. I have never voted for a Repub & I cannot do it now!

They have turned into robots and I will never forgive them for what they have done to this country.

:nuke: :grr: :nuke:

[Ruby the Liberal]

6. Lincoln's campaign office: [phone]