Space and now Matheson?

[tallahasseedem]

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/live/countdown-to-reform-wire/#325527

~snip~

Rep. Jim Matheson (D-UT) told the Salt Lake Tribune the health care bill is "too expensive."

He'll stay a "no" vote tomorrow.


~snip~

After more than a day of momentum and switchers, some bad news for Speaker Nancy Pelosi tonight.

Rep. Zack Space (D-OH) announced he will switch his supportive vote for health care last fall to a "no" vote tomorrow, the Cleveland Plain-Dealer reports.

"Probably the most significant concern is the pay-fors in the bill," Space said, according to the newspaper. "They are opening the door to taxing employee benefits as income, which is going to create, I don't care how you slice it, a hardship for middle class families that they can't afford to endure right now."

~~~


What is the world is going on? This is starting to make me nervous.

[CreekDog]

1. They are being released and that's fine with me --but this is stupid on their part

Just vote for the damn bill and stop walking on eggshells about everything.

I swear moderates are the biggest scaredy-cats around except when it comes to sending people's kids to war. :wtf:

[dave29]

2. according to TPM Space was not released, but not unexpected to Pelosi

not sure about the other.

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/03/an_unexpected_flip.php?ref=fpblg

[DCBob]

5. Matheson was a no before and expected to vote no.

I dont think this indicates a problem. I think Pelosi has this.

[Jennicut]

3. Matheson voted no the first time, Space was expected to vote no from rumors from yesterday.

No big deal, Pelosi probably already knew.

[bigdarryl]

4. to expensive I would like to know if this shit head voted for the Iraq war or the Afgan war

anyone know where you can get his voting record ASSHOLE!!!

[jefferson_dem]

6. Stressful, yes. But lookie here -

* One of the final pieces of the puzzle fell into place when the Dem Senate leadership’s office released a letter they sent to House Dems assuring them the Senate would pass the reconciliation fix. You can read it right here.

The letter doesn’t list the signatories. But Reid said today that he has “the commitment of a significant majority of the U.S. Senate” to pass the fix.

* Two key House Dems, Jim Matheson of Utah and Zack Space of Ohio, just announced that they’re voting No. Matheson, a former No who Dems had hoped to flip to Yes, said that he was “saddened” that the legislation “contains too many special deals” and “does not contain health care costs.”

But in a sign of which way this is headed, the news of their vote — which had been hotly anticipated only 24 hours ago — caused barely a ripple. And even Republicans say they’re interpreting these No votes as a sign that the Dem leadership has the votes and is now in the process of releasing some Dems and allowing them to vote No.

“The fact that Space and Matheson are peeling is a good sign they have the votes or are close to getting them,” one GOP aide emails.

http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/

[tallahasseedem]

8. Thank you!

This is great news!

[SoFlaJet]

7. Last-Minute Quickie Updates

* One of the final pieces of the puzzle fell into place when the Dem Senate leadership’s office released a letter they sent to House Dems assuring them the Senate would pass the reconciliation fix. You can read it right here.

The letter doesn’t list the signatories. But Reid said today that he has “the commitment of a significant majority of the U.S. Senate” to pass the fix.

* Two key House Dems, Jim Matheson of Utah and Zack Space of Ohio, just announced that they’re voting No. Matheson, a former No who Dems had hoped to flip to Yes, said that he was “saddened” that the legislation “contains too many special deals” and “does not contain health care costs.”

But in a sign of which way this is headed, the news of their vote — which had been hotly anticipated only 24 hours ago — caused barely a ripple. And even Republicans say they’re interpreting these No votes as a sign that the Dem leadership has the votes and is now in the process of releasing some Dems and allowing them to vote No.

“The fact that Space and Matheson are peeling is a good sign they have the votes or are close to getting them,” one GOP aide emails.

[tallahasseedem]

9. Awesome update...

thank you! :D

[Phx_Dem]

10. That makes sense. Obama, Pelsoi and Hoyer wouldn't have been

(virtually) celebrating today if the vote was so close we couldn't lose one or two wavering Reps.

Pelosi will not allow herself to look the fool, or to fail on this. She's got the votes.