And From CNN...

[WillyT]

Senate Democrats moving towards dropping Medicare buy-in
Posted: December 14th, 2009 08:36 PM ET

From CNN’s Dana Bash and Ted Barrett

<snip>

Washington (CNN) – Two senior Democratic sources tell CNN senate Democrats are headed towards dropping the compromise idea to allow 55 to 64 year-olds to buy into Medicare because of opposition from Independent Sen. Joe Lieberman.

"It’s what the White House wants and there aren’t many other options that allow us to finish by Christmas," said one source.

Senate Democrats had an emergency meeting Monday night to discuss this issue, which threatens to derail health care.

Although a final decision was not made at Monday night’s meeting, a second Democratic source said it’s likely a final decision could be made at meeting Tuesday of all Democrats with the President at the White House.

“I think there is a fundamental understanding of the direction we’re going in, “said Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass.

Before the meeting, liberal senators Tom Harkin of Iowa and Jay Rockefeller of West Virginia indicated that the so-called Medicare buy-in would likely be dropped, and while they didn’t like that, they suggested they would support a health care bill anyway.

"If he (Lieberman) is absolutely opposed to it, it looks like we won't have it," said Harkin.

"There is still good stuff in this bill for changing the paradigm of health care in America," he said.

“Democracy isn’t written to say that you get exactly a perfect system, “ said Rockefeller. “I mean, we are where we are. That’s the ultimate bottom line.”

The Medicare buy-in concept was intended to appease liberals upset that Democratic leaders were dropping a public option.

But that ran into a wall Sunday when Lieberman said he would support a GOP filibuster to block health care if the Medicare provision was in the bill.

<snip>

Link: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/12/14/senate-democrats-moving-towards-dropping-medicare-buy-in/

:shrug:

[DrToast]

1. WTF? Yes, we know...Are you trying to rub it in?

[IndianaGreen]

8. He is trying to wake up those still in denial stupor

[WillyT]

9. Thanks...

Apparently Rawstory wasn't legit enough for some.

:hi:

[IndianaGreen]

10. Only dispatches from the Ministry of Truth are acceptable

and the memory hole prevents anyone from resurrecting embarrasing stories.

[chill_wind]

11. Not RS, unless I missed something. TPM

and KOS and Politico. Politico hits and misses, I understand. Josh Marshall, not very often.

It's one thing to say you are justifiably skeptical. What went on here with a nasty vengeance today when "Official Denials" were met with some equal question and skepticism was something else. Very revealing.

Real health care reform? Who knows, now? People are dying, going bankrupt, losing their homes.

*We sure could use a miracle.*

[WillyT]

13. I Was Talking About This One...

Link: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=433x57008

:shrug:

[chill_wind]

15. Missed that! n/t

[WeDidIt]

2. Capitulate to Lieberman

and Lieberman gets what he wants.

A GOP controlled Senate in January of 2011 when he will jump ship to the GOP and keep his chairmanship.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

3. what direction is it going in Sen. Kerry?

[msongs]

4. change we can....forget about. the election of 2008 is turning into a fraud nt

[jefferson_dem]

7. "Turning in..."

Be outraged all you want but be honest. You were a hater out of the gate - never on board with this President.

[jgraz]

16. You're descending into a parody of yourself

Which was already a parody. "Never on board", "hater", "pony". Holy christ, that is some weak-ass shit.

Maybe I'm mis-remembering, but I seem to recall you used to be capable of some independent and mildly interesting thought back in the day. What the hell happened to you?

[Enthusiast]

18. Almost every single one

of us was on board with this president. What happened? Did we suddenly start listening to Rush Limbaugh? Did we expect too much in such a short time?

I'll tell you what the problem is. President Obama has done nothing to give us hope. Nothing, nada, zilch. Anyone with half a brain now sees the heath care reform "effort" as the joke it has been. We might be some dumb, but we ain't plumb dumb.

[asdjrocky]

5. It's not true! It's not true!

The White House denied- oh? Um, never mind.

[Skink]

6. These guys could probably find the votes to impeach Obama if they wanted.

[chill_wind]

12. K & R.

[high density]

14. So Lieberman gets to say NOOOO with the Republicans

The country gets fucked in the process, plus Democrats and Obama look like total fools and own "reform" that is incredibly crippled and seems to serve no purpose at this point other than to field blame and hate from the Republicans.

[ChickMagic]

17. I was such a sucker

I actually believed something would be done.
I actually believed the dems would try to
include the pukes, but when the pukes
proved to be who they are, the dems would
do the right thing. Boy, am I dumb. :dunce: