Reid Takes Full Ownership Of Bill For Dems

[jefferson_dem]

Reid Takes Full Ownership Of Bill For Dems

* Just before the Senate passed the final historic health care bill this morning, 60-39, with all Democrats voting for it, Harry Reid laid it on the line, taking full ownership of reform for Dems:

“I’m sorry to say that for the first time in American history, a political party has chosen to stand on the sidelines rather than participate in great –- and greatly needed –- social change.

“I’m sorry to see that many on the other side have resorted to myths and misinformation, and continue to rely on them long after they were debunked.

“And it’s regrettable that they view our citizens’ health care crisis through a political lens. Because affording to live a healthy life isn’t about politics, or partisanship, or polling.

“It is about people. It’s about life and death in America. It’s a question of morality, of right and wrong. It’s about human suffering. And given the chance to relieve this suffering, we must take it.”

* As I’ve noted here repeatedly, passage of health care reform, presuming it happens, could begin to rewrite the relationship Americans have with government. Today’s Times notes that it will “vastly expand the role and responsibilities of the federal government,” and will “touch the lives of nearly all Americans.”

http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/senate-republicans/the-morning-plum-reid-takes-full-ownership-of-bill-for-dems/

[SoFlaJet]

1. Harry Reid did a GREAT job

getting this thing done-he DESERVES all the credit in the world for what he's had to navigate this through.

[midnight armadillo]

3. That depends on your definition of "great job"

If "great job" means made endless concessions to the GOP who were never, ever going to vote for the bill, if it means letting a handful of conservative Democrats from rural states deny effective reform for the majority of the bill, and if it means putting Joe Lieberman in the driver's seat for the key element of the bill, then yes, Reid did do a great job.

So long as the Democrats don't lose majority control of the Senate in the process, I doubt I'll be too upset if Reid doesn't get re-elected next year.

[SoFlaJet]

5. Any true democrat

should never wish to lose a seat in congress-consider the alternative. Did you hear John Boehner's statement about the bill after it passed this morning? These republicans are clowns. He was invoking Ebenezer Scrooge, you want fucking clowns driving the agenda? Well keep on wishing that democrats don't get re-elected and that's what we get. Clowns.

[jefferson_dem]

6. "I doubt I'll be too upset if Reid doesn't get re-elected next year."

Of coure, you won't.

Speaks volumes...

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

7. Your statement makes no logical sense.

If what you're saying is true - that the GOP was never, ever going to vote for the bill, that means you acknowledge that we needed all 58 Democrats and 2 Independents in order to achieve passage. Since we needed 100% participation, that means the Republicans put Joe Lieberman into the driver's seat, because he knew he was the only thing standing in the way. Lieberman had something we wanted (aka "leverage") and he used it to get what he wanted. Harry Reid didn't "allow" anything.

If you can describe for me a scenario where that doesn't happen, I'd like to hear it. And don't tell me that pulling his committee chairmanship would've made Lieberman MORE likely to vote with us - that's utterly absurd to think that we could spit on him and then expect him to acquiesce.

[lamp_shade]

2. I couldn't be prouder of him. Great job Harry.

[AndyA]

4. Harry Reid's words are correct. What the Republicans have done is shameful.

Hopefully, the final bill that comes out of committee will be much changed, with less for the insurance industry and more for the people.

If that happens, Reid's words will ring true, if it doesn't...they're just sound bytes.

[Clio the Leo]

8. I'm going to write Sen Alexander later....

.... tell him that i literally heard him shouting "NO!" loud and clear from the Senate floor.

I'm going to tell him how proud Tennesseans are to have men like Albert Gore Sr who looked after needs of less fortunate Americans and not just the interest of their party (Sen. Gore authored the Medicare bill.)

Then I'm going to tell him it saddens me that he is not one of those men.