Scrambling for Votes, Democrats Face Uphill Climb to Pass Healthcare Reform

Democrats are predicting victory? Are you kidding me? What do you think they are going to say? Show me a report where the news agency is reporting objectively that they do in fact have the votes, based on evidence that supports that claim other than a proclamation by party leaders the night before the vote. The Dems have been insisting all along that victory is inevitable. For over a year now, and loudly since last August. Democratic leaders like Steny Hoyer are the chief cheerleaders for this effort. They are trying to create an aura of inevitability (Republicans do this too) by assuring everybody of victory, by making fluffy and unsubstantiated statements of impeding victory.

You cannot be serious. The Dems are predicting victory? Well, of course they are. But show me a news agency report from a credible source that is reporting that the Democrats have this in the bag, and not just that they SAY they have it in the bag. So far, I have seen nothing like that. Even though B.J. is insisting that virtually EVERY news outlet has pronounced victory for the Democrats. Which of course is exactly wrong.

 

No, I missed that.

 

No, I have no reason to go to any of these meetings.

 

No, I will say what I want to. I will not defer to you at all.

 

For any Representatives who takes their Catholic faith seriously, this wll carry a lot of weight:

[RQUOTER]Bishops to House of Representatives: Fix Flaws or Vote No on Health Reform Bill

Dear Representative:

For decades, the United States Catholic bishops have supported universal health care. The Catholic Church teaches that health care is a basic human right, essential for human life and dignity. Our community of faith provides health care to millions, purchases health care for tens of thousands and addresses the failings of our health care system in our parishes, emergency rooms and shelters. This is why we as bishops continue to insist that health care reform which truly protects the life, dignity, consciences and health of all is a moral imperative and urgent national priority.

We are convinced that the Senate legislation now presented to the House of Representatives on a "take it or leave it" basis sadly fails this test and ought to be opposed.

.... (More at the Link)[/RQUOTER]

 

Here is the latest update from the Washington Post. According to Democratic leaders, the vote Sunday is expected to be a 'cliffhanger'.

[RQUOTER]House health-care vote Sunday may hinge on abortion issues

House leaders decided Saturday to stage a vote on the Senate's health-care bill, dropping a much-criticized strategy of allowing lawmakers to "deem" the landmark legislation into law. But the outcome of that vote remained in doubt as a pivotal bloc of Democrats continued to withhold its support over fears that the bill would open the door to the federal funding of abortion.

House leaders were working to secure their votes late Saturday with the promise of an executive order affirming President Obama's commitment to a longstanding ban on public abortion funding except in cases of rape or incest, or to save the life of the mother. Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio), a key antiabortion vote, said she thought the document would be insufficient to bring the entire group of about 10 antiabortion Democrats onboard.

Senior Democrats predicted a cliffhanger when the House is expected to vote Sunday night, saying they are likely to clear the 216-vote threshold for final passage by the narrowest of margins. Democratic leaders huddled in the office of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) late into the evening, reviewing the final list of commitments.

Throughout the day, thousands of angry protesters milled outside the Capitol; some hurled insults at black and gay lawmakers and shouted at Democrats to "kill the bill!" Meanwhile, Obama made a final pitch for reform, exhorting wavering lawmakers to rise to the aid of millions of uninsured Americans by taking "the single most important step that we have taken on health care since Medicare" was created in 1965.

Pelosi's decision to have the House hold two votes, one on the Senate bill and one on a separate package of revisions, reversed an apparent plan laid earlier in the week, when Pelosi said she preferred not to force rank-and-file Democrats to cast a separate vote on the unpopular Senate bill. Republicans had accused her of trying to dodge responsibility for health reform, and even some Democrats complained about the move.

On Saturday, House Minority Leader John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) hailed Pelosi's decision as "a victory for the American people." He vowed to force Democrats to stand up, one by one, to announce their vote for the Senate bill, which contains a number of politically fraught provisions, including a special deal for Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) that would require taxpayers nationally to pay for an expansion of Medicaid in his state.

"Now House Democrats will face two crucial votes tomorrow," Boehner said in a statement. "They will have to vote on the Senate-passed bill, stuffed with tax hikes, Medicare cuts, and infamous backroom deals -- and they will vote on something worse: their 'fix' with more taxes, more Medicare cuts, and new special deals."

For the first time since Wednesday, Democrats lost a vote. Rep. Zack Space, a second-term lawmaker from a swing district in eastern Ohio, said he would vote "no" Sunday, a switch from his vote for health care in November.

"This is not over," Boehner told reporters. "They do not have the votes yet. We've got to keep working to make sure that they never, ever, ever, ever get the votes to pass this bill."

....(More at the link)[/RQUOTER]

 

Perhaps you are not familiar with the hierarchy of authority in the Catholic church.

Bishops > Nuns.

Case closed.