Trifecta of Trouble
06 November 2009 9:31 am by Taylor Marsh
Good morning. How’s your job security? Unemployment reached 10.2% today, which surprises no one. Meanwhile, we’re at a health care tipping point. What’s on the line?
Women’s civil rights, for one:
A compromise measure crafted by Rep. Brad Ellsworth, an antiabortion Democrat from Indiana, would require federal health officials operating the public insurance plan created in the House bill to hire a private contractor to pay abortion providers, thus avoiding direct federal payments. That language is acceptable to Democrats who support abortion rights, but not to many Democrats who oppose abortion, and House leaders were still working Thursday night to craft language that would win back a dozen or so of the 40 Democrats whose votes may be on the line.
As the hours ticked away, Democrats scrutinized the House bill for other potential landmines that could haunt them on the campaign trail next year. Immigration, and the prospect that Republicans will identify a loophole that could be construed as benefiting people who live in the United States illegally, is one area that is receiving a great deal of attention.
Immigration, for another:
… “Yes, you have someone here illegally, that’s a bad thing,” said Rep. Charlie Gonzalez (D-Tex.). “But they are here. And someone’s hiring them, by the way, and paying them. And they want to be responsible for their health care. We’re going to have a provision that disallows them from purchasing a private plan.”
The lawmakers made their case in a meeting with Obama on Thursday afternoon, but they said they received no commitment. Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-N.Y.) said that the Hispanic caucus has 20 votes riding on the issue and that if the language changes, “I guess they won’t have those 20 votes.” She said of Obama, “He listened to us, and he knows where we stand.”
Speaker Pelosi needs 218 votes, meaning she can afford to lose 40; there are 20 in the Hispanic caucus, plus 52 Blue Dogs. Math bites, so even though the vote is to be held this weekend, who knows if in the end enough votes will manifest. The Republicans could end up being a block no vote, as Michael Steele laid down the law.
So candidates who live in moderate to slightly liberal districts have got to walk a little bit carefully here, because you do not want to put yourself in a position where you’re crossing that line on conservative principles, fiscal principles, because we’ll come after you,” Steele continued.
Pres. Obama is going to the Hill on Saturday, taking today to visit Walter Reed. …and we haven’t even gotten to where all this stands in the Senate.
The health care delay that’s been done by the Democrats has cost everyone. After the election this week the divide among Democrats, one side knowing action is needed, with the other side reticent to move to fast unless they can get more compromises, you can bet everyone is feeling opportunity slipping and the inherent consequences for 2010 if they do.
