The bill that Baucus passed today didn’t have a public option in it. Let me repeat that…Baucus’ bill had NO PUBLIC OPTION in it.
Yes, there are decentralized not-for-profit co-ops, but that’s definitely not a public option as had been proposed.
Here’s more about what’s in the bill, from Politico:
The bill requires individuals to buy insurance, or [...]

The ballyhooed bi-partisan bill isn’t anymore and that could spell big political problems for Dems and the White House.
More at True/Slant…

That’s supposedly the takeaway from the prime time address to Congress, and I think it’s the right message to send. The public option has been the sticking point for nearly everybody. On the right it was tantamount to socialism. On the left, any modification of the plan was considered weak and worthy of scorn. So [...]

” I think the interrogations were in violation of the Geneva Convention against torture that we ratified under President Reagan. I think that these interrogations, once publicized, helped al Qaeda recruit. I got that from an al Qaeda operative in a prison camp in Iraq who told me that. I think that the ability of [...]

Listen, I truly hope that the Dems don’t use the reconciliation process to try and get the health care reform bill passed. Why? Well, it seems if they took this path they’d have to break up the legislation in two pieces, the budget portion and the insurance reform portion. The budget they could do via [...]

Whether you love them or hate them (it’s hard to be indifferent), there’s no doubt that the Kennedy brothers are still the people you think of first when talking about political dynasties.
MSNBC has put together a documentary of John, Bobby and Teddy and it’s set to air soon.
Here’s a preview of some of the interviews [...]

Here’s what he had to say today about the prospects for getting this bill passed…
From Lakeland Times:
“Nobody is going to bring a bill before Christmas, and maybe not even then, if this ever happens,” Feingold said. “The divisions are so deep. I never seen anything like that.”
Feingold reiterated his appraisal a bit later.
“We’re headed in [...]

After having an electoral stake pounded through its heart last November, after being exposed to the searing media morning light of a “permanent realignment” in the “center-left” American electorate, with a silver bullet in the brain of a “broken GOP brand”, and with a garlic necklace strangling it’s “sixty’s culture war” neck, the corpse of “Divided Government” seemed dead and buried in the media for the foreseeable future. But last week the undead meme was walking again

The Finance Committee keeps plugging away and the Maine senator talks to Andrea Mitchell about it…

Yes folks, it’s all about co-ops. That will allow the moderate Republicans and the Blue Dog Democrats enough cover to vote for this thing.
The only question now is will the left wing of the Democratic party accept this bill and [...]

I’m not a huge fan of Congressman Frank. However, I will say that in this video he is exhibiting the best retort to a nutter that I’ve seen. Anyone who compares the President of the United States (any POTUS) to Adolf effing Hitler deserves to be verbally abused in this manner. Period.
If you [...]

Not that this is any surprise, but the speed in which they’re signaling they won’t accept any reform package is startling.
Just check out what Senator Jon Kyl is saying today…
President Barack Obama has vowed to veto any bill that would increase the deficit over the long term, but Kyl said that a revenue-neutral bill probably [...]

Looks like the left is realizing that the bait and switch was in from the start and now the White House is trying to do a little damage control. But let’s not kid ourselves…it wasn’t just Sebelius who said it. Obama said it too. In fact, her response was after she was asked a question [...]

If I were to guess what the American people are looking to buy, it would be something that can be articulated pretty simply and emerges from some basic American values of fairness and common sense. I’d say it is really about these three things:

1. Every American gets a baseline level of solid health care. No one is left behind.
2. No American need be at risk of financial ruin or bankruptcy because they get sick.
3. The program is manageable and fiscally responsible. Americans want to feel reasonably certain we won’t see mushrooming costs like with Medicare and the prescription drug plan.

That’s it, Mr. President. We don’t need “Free! Free! Free! Preventive Care!” or a set of Ginsu steak knives to sweeten the deal. Put together a package that does these three things, pitch them clearly and simply, and you’ll close the sale.

Shocking, I know.
Ed’s post is here — and it is indeed some very good writing.
Allahpundit responds:
For the rare distinction of having earned Olbermann’s blessing, let me be the first to say to Ed: You are the RINO king. Enjoy the throne of shame; if you need me, I’ll be at the [...]

With friends like these…

Seriously, I don’t get this dumb strategy of painting town hall folks, whether they’re astroturfers or not, as Un-American, like the KKK, etc. It’s not only counterproductive, it’s completely lazy. You could easily marginalize purposefully rowdy people with the facts of the debate and yet this is what we get?
As I’ve said [...]

Once again we’re seeing Democrats trying to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
Steny Hoyer and Nancy Pelosi, two of the least liked Democrats in the free world, decided to pen an editorial today characterizing the folks at these recent town halls as being somehow Un-American.
Here’s their key point…
These disruptions are occurring because opponents are [...]

Not that I wouldn’t do the same if put in the position Obama is in on health care, economy, etc., but it’s telling that he’s being so blatant about it. The gloves are about to come off after the recess. I can almost guarantee it.

I’m sure in the coming years you’ll see more cooperation between [...]

The Senate remains the best chance to divide this government in 2012. Predictions three years out are indeed foolish, but barring some as of yet unrevealed scandal close to the President, I expect he will be reelected. The best chance to restore fiscal rationality in 2012 is for Republicans to take the Senate, and that will take two election cycles. A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step, and the first step is for Republicans to pick up a couple of seats in 2010.

I don’t think there was any question she’d become a Justice, but I think it is surprising that more Republicans didn’t vote for. Especially John McCain.
From NY Times comes some of the reasons why…
“Judge Sotomayor is certainly a fine person with an impressive story and a distinguished background,” the Senate minority leader, Mitch McConnell, Republican [...]

We’re already starting to hear the 1992 meme, but will 2010 be a watershed moment for Repubs?
According to First Read, the results will be a lot different…
The 1992 election actually provided hints of the 1994 tsunami (redistricting, strength of anti-establishment Perot etc.; Republicans actually did well in 1992 House races and picked up senate seats). [...]