This is partially in response to Jason’s post over at Poligazette that the Baucus bill doesn’t represent bipartisan compromise and the lion’s share of blame shouldn’t fall on Republicans to accept it. In fact, he states that the tenor of this debate (which he claims liberals are equally responsible for) is the real reason why [...]

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…

In a post about excerpts of Obama’s health care speech released earlier today I predicted the following…
Republicans who don’t want health care reform to pass will be out in full force filling the airwaves with disinfo. That’s nothing new, but this time they’ll be desperate because this speech will be positioned as a game changer [...]

As I said before, I’m completely and absolutely bewildered at how this even turned into a story.
And, by the way, shame on all of you who needlessly fueled this fire. If you really want to set a good example for your children, how about teaching them to not jump to conclusions. Think that might be [...]

As many of you already know, Obama is set to give a speech next week that will either save or scuttle health care. I think we can all agree on that much.
The question is: what will he propose?
Well, at least one unlikely Republican health care reform advocate is already floating his trial balloon and it [...]

Numerous reports are surfacing in the mainstream media that Obama is giving a speech to America’s students that will somehow brainwash/indoctrinate/cast magical spells over them.
Why? Because the lesson plan asks the kids to think about what the President means by his speech. Basically, the White House is posing completely open ended questions designed to make [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

Our first head of the Department of Homeland Security has written a tell all and it’s more of the same we’ve heard from insiders about the former administration. They politicized nearly everything and made the wrong decision and nearly every turn.
From US News:
Among the headlines promoted by publisher Thomas Dunne Books: Ridge was never invited [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

I’m becoming more and more convinced that Republicans in Washington simply don’t want any sort of health care reform. Because the way this “death panel” nonsense is picking up steam seems coordinated.
The latest is one of the Republicans working on health care legislation in the Senate, Chuck Grassley. Here he is talking in Iowa yesterday…

“Pull [...]

47% don’t think he is.
29% are unsure.
That leaves less than a quarter (24%) who believe he is.
Also, only 54% of all North Carolina voters think he’s actually a citizen.
Wow.
Public Policy Polling has more…

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.