Talk Is Cheap And Lies Are Expensive

As of this morning, the health care bill debate rages on in the Senate.  With no Republican support, all 58 Democrats and the two Independents must vote for the bill to guarantee it's passage and avoid a Republican filibuster.  This has led to much infighting between liberal and moderate democrats.  The following is from an MSNBC.com article posted this morning.

"The dispute among Democrats foretells of a rowdy floor debate next month on legislation that would extend health care coverage to roughly 31 million Americans. Republicans have already made clear they aren't supporting the bill.

Final passage is in jeopardy, even after the chamber's historic 60-39 vote Saturday night to begin debate.


"I don't want a big-government, Washington-run operation that would undermine the ... private insurance that 200 million Americans now have," said Sen. Ben Nelson, a conservative Nebraska Democrat.

Nelson and three other moderates — Democratic Sens. Mary Landrieu of Louisiana and Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas and Connecticut independent Joe Lieberman — agreed to open debate despite expressing reservations on the measure. Each of them has warned that they might not support the final bill."
[Read Full Article Here]

Unfortunately, I don't really see this passage happening.  Since the Democrats/Independents ended up with a 60 seat majority, they have been dubbed "filibuster-proof."  I have always said that is only true if all 60 of them agree on something and the chances of that are not really good.  Although they are mostly the same party, there are very ranging views within that party.  Right now, the Democratic party is the least organized political party I have ever seen.  They can't seem to manage a common message, a common goal, or a party platform. 

Then, the other two necessary votes are from Independents.  Usually Independents are thought of to be more on the Democratic side; however, Joe Lieberman is nowhere near a Democrat anymore.  He says he refuses to vote for a public option, while the majority of Democrats will refuse to vote for the bill if the public option is removed and the bill becomes too watered down.

At this time, it basically looks like four middle-ground senators are going to keep this health care bill from passing.  Despite the 56-44 vote it should get, the Republicans will filibuster the bill and that will be the end.  It's a very disappointing turn when it comes that close.  There will be a majority support in the Senate, just as there is a 65% majority of Americans whom support the public option.  It is yet another instance of our partisan focused Congress failing the American people.