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Make the republican party small enough to drown in a bathtub.

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You are here: Home / Open Threads / This Was A Triumph

This Was A Triumph

by Tim F|  March 21, 201010:47 pm| 173 Comments

This post is in: Open Threads

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A thousand thanks to every one of you who phoned, faxed and visited your Reps in person. Each of you made a difference. Brian Baird, a conservative Democrat, will retire this year and has nothing to lose. Baird changed his vote to ‘Yes’ today, well in advance of Stupak.

Rep. Brian Baird is switching his vote from opposing health care last fall to voting “yes” today, his office announced. Baird, retiring this year, was a prime target for Democrats to switch. (See everyone in play here.)

Baird (D-WA) said in a statement he’s changed his mind because “the status quo cannot be sustained.” I did a piece earlier this week detailing the stunning number of phone calls that have been flooding switchboards on Capitol Hill and in district offices across the country. Baird’s office told me yesterday that on Friday, Baird’s district office received 3,018 calls. They’d stopped keeping track in the D.C. office because “the phones were constantly ringing,” spokesman Adam Hudson said.

Of the calls coming from voters within the district, 57 percent were for the bill and 43 percent were against. The out of district calls – 52 percent of the total – had 87 percent against health care and 13 percent for the bill.

Particular thanks to mcc, who maintained the B-J whip count for free and personally met with Pelosi’s staff at key points in the process. You are all rock stars.

Take the poll. [Embarrassingly late update] This is a multiple choice poll, so please click every box that applies.



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Previous Post: « Voting has begun
Next Post: Reconciliation vote starts »

Reader Interactions

173Comments

  1. 1.

    mcc

    March 21, 2010 at 10:51 pm

    And that’s it.

    You know what?

    Let’s say that this actually is a loser for the Democrats, somehow. Let’s say we do lose in the 2010 elections. Let’s say Obama is a one-term president.

    It was worth it.

  2. 2.

    TR

    March 21, 2010 at 10:51 pm

    No, no, no. Thank *you*.

  3. 3.

    Shinobi

    March 21, 2010 at 10:53 pm

    I have a terrible pain in all the diodes down my left side. Will that be covered under Health Care Reform?

  4. 4.

    danimal

    March 21, 2010 at 10:54 pm

    Thanks to everyone. This “shit sandwich” never tasted so sweet.

  5. 5.

    carlos the dwarf

    March 21, 2010 at 10:55 pm

    @danimal:

    Hear, hear!

  6. 6.

    mcc

    March 21, 2010 at 10:56 pm

    Particular thanks to mcc, who maintained the B-J whip count for free and personally met with Pelosi’s staff at key points in the process

    To be clear, “met with Pelosi’s staff at key points in the process” means “spoke with the receptionist once” (though she did say the papers I gave her were being forwarded to the policy office in DC!). But thank you Tim :)

  7. 7.

    maryQ

    March 21, 2010 at 10:57 pm

    Sadly, Culberson is my Rep. I called once, for what it is worth.
    Mostly what I did is every time the DSCC or DCCC called and asked for my usual $50 donation, I told them that until HCR passed, they were not going to get a penny, but once it passed, I would give them $250.
    Looks like it’s time to dust of my credit card.

  8. 8.

    mcc

    March 21, 2010 at 10:57 pm

    Why are we talking about abortion now

  9. 9.

    slag

    March 21, 2010 at 10:58 pm

    All I hear from the Elmer Fudds speaking right now: Kill da baaaaaabies kill da baaaaaaabies!

  10. 10.

    Zam

    March 21, 2010 at 10:58 pm

    Mmm lets yell about abortion some more.

  11. 11.

    lost

    March 21, 2010 at 10:59 pm

    Did that dipshit from PA really just say that the HCR bill just passed represents the largest pro abortion legislation since Roe v. Wade??? Does that jackass not know that RvW wasn’t legislation? Where do they find these people? Uggh. I think I need a drink.

  12. 12.

    Triassic Sands

    March 21, 2010 at 10:59 pm

    When does the universe implode?

    Before my credit card payment is due, I hope.

    Apparently, this bill requires every woman to get an abortion paid for by federal funds at least once a year.

    Prediction: the Republicans will set a world record for hyperbole and outright dishonesty in the next twenty-four hours.

  13. 13.

    mr. whipple

    March 21, 2010 at 10:59 pm

    Not over yet. We got two more votes tonight!!!

  14. 14.

    mandarama

    March 21, 2010 at 10:59 pm

    Tim, I know I made calls because of your reminders. Thank YOU.

  15. 15.

    Omnes Omnibus

    March 21, 2010 at 11:00 pm

    Stupak to counter Republican abortion BS? Interesting.

  16. 16.

    kdaug

    March 21, 2010 at 11:00 pm

    Closing credits from Portal?

    Well played, sir, well played.

  17. 17.

    asiangrrlMN

    March 21, 2010 at 11:00 pm

    @mcc: Last-gasp effort, I suspect. Thank YOU and especially Tim F. for all the hard work you’ve done.

    Tim F., you should get the BJ Medal of Freedom or something.

  18. 18.

    Violet

    March 21, 2010 at 11:00 pm

    Thank you Tim for being the chief Balloon Juice Whip. I never would have done anything besides grumble about the stupid Dems if you hadn’t encouraged us to call. It’s been great feeling like I’ve made a difference. I’ll keep doing it, too. Guess you’re responsible for turning me into an activist. LOL.

  19. 19.

    Anya

    March 21, 2010 at 11:01 pm

    Did they just trick the Dems or am I misunderstanding the whole thing.

  20. 20.

    Comrade Luke

    March 21, 2010 at 11:01 pm

    You know it’s an important moment when they all actually show up for work.

    Sad, but true.

  21. 21.

    SGEW

    March 21, 2010 at 11:01 pm

    Well! That was easy, wasn’t it?

    Who’s up for immigration, climate change, financial regulation, withdrawal from Iraq and Afghanistan, the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, job recovery, infrastructure, campaign finance, AIDS prevention, global poverty reduction, and nuclear arms reduction?

    . . .

    What?

  22. 22.

    Bootlegger

    March 21, 2010 at 11:02 pm

    @mcc: Election ammo, small caliber, teflon coated.

  23. 23.

    RinaX

    March 21, 2010 at 11:02 pm

    Let’s all go have an abortion right now that Obamacare has passed!!!! Whee!!!!!

    That seems to be the reaction these idiots expect from all us lowly wimmens.

  24. 24.

    Lurker

    March 21, 2010 at 11:02 pm

    I called because you asked, Tim.

    Thank you. :-)

  25. 25.

    zzyzx

    March 21, 2010 at 11:04 pm

    I’ve hated him for a while but Stupak came through at the end there, calling out the Republicans for only caring about the unborn.

  26. 26.

    TR

    March 21, 2010 at 11:04 pm

    Stupak’s been an ass and an idiot, but he came through right there for once.

    I hope his meaningless executive order was worth all the drama.

  27. 27.

    zzyzx

    March 21, 2010 at 11:04 pm

    One Republican voted nay for a minute but took it back.

  28. 28.

    mcc

    March 21, 2010 at 11:04 pm

    No I mean seriously why are they talking about abortion during the MTR debate

    Is it a motion to recommit with instructions to add anti-abortion language or something

  29. 29.

    Anya

    March 21, 2010 at 11:05 pm

    @Violet: TimF, you’ve done a great job. You are a fabolous motivator.

    P.S. was that Supack arguing against the motion?

  30. 30.

    Bubba Dave

    March 21, 2010 at 11:05 pm

    @RinaX:

    I’m gonna go have one right now, and I’m not even female!

  31. 31.

    lost in GA

    March 21, 2010 at 11:05 pm

    If they screw this one up I’m gonna choke . . .

  32. 32.

    Tim F.

    March 21, 2010 at 11:06 pm

    @mcc: Ezra.

    What’s happening now is a courtesy vote to trash the bill. It’s normal.

  33. 33.

    jcricket

    March 21, 2010 at 11:06 pm

    Never thought I’d be “happy” to hear a chorus of Nos or Bart Stupak

    And never thought I’d see the day Democrats would actually seize the moment and win one for the little guys.

    And fuck you Republicans for lying, cheating, scheming and otherwise being such assholes that you’d rather see the country go down in flames than consider voting for legislation that your political opponents proposed.

    And a special fuck you to the mainstream media for enabling the GOP’s transparent bullshit with their faux objectivity and horse-race obsession. I will not cry when your businesses fail and you are all out of work.

  34. 34.

    Omnes Omnibus

    March 21, 2010 at 11:06 pm

    @Anya: No trick. Dems will vote no on this and it will fail. Then the Reconcilation vote will happen. A certain amount of this is theatre.

  35. 35.

    mcc

    March 21, 2010 at 11:06 pm

    This is the Republicans’ motion to recommit the Senate health bill, and change it by adding in the Stupak-Pitts language.

    Okay got it.

  36. 36.

    Tonal Crow

    March 21, 2010 at 11:07 pm

    Thanks Tim for whipping this so often and so well. And thanks to everyone who called Congress. This is our victory. As someone prominent once said, “You have the power!”

  37. 37.

    Xecklothxayyquou Gilchrist

    March 21, 2010 at 11:07 pm

    I echo all the others thanking you for the repeated Balloon Juice Whip posts. Every time I saw the “guide for first-timers here” line I stood up from my desk and went and made the call.

    It was to Matheson – who I assume voted no anyway – but still. I wouldn’t have done it without this blog.

  38. 38.

    AxelFoley

    March 21, 2010 at 11:09 pm

    @Shinobi:

    I have a terrible pain in all the diodes down my left side. Will that be covered under Health Care Reform?

    Only if you live on Cybertron.

  39. 39.

    Sock Puppet of the Great Satsn

    March 21, 2010 at 11:09 pm

    Awesome. Great job Madame Speaker: let’s hear it for San Francisco values.

  40. 40.

    Mwangangi

    March 21, 2010 at 11:09 pm

    The second pro-HCR caller was awesome.

    Mwangangi +2

  41. 41.

    mai naem

    March 21, 2010 at 11:10 pm

    And this is very good news for John McCain.

  42. 42.

    Violet

    March 21, 2010 at 11:10 pm

    This is so awesome. I really feel like we’re watching history being made. What a great feeling.

  43. 43.

    slag

    March 21, 2010 at 11:10 pm

    You did a great job, Tim, motivating us to do the work!

  44. 44.

    Max

    March 21, 2010 at 11:10 pm

    Time to fundraise for an upgraded server, me thinks.

    BJ not holding up well.

  45. 45.

    Alex

    March 21, 2010 at 11:11 pm

    What the hell kind of Democrats are voting yea on recommitting the bill? I mean, seriously!

  46. 46.

    very reverend crimson fire of compassion

    March 21, 2010 at 11:11 pm

    @SGEW: I’m in.

  47. 47.

    JGabriel

    March 21, 2010 at 11:11 pm

    So… did we just get cake?

    .

  48. 48.

    geg6

    March 21, 2010 at 11:11 pm

    Tim, YOU are the rock star right there with mcc. And all the front pagers. And of course, our evil sockalist overlord, Mr. Cole, who suspiciously and spectacularly injured himself so as to demonstrate to all that disaster can strike at any time. I think Cole gave his all, really. And you know what, we BJers may bicker amongst ourselves but we seem to get it done in the end.

  49. 49.

    Tenzil Kem

    March 21, 2010 at 11:11 pm

    Three cheers for Tim F.!

  50. 50.

    KDP

    March 21, 2010 at 11:12 pm

    Thank you, Tim. Your posts motivated me to call, and call, and call again. I feel involved in the successful passage of this bill.

    From Red State:

    Tonight the Democrats voted to put people in jail who have no insurance, raise the costs of health care, destroy the federal government’s bond rating, keep unemployment high, and kill forever the mythological creature known as the pro-life Democrat.

  51. 51.

    Elie

    March 21, 2010 at 11:12 pm

    @mcc:

    Thanks so much mcc and to others involved with this whole effort… :-)

  52. 52.

    Gemina13

    March 21, 2010 at 11:13 pm

    I can’t breathe. I know there’s a hell of a lot wrong with this bill, and a lot needs to be fixed–like having a public option for all Americans–but this is such an important first step. Hell yeah, we did it.

  53. 53.

    Bootlegger

    March 21, 2010 at 11:13 pm

    Will all three of these votes be the same? Or, will some Dems jump on the bandwagon?

  54. 54.

    ellaesther

    March 21, 2010 at 11:13 pm

    I’ve said it before, and I’ll likely say it again, but:

    TIM F. THANK YOU – You, my friend are the rock star. You and everyone at Balloon Juice.

    THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for inspiring us all to act on the fact that we actually have a part to play in this democracy, and that each of us has to play that part.

  55. 55.

    fordpowers

    March 21, 2010 at 11:13 pm

    Baird (D-WA) said in a statement he’s changed his mind because “the status quo cannot be sustained.” I did a piece earlier this week detailing the stunning number of phone calls that have been flooding switchboards on Capitol Hill and in district offices across the country. Baird’s office told me yesterday that on Friday, Baird’s district office received 3,018 calls. They’d stopped keeping track in the D.C. office because “the phones were constantly ringing,” spokesman Adam Hudson said.

    Of the calls coming from voters within the district, 57 percent were for the bill and 43 percent were against. The out of district calls – 52 percent of the total – had 87 percent against health care and 13 percent for the bill.

    I called him a few times and this makes me feel good. makes it seem like participation in this fucked up democracy might make a difference sometimes.. who knew?

    america. fuck yea.

  56. 56.

    The Grand Panjandrum

    March 21, 2010 at 11:14 pm

    Here’s the roll vote.

  57. 57.

    Gregory

    March 21, 2010 at 11:14 pm

    Perfect song choice. And may I just say to Boner and the Republican Party,

    HAH-ha!

    [/Nelson Muntz]

  58. 58.

    WereBear

    March 21, 2010 at 11:14 pm

    Hope I can get to sleep soon. I am so worked up, and it went on all day.

  59. 59.

    Gemina13

    March 21, 2010 at 11:14 pm

    @Alex:

    The kind of Democrats we need to send to the unemployment line in November.

  60. 60.

    fordpowers

    March 21, 2010 at 11:14 pm

    block quote fail. :(

  61. 61.

    Elie

    March 21, 2010 at 11:14 pm

    @geg6:

    Lol — Yes this.

  62. 62.

    JPK

    March 21, 2010 at 11:15 pm

    Baird is my Rep and this makes me feel great about being persistent about getting through (it wasn’t easy, and some days I didn’t), and then about being polite and firm about my position when I did so. I have to say it felt futile, knowing there was no real leverage to hold over him, but sometimes things just break the right way. Or something. Anyway, happy about this.

  63. 63.

    Some Guy

    March 21, 2010 at 11:17 pm

    @jcricket: Absofuckinglutley. Thank god we got something meaningful, if imperfect, done. Many, many people will be better off for it.

    And fuck you Republicans for pretending this was an assault on the Constitution. Ignorant, lying sacks of shit.

  64. 64.

    Anya

    March 21, 2010 at 11:17 pm

    @Omnes Omnibus: Thanks! I somehow knew that but I am a nervous wreck.

    I know I am biased but the yes callers are making sense while the no callers are just crazy or selfish, specially that nurse. I am yet to see someone making sense. Why aren’t the firebaggers calling.

  65. 65.

    asiangrrlMN

    March 21, 2010 at 11:17 pm

    @JGabriel: I hope not because the cake is a lie!

    What’s the last vote?

  66. 66.

    RinaX

    March 21, 2010 at 11:17 pm

    @Bubba Dave:

    Bubba Dave, if you can’t manage it, just donate to Acorn, as they are single-handedly going to be responsible for organizing car rides for women to get them courtesy of the government. I’m pretty sure I heard that on Fox news…

  67. 67.

    Brick Oven Bill

    March 21, 2010 at 11:17 pm

    Congratulations. You now own it.

    Daddy.

  68. 68.

    MikeTheZ

    March 21, 2010 at 11:17 pm

    Wow, laggy tonight. Not surprising, but… :-P

  69. 69.

    ellaesther

    March 21, 2010 at 11:17 pm

    @SGEW: … can I take a nap first…?

  70. 70.

    rob!

    March 21, 2010 at 11:18 pm

    and now….exhale!

  71. 71.

    scav

    March 21, 2010 at 11:18 pm

    I welcome our sockailizt leaders (finally could cram my way to the bar!)

  72. 72.

    eemom

    March 21, 2010 at 11:18 pm

    ok, the stupidity of the “against” and “undecided” callers-in iz harshin my mellow. Mute button, where art thou?

  73. 73.

    Toast

    March 21, 2010 at 11:19 pm

    Finally, a huge POLICY win for the good guys. Maybe the biggest of my lifetime.

  74. 74.

    lost in GA

    March 21, 2010 at 11:19 pm

    When the guy on CSPAN said “according to Politico the next step is . . . I lose faith. This guy is supposed to be the expert. Sheesh.

  75. 75.

    Nicole

    March 21, 2010 at 11:19 pm

    Joining the chorus- thanks, Tim. You got me phoning and faxing.

  76. 76.

    Comrade Luke

    March 21, 2010 at 11:19 pm

    Fallows makes a very good point.

    For now, the significance of the vote is moving the United States FROM a system in which people can assume they will have health coverage IF they are old enough (Medicare), poor enough (Medicaid), fortunate enough (working for an employer that offers coverage, or able themselves to bear expenses), or in some other way specially positioned (veterans; elected officials)… TOWARD a system in which people can assume they will have health-care coverage. Period.

    Love that description. It’s so much better than “Sure, it’s a crappy bill, but pass it anyway!”

    I’m watching C-Span and I feel like I’m watching the moon landing or something, history-wise.

  77. 77.

    Josh

    March 21, 2010 at 11:20 pm

    OKAY!

    First Death Panel meeting on Wednesday.

    Coffee and Donuts provided by Papa Axelrod.

  78. 78.

    DaBomb

    March 21, 2010 at 11:20 pm

    The callers on C-SPAN are idiots!

  79. 79.

    kid bitzer

    March 21, 2010 at 11:20 pm

    thank you, tim f

    thank you, mistermix

    thank you, doug j

    thank you, anne laurie

    thank you, john cole

    esp. you, john, for turning your blog into whip central. you did good.

    and the fucking democrats did not let you down this time. keep that in mind next time you’re tempted to give up on the wretched party. yeah, they’re still whiners and wimps, but they came through.

    which leads me to: thank you, nancy pelosi.

    most of all:

    thank you obama. thank you for your vision, persistence, courage, and compassion.

  80. 80.

    mai naem

    March 21, 2010 at 11:20 pm

    Hope Boehner et al enjoy this shit taco and I hope the Democrats make it a weekly special on the menu just for Republicans.

  81. 81.

    Omnes Omnibus

    March 21, 2010 at 11:20 pm

    I am glad they gave Dingell a good part.

  82. 82.

    SIA

    March 21, 2010 at 11:21 pm

    @mandarama: Me too. I knew John Lewis was a yes. But you prompted me to call anyway. (Forgive me, but no way I would call Saxby).

  83. 83.

    Yutsano

    March 21, 2010 at 11:21 pm

    @asiangrrlMN: Last vote should be for the reconciliation package to send to the Senate. Should just be a formality really.

  84. 84.

    suzanne

    March 21, 2010 at 11:21 pm

    Seriously, Tim, THANK YOU. It’s because I read this blog that I was more active in calling Mitchell, McCain and Kyl, than I would have been otherwise. And maybe it helped.

    Right now, I’m so goddamn happy and proud and excited. I’m proud to be a Democrat, a Progressive, and an American.

  85. 85.

    gnomedad

    March 21, 2010 at 11:21 pm

    In other news, Costa Rice is working on emergency immigration reform.

  86. 86.

    freelancer (itouch)

    March 21, 2010 at 11:21 pm

    Thank you Tim F. Everyone here rocks. I love BJ for this reason and many more.

    Pop champagne.

  87. 87.

    mr. whipple

    March 21, 2010 at 11:22 pm

    @DaBomb:

    “The callers on C-SPAN are idiots!”

    Obama is gonna tell me when I can sleep!

    Whhhaaaaaaa!

  88. 88.

    demo woman

    March 21, 2010 at 11:22 pm

    @RinaX: Sorry but you are an ass.. Right now if you work for a large company you can get an abortion paid for by your insurance and guess what tomorrow you can do the same thing. Most folks pay out of pocket though. The abortion rules were set with the Hyde amendment and use your resources to overturn that then just making up shit.

  89. 89.

    someguy

    March 21, 2010 at 11:22 pm

    That was nice. It’s good the Republicans were unified, so that we don’t have to draw any complex moral distinctions when history (and maybe the federal courts, if we get real lucky) pass verdict on them.

    Now bring on single payer.

    And while we’re at it, cap & trade, and comprehensive immigration reform. And could we consider stopping killing teh brown peepulz?

  90. 90.

    Zam

    March 21, 2010 at 11:22 pm

    Lookin like all the republicans are really for the shit they have been deriding all day. I wish just one would have the balls to vote for this reconciliation.

  91. 91.

    Bootlegger

    March 21, 2010 at 11:22 pm

    232 votes aborts the abortion proposal, 16 Dems switched votes, are these the public option protesters? Will they vote no on the Reconciliation Bill?

    So exciting.

  92. 92.

    SIA

    March 21, 2010 at 11:22 pm

    The plus side of being a C-SPAN loser is that you get to hear all these cranks call in.

  93. 93.

    very reverend crimson fire of compassion

    March 21, 2010 at 11:22 pm

    @Tenzil Kem: 4 Tim F: Huzzah! Huzzah! Huzzah!
    @KDP:

    Thank you, Tim. Your posts motivated me to call, and call, and call again. I feel involved in the successful passage of this bill.

    Amen.

  94. 94.

    fordpowers

    March 21, 2010 at 11:23 pm

    @JPK: ditto. :)

  95. 95.

    Seanly

    March 21, 2010 at 11:23 pm

    I’m looking forward to seeing Wolfe Blitzer, John King and Bolger(?) cry in a few minutes.

  96. 96.

    Elie

    March 21, 2010 at 11:23 pm

    @ellaesther:

    Absolutely — Tim F…. leading is WORK. You did that and helped bring us to focus on the right activities.

    Thanks so much…

  97. 97.

    MTiffany

    March 21, 2010 at 11:23 pm

    @zzyzx: Well of course they only care about the unborn. Life begins at conception, and ends at birth. Always a winner of an issue.

  98. 98.

    ominira

    March 21, 2010 at 11:23 pm

    Thanks Tim for getting me to call and fax Jane Harman!

  99. 99.

    burnspbesq

    March 21, 2010 at 11:23 pm

    Motion to recommit fails.

    Now voting on the reconciliation fix.

  100. 100.

    TR

    March 21, 2010 at 11:23 pm

    @Brick Oven Bill:

    Congratulations. You now own it.

    Thanks! Quite happy to own it.

    Good luck to you with your plans to run in the fall on a platform of (a) revoking the $250 checks to seniors to fix the donut hole in Medicare D, (b) kicking 25-year-old kids off their parents’ health insurance, and (c) saddling children with the pre-existing condition label once again. That’s sure to be a real winner for you all.

  101. 101.

    Mwangangi

    March 21, 2010 at 11:24 pm

    ok… part three in progress

    Mwangangi +5

  102. 102.

    Bad Horse's Filly

    March 21, 2010 at 11:24 pm

    Tim F., you should get the BJ Medal of Freedom or something.

    and mcc, too. You motivated us and kept on us. I’m not sure what kind of difference it made, but ripples in the pond, ripples in the pond.

    Now on to….hmmm, climate change? No wait, jobs, that’s it. Oh, hang on, what about those two wars?

  103. 103.

    Genine

    March 21, 2010 at 11:24 pm

    I am so happy about this vote. The night isn’t over yet so I am not getting TOO excited, but it’s looking good.

    I want to give props to Tim F., Steve Benen and others who coordinated efforts to call our congresscritters. It feels good to be a part of something that will help so many people.

  104. 104.

    Omnes Omnibus

    March 21, 2010 at 11:24 pm

    @Josh: I can’t make it then; I am scheduled to be forcing abortions on people all day. Can we reschedule?

  105. 105.

    Sasha

    March 21, 2010 at 11:25 pm

    @SGEW:

    Well! That was easy, wasn’t it?

    Who’s up for immigration, climate change, financial regulation, withdrawal from Iraq and Afghanistan, the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, job recovery, infrastructure, campaign finance, AIDS prevention, global poverty reduction, and nuclear arms reduction?

    . . .

    What?

    The cool thing is that Obama’s response to all that would be “Bring it on.”

  106. 106.

    Mary G

    March 21, 2010 at 11:25 pm

    I’m feeling teary. So happy. Democrats did find their balls finally. Thanks to Nancy Pelosi.

  107. 107.

    demo woman

    March 21, 2010 at 11:25 pm

    @demo woman: need to amend because I missed read her/his comment.. sorry

  108. 108.

    Polish the Guillotines

    March 21, 2010 at 11:27 pm

    I pretty much dropped back into lurking mode when all the teabaggers, firebaggers, and dime-store Randroids all concentrated their fire on Obama. Fucking stupid and frustrating and ill-informed and counter-productive. I really felt a level of doom and depression I hadn’t since GWB decided to go nation building in Babylon.

    But I have to say, Balloon-Juice remained an oasis of sanity as DKos melted-down into a worthless pie-fight Thunderdome, FDL went fucking psycho, and on and &tc.

    And even though my rep was always a solid “yes” on HCR, I called anyway out of respect for Tim F and his earnest, pragmatic whip-rallies.

    That’s my testimony, faithfully submitted, 21 March, 2010, Polish the Guillontines.

    Sniff. I love you guys.

  109. 109.

    TooManyJens

    March 21, 2010 at 11:27 pm

    When will the reconciliation vote happen in the Senate?

    (God, I almost put a hash tag on this. It’s been a long day on Twitter.)

  110. 110.

    asiangrrlMN

    March 21, 2010 at 11:27 pm

    @demo woman: Read the whole thing. She was ragging on the ‘baggers.

    @Yutsano: But what does that mean, exactly? I just want this shit to be done.

  111. 111.

    Louise

    March 21, 2010 at 11:27 pm

    I had given up, really, and was so discouraged.I put myself on a news blackout. Fortunately, I did occasionally click on BJ out of habit, and that’s how I learned there was still hope. My rep is Slaughter, but Tim got to me and I phoned all the undecideds and a few of the idiot naysayers,too.

    And here we are. I can hardly believe it. THANK YOU to John and Tim and DougJ and everyone.

  112. 112.

    very reverend crimson fire of compassion

    March 21, 2010 at 11:28 pm

    @kid bitzer: FTW.
    Sniff. God, I love you people.

  113. 113.

    Comrade Mary

    March 21, 2010 at 11:28 pm

    Huge thanks to Tim and mcc and all the BJers who made this happen. I couldn’t do a damn thing, being a Canuckistani, but I was thrilled to see this happening.

    And I just so happened to have some lovely cake tonight. No lie.

  114. 114.

    mcc

    March 21, 2010 at 11:29 pm

    Thank you EVERYONE. And although I can’t know how how much difference this one little corner of the internet made, I am really, really glad Balloon Juice was willing to stand up and do the hard legwork for the bill that a lot of blogs and organizations supposedly created for that kind of purpose weren’t.

  115. 115.

    Some Guy

    March 21, 2010 at 11:30 pm

    There it goes. Now the the Senate.

    BTW, now Stupak is a baby killer? Aren’t Thuglicans watering down the meaning just a tad? A smidge? Little drama queenish perhaps? I think an honorary “baby killer” shout should precede all government meetings just to cover bases. Wouldn’t want to do business without that being clear.

  116. 116.

    Uloborus

    March 21, 2010 at 11:30 pm

    @Brick Oven Bill:
    Thank you! We’ve got a display case ready and a little button for Republicans to press that goes ‘HA HA!’ at them.

  117. 117.

    FNWA

    March 21, 2010 at 11:30 pm

    I called my rep only because Tim F. was so persistent. My rep was a safe yes, but I wanted to show my support. Also, it was a lot of fun listening to the intern on the phone be polite when I told him it would be OK with me if the rep punched Bart Stupack in the neck.

  118. 118.

    DaBomb

    March 21, 2010 at 11:31 pm

    @mr. whipple: I know, that shit was maddening.

    Hearing these calls makes a case for Education Reform

  119. 119.

    very reverend crimson fire of compassion

    March 21, 2010 at 11:31 pm

    @Polish the Guillotines: Dooooooooood! Great minds think alike, or fools seldom differ?

  120. 120.

    kdaug

    March 21, 2010 at 11:32 pm

    AGGGH, PEOPLE! The true genius of TimF is revealed in his choice of YouTubes! It’s the perfect metaphor for the troglodytes on the right:

    “We do what we must
    Because we can
    For the good of all of us
    Except the ones who are dead…”

    And to my Republican friends, I’m sorry we broke your heart. And killed you. And tore you to pieces. And threw every piece into a fire.

    I’m so happy for you.

    (I’m being so sincere right now).

  121. 121.

    JenJen

    March 21, 2010 at 11:32 pm

    Tim, thanks for putting those posts right in my face every day, to the point that I finally told myself, “Oh, gawd, just call already and stop feeling guilty.”

    This night belongs to people like you more than anyone, IMO.

    Woooohoooo, everyone!!

  122. 122.

    Texas Dem

    March 21, 2010 at 11:32 pm

    Victory! I want to welcome our Republican friends to our glorious socialist paradise.

  123. 123.

    burnspbesq

    March 21, 2010 at 11:32 pm

    GOLAZO OTRA VEZ!

  124. 124.

    AnotherBruce

    March 21, 2010 at 11:34 pm

    I truly like the “Stop Obama Care” advertisement at the top. It’s nice to know that John’s blog is supported by failed right wing attempts in so many ways.

  125. 125.

    scav

    March 21, 2010 at 11:34 pm

    @Omnes Omnibus: I could juggle things and handle the death panel, so long as you can push grandma onto the ice floe later in the day. Deal?

  126. 126.

    Mwangangi

    March 21, 2010 at 11:35 pm

    ok… back to the Senate

    +6

  127. 127.

    mcc

    March 21, 2010 at 11:36 pm

    Who was the one person who switched No->Yes between bill and reconciliation?

  128. 128.

    asiangrrlMN

    March 21, 2010 at 11:36 pm

    @demo woman: I should read all the comments before responding. Sorry!

  129. 129.

    Omnes Omnibus

    March 21, 2010 at 11:36 pm

    @scav: I could fit that in around 3:00pm.

  130. 130.

    Snowwy

    March 21, 2010 at 11:36 pm

    And still every. single. Republican. voting against it. Let us pray the Dems have the stones to hammer the GOP into oblivion with this.

  131. 131.

    burnspbesq

    March 21, 2010 at 11:38 pm

    I have generally refrained from punching hippies during the debate over HCR, but I have to say that reading the comments at FDL tonight was a lot like reading the comments at Inside Carolina the night we beat them by 32 points.

    Schadenfreudelicious!

    Now, I apologize for my appalling behavior. Can we all get over ourselves and get back to working together on an American agenda?

  132. 132.

    RinaX

    March 21, 2010 at 11:38 pm

    @demo woman:

    I will not deny that I can be an ass, but neither of my posts should be taken seriously in any way.

  133. 133.

    Zuzu's Petals

    March 21, 2010 at 11:38 pm

    YES WE CAN ! ! ! ! !

  134. 134.

    eemom

    March 21, 2010 at 11:39 pm

    @gnomedad:

    Tee hee. If only there were a place out there that WOULD take him.

  135. 135.

    ellaesther

    March 21, 2010 at 11:40 pm

    OH OH OH – and the shout out to Teddy Kennedy! That was just beautiful.

    Man, I wish he could have been here.

  136. 136.

    MikeTheZ

    March 21, 2010 at 11:41 pm

    I still can’t believe this passed.

  137. 137.

    Kennedy

    March 21, 2010 at 11:42 pm

    Obligatory Portal/Jonathan Coulton quote from the song since no one else has done so:

    “I’m making a note here – huge success! It’s hard to overstate my satisfaction!”

    It’s pretty hard to believe this is finally happening given the long, protracted history (both this last year and beyond). I think this bill and its process will have intangible benefits that extend long outside of the health care sector; we all know the importance of engaging and taking an active role in our government to affect the results and policies for which we voted. May we remember these lessons and apply them as necessary (and they will be necessary) to give our elected officials the support they need in the years ahead.

  138. 138.

    ellaesther

    March 21, 2010 at 11:42 pm

    @Zuzu’s Petals: Yup. Yuo, indeed!

  139. 139.

    RinaX

    March 21, 2010 at 11:42 pm

    To all, I really do not believe that Acorn will be helping to provide government-funded abortions. To me it seemed a crazy enough thing to say to not be taken seriously, but that fails to take into account that ‘baggers do indeed believe and say shit this crazy. My bad, my excitement over the vote caused me to come out of lurking and forget that my dark humor could be misread.

  140. 140.

    very reverend crimson fire of compassion

    March 21, 2010 at 11:43 pm

    @Zuzu’s Petals: Yes, We Did!

  141. 141.

    Triassic Sands

    March 21, 2010 at 11:43 pm

    March 21, 2010

    The Death of Freedom: RIP

    Apparently, “Freedom” requires the unnecessary deaths of tens of thousands of Americans each year and the bankruptcies of hundreds of thousands of Americans annually.

  142. 142.

    Elie

    March 21, 2010 at 11:44 pm

    @Louise:

    I remember that really bad week after the MA election — I was very negative, had never been so low…

    Reading the comments and posts, I felt reeled back to a foundations from which I could operate — and take action (calling my rep and senators). I read the posts from many informed commenters, and even when there were concerns, the facts and rationality always won out — so deeply appreciated by me. I cant tell you. It helped me anchor myself and I think anchor this HUGE and difficult undertaking….

    I have no idea about the motivation of the firebaggers, or the teabaggers or whomever. There seems to be an underlying insanity right now related to fear and uncertainty. But in the face of that, a really unprecedented thing for our country to do social legislation, we did it. We did it with the corporate medicine eating up 18% of GNP —

    Great sleep tonight for Nancy, Obama, and all the leaders who took major risk — and will CONTINUE to as the REpubs and the media whip up their counterattack. But we have scaled one mountain and dragged all of us up to stand on the summit.

  143. 143.

    JBerardi

    March 21, 2010 at 11:45 pm

    I managed to flip between this and the MSNBC coverage of the house vote tonight. Final triumph after an incredibly long, arduous journey? Works for me. Now all we have to do is shoot Angel Eyes Mitch McConnell in the senate, and that should be easy enough– we reconciled the bullets out of Tuco’s Ben Nelson’s gun already.

    Alright, that’s probably the dumbest thing I’ve ever written here, but whatever. They passed damned bill. I’m too psyched to make sense and/or not embarrass myself.

  144. 144.

    FormerSwingVoter

    March 21, 2010 at 11:46 pm

    Anyway, this cake is great. It’s so delicious and moist!

  145. 145.

    burnspbesq

    March 21, 2010 at 11:46 pm

    @someguy:

    And while we’re at it, cap & trade

    Sorry, must disagree. Carbon tax. Yes, it’s regressive, but that can be dealt with by tweaking the income tax to make the overall tax burden more equitable.

    Every cap-and-trade proposal I’ve seen artificially creates winners and losers, and doesn’t raise enough revenue in the initial auction of entitlements.

  146. 146.

    RareSanity

    March 21, 2010 at 11:47 pm

    @Uloborus:

    It is with my honor that I give you (and BoB) this.

  147. 147.

    Zuzu's Petals

    March 21, 2010 at 11:48 pm

    @The Grand Panjandrum:

    Sanchez aye.

    All that drama for nothing. I hope she’s mocked mercilessly.

  148. 148.

    MikeTheZ

    March 21, 2010 at 11:48 pm

    @kdaug:
    “But there’s no sense crying over every mistake
    You just keep on trying til you run out of cake.”

    I don’t think Obama, Pelosi, et. al. are out of cake yet.

  149. 149.

    OldK

    March 21, 2010 at 11:48 pm

    Thank you Tim F. I don’t know about any other commenters, but you inspired me to successfully whip about 5 or 6 friends and relatives into calling our congresspeople. So your influence went beyond just the readers here.

    In lieu of buying you a case pallet of obscure but delicious beer, I will be sending a donation to the congressperson of your choice.

  150. 150.

    charlequin

    March 21, 2010 at 11:48 pm

    Holy crap. It’s like a ten-ton weight just came off and it’s time to party

    Great job everyone.

  151. 151.

    mcc

    March 21, 2010 at 11:48 pm

    That was classy Rep. Lewis.

  152. 152.

    kdaug

    March 21, 2010 at 11:51 pm

    @FormerSwingVoter:

    Sometimes, apparently, the cake’s not a lie.

  153. 153.

    kdaug

    March 21, 2010 at 11:52 pm

    @MikeTheZ:

    Oh, no, there’s a lot more cake to come.

    And it really is delicious and moist!

  154. 154.

    Jason Bylinowski

    March 21, 2010 at 11:53 pm

    This is good stuff. Tim F. – you are the man. I was extremely skeptical of your daily missives, I thought it was all a bunch of claptrap. I would say “hullabaloo” but then you guys would think I am maligning Digby. But anyway, turns out those calls meant something after all.

    So, thanks. I don’t mean to be a little shit to John Cole (who is still my hero in a lot of ways) – but you win the day, Tim F.

    +5

  155. 155.

    burnspbesq

    March 21, 2010 at 11:54 pm

    Hey – who took the shit out of my shit sandwich and replaced it with Boar’s Head roast beef?

  156. 156.

    mcc

    March 21, 2010 at 11:54 pm

    @burnspbesq: The shit sandwich is a lie

  157. 157.

    scav

    March 21, 2010 at 11:57 pm

    @charlequin: putting the social in social-izm, no?

  158. 158.

    FormerSwingVoter

    March 21, 2010 at 11:58 pm

    Um, wow. Thanks to the folks here for finally getting me to pick up the phone and call my rep. I’ve never been any sort of activist before, and you got me to call my rep three times and send a fax on top of it.

    Did Balloon Juice really just change the world? ;)

  159. 159.

    Uloborus

    March 21, 2010 at 11:58 pm

    @RareSanity:
    EXACTLY the laugh I was thinking of. I vote this URL be forwarded to every Republican in the nation.

  160. 160.

    Sasha

    March 22, 2010 at 12:00 am

    Obama pulled off the impossible and got universal healthcare passed.

    . . . .

    Maybe, just maybe, Barack Obama is a Magic Negro.

  161. 161.

    Uloborus

    March 22, 2010 at 12:02 am

    @Sasha:
    …Daily Show tomorrow night is going to be HILARIOUS. I can’t wait to see Colbert cry, too.

  162. 162.

    kdaug

    March 22, 2010 at 12:03 am

    @Sasha:

    No shit. 100 year’s worth of Presidents couldn’t get it done.

    This guy did it in less than two years.

  163. 163.

    demo woman

    March 22, 2010 at 12:10 am

    @RinaX: Hope you saw my note where I said I was sorry.. I’m a little jumpy tonight but that’s no excuse.

  164. 164.

    MoeLarryAndJesus

    March 22, 2010 at 12:10 am

    @kdaug:

    A year and two months, almost to the day.

    Best president of my lifetime.

    Oh, and for any Repiglicans who may be reading –

    SUCK

    ON

    THIS.

  165. 165.

    marie

    March 22, 2010 at 12:14 am

    tim et al, you’ve been more than fabulous – you’ve been effective. deeps thanks for that.
    and you’re way more fun then OforA.

  166. 166.

    RinaX

    March 22, 2010 at 12:21 am

    @demo woman:

    No problem. :)

  167. 167.

    csljr

    March 22, 2010 at 12:30 am

    coulton rules

  168. 168.

    Boxer

    March 22, 2010 at 12:34 am

    This more or less sums up my feelings, if not my literal thoughts:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPiGWqc1Kp8

  169. 169.

    AxelFoley

    March 22, 2010 at 12:45 am

    @Sasha:

    Maybe, just maybe, Barack Obama is a Magic Negro

    LOL, this!

  170. 170.

    auntieeminaz

    March 22, 2010 at 12:56 am

    @FormerSwingVoter: Certainly shamed me into taking to the streets and standing up for health care reform, even in it’s limited form, on a warm day in Arizona. Facing down the teabaggers is something I take particular pleasure in. Harry Mitchell did the right thing.

  171. 171.

    Mayken

    March 22, 2010 at 1:41 am

    @gnomedad: You win the thread!

  172. 172.

    Gemina13

    March 22, 2010 at 3:05 am

    @ellaesther:

    I can’t stand the fact that Ted isn’t here to see this. Damn it.

  173. 173.

    Sam Hutcheson

    March 22, 2010 at 7:50 am

    Your poll doesn’t have an option for “I sent John Lewis back to Congress for 20-somethingnest year running, and he did his job without the slightest need for me to ask again.”

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