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Infrastructure week. at last.

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rich, arrogant assholes who equate luck with genius

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You are here: Home / Anderson On Health Insurance / I’m not tired of winning

I’m not tired of winning

by David Anderson|  March 24, 20173:40 pm| 288 Comments

This post is in: Anderson On Health Insurance

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BREAKING:

CNN reporting that @POTUS has asked @SpeakerRyan to "pull the bill"

— Timothy McBride (@mcbridetd) March 24, 2017

Are you tired of winning? I’m not

Next fight is to make sure CMS and the Trump Administration do not sabotage the exchanges and avoids approving horrendous 1115 Medicaid waivers.

And yes, I am big footing Doug

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Previous Post: « It’s all over now
Next Post: About This Afternoon »

Reader Interactions

288Comments

  1. 1.

    patroclus

    March 24, 2017 at 3:41 pm

    YIIPPPIIIEEE! I’m getting SO tired of all this winning!

  2. 2.

    Yarrow

    March 24, 2017 at 3:42 pm

    So much winning! And also good, Trump is a loser! Ryan is a loser!

    David, tell us what to call and make noise about with the next steps. Fired up! Ready to go!

  3. 3.

    Major Major Major Major

    March 24, 2017 at 3:43 pm

    Out of curiosity, what were your final odds? 70% passage? Hooray!

  4. 4.

    mdblanche

    March 24, 2017 at 3:43 pm

    Damn, and I was so looking forward to Paul Ryan’s impression of Lord Cardigan.

  5. 5.

    dr. bloor

    March 24, 2017 at 3:44 pm

    How much sabotage can they get away with before Republican governors and the health care lobbyists tell them to stop fucking around?

  6. 6.

    Formerly disgruntled in Oregon

    March 24, 2017 at 3:45 pm

    Gotta take the victories you can get. This isn’t how I thought things would go down back in Nov/Dec, thank FSM.

  7. 7.

    Ian G.

    March 24, 2017 at 3:45 pm

    I’m glad for millions of people who are less fortunate than me who would have been completely fucked. And, on a more selfish note, I’m glad the health insurance company I work for won’t be thrown into chaos.

  8. 8.

    Paul W.

    March 24, 2017 at 3:46 pm

    Feels so good, now just need to keep beating them down and not let even tax cuts (which I thought were guaranteed to get through, if nothing else).

  9. 9.

    dmsilev

    March 24, 2017 at 3:47 pm

    So, the GOP has been asked to pull the plug on a bill that was previously on life support?

    GOVERNMENT DEATH PANELS!

  10. 10.

    TenguPhule

    March 24, 2017 at 3:47 pm

    @dr. bloor:

    How much sabotage can they get away with before Republican governors and the health care lobbyists tell them to stop fucking around?

    I could tell you, but you really don’t want to know.

  11. 11.

    Elizabelle

    March 24, 2017 at 3:48 pm

    Thank Dog, but we are going to have to be relentless.

    Exceeded the two minutes I can usually stand CNN. Wolf Blitzer was going on about the GOP working incrementally. Like all the shit sandwich ingredients are going to be more palatable, served up one after the other.

    CNN makes the Republicans sound so reasonable. And it’s just Democrats who would be playing politics over a recess break.

    How we got President Trump. CNN, you’re right up there with the NY Times.

  12. 12.

    dmsilev

    March 24, 2017 at 3:49 pm

    Apparently Ryan is going to hold a press conference shortly. Would it be asking too much for it to conclude with ritual seppuku?

  13. 13.

    hovercraft

    March 24, 2017 at 3:49 pm

    Aww poor little ZEGS looks so sad in this picture.

    Oh well I’m sure they’ll try again, but we’ll be ready and waiting for them. Turns out that for once in his life Bill Krystal was right, it’s really hard to take away people’s benefits once they’ve got them. They’ve spent hundreds of millions of dollars denigrating and lying about Obamacare, but when push came to shove, people didn’t want it taken away.

  14. 14.

    Mary G

    March 24, 2017 at 3:49 pm

    I’m hoping that Paul Ryan is finally exposed as the amateur and fraud he is. He was boasting before the election that he had a pocket full of great bills ready to go if Trump was elected. Oopsy!

    So happy. Ready to fight more.

    Just heard a Republican on C-SPAN chastise the Republicans for acting like a bunch of children.

  15. 15.

    eclare

    March 24, 2017 at 3:51 pm

    @Mary G: Same here, fired up! Ready to go!

  16. 16.

    raven

    March 24, 2017 at 3:51 pm

    Come on, 14 posts and no chicken little shit?

  17. 17.

    TenguPhule

    March 24, 2017 at 3:52 pm

    @dmsilev:

    Would it be asking too much for it to conclude with ritual seppuku?

    You gotta dream big. Reach for the stars.

  18. 18.

    TenguPhule

    March 24, 2017 at 3:52 pm

    @raven: That chicken shit is not little by any stretch of the imagination.

  19. 19.

    Thoroughly Pizzled

    March 24, 2017 at 3:52 pm

    The Medicaid expansion is safe. This is a great victory.

  20. 20.

    dr. bloor

    March 24, 2017 at 3:52 pm

    I’m hoping that Paul Ryan is finally exposed as the amateur and fraud he is.

    Joe Biden pantsed Ryan and exposed him as a poseur on national teevee four short years ago. The Beltway Lie about his powerful intellect and wonkiness is even more of a zombie than the man himself.

  21. 21.

    Hellbastard

    March 24, 2017 at 3:53 pm

    Calling this debacle “amateur hour” is an insult to amateurs everywhere.

  22. 22.

    ArchTeryx

    March 24, 2017 at 3:53 pm

    Does it mean I finally can breathe again? That my health care won’t be pulled in a matter of weeks or months, on the eve of my starting biologic therapy for my Crohn’s?

    If it’s truly the case, then it’s Miller Time.

  23. 23.

    hovercraft

    March 24, 2017 at 3:54 pm

    Now the real fun begins!!!

    Report: Bannon Wants A ‘S*** List’ Of Health Care ‘No’ Votes

  24. 24.

    JPL

    March 24, 2017 at 3:55 pm

    Next fight is to make sure CMS and the Trump Administration do not sabotage the exchanges and avoids approving horrendous 1115 Medicaid waivers.

    How do we prevent Price from tanking the bill?

  25. 25.

    schrodingers_cat

    March 24, 2017 at 3:55 pm

    Time for a victory dance?

  26. 26.

    Barbara

    March 24, 2017 at 3:56 pm

    The relief I feel is for my brother and a lot of other people I know who have not had their lifeline yanked away from them. I am sure my Facebook friends look forward to a day without posts from me begging them to contact their House Reps.

  27. 27.

    Corner Stone

    March 24, 2017 at 3:56 pm

    I want someone to truss Mick Mulvaney up on a bamboo pole, march him out in front of the press and then shove a fucking apple in his mouth.

  28. 28.

    Anonymous At Work

    March 24, 2017 at 3:56 pm

    Brave Sir Ryan ran way
    Bravely ran away away
    When danger reared its ugly head, he bravely turned his tail and fled
    Yes, brave Sir Ryan turned about and valiantly he chickened out
    Bravely taking to his feet, he beat a very brave retreat. A brave retreat by brave Sir Ryan.

  29. 29.

    Barbara

    March 24, 2017 at 3:56 pm

    @hovercraft: So do the Koch brothers. Boo fucking hoo.

  30. 30.

    Goku

    March 24, 2017 at 3:57 pm

    The last few months have shown me that even when they (Republicans) win they still lose, which is what has happened today. What a humiliation for them. Awesome!

  31. 31.

    TenguPhule

    March 24, 2017 at 3:57 pm

    @Corner Stone: I don’t think you can afford my rates.

  32. 32.

    oldster

    March 24, 2017 at 3:57 pm

    Fired Up! Ready to Go!!

    Who knows what will happen with Obamacare Repeal–the weasels have been trying to destroy Social Security for 80 years now, so I’m sure that they won’t quit overnight.

    But for today, this is a great victory.

    It exposes Ryan for a powerless wimp and an incompetent legislator.
    It gives the lie to Trump’s “deal-making skills”.
    And it united 83% of America in standing up for their right to Obamacare.

    This Is What Democracy Looks Like.

  33. 33.

    Barbara

    March 24, 2017 at 3:57 pm

    @ArchTeryx: Have a beer. Even if there are more fights to fight tomorrow, today is a good day.

  34. 34.

    hovercraft

    March 24, 2017 at 3:58 pm

    @ArchTeryx:
    Yes for now, I wish I could say you’re safe, but you know these fuckers will try again, but at least for a while you can breath easy.
    Yay !! ;-)

  35. 35.

    Thoroughly Pizzled

    March 24, 2017 at 3:58 pm

    @ArchTeryx: Congratulations! We’ll fight the bastards off next time too.

  36. 36.

    amygdala

    March 24, 2017 at 3:59 pm

    Important battle won, but the war’s still on. We live to fight another day.

    God, what a relief.

  37. 37.

    ArchTeryx

    March 24, 2017 at 4:01 pm

    @Thoroughly Pizzled: Actually can’t drink (due to the meds I take) but my best friend and I are going out to dinner and celebrating. Good food trumps everything. My usual dose of my medical pot will take care of the feel-good stuff.

  38. 38.

    amk

    March 24, 2017 at 4:01 pm

    BBC

    ‘Trumpcare’ collapses as vote withdrawn

    Love the word collapses.

    WINNING BIGLY !!!

  39. 39.

    amk

    March 24, 2017 at 4:03 pm

    Rep. Tom Rooney (R-Fla), asked what this failure meant: "Obamacare is the law of the land."— Dave Weigel (@daveweigel) March 24, 2017

    eat it, assholes.

  40. 40.

    Mike J

    March 24, 2017 at 4:03 pm

    Maggie Haberman‏Verified account @maggieNYT 11 minutes ago

    TRUMP tells me in interview this is now the Democrats’ fault, and that he anticipates that when Obama “explodes” they will be ready to deal

  41. 41.

    SFAW

    March 24, 2017 at 4:03 pm

    @dmsilev:

    Would it be asking too much for it to conclude with ritual seppuku?

    Asking? No.
    Expecting? Maybe a tad optimistic on that front.

  42. 42.

    JMG

    March 24, 2017 at 4:03 pm

    Fight never ends, but this was a very, very good day.

  43. 43.

    burnspbesq

    March 24, 2017 at 4:03 pm

    @Paul W.:

    If they go for rate reductions without structural changes, they’ll probably get that, but I still think Brady’s crackpot border-adjustment scheme is DOA in the Senate.

  44. 44.

    West of the Rockies (been a while)

    March 24, 2017 at 4:04 pm

    The Art of the Squeal (like a stuck pig). I anticipate some unhinged Tweeting on the horizon.

  45. 45.

    hovercraft

    March 24, 2017 at 4:04 pm

    After hours of debate on the House floor, Paul Ryan closed debate and pulled the bill off the floor at Donald Trump’s request.

    Twitter was brutal.

    Brendan McDonald @ProducerMcD

    “I moved on her like a bitch. But I couldn’t get there.” – Donald J. Trump, 2005 and today
    3:36 PM – 24 Mar 2017

    1,119 1,119 Retweets
    2,087

    Markos Moulitsas
    ✔
    @markos

    “Congressman X supported taking away your healthcare in a bill so extreme, even REPUBLICANS refused to back it!” 2018 will be FUN!
    3:36 PM – 24 Mar 2017

    70 70 Retweets
    128

    (((sfpelosi))) @sfpelosi

    #GOP declared House in recess aka THEY DONT HAVE THE #TRUMPCARE VOTES YET! Keep calling ==> #KillTheBill ☎️️ 202-225-3121 ☎️️
    3:33 PM – 24 Mar 2017

  46. 46.

    amk

    March 24, 2017 at 4:04 pm

    @GrandJury: yeah sure, after this hyped up shitshow, they will somehow get their shit together and kill it silently.

  47. 47.

    amk

    March 24, 2017 at 4:05 pm

    SEVEN YEARS OF "WE WILL REPEAL AND REPLACE" AND THEN WITH CONTROL OF THE SENATE, HOUSE AND WHITE HOUSE, THEY COMBUST IN A BLAZE OF STUPID— Jon Lovett (@jonlovett) March 24, 2017

  48. 48.

    MaryL

    March 24, 2017 at 4:05 pm

    Any regulatory lawyers know whether there is a notice and comment period for waivers? Most people don’t realize that the public can weigh in on agency actions.

  49. 49.

    MikefromArlongton

    March 24, 2017 at 4:06 pm

    Smoke and mirrors. Having them vote it down and then having to weasel out of Trump having said Obama Care stays if they don’t pass it today is a lot worse politically than Trump saying he pulled it. It was a softening of a loss imho.

    You know, seeing that story with Comey going to the Whitehouse makes me think how soon will it be till we see a fleet of Black sudans coming from the FBI building to arrest Trump and his goons for conspiring with a foreign Govnt to win the Presidency. Any chance that could question the entire elections legitimacy ? How crazy would that be?

  50. 50.

    burnspbesq

    March 24, 2017 at 4:07 pm

    @raven:

    Come on, 14 posts and no chicken little shit?

    Nope. The sky was going to fall if this piece of shit passed.

  51. 51.

    hovercraft

    March 24, 2017 at 4:07 pm

    @Mike J:

    TRUMP tells me in interview this is now the Democrats’ fault, and that he anticipates that when Obama “explodes” they will be ready to deal

    Okay so no one has yet explained to him that just like him, they were lying?
    I hope they let him go on waiting for it to explode, I know Tom Price can sabotage it, but as long as the program remains we can always fix it later, right?

  52. 52.

    Corner Stone

    March 24, 2017 at 4:07 pm

    @TenguPhule: You would *charge* for that privilege?!

  53. 53.

    ArchTeryx

    March 24, 2017 at 4:07 pm

    Yes, it’s a battle in the endless war, but it’s a battle we just won, and this one was for all the marbles for me and millions like me. I’m not sure what to do with myself now that I don’t have to play Johnny One Note any more, and can go on with my life – and my treatment.

  54. 54.

    Chyron HR

    March 24, 2017 at 4:09 pm

    But there was no joy in Trumpville,
    Mighty Ryan had struck out.

    :^(

  55. 55.

    MaryL

    March 24, 2017 at 4:09 pm

    @Mike J: I’m extremely curious as to how they are going to lay blame on Democrats, when it’s Republican infighting that killed this bill?

  56. 56.

    oldster

    March 24, 2017 at 4:09 pm

    Another thing to savor:

    No one in Congress–on either side of the aisle–is going to look at Trump’s bluff the same way again.

    Or at his power to campaign against them.

    He took a very hard line in these negotiations. He threatened to campaign against anyone who voted ‘no’. He said he would force them to take a vote.

    He laid down an ultimatum: You must vote on Friday.

    And then he folded. He folded on every single aspect of it.

    Not only that, he could not mobilize *any* public support for this. He could not get three people and a basset-hound to stand up and support his position.

    Whereas our side mobilized hundreds and thousands at every congressman’s town hall.

    During the last election season, Trump put the fear into the Republicans. Now the fear just leaked out.

    The Republican leadership now knows that he has no super powers, no popular support, no clout.

    Impeachment just got that much more possible.

  57. 57.

    amk

    March 24, 2017 at 4:09 pm

    @Mike J: what is maggie blabbing about now?

  58. 58.

    West of the Rockies (been a while)

    March 24, 2017 at 4:09 pm

    The Art of the Squeal (like a stuck pig). I anticipate some unhinged Tweeting on the horizon.

    Howz that taste, Paulie, that maggot-encrusted turd sandwich?

  59. 59.

    MJS

    March 24, 2017 at 4:09 pm

    @Mike J: Wait, I thought you weren’t supposed to tell the enemy what you’re doing? As if the Democrats won’t be pointing out everything that Trump and the Republicans do to make sure the ACA fails. Nancy already has her tattoo needles ready for that eventuality.

  60. 60.

    Keith G

    March 24, 2017 at 4:10 pm

    This thing ain’t over by a long shot.

    Obamacare has been a work-in-progress. It needs a lot of fixing. The question becomes how will they fix the things that need to be fixed….. or will they let those things devolve and create instability in more markets than is already the case?

    Will the Freedom Caucus just continue to vote no and by doing so stop any of the important fixes needed to create more stable and affordable markets for the next sign up…. those decisions are quickly approaching.

  61. 61.

    Mary G

    March 24, 2017 at 4:10 pm

    @ArchTeryx: So happy for you! Are you getting Remicade? I was on it for RA for about three years and it worked great.

  62. 62.

    Corner Stone

    March 24, 2017 at 4:10 pm

    Poor, poor, Paulie Blue Eyes. Sad. So sad. He is just so sad. He so wanted to take your health care from you. Why wouldn’t you let him? Didn’t you know he’s been dreaming about it since college? Why would you do this to him? How could you be so cruel? He just wanted a clean repeal and tax cut for the incredibly wealthy. Is that too much to ask? No, Paulie Blue Eyes says. No it’s not you bunch of selfish fuckers.

  63. 63.

    amygdala

    March 24, 2017 at 4:11 pm

    @ArchTeryx: I wish I had something useful to say. It’s horrifying that people coping with major illness have to devote the kind of energy they do here in the US worrying about coverage. Have a great dinner with your friend and know that we’ll suit up again to fight the good fight again tomorrow. There’s no other option.

  64. 64.

    MazeDancer

    March 24, 2017 at 4:11 pm

    Trump is no longer All Powerful Mean Tweet King.

    The little man behind the green curtain is exposed.

    Pussy hats won. Phone calls won. Truth won. Big hearts won. Democracy won.

    Many more battles ahead, of course. But the myth is broken. He’s not the deal maker. He’s not the closer.

    I’m playing Lennon soundtrack.
    Power to the People, right on.

  65. 65.

    Barbara

    March 24, 2017 at 4:11 pm

    @amk: She just has to show that she has access to the most important, bigliest people. When she is not a stenographer for those people, she is a political gossip columnist. The next Maureen Dowd. Ugh.

  66. 66.

    LurkerNoLonger

    March 24, 2017 at 4:12 pm

    That sound was me exhaling. I’ve been holding it since November 9th.

  67. 67.

    MazeDancer

    March 24, 2017 at 4:12 pm

    Oops.

    Don’t type p–ssy hats won. You go to moderation.

    But even in moderation – won they did!

  68. 68.

    Yarrow

    March 24, 2017 at 4:13 pm

    @ArchTeryx: I was hoping you’d comment! So happy for you that this horrible bill went down. And happy for all of us.

  69. 69.

    Downpuppy

    March 24, 2017 at 4:13 pm

    Might it be time to offer a technical corrections bill to do stuff like restoring risk corridors & offering alternatives for areas down to 1 insurer, or would that be too much an opportunity for evil amendments?

  70. 70.

    Yarrow

    March 24, 2017 at 4:13 pm

    Ryan knows he’s going to take the blame for this. His body language is a mess. Can’t see him lasting long as Speaker.

  71. 71.

    Goku

    March 24, 2017 at 4:14 pm

    @GrandJury: They can’t blame the Democrats for this. They have full control and will own whatever happens, even if they try to silently kill it. People will ask why Republicans didn’t do anything to fix it. They’re the ones who are fucked. From what I’ve seen recently of Dems, they won’t be let off the hook so easily

  72. 72.

    Corner Stone

    March 24, 2017 at 4:14 pm

    ZEGS now pathetically talking out of his pathetic mouth. Sad!

  73. 73.

    Hungry Joe

    March 24, 2017 at 4:14 pm

    Is there any reason Ryan can’t slap together something else — maybe a shit sandwich on sourdough instead of rye — and bring it to the floor after a few months of arm-twisting and Trump-tweeting?

  74. 74.

    TenguPhule

    March 24, 2017 at 4:14 pm

    @Corner Stone: Personal satisfaction sadly doesn’t pay for the rent, the pole, or the apple.

  75. 75.

    amk

    March 24, 2017 at 4:14 pm

    Now that we can all say what we're thinking, this bill wasn't even close. They weren't gonna get 200 votes on that thing.— Matt Fuller (@MEPFuller) March 24, 2017

    Dems should take this lesson of marching in lockstep and stay together to defeat the treasonous & traitorous thugs.

  76. 76.

    rikyrah

    March 24, 2017 at 4:14 pm

    yeah.
    YEAH!!!
    20 MILLION KEEP THEIR HEALTHCARE
    and, we’re eating up the clock.

  77. 77.

    Corner Stone

    March 24, 2017 at 4:15 pm

    @Hungry Joe: Rye is far superior. Not even close.

  78. 78.

    Yarrow

    March 24, 2017 at 4:15 pm

    Ryan’s reading off his script. He looks shaken. He also says “the worst is yet to come with Obamacare.” So they’re coming after it. We have to work hard.

  79. 79.

    ArchTeryx

    March 24, 2017 at 4:15 pm

    @Mary G: I am getting Remicade, yes. It’s not something I can start if my insurance would be interrupted, because going on it and stopping it would leave me *worse* off then not being on it at all – and once you stop it, you can never restart it. The body makes antibodies against it.

    This means the world to me. It also means I can talk about other things here, which I’ve desperately wanted to do for ages. I started this Johnny One Note bit because I wanted to leave at least a LITTLE legacy behind, but instead, I got adopted by the community. Time for me to give something back to it.

  80. 80.

    amk

    March 24, 2017 at 4:15 pm

    Republicans have tried and failed to kill Obamacare for seven years. Trumpcare died in 17 days.— Jon Favreau (@jonfavs) March 24, 2017

    LOL.

  81. 81.

    randy khan

    March 24, 2017 at 4:15 pm

    @GrandJury:

    First, it’s the only victory we could have today, and a loss would have been bad. It’s a big deal.

    Second, now the Republicans own health care at some level. They’re in charge of implementation, so if it goes bad, they’re the ones who will get blamed. (Just like Obama got blamed when it wasn’t possible to move any tweaks to the ACA through Congress and when the Republicans cut off funding that would have stabilized the exchanges.)

    Third, it cracks Trump’s “master deal maker” façade. That’s central to his brand, and now the people who supported him because of it have reason to wonder whether they were right.

    Fourth, it exposed the deep divisions in the Republican caucus. That’s something Dems can exploit.

    Plenty to be happy about.

  82. 82.

    efgoldman

    March 24, 2017 at 4:16 pm

    @GrandJury:

    All the time they can continue to blame Dems for YUUUGE Obamacare failures or whatever.

    Alla’ youse Cassandras keep saying this shit. That’s not the way it works with low info voters (which is almost all the mouth breathing, knuckle dragging flying monkeys). Just like football coaches and baseball managers, the president gets most of the credit and most of the blame, no matter what actually happens.
    Not that the assholes are going to turn into Dems all of a sudden, but that a litany of RWNJ failures gives them incentive to stay home.

  83. 83.

    TenguPhule

    March 24, 2017 at 4:16 pm

    @GrandJury:

    I don’t see this as much of a victory really.

    Victories are not won by retreats either.

    But every battle matters, big or small.

  84. 84.

    Mary G

    March 24, 2017 at 4:16 pm

    Paul looks awful. Ha Ha Ha

  85. 85.

    burnspbesq

    March 24, 2017 at 4:16 pm

    Rodney Frelinghuysen, hero? Unpossible.

  86. 86.

    D58826

    March 24, 2017 at 4:16 pm

    first good political day since Nov 8th

  87. 87.

    Corner Stone

    March 24, 2017 at 4:17 pm

    @Downpuppy:

    Might it be time to offer a technical corrections bill to do stuff like restoring risk corridors & offering alternatives for areas down to 1 insurer

    Might be. If you were a legislator who actually gave a shit about people.

  88. 88.

    Patricia Kayden

    March 24, 2017 at 4:17 pm

    @Elizabelle: Strange because Spicer and Trump have made it clear that CNN is part of the fake news that they hate. Yet CNN can’t stop kissing Repub butts.

  89. 89.

    rikyrah

    March 24, 2017 at 4:17 pm

    @ArchTeryx:

    Have that beer.

    the fight begins anew tomorrow

  90. 90.

    Keith G

    March 24, 2017 at 4:17 pm

    @Downpuppy: That would depend on what the Freedom Caucus decides to do. If they wanted to be total Randian shitheads about this, they could pretty well prevent any the needed fixes to help stabilize the marketplaces. I know some of them would be rather tempted just to let the whole thing go to shit.

  91. 91.

    Goku

    March 24, 2017 at 4:17 pm

    @oldster: One can only hope. Impeachment can’t come soon enough. Maybe the investigation will implicate Pence and the GOP leadership as well.

  92. 92.

    Yarrow

    March 24, 2017 at 4:18 pm

    @Mary G: He really does. Looks green. So his tie color isn’t his best choice today.

  93. 93.

    TenguPhule

    March 24, 2017 at 4:18 pm

    @Downpuppy:

    or would that be too much an opportunity for evil amendments?

    Answered your own question right there.

  94. 94.

    Yarrow

    March 24, 2017 at 4:18 pm

    Paul Ryan: “Obamacare is the law of the land.” LOLOLOLOLLOL!

  95. 95.

    rikyrah

    March 24, 2017 at 4:18 pm

    @amk:

    Rep. Tom Rooney (R-Fla), asked what this failure meant: “Obamacare is the law of the land.”— Dave Weigel (@daveweigel) March 24, 2017

    Damn straight.

  96. 96.

    trollhattan

    March 24, 2017 at 4:18 pm

    @Yarrow: Maybe, but who else wants the jerb? Ryan basically got dragged into it and McCarthy sure doesn’t want it.

  97. 97.

    Aleta

    March 24, 2017 at 4:18 pm

    Over 45 Rs wouldn’t tell their constituents how they planned to vote; and they skated.

  98. 98.

    Ceci n est pas mon nym

    March 24, 2017 at 4:18 pm

    @oldster:

    The Republican leadership now knows that he has no super powers, no popular support, no clout.

    Impeachment just got that much more possible.

    Kinda makes me wish for the parliamentary system where (as I understand it from observation) a big loss like this means the Prime Minister resigns, Parliament is dissolved and you have new special elections. Always seemed kind of chaotic to me, but more and more I’ve wished we had some element of the UK/Canada system. Especially the short election seasons.

    I’m sure I’m misunderstanding crucial aspects, but isn’t that why David Cameron resigned? He basically had no choice after throwing his weight on the losing side of Brexit?

    Somebody Brit-splain it to me.

  99. 99.

    amygdala

    March 24, 2017 at 4:18 pm

    @burnspbesq: Maybe not a hero, but a strange bedfellow, which is even more disturbing.

  100. 100.

    Chris

    March 24, 2017 at 4:18 pm

    @MikefromArlongton:

    Black sudans

    Oh dear.

  101. 101.

    West of the Rockies (been a while)

    March 24, 2017 at 4:19 pm

    @Hungry Joe:

    Sure, the Repubs can trot out another half-assed bill. But will there be much appetite for another marathon circle jerk of inevitable failure?

  102. 102.

    Corner Stone

    March 24, 2017 at 4:19 pm

    Bah-duh-bah-buh-baaahhh!! I’m lovin’ it!

  103. 103.

    schrodingers_cat

    March 24, 2017 at 4:19 pm

    Old BS supporters are here again, pooh poohing any Democratic victory, like always.

  104. 104.

    Yarrow

    March 24, 2017 at 4:20 pm

    @trollhattan: No one wants the job. But the Freedom Caucus won today. They got concessions and they killed the bill. Maybe they think they can take him out.

  105. 105.

    amk

    March 24, 2017 at 4:20 pm

    wonder how all those asshole insurance honchos that twitler paraded around feel now.

  106. 106.

    Davebo

    March 24, 2017 at 4:20 pm

    @GrandJury: I don’t recall him saying they would remove funding. That in itself would take legislation.

  107. 107.

    randy khan

    March 24, 2017 at 4:20 pm

    @Yarrow:

    @ArchTeryx:

    I was hoping you’d comment! So happy for you that this horrible bill went down. And happy for all of us.

    Ditto.

  108. 108.

    schrodingers_cat

    March 24, 2017 at 4:20 pm

    @Mary G: Are the MSM bots still gushing over his baby blues?

  109. 109.

    Mike J

    March 24, 2017 at 4:20 pm

    Donald J. Trump‏ Verified account @realDonaldTrump 8 May 2014

    Young entrepreneurs – Remember that your first deals are the most important of your career. Win & gain confidence.

  110. 110.

    gvg

    March 24, 2017 at 4:21 pm

    @Hungry Joe: Yes. He doesn’t know how. He is so out of touch, he doesn’t actually understand how real people use and need insurance AND he doesn’t actually understand the business of healthcare nor does anyone else on his “side” apparently.
    The problem is people want affordable healthcare and he doesn’t want them to get it. That is kind of unsolvable.
    Its not even the tax cuts he wants to slip in, he just doesn’t want healthcare. I don’t think he understands or accepts that the ACA was good for private insurance too. He is unable to understand how government intervention can also be good business.

  111. 111.

    the Conster, la Citoyenne

    March 24, 2017 at 4:21 pm

    Greg Pinelo‏Verified account @gregpinelo

    So this is what happens when Republicans don’t have Russians helping them out.

  112. 112.

    Yarrow

    March 24, 2017 at 4:21 pm

    LOL! ZEGS just admitted that “Obamacare taxes stay with Obamacare.” That’s why they wanted this bill first so they could cut more taxes. Too bad, so sad.

  113. 113.

    geg6

    March 24, 2017 at 4:21 pm

    @ArchTeryx:

    I am so happy for you and the millions like you that we all fought for to get this victory today. The war continues, but a big battle has been won.

  114. 114.

    efgoldman

    March 24, 2017 at 4:21 pm

    @Keith G:

    Will the Freedom Caucus just continue to vote no and by doing so stop any of the important fixes needed to create more stable and affordable markets for the next sign up

    If they put any REAL fixes on the floor (which they won’t) they won’t need the kkkrazy kkkaukus votes, because the Dems will support it too.
    But they won’t propose any such thing.

  115. 115.

    trollhattan

    March 24, 2017 at 4:21 pm

    Trump told me he’s willing to cut a bipartisan deal in the future: “When it explodes they [Dems] come to us and we make one beautiful deal.”

    They can’t even keep their soundbites straight–this whole time every Republican spoke about ACA “imploding” and “in a death spiral” now suddenly it’s exploding?

  116. 116.

    Cacti

    March 24, 2017 at 4:21 pm

    O/T but this is yuge, and will likely be completely eclipsed by the demise of Trumpcare:

    Per the WSJ, Michael Flynn was discussing with Turkish officials how to abduct Fethullah Gulen out of the United States to get him in Erdogan’s hands for probable torture and execution.

    Link

  117. 117.

    Corner Stone

    March 24, 2017 at 4:22 pm

    Wait a second. You didn’t have a plan to ACTUALLY FUCKING GOVERN!?

  118. 118.

    Goku

    March 24, 2017 at 4:22 pm

    @schrodingers_cat: Grand Jury, if that’s who you’re talking about, was formally shomi, and they were never a BS supporter

  119. 119.

    amk

    March 24, 2017 at 4:22 pm

    @Hungry Joe: Is there any reason to believe that zegs stays that long to do more fubars?

  120. 120.

    amygdala

    March 24, 2017 at 4:22 pm

    @Mike J: As I understand it, sick burns are covered by the ACA.

  121. 121.

    Yarrow

    March 24, 2017 at 4:22 pm

    @schrodingers_cat: You should see him. He looks horrible. Like he’s going to vomit. He’s trying to suffer through this and make the best of it, but he looks awful.

  122. 122.

    Davebo

    March 24, 2017 at 4:22 pm

    If only the guy had held a few more stadium rallies….

  123. 123.

    Aleta

    March 24, 2017 at 4:22 pm

    @the Conster, la Citoyenne: I like that.

  124. 124.

    TenguPhule

    March 24, 2017 at 4:23 pm

    OMG, it is true, the FSM luvs me.

    /Warning, Wall Street Journal Link

    Flynn was involved in plot to kidnap someone in the USA to send to Turkey.

  125. 125.

    amk

    March 24, 2017 at 4:23 pm

    House Rs voted over 60x to repeal Obamacare while Obama was president. They voted 0 times on it under Trump, and are now ready to move on.— Edward-Isaac Dovere (@IsaacDovere) March 24, 2017

  126. 126.

    Ridnik Chrome

    March 24, 2017 at 4:23 pm

    The schadenfreude, it tastes good. But if Trump and Ryan’s misfortune is just about everyone else’s good fortune, is it really schadenfreude?

  127. 127.

    schrodingers_cat

    March 24, 2017 at 4:24 pm

    @Ceci n est pas mon nym: The Prime Minister is the leader of the majority party in the Lower House, in addition to being the chief executive of the cabinet and the government. If he loses confidence (doesn’t have votes to pass his agenda or comes up short in a vote of no confidence) of that chamber he resigns and fresh elections have to be called.

  128. 128.

    donnah

    March 24, 2017 at 4:24 pm

    Now Ryan is backpedaling on health care and talking about tax reform, tax reform, tax reform. He’s so done. He said it was tough because now they’re now the governing party and it’s harder than being an opposition party. Boo-dee-hoo!

  129. 129.

    David Anderson

    March 24, 2017 at 4:24 pm

    @Major Major Major Major: As of this morning I was at 70% of win/30% of failure.

    Of that 70%, I figured it was an 80% chance of a vote and a loss… so an implied 14% chance of the bill getting pulled.

  130. 130.

    randy khan

    March 24, 2017 at 4:25 pm

    @Hungry Joe:

    Is there any reason Ryan can’t slap together something else — maybe a shit sandwich on sourdough instead of rye — and bring it to the floor after a few months of arm-twisting and Trump-tweeting?

    There isn’t, but as of right now there’s a lot less concern about the impact of Trump-tweeting in the Republican caucus than there might have been a month ago – even a week ago. That’s one reason the bill failed.

  131. 131.

    Fair Economist

    March 24, 2017 at 4:25 pm

    @Cacti:

    Per the WSJ, Michael Flynn was discussing with Turkish officials how to abduct Fethullah Gulen out of the United States to get him in Erdogan’s hands for probable torture and execution.

    Significant because kidnapping, and conspiracy to kidnap, is a state crime so the corrupt prosecutors Sessions will appoint can’t let him off by not prosecuting.

  132. 132.

    trollhattan

    March 24, 2017 at 4:25 pm

    Interesting they waited for the markets to close before yanking the vote. Monday will be worth watching.

  133. 133.

    catclub

    March 24, 2017 at 4:25 pm

    @Cacti: You know how the FBI entraps people by getting them to plan some act, but not carry it out,
    to get terrorism and terrorism conspiracy cases and convictions?

    This will not be like that. There will not be a conviction for conspiracy to kidnap.
    Also, another happy Fitzmas – not quite sighted.

  134. 134.

    amk

    March 24, 2017 at 4:25 pm

    @Cacti: Traitors’ day out.

  135. 135.

    Goku

    March 24, 2017 at 4:25 pm

    @TenguPhule: LOCK HIM UP!1!!

  136. 136.

    Thoroughly Pizzled

    March 24, 2017 at 4:26 pm

    @schrodingers_cat: What happens if they don’t resign?

  137. 137.

    amk

    March 24, 2017 at 4:26 pm

    "Obamacare's central triumph, creating a federal right to access to basic medical care, will never be taken away." https://t.co/9j7tx5qd4d pic.twitter.com/ZHX1h959zg— Jonathan Chait (@jonathanchait) March 24, 2017

  138. 138.

    Elizabelle

    March 24, 2017 at 4:26 pm

    Put up a little live-typing of Lyin’ Ryan on thread below.

    He was bobbing and weaving and saying the Republicans were trying to do DEMOCRATS a favor since OCare is such a disaster and about to tank.

    Uh huh.

  139. 139.

    Immanentize

    March 24, 2017 at 4:27 pm

    @ArchTeryx: good for you and good for the country. I fornone never minded your comments — so Sing, Johnny One Note! Of course if you do branch out, you will just be another jackal in the pack…. but it is a great pack to travel with.

  140. 140.

    Elizabelle

    March 24, 2017 at 4:28 pm

    @amk: That is so sweet. LOL.

  141. 141.

    schrodingers_cat

    March 24, 2017 at 4:28 pm

    @Goku: No, he just likes to troll us but there is a high correlation between doom and gloomers and BS supporters.

  142. 142.

    Yutsano

    March 24, 2017 at 4:28 pm

    @Thoroughly Pizzled: Wonder if this means Kansas is going to keep up their push for it.

    Yes.

    You heard me right.

    MOTHER. BUCKING. KANSAS.

  143. 143.

    tobie

    March 24, 2017 at 4:28 pm

    @the Conster, la Citoyenne: @Cacti: Do you think this might be why Comey met with Trump today:

    Per the WSJ, Michael Flynn was discussing with Turkish officials how to abduct Fethullah Gulen out of the United States to get him in Erdogan’s hands for probable torture and execution.

    Conspiring to kidnap a US person (i.e., a resident alien) at the behest of or to benefit a foreign power is a pretty big crime. This is speculation on my part. With the Rosneft story and now the Gulen story and the Manafort/Stone/Page testifying story, it’s hard to know what Comey had to discuss today in the White House.

  144. 144.

    LurkerNoLonger

    March 24, 2017 at 4:28 pm

    Headline from my local paper: Rep. Faso will vote in favor of GOP health care bill, hails revision that shifts N.Y. counties’ Medicaid costs to the state. Woops!

  145. 145.

    Tilda Swintons Bald Cap

    March 24, 2017 at 4:28 pm

    @the Conster, la Citoyenne: That’s a good one !

  146. 146.

    Goku

    March 24, 2017 at 4:29 pm

    @ArchTeryx: Good to hear for you! Now maybe you can rest assured little easier, with what’s happened

  147. 147.

    Ceci n est pas mon nym

    March 24, 2017 at 4:29 pm

    @Elizabelle: They just can’t talk about actually benefiting the citizens who they are supposedly governing, can they? They can’t even pretend the bill is aimed at helping people, it doesn’t even occur to them that’s a goal the government should have.

  148. 148.

    Brachiator

    March 24, 2017 at 4:30 pm

    @schrodingers_cat:

    Time for a victory dance?

    A victory dance is totally premature.

    The Republicans will likely try this again before their April 7 Easter recess.

    We won the battle, not the war.

    That said, the clip you posted is absolutely fabulous. I hope it can be invoked many more times.

    At first glance the lead actor reminded me of Daniel Day Lewis.

  149. 149.

    Shalimar

    March 24, 2017 at 4:30 pm

    @MaryL: Ryan made it clear what the strategy for blaming Democrats is. Do everything possible to force Obamacare to collapse, then blame Democrats because it was supposedly bad policy from the start.

    I hope it won’t work. Obamacare was fine while Obama was president, blame Trump if it immediately collapses on his watch.

  150. 150.

    Keith G

    March 24, 2017 at 4:30 pm

    @efgoldman: Yeah, I would be highly surprised to this Speaker or maybe any Republican Speaker in the near future reach across the aisle on a controversial vote like this. Not ruling it out, but I just don’t think Ryan has it in him to be that brave.

  151. 151.

    amk

    March 24, 2017 at 4:30 pm

    Have the trumpanzees issued 2nd amindment solutions to ryan & co yet?

  152. 152.

    schrodingers_cat

    March 24, 2017 at 4:31 pm

    @Thoroughly Pizzled: They are no longer the PM if they lose the vote of no confidence. Its not a choice.

  153. 153.

    Yarrow

    March 24, 2017 at 4:31 pm

    @Cacti: I was wondering why he hadn’t been saying, “Interview me! I want to be interviewed!” like Manafort, Stone and Page. Now we know.

  154. 154.

    hedgehog the occasional commenter

    March 24, 2017 at 4:32 pm

    @ArchTeryx: So happy and relieved for you.

  155. 155.

    catclub

    March 24, 2017 at 4:32 pm

    @Keith G:

    The question becomes how will they fix the things that need to be fixed…

    Another question is how many GOP led states adopt Medicaid expansion – that is now free money with no Obama stink on it.

  156. 156.

    David ?Canadian Anchor Baby? Koch

    March 24, 2017 at 4:33 pm

    Matt Fuller‏ @MEPFuller

    Given the binary choice between passing the bill or it failing on the floor, I guess leaders found a #BetterWay.

    6 replies 15 retweets 69 likes

  157. 157.

    Aleta

    March 24, 2017 at 4:34 pm

    If this bill had been even harsher, did it have a chance of passing?

  158. 158.

    Chris

    March 24, 2017 at 4:34 pm

    @Brachiator:

    A victory dance is totally premature.
    …
    The Republicans will likely try this again before their April 7 Easter recess

    Yeah, that’s what I’m afraid of. Anybody got a transcript of what Paul Ryan’s saying? I can’t watch it at work and I haven’t found a transcript…

  159. 159.

    Downpuppy

    March 24, 2017 at 4:34 pm

    @Corner Stone: @Keith G: I was thinking in terms of a Democratic bill, mostly to have it on record that there are people who know exactly what needs to be done to get the ACA running right.

    Seemed like a good idea until I thought of what could happen.

    But then, SOMEBODY has to start legislating right eventually, no?

  160. 160.

    catclub

    March 24, 2017 at 4:35 pm

    @Cacti: That headline ‘ex-CIA director’ is wrong. Flynn was director of DIA.
    That headline first threw me.

  161. 161.

    Wag

    March 24, 2017 at 4:35 pm

    For seven years the GOP has been promising to repeal and replace. They had seven years to come up with a well thought out bill, one that might’ve corrected the few shortfalls of the ACA, but the petulance of the GOP, their insistence that the only way forward was through the complete destruction of the ACA set the stage for failure. Additionally, their failure to present any form of a complete alternative showed the GOP to be the party of ineptitude.

    The way forward for the Democrats remains the same. Unity in opposition.

  162. 162.

    SatanicPanic

    March 24, 2017 at 4:35 pm

    @Chris: They’ll still have the same issues and the same dummies in charge. I wouldn’t bet on Trump wanting to be made to look like a fool again. He’ll find other ways to beclown himself.

  163. 163.

    Elizabelle

    March 24, 2017 at 4:36 pm

    Glad that’s over for the day. I don’t like watching CNN. Bunch of yucks who talk an issue to death, and frame things favorably for Republicans, even when they’re going down in flames. Wolf trying to turn the angle to what the GOP COULD be doing, rather than what they are.

  164. 164.

    Thoroughly Pizzled

    March 24, 2017 at 4:36 pm

    @schrodingers_cat: OK. What happens if the party replaces the PM and never calls new elections? The idea of unscheduled elections is very weird to me.

  165. 165.

    geg6

    March 24, 2017 at 4:36 pm

    @Yarrow:

    Good. I hope he’s nauseous for the rest of his life after he spent the past few days giggling and laughing and crowing about how he was going take away health insurance for millions. Fucker.

  166. 166.

    Elizabelle

    March 24, 2017 at 4:37 pm

    @Aleta: I doubt it. And who gives a fuck. It’s done. For now.

  167. 167.

    David ?Canadian Anchor Baby? Koch

    March 24, 2017 at 4:37 pm

    Mocking “#Art of the Deal” is treading Worldwide

  168. 168.

    amk

    March 24, 2017 at 4:37 pm

    @Brachiator: Enough with the fluffing up the clueless clowns from twitler downwards.

  169. 169.

    Immanentize

    March 24, 2017 at 4:37 pm

    @TenguPhule: Flynn is a nasty piece of work — just the kind who WILL NOT GO DOWN ALONE.

    I’m taking bets…. (Is LAO or Bella Q around?)

  170. 170.

    trollhattan

    March 24, 2017 at 4:38 pm

    @Chris:
    Ryan excerpts:

  171. 171.

    Cacti

    March 24, 2017 at 4:38 pm

    @tobie:

    Conspiring to kidnap a US person (i.e., a resident alien) at the behest of or to benefit a foreign power is a pretty big crime. This is speculation on my part. With the Rosneft story and now the Gulen story and the Manafort/Stone/Page testifying story, it’s hard to know what Comey had to discuss today in the White House.

    Like you said, so much going on it’s hard to say.

    But a federal kidnapping offense carries a 20 year sentence.

  172. 172.

    Elizabelle

    March 24, 2017 at 4:38 pm

    @Patricia Kayden:

    Yet CNN can’t stop kissing Repub butts.

    It’s what they do. Our major news media is so corrupt and complicit.

  173. 173.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    March 24, 2017 at 4:39 pm

    Trump’s next Sixty Minute Hate will probably have a good twelve minutes of playing with Ryan like a half-dead mouse. “Now, a lot of people are blaming Paul Ryan…. No, no, come on, folks, we love Paul, we love Paul, he did his best. He came to me and said Mr President, I really want to try this, so I said, go ahead, Paul, you know these folks, I forgot for a minute that Washington doesn’t work, but Paul tried he tried, now we’re gonna try some common sense, I’ll help Paul, we’ll show him the way”

  174. 174.

    ruemara

    March 24, 2017 at 4:40 pm

    Like Jason, this bill will return. When have the republicans ever stopped being as foul as possible? They’d have to lose elections consistently for about 50 years to be suitably chastened. And that won’t happen.

  175. 175.

    amk

    March 24, 2017 at 4:40 pm

    @Thoroughly Pizzled: Unscheduled elections are the way of life in parliamentary democracies. And the election campaigning periods last 8 weeks at most.

  176. 176.

    David Anderson

    March 24, 2017 at 4:40 pm

    @ArchTeryx: Enjoy your beer!

  177. 177.

    rikyrah

    March 24, 2017 at 4:40 pm

    @ArchTeryx:

    This means the world to me. It also means I can talk about other things here, which I’ve desperately wanted to do for ages. I started this Johnny One Note bit because I wanted to leave at least a LITTLE legacy behind, but instead, I got adopted by the community. Time for me to give something back to it.

    it’s ok. we understood your one note.
    not a more important note to be on.

  178. 178.

    trollhattan

    March 24, 2017 at 4:40 pm

    @Immanentize:
    Flynn’s spittle-coated RNC speech was a thing to behold.

  179. 179.

    the Conster, la Citoyenne

    March 24, 2017 at 4:40 pm

    Ian Millhiser‏Verified account @imillhiser

    And then there was hope.

  180. 180.

    amk

    March 24, 2017 at 4:41 pm

    Heh, David Mayhew – How do you feel? You did quite a lot for this blog.

  181. 181.

    Another Scott

    March 24, 2017 at 4:41 pm

    Well done, everyone! A great victory on a Friday, so we have a few days to savor it.

    And then we get to battle them again on Monday, and every following day, until we manage to drive them from office. Here’s hoping it’s sooner than we even dare to hope.

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  182. 182.

    Hoodie

    March 24, 2017 at 4:41 pm

    Enjoy it while it lasts. I have no doubt that foxnews and the rest of the wingnut Wurlitzer will, in the not too distant future, blame this failure on opposition by democrats, just like they insinuate that Obama is responsible for isis. Ryan will be relegated to obscurity because he’s a loser, just like gwb. The GOP might have had to pay a price if the bill passed and then the healthcare sector cratered, but they’ll airbrush this failure away. The fundamental truth is that the GOP is the party of entropy, and thus will always be with us. The Russian scandals have more potential.

  183. 183.

    Elizabelle

    March 24, 2017 at 4:41 pm

    @trollhattan:

    Interesting they waited for the markets to close before yanking the vote. Monday will be worth watching.

    That is interesting. Not by chance, you think?

  184. 184.

    les

    March 24, 2017 at 4:41 pm

    @Yutsano:

    Wonder if this means Kansas is going to keep up their push for it.

    Heard one of the state senators yesterday say yes; but it never gets by Brownback, even if it gets through legislature.

  185. 185.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    March 24, 2017 at 4:41 pm

    We’ll see, but… wow

    Dave Weigel‏Verified account @ daveweigel 48m48 minutes ago
    Rep. Tom Rooney (R-Fla), asked what this failure meant:

    “Obamacare is the law of the land.”

  186. 186.

    rikyrah

    March 24, 2017 at 4:42 pm

    I haven’t felt this way since November 8th:

    Good Afternoon, Everyone ?????

  187. 187.

    hueyplong

    March 24, 2017 at 4:42 pm

    There will be more bad days than good ones, but today is a good one, and grand jury’s little dose of petulance is the icing on today’s cake for me.

  188. 188.

    Immanentize

    March 24, 2017 at 4:42 pm

    @Fair Economist: I think this is mostly a federal crime — unless there was an actual attempt. The conspiracy was not wholly infra state ( in fact it was international) and Gulen is a particularly well know international fellow. So, the state (Penn. where Gulen lives) could maybe prosecute, but will defer to the feds entirely.

  189. 189.

    TenguPhule

    March 24, 2017 at 4:42 pm

    @the Conster, la Citoyenne: Paul Tarkin on the Death-to-Healthcare Star just poo-pooed those little X-wings flying down the trench.

  190. 190.

    amk

    March 24, 2017 at 4:43 pm

    Art of the Squeal: I blame Democrats for a bill Republicans couldn't pass. I blame Obama. I blame Australian Prime Minister & Meryl Streep.. pic.twitter.com/hhQj7vkZX7— Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) March 24, 2017

  191. 191.

    TenguPhule

    March 24, 2017 at 4:43 pm

    @Hoodie:

    The fundamental truth is that the GOP is the party of entropy, and thus will always be with us.

    There is a simple solution to that.

  192. 192.

    rikyrah

    March 24, 2017 at 4:44 pm

    We have no power in the WH.

    We have no power in the House.

    We have limited power in the Senate.

    And still we were able to #KillTheBill pic.twitter.com/xbeUx4oRBp

    — TrumpsTaxes (@TrumpsTaxes) March 24, 2017

  193. 193.

    Brachiator

    March 24, 2017 at 4:45 pm

    @Chris:

    Anybody got a transcript of what Paul Ryan’s saying? I can’t watch it at work and I haven’t found a transcript…

    I am glancing over the Ryan transcripts now (you were linked to this earlier in the thread).

    Anyone know if the main opposition came from the Freedom Caucus dopes?

  194. 194.

    Chris

    March 24, 2017 at 4:45 pm

    @Hoodie:

    I have no doubt that foxnews and the rest of the wingnut Wurlitzer will, in the not too distant future, blame this failure on opposition by democrats

    LET ‘EM! I have no trouble at all being “blamed” for the failure of a bill that had a whopping 17% public support.

  195. 195.

    Suffragete City elftx

    March 24, 2017 at 4:46 pm

    That WSJ story came out after Trump’s buddy’s newspaper The Enquirer had a HUGE story claiming Trump caught a Russky spy in the White House, then went on to name Flynn.

  196. 196.

    schrodingers_cat

    March 24, 2017 at 4:46 pm

    @Thoroughly Pizzled: They usually do. The members of the opposition can make it impossible for any business to be carried out. Watch the question hour in the Parliament. PM is a member of the house and answerable to the other members, not like the President in this country. Besides the normal term for an MP is 5 years.

  197. 197.

    Immanentize

    March 24, 2017 at 4:46 pm

    @Yarrow: I think I have an insight into the offer to testify before the HOUSE. They want immunity deals. I can do a longer explanation later, but that is what saved Ollie North’s lying ass in the 80’s.

  198. 198.

    West of the Rockies (been a while)

    March 24, 2017 at 4:46 pm

    This ACHA fiasco is like a group of knuckleheads going on a road trip to the big city to kick some asses and get laid. Instead, they got their asses kicked, but good, came home with dysentery, and most definitely did not score.

    Next time Paulie asks, “Who’s up for a road trip?” there may be fewer takers.

  199. 199.

    Corner Stone

    March 24, 2017 at 4:46 pm

    I am starting to think I want to have all of Adam Schiff’s babies.

  200. 200.

    Corner Stone

    March 24, 2017 at 4:47 pm

    What a fucking man baby POTUS is.

  201. 201.

    Mike J

    March 24, 2017 at 4:48 pm

    Julia Macfarlane‏ Verified account @juliamacfarlane

    Paul Ryan: “We were an opposition party for ten years, now we have to govern and it’s harder.” <– politically not a great thing to admit

  202. 202.

    Corner Stone

    March 24, 2017 at 4:48 pm

    “I had and have no fucking idea how governing works.”
    /Trump

  203. 203.

    Yarrow

    March 24, 2017 at 4:48 pm

    @Aleta:

    If this bill had been even harsher, did it have a chance of passing?

    No, because the less crazy Republicans (on a scale of crazy to completely crazy), the ones the media likes to call “moderate Republicans” wouldn’t vote for it.

  204. 204.

    Corner Stone

    March 24, 2017 at 4:48 pm

    He keeps calling it “Democrat”. What an asshole.

  205. 205.

    SatanicPanic

    March 24, 2017 at 4:49 pm

    @rikyrah: yeah, the left deserves at least some credit for this

  206. 206.

    hovercraft

    March 24, 2017 at 4:49 pm

    I’m watching this shitshow and he’s telling us that going forward Nancy and Chuck NOW OWN Obamacare. He learned a lot about the process!

  207. 207.

    Corner Stone

    March 24, 2017 at 4:50 pm

    Trump is the President of the United States. What in the fucking fuck.

  208. 208.

    Aleta

    March 24, 2017 at 4:50 pm

    @ArchTeryx: So glad. Thanks for the things you’ve talked about and explained so far.

  209. 209.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    March 24, 2017 at 4:50 pm

    I wonder if this silly “deal” language is going to wear on people who aren’t True Believers any time soon

    Robert Costa‏Verified account @ costareports 39m39 minutes ago
    Trump told me he’s willing to cut a bipartisan deal in the future: “When it explodes they [Dems] come to us and we make one beautiful deal.”

    also, too, this Klein is the openly RW brother, right? not the ABC one?

    Philip Klein‏Verified account @ philipaklein 45m45 minutes ago
    Trump running to Washington Post & New York Times to spin this massive embarrassment is just perfect, isn’t it?

    the Right, even the ones who have been making nice publicly, is thoroughly enjoying this, I bet.

  210. 210.

    Corner Stone

    March 24, 2017 at 4:51 pm

    You do know the R’s have a majority in the House, right? And blaming the D’s for failing the vote sounds really low T beta cuck BS nonsense. Right?

  211. 211.

    Immanentize

    March 24, 2017 at 4:51 pm

    @rikyrah: yea Rikyrah!!! I hope I see that tomorrow Morning too. <3 your smiling faces

  212. 212.

    Corner Stone

    March 24, 2017 at 4:51 pm

    Is it going to implode or is it going to explode?

  213. 213.

    Elizabelle

    March 24, 2017 at 4:51 pm

    @Mike J: LOL. Noticed that in real time. It was one of the few true statements emanating from Speaker Ryan this afternoon.

  214. 214.

    Elizabelle

    March 24, 2017 at 4:53 pm

    @West of the Rockies (been a while): And somebody shaved their cat-asses too.

    They got pantsed today.

  215. 215.

    Corner Stone

    March 24, 2017 at 4:53 pm

    Is it just me or do Tom Price and Pence look like they are standing at the ready to taser stick Trump at the earliest moment’s notice?

  216. 216.

    amk

    March 24, 2017 at 4:54 pm

    Trump’s First Legislative Effort Fails as G.O.P. Pulls Bill to Repeal Obamacare https://t.co/psAkoGcsys— Rep. Keith Ellison (@keithellison) March 24, 2017

    those one page eo’s can go only so far. welcome to the reality, you pos.

  217. 217.

    hovercraft

    March 24, 2017 at 4:54 pm

    I didn’t particularly like this bill, but it was a very good bill Dense and Price did a very good job! Huh?

  218. 218.

    Keith P.

    March 24, 2017 at 4:54 pm

    LOL at it being the Democrats’ fault for not supporting the bill. LOL even more at Trump thinking they’re just going to come around and agree to the deal later on.

  219. 219.

    steppy

    March 24, 2017 at 4:55 pm

    Brian Williams wins the Understatement Award for today: “Well, that was an extraordinary thing to witness…”

  220. 220.

    TenguPhule

    March 24, 2017 at 4:55 pm

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist:

    “When it explodes they [Dems] come to us and we make one beautiful deal.”

    What’s the sensitive biapartisan language needed for the Democratic Party to tell Trump that he can give them a nice rimjob instead?

  221. 221.

    JWR

    March 24, 2017 at 4:56 pm

    @Corner Stone:

    He keeps calling it “Democrat”. What an asshole.

    Bugs the fuck out of me, too.

  222. 222.

    MaryL

    March 24, 2017 at 4:56 pm

    @Shalimar:

    Ryan made it clear what the strategy for blaming Democrats is. Do everything possible to force Obamacare to collapse, then blame Democrats because it was supposedly bad policy from the start.

    Politically, I don’t think it matters if Obamacare collapses. The GOP swore they would fix healthcare, and they didn’t – that’s on them. Dems don’t have to run on retaining Obamacare, they can run on improving it.

    I hope every Democrat running in 2018 campaigns on some version of “Joe GOP and the Republican Party claimed they had a plan to expand healthcare coverage and reduce costs. They had their chance, and they failed. Jane Democrat has a plan to improve the Affordable Care Act(etc….).”

  223. 223.

    Hoodie

    March 24, 2017 at 4:56 pm

    @Chris: the problem is they’ll cause the ACA to die from neglect and say “see, we tried to fix it, but democrat opposition prevented that!” I’m not saying there’s anything you can do about that and I’m glad the bill failed, but we’re not really safe until trump or some of his associates are wearing orange jumpsuits. Entropy persists until there’s an event that establishes a new equilibrium, like the financial crisis did. This is not one of those events.

  224. 224.

    Yutsano

    March 24, 2017 at 4:56 pm

    @les: I know they’re trying to push for it to pass with a veto-proof majority, but yeah, Brownback is a big stumbling block here. Maybe the veto vote will go better than they think.

  225. 225.

    themann1086

    March 24, 2017 at 4:57 pm

    @ArchTeryx: *raises glass* this one’s for you and the thousands of other lives saved today.

  226. 226.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    March 24, 2017 at 4:57 pm

    @TenguPhule: I saw “TerrifiCare” in a few places on twitter today, I’m sure Nancy will be happy to remind him that he spent a year telling people TerrifiCare would be better, broader and cheaper, “Don’t worry about it”

  227. 227.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    March 24, 2017 at 4:58 pm

    @Yutsano: There were rumors a couple of weeks ago that he was on his way to Europe as an Ambassador (The Vatican? Is he Opus Dei?). Haven’t heard anything about it in a while

  228. 228.

    ?BillinGlendaleCA

    March 24, 2017 at 4:59 pm

    @MazeDancer: I was thinking “Crippled Inside” for Paulie Blue Eyes and Dolt 45.

  229. 229.

    WaterGirl

    March 24, 2017 at 4:59 pm

    @Corner Stone:

    What a fucking man pathetic, whiny, baby POTUS is.

    fixed that for you.

  230. 230.

    schrodingers_cat

    March 24, 2017 at 4:59 pm

    @Brachiator: Every victory needs to be savored remembering that war is not yet won. So I will celebrate. The lead actor is Ranveer Singh, and the drums in the number are the traditional drums from the western state of Maharashtra.

  231. 231.

    hovercraft

    March 24, 2017 at 5:00 pm

    Fucking Chucky, thinks that Twitler reached out to democrats by admitting that he can’t do things without democrats. He thinks he’s giving democrats an opportunity to work with him on improving Obamacare. Now Kornacki is saying that the way he handled the defeat is remarkably calm and confidence. Politically they got it out of the way for the time being, see so it’s actually a win. They get to work on Tax Cuts their favorite and maybe forcing the democrats to support him on infrustructure.

  232. 232.

    zhena gogolia

    March 24, 2017 at 5:00 pm

    @Corner Stone:

    Me too.

  233. 233.

    amk

    March 24, 2017 at 5:00 pm

    Being the vindictive little shits they are, they planned this vote this week for the sole reason of showing finger to the kenyan during the anniversary of his flagship success and got their cowardly little asses burned.

  234. 234.

    bemused senior

    March 24, 2017 at 5:01 pm

    I was playing this song by my millenial daughter waiting to hear what happened about the the vote.

  235. 235.

    SatanicPanic

    March 24, 2017 at 5:01 pm

    There will be hell to pay for any Democrat who helps Trump on healthcare. In the House I can’t imagine more than a handful would be dumb enough to try.

  236. 236.

    Millard Filmore

    March 24, 2017 at 5:02 pm

    @schrodingers_cat:

    If he [prime minister] loses confidence (doesn’t have votes to pass his agenda or comes up short in a vote of no confidence) of that chamber he resigns and fresh elections have to be called.

    What happens if the prime minister refuses to resign? And his party refuses to push him out?

    ETA: I see this question is already asked here:
    https://balloon-juice.com/2017/03/24/im-not-tired-of-winning/#comment-6305121

  237. 237.

    Frankensteinbeck

    March 24, 2017 at 5:03 pm

    @gvg:

    He is unable to understand how government intervention can also be good business.

    Everything I’ve heard about him suggests he just plain wants everyone who can’t afford health care to die. His moral code is that the strong should get everything they want, and the weak should suffer. He is a pure Randian.

  238. 238.

    Barbara

    March 24, 2017 at 5:03 pm

    @gvg: The problem, if you will, is that you can’t “fix” health care at the same time you are fighting a rearguard action to take it away entirely. The two goals aren’t compatible. It’s hard to be stealthy when you want to direct $800 billion away from ordinary health care users to wealthy people in the form of a tax cut.

  239. 239.

    Brachiator

    March 24, 2017 at 5:03 pm

    @Ceci n est pas mon nym:

    They just can’t talk about actually benefiting the citizens who they are supposedly governing, can they? They can’t even pretend the bill is aimed at helping people, it doesn’t even occur to them that’s a goal the government should have.

    It’s just a different philosophy of government.The voters have to decide what they want.

    The Republicans, for their part, have to show that their fantasy works, that the free market, can deliver affordable health care to practically everyone. Obviously, I don’t think they can do this. But it’s their vision of government, not mine.

  240. 240.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    March 24, 2017 at 5:04 pm

    @hovercraft: I used to like Kornacki. Maybe he had a kid and needs to make sure he fits in with the post-Purge era at MSNBC. I wonder if anybody in the executive suite has notice that their prime time audience has more than double since November. I hope Greta Van Newhead is tanking.

  241. 241.

    alce_ e_ ardilla

    March 24, 2017 at 5:05 pm

    @Hoodie: That is always possible. However with the ACA still in place there will be a framework to repair the damage once the Democrats regain power. If the ACA were gone there would have been no way to replace any of the foundations even if we had regained the house. Now the battle shifts to the courts, and the states, where the governors and the AGs will fight Price and his minions.I am cautiously optimistic that most of the machinery will remain intact in the short to medium term.

  242. 242.

    D58826

    March 24, 2017 at 5:05 pm

    @trollhattan: Among the many things that Trump doesn’t understand is how to count and how Congress works. It’s all the fault of the D’s because they would not supply any voles even though the GOP is the majority party in both chambers. Filibuster aside they don’t NEED D’s to vote for their proposals.

  243. 243.

    zhena gogolia

    March 24, 2017 at 5:05 pm

    @schrodingers_cat:

    That’s gangsta!

  244. 244.

    StringOnAStick

    March 24, 2017 at 5:07 pm

    Just like when Obamacare first passed after the rethugs suddenly relented, we all know they are now plotting out other ways to get to the ends they seek. Now that we’ve won a serious battle AND we have a lot of woke and involved people on our side now, that’s going to be a lot harder for them to do. People are watching now, and once they decide to go after Medicare and SS, the most recent uprising of the woke will seem tiny in comparison to what will happen then.

    I’ve always paid a lot of attention to politics, but this mal-administration is the first time I have consistently called, emailed, protested, or really done anything other than my duty as a citizen to be informed and to vote. I know I’m not the only one. I detest that we are having to go through the embarrassment of having this man-child in the WH, but if we get a more involved electorate out it if, then it is some consolation (and I hate the whole “enhancing the contradictions” crap, so don’t misunderstand me, please!). That consolation may not be enough to repair all that has happened, but it is a start and we have to start somewhere. But for today, we celebrate what people power as a force for good was able to do!

  245. 245.

    lollipopguild

    March 24, 2017 at 5:07 pm

    @Corner Stone: All of these Katie!

  246. 246.

    Another Scott

    March 24, 2017 at 5:10 pm

    @Millard Filmore: The PM is asked by the President (or the Queen) to form a government. If s/he loses a Confidence vote, then the President (or the Queen) gets his/her resignation.

    If the PM refuses to resign, s/he will be removed.

    The PM isn’t like a President (being both head of State and head of Government).

    HTH.

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  247. 247.

    West of the Rockies (been a while)

    March 24, 2017 at 5:10 pm

    @Elizabelle:

    Oh, the poor kitties!

    Yup, they got wedgied and then pantsed.

  248. 248.

    Deborah

    March 24, 2017 at 5:12 pm

    @schrodingers_cat: No, they have fixed five-year parliaments now in the UK. They can override it if two-thirds of Parliament votes for it. Cameron said that if he lost the referendum, he would trigger Article 50 the next day. But he cut and ran. He could have stayed on.

  249. 249.

    Corner Stone

    March 24, 2017 at 5:12 pm

    @hovercraft: Kornacki has turned in to a real POS. I don’t know what the fuck happened to that guy but he used to be middle of the road fact based tolerable. But during the election season he went full on nutso R slant/spin/hype.

  250. 250.

    Corner Stone

    March 24, 2017 at 5:14 pm

    Of course, MSNBC’s Kasie Hunt very earnestly called Paul Ryan a “policy wonk” just a few mornings ago.
    So, not much to really count on there except Joy Reid.

  251. 251.

    cain

    March 24, 2017 at 5:15 pm

    I wanted to share this tweet with you. It shows how tenacious Nancy Pelosi is when it comes to whipping vote. This is our speaker, and we know what kind of speaker the Republicans are. Those who have a passion for govt and trying to make it work and believe in something is why we are going to win over those assholes on the other side.

  252. 252.

    Millard Filmore

    March 24, 2017 at 5:16 pm

    @Immanentize:

    I think I have an insight into the offer to testify before the HOUSE. They want immunity deals. I can do a longer explanation later, but that is what saved Ollie North’s lying ass in the 80’s.

    Do you think these guys had some foreknowledge that the Flynn revelation was coming very soon?

  253. 253.

    alce_ e_ ardilla

    March 24, 2017 at 5:16 pm

    @randy khan: As was noted previously, Ryan’s window for passing the bill was very narrow, for a lot of reasons, which are now becoming clear. There probaby isnt time to recreate any bill that won’t drag into summer and fall, and then election season, which is the last thing Ryan and the Republicans would want. Also now with Trump’s presidency imploding, all the oxygen for big change is being sucked out of the room, and they may be lucky to pass any thing. Which I will take in a New York minute.

  254. 254.

    Elie

    March 24, 2017 at 5:17 pm

    @D58826:

    As I said on another thread, Trump effed himself. All those tweets, accusations, etc that drove his approval to 37% and followed by a shit bill with a plan so unpopular that it had only 17% approval! Then he threatens these folks while giving them NO COVER. The Repub Ways and Means Chair today told him NO WAY and put it in the damned paper — all up in his face. He blew this all on his own. He knows nothing and is surrounded by yes men and other know nothings…

  255. 255.

    Frank Wilhoit

    March 24, 2017 at 5:18 pm

    The important thing about Ryan’s remarks at his presser is the acknowledgement that the Coercion Caucus are de facto a third party, with whose “leader” he must negotiate, in the same manner in which he would have to negotiate with the Minority Leader (if it were, or when it becomes, politically possible for him to do so).

  256. 256.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    March 24, 2017 at 5:20 pm

    @cain: This is how Pelosi whipped votes. She got the administration involved, she got outside groups involved, she got random figures from Congress members’ pasts involved. She was really, really good at it. And it all happened quietly, without anyone watching or applauding.

    I didn’t know the details, but I’ve been watching her for years and she’s really good at managing her caucus. Nancy d’Alessandro learned politics from her old school city pol father, I think that’s what shows here. I don’t have anything against that guy who wanted to replace her a few months back, but I wonder if he has any idea what the job is, or if he just wanted to go on TeeVee and talk about how Dems need to start paying attention to working (ahem) Americans. One of Harry Reid’s aides said on twitter that one of the reasons Ryan is so bad at being Speaker is he thinks the job happens on TeeVee

    And it all happened quietly, without anyone watching or applauding.

    the part that preening wanna-be doesn’t get.

  257. 257.

    Elie

    March 24, 2017 at 5:21 pm

    What little Pauly did though was save their asses from the vengeance of Trump. If they actually voted, he would have on record all the folks who opposed passage. By getting it pulled, Ryan did save that from happening — and probably his speakership…

  258. 258.

    Millard Filmore

    March 24, 2017 at 5:21 pm

    @JWR: Is the plural of members of the Democratic Party “Democratics”?

  259. 259.

    Miss Bianca

    March 24, 2017 at 5:24 pm

    @amk: “I’d like to blame the Academy, and also my parents, for this great dishonor…”

  260. 260.

    Davebo

    March 24, 2017 at 5:25 pm

    @Cacti: I wouldn’t get too excited.

    The WSJ thinks Flynn was the CIA Director. If they can’t get that right….

  261. 261.

    zhena gogolia

    March 24, 2017 at 5:27 pm

    @the Conster, la Citoyenne:

    Great one!

  262. 262.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    March 24, 2017 at 5:27 pm

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist: in a similar vein

    Sam Stein‏Verified account samsteinhp 4h4 hours ago
    Notion Trump put everything he could into this is is absurd. Obama spent a year, wooed GOPers and Dems, held summits, gave SOTU-like speech
    He swallowed his pride after Scott Brown and convinced his party to double down. Went to House GOP conference. etc…

    But if he had really wanted it, we could have had single payer.

  263. 263.

    Immanentize

    March 24, 2017 at 5:28 pm

    @Millard Filmore: Absolutely. I mean, ultimately, Comey works for the President. If the President wants to know something, Comey has to tell him/keep him updated. I think the Nunes panic has something to do with Flynn, but more to do with others (like Sessions who it seems may be in a world of hurt if the Mayfair report is true.)

  264. 264.

    zhena gogolia

    March 24, 2017 at 5:28 pm

    @TenguPhule:

    Someone? hahaha Gulen

  265. 265.

    zhena gogolia

    March 24, 2017 at 5:29 pm

    @Ridnik Chrome:

    No, it’s just straight up Freude, schöner Götterfunken, Tochter aus Elysium!

  266. 266.

    StringOnAStick

    March 24, 2017 at 5:32 pm

    @Davebo: I’m interested to see what Adam has to say about this story. As a military guy, he has to more than pissed that a flag officer would be involved in such an illegal act, and all just for the $. Flynn is in deep trouble. It is only through Adam’s posts that I learned that people at Flynn’s level can’t legally work for other governments without a waiver from the top of the DOD, something I haven’t seen reported anywhere else or even alluded to. I suppose that’s because no one in the reporting biz has served or can be bothered to check any further into the story.

  267. 267.

    PPCLI

    March 24, 2017 at 5:33 pm

    @mdblanche: “Half a league, half a league, half a league onward. Into the valley of death marched the significantly less than 218”

  268. 268.

    cain

    March 24, 2017 at 5:33 pm

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist: Exactly.. being a speaker is really hard work. But that said, you can count on a Dem to hear you out regardless of your political bias. I don’t think that is true of the Freedom Caucus. Those fools are who tanked this bill for the most part by making it completely unreasonable even for members of their own party. There is just not enough whipping that is going to work.

    We do have an opportunity though.. those republicans who did vote for the healthcare law could be vulnerable in the next election and we need to focus on them.

  269. 269.

    Yutsano

    March 24, 2017 at 5:35 pm

    @cain: It’s my understanding the Majority Whip did…nothing. Like there was no tallying, no rounding, no hounding of the votes. It’s almost like they WANTED it to fail. Which honestly I can’t argue against that premise.

  270. 270.

    Gravenstone

    March 24, 2017 at 5:35 pm

    @ArchTeryx: Happy for you, man. And good luck on the therapeutic regime.

  271. 271.

    grandpa john

    March 24, 2017 at 5:40 pm

    @West of the Rockies (been a while): Yes, because anything they trot out will simply be a replay of what just failed. There is no way they would put forth a truly workable plan that would actually benefit the little people, the average American and would also please the crazies

  272. 272.

    Gravenstone

    March 24, 2017 at 5:40 pm

    @GrandJury: Stick your head in a fire, Derf.

  273. 273.

    grandpa john

    March 24, 2017 at 5:44 pm

    @amk: the difference is they want the repeal without the replace

  274. 274.

    john fremont

    March 24, 2017 at 5:48 pm

    @MazeDancer: They persisted!!!!

  275. 275.

    misterpuff

    March 24, 2017 at 5:51 pm

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist: I think MSNBC has noticed but still fears being the LIBerAL channel. All their new promos showcase a Resistance vibe, but the one that makes me puke is Chuckie’s…on the basketball court talking about rules and refereeing. “We are willing to call the game”, when he spent the whole prior decade saying our job (The Press) is not to point out lies and rule breaking/bending (IOKIYAR) F him.

  276. 276.

    Chet Murthy

    March 24, 2017 at 5:51 pm

    @Corner Stone: Uh, yaknow there’s a line here for that. (points down the block) End’s down there about a half-mile.

  277. 277.

    Hobbes83

    March 24, 2017 at 5:52 pm

    @hovercraft: I wonder how many times Nancy had to pull an ill because she couldn’t whip her caucus correctly. Oh, the soft bigotry of low expectations.

  278. 278.

    les

    March 24, 2017 at 5:58 pm

    @Yutsano:

    I know they’re trying to push for it to pass with a veto-proof majority, but yeah, Brownback is a big stumbling block here. Maybe the veto vote will go better than they think.

    I’m not sure they have a plain majority. Here’s how much they like gov’t medical care: they privatized Medicare (“KanCare”, pretty clever); they did such a bad job the feds are talking about coming in and taking over.

  279. 279.

    les

    March 24, 2017 at 5:59 pm

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist:

    There were rumors a couple of weeks ago that he was on his way to Europe as an Ambassador (The Vatican? Is he Opus Dei?).

    He is Opus. Fucker. Unfortunately, his Lt. Gov. is cut from the same cloth, and is owned by the same Kochs.

  280. 280.

    Cacti

    March 24, 2017 at 6:00 pm

    @Davebo:

    The WSJ thinks Flynn was the CIA Director. If they can’t get that right….

    No, it was the ex-CIA Director Woolsey who walked in on him talking about it.

  281. 281.

    Patricia Kayden

    March 24, 2017 at 6:04 pm

    @GrandJury: Since Republicans have made it clear that their intention is to kill the ACA, they’ll take the blame when it dies. There are many ways that they could fix it which is what most Americans want them to do. I don’t see how they win this war. They’ve been way too vocal about killing the ACA to get away with blaming it on its architects.

  282. 282.

    Chet Murthy

    March 24, 2017 at 6:05 pm

    @SatanicPanic:

    There will be hell to pay for any Democrat who helps Trump on healthcare.

    FTFY …. uh …?? By which I mean, “I hope?”

  283. 283.

    Patricia Kayden

    March 24, 2017 at 6:08 pm

    @Elie: But isn’t the fact that he promised to replace the ACA with something terrific and spectacularly failed to do so enough to make Trump look ineffective and weak? I don’t see how this healthcare law FAIL helps Trump or Republicans at all. He has not kept one of his most important election promises.

  284. 284.

    Chet Murthy

    March 24, 2017 at 6:10 pm

    @Millard Filmore: Is the plural of “mouse” then “mouses”? C’mon, man. We all know the history of this slur. Goes back a long way.

  285. 285.

    Fair Economist

    March 24, 2017 at 6:12 pm

    @john fremont:

    They persisted!!!!

    More like “derpsisted”.

  286. 286.

    moops

    March 24, 2017 at 6:16 pm

    They might just throw up a straight Repeal ACA bill. Tell the public that first ACA needs to repealed before they can stand up a replacement. Hard to see it going any worse than this. The Freedom Caucus would sign on. It might actually pass. A few more Moderate Republicans will shift, but you pick up Teahadists that are openly hostile to the needy.

    You don’t need to have any plan in hand for people to be upset about. Once repealed it would be up to Democrats to vote against a new replacement health care act. That would be much harder to stomach.

  287. 287.

    JWR

    March 24, 2017 at 8:07 pm

    Thank you, @Chet Murthy, for this:

    @Millard Filmore: Is the plural of “mouse” then “mouses”? C’mon, man. We all know the history of this slur. Goes back a long way.

    As for me, I’m tired of pointing out to the grammatically challenged why it’s not only incorrect, but also how it’s been used as a slur going back to at least the 1980’s.

  288. 288.

    Gvg

    March 24, 2017 at 8:35 pm

    @Davebo: no, the ex cia director is James Woolsey. He is the source of the story and witness to Flynn discussing kidnapping with Turkey. Woolsey says he arrived late to a meeting and the discussion was already begun. The WSj story was clear to me but seems to have been garbled in transmission for you, not sure where you got the idea they said Flynn was ex Cia.

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