This morning Barack Obama will sign the Senate version of health care reform into law. The Senate will immediately take up the reconciliation fixes and unless something very unlikely happens that too will become law within a week. We did not get everything we asked for, but when has that ever happened? The Democrats got a taste of victory. Health care still got its most significant update since LBJ was President. If it has any political instincts the party will act like a winner and run on making the system even better.
Take a minute to thank Representatives in conservative districts who took the biggest political risk in supporting this bill before Bart Stupak made it “safe”. This list is based on reader suggestions so there will certainly be names that you agree with more than others. Feel free to to use our link to donate a la carte if you do not feel like rewarding everyone.
Two updates worth mentioning: based on reader suggestions, we added Baron Hill (D-IN) and Harry Mitchell (D-AZ) to the list this morning. Also, please consider giving a little extra to Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) as an F-you to whoever kicked in the glass door of her Tucson office.
General Egali Tarian Stuck
Hear hear. They should be proud and now that the sausage making ugliness is over, run on this huge accomplishment. They earned it despite mistakes in process and big setbacks like Mass. They got off their backs and focused and got the job done, despite some shaky polls and the shrieks of the wingnuts and those supposedly on their own side, and even shakier press coverage.
The doubters and handwringers and the disappointed can suck on it. That is what I say.
David in NY
Why not Scott Murphy, NY-20??? He came out strongly for it before the bitter end, and his district, while trending more D in the recent past, is very close. He won the recent special election by just a handful of votes.
Sister Machine Gun of Quiet Harmony
I donated!
Omnes Omnibus
Donation made.
Lisa K.
I do not think we can forget to thank our representatives who are consistently on our side, either. I phoned a thank you to Chellie Pingree (D-ME, 1st district) this morning, right after I phoned Snowe and collins to ask them to denounce the violence and racism displayed by their supporters.
lotus
I gotta lobby again for Suzanne Kosmas of FL-24. This district is R+4, but in announcing her Yes Friday afternoon, she took one of the biggest risks of any — and didn’t even have to wait for Obama’s “St. Crispin’s Day speech” to do it.
Please add her to the list. (Can I get a central-Florida Amen, anybody?)
General Egali Tarian Stuck
Obama will sign the HC bill in about 14 minutes.
Graeme
I just thanked Pelosi & told her she can expect my vote for as long as I live in her district.
I will give more after taxes are paid. I gave $100 to Connie Saltonstall, and $40 to John Hickenlooper in CO (my old boss when I worked @ his brew pub in the 1990s). I am tapped out for now, but I am getting the hang of voting with my dollars!
I like these targeted donations you guys are doing. It’s fun!
gbear
Sorry but I can’t make any donations until some bills get paid down. Many of us who still have jobs are getting by hand-to-mouth. I was kind of pissed yesterday when about 5 minutes after donating a few bucks to Balloon Juice, Cole writes a comment about how he doesn’t need the money and will probably just give it to some other blog. Having BJ to read means a lot to me and I wanted to help out BJ, not just put my money into John’s favorite charity pool. Sorry if I sound like a stingy asshole but a lot of us are hanging on in the ‘one emergency away from losing our houses’ mode.
The phone call stuff I can do and have been doing.
Bulworth
I donated!
Max
Donation complete.
I found this website during the primaries and it’s become my favorite place on the web and honestly, I’ve stopped reading much else.
I look and feel smarter for being a part of this community.
David in NY
@Max:
“look … smarter” ??
How’s that work, exactly?
Max
@David in NY: Because I am able to counter false claims made by wingnuts in my life with substantive facts that I learn on this site, and I pick up general knowledge on misc. issues and randomness.
Also, too, I wear my glasses sometimes. :)
mr. whipple
Looks like the signing ceremony is going to go off on time at 11:15.
Dumb bobblehead on msgop says ‘bill is unpopular’.
Ugh
Is there anything stupider than the GOP “ZOMG ACTIVIST JUDGES!” Attorneys General filing various lawsuits today hoping to get a judge to rule the health care bill unconstitutional?
David in NY
@Max:
Darn. I was hoping for some magic cosmetic effect … ;)
jackie
I spent the morning calling my congressman, Lipinski, who not only voted no, but is spewing right wing republican talking points all over the place, to tell him what I think of him. And I called my country and state party offices to demand a decent democrat. I then kicked in to say thanks to the good democrats who helped change the world for the better.
General Egali Tarian Stuck
I look forward to Obama’s signing statement that says “suck on this wingnuts”
And Obot can dream, can’t he:)
Genine
Well, whatever Balloon Juice has that creates this effect should be bottled and sold. Eau de Snark
Essence of RedState can be sold as Eau de Dumbass
etc.
me
Fox appears to have a glass half full attitude. They’re all giddy about a Republican sweep in Nov.
Bobzim
We should add Nick Joe Rahall WV-03 to the list. I think this race will get a lot of national attention because of the size and type of money that will be involved.
Rahall’s opponent will most likely be Spike Maynard, (R-Massey Energy), and Citizens United will be in full force.
Corner Stone
Anybody made fun of this little news snippet yet from the AP:
Tea partiers vow revenge over health overhaul
mr. whipple
Still no Obama. I knew I was too optimistic that they’d start ontime.
Ash Can
@mr. whipple: The ceremony is being broadcast on C-SPAN and other channels right now. :)
Violet
I donated! And Tim, thanks for putting this together. I’m pleased to thank the Congresspeople who made this happen!
Tim F. – I agree with someone’s suggestion last night. Perhaps a once-a-week post highlighting one or two of these individuals – a different one or two each time – so that people learn who they are and why we should support them. That would keep the donations rolling in too, as we move on to other things.
Thanks again for the excellent Whip work. BJ is awesome and easily my favorite blog.
Rey
I just saw my Rep. Steve Cohen on tv- second row on the right. He voted Yes!!!
Memphis, TN in the house.
Obama Ackbarrrrrr……
scav
oh good, I’m not the only one watching. They’re all getting altogether so baffoonering and inept that I can’t help saying, yup, that’s my species. Oh, here, Nancy Smash!
Max
@me: They should talk to Jack Welch.
He’s telling the GOP that they are in for an “awful shock” if they think that November will be good for them.
http://tpmlivewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/03/jack-welch-republicans-in-for-awful-shock-in-november-video.php?ref=fpblg
Not that I put stock in what he says, but I can see the meme turning already.
Max
@mr. whipple: I think Obama does it just to fuck with people.
CPT joke implied.
mr. whipple
@Ash Can:
Thanks!!! I’m tearing up again.
geg6
OT, but there is at least one semi-sane Republican left:
http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/88489-coburn-sees-difficulty-forcing-changes-to-reconciliation-bill
And, no, I cannot believe I just called Tom Coburn semi-sane.
mr. whipple
@Max:
Nah, it’s a Democratic thing.
Violet
I’m watching. This is awesome! Fired up! Ready to go!
Man, I love Biden. He cracks me up every time.
Punchy
Just wait until these angry, ignorant fuckers get so bold as to fund their own candidate in all these districts, successfully siphoning off 20% of the Republican votes and ensuring Dem relection (a.k.a, The Reverse Nader). And then watch the response when that blame game gets going…..
Max
You can tell the Obama and Biden honestly like each other.
I like this picture from the other night.
http://www.time.com/time/politics/whitehouse/photos
mr. whipple
@Violet:
In person, he is a really funny and charming guy.
arguingwithsignposts
@Violet: Just tried going to MSNBC’s site. They are streaming live, but that idiot talking head is blah-blah-blah-ing over the veep’s remarks. So I went to CSPAN, which I should have done to begin with.
Violet
Heh heh. Joe Biden is awesome. “You want me to stop, Mr. President, because I’m embarrassing you. But I’m going to go on for another minute.” Hee.
Brian J
@Punchy:
I hope that’s the case. The Democrats need to be prepared. Take Arizona, for instance. I don’t care if they find some random county commissioner to take on JD Hayworth. Just find him or her, have them travel the state, and promote the hell out of him in media outlets. Then let Hayworth up the crazy.
Mwangangi
That was one hell of an intro…
Violet
I swear I’m about to cry, I’m so happy. This is a truly historic day!
Brian J
@Max:
He’s probably right. I mean, it wouldn’t shock me to see the Democrats lose seats, especially in the House–although, like anyone else here, I’d LOVE LOVE LOVE to see the breakdown on the right if they gained seats–but that’s mostly because their margin is so high right now. If they manage to keep loses in the House to 10 seats or under, that’s about as good as a gain, I’d say.
Bobzim
@Violet: I love the story about the Faberge egg. Biden’s getting to be one of those people that make me smile just looking at him.
Violet
I notice the market is up. Today. When health care becomes law.
Suck on that, wingnuts.
GregB
Ah hell yeah!
It’s Jim DeMint’s Reverse Waterloo.
-G
Brian J
@Violet:
Somebody take away the belts and sharp objects from Larry Kudlow!
slag
@arguingwithsignposts: WH.gov has finally gotten their sound right. Their picture quality is good too, and their streaming–although definitely not perfect–is generally smoother than CSpan. For me on Safari, at least.
geg6
Funny. I was told the stock market would crash from this bill that is just like Armageddon.
I guess no one told Wall Street.
http://finance.yahoo.com/
General Egali Tarian Stuck
I dare the wingers to try an repeal this law. Double dare them. Bring it on!!
Violet
Bwahahaha! Who yelled out, “Yes we did!” to the “Congresspeople have taken their lumps” comment. Hilarious. I like the “Still standing!” followup.
What a great crowd in that room!
eta: NANCY SMASH!
PanAmerican
“This is a big…fuckin…deal.”
Joe Biden
General Egali Tarian Stuck
This is our tea party
Violet
@PanAmerican:
Joe is the man! Love him, love him, love him!
geg6
Okay, I admit it. I’m usually a cynical bitch.
But I’m in tears. Just in tears.
Okay, the mom talk has me sobbing.
Violet
@geg6:
Isn’t this just amazingly awesome. I’m in tears too.
“I’m signing this reform bill into law on behalf of my mother.”
Tears.
lamh31
I’m at work, but ya’ll have go to find the pic on twitter showing the crowd at the pre-signing GOP press conference
Chat Noir
@Violet: I know Bill Maher says he’s the president and not my boyfriend, but dayum, I love me some Barack Obama.
Ash Can
Tears from me too with the mention of Mom and the kids.
Dork
Website problem alert — I clinked on “Time for a Massa Massage” on the above letterhead, and like 20 minutes later, still no massage. Please fix immediately. Can’t keep this thing….uh….”awake” indefinitely.
Max
@lamh31: I was just looking at that.
Sofa king funny.
http://www.daylife.com/photo/08Kc3Rz46b9bk?q=pence
CaseyL
Done! And it feels real good.
geg6
@lamh31:
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Violet
@Chat Noir:
Hee. Michelle is awfully nice to share him with us, isn’t she?
Violet
@Max:
Bwahahahhaha! That pic is hilarious.
Man, look at all those pens! And look at little Marcellus. He’s got the same tie as Barack. Cute!
Genine
I’m a watering-pot right now.
lamh31
Malkin et conserv heads explode cause little Marcelas Owens at signing cermony
CaseyL
I didn’t expect to tear up at this, but watching him sign the bill – one pen for each letter of his name – for some reason, that’s doing it. Maybe because of the people around him while he’s doing it.
Max
OMG! Marcellus is standing right next to the Pres, with Joey B’s hands on his shoulders.
Tears now.
I need to go vote right now for Obama for something.
soonergrunt
would donate, but hanging on to every penny until I get a new job.
lamh31
lil marcelas is probalby “damn that a lotta pens”
General Egali Tarian Stuck
wingnuts will claim the bill is not law cause Obama didn’t use all the pens to sign his name, or used too many. Heads/Tails
Win/Lose
Mwangangi
done deal!
slag
@geg6 @Violet: OK. You all were making me feel pretty heartless. But then I watched Joe Biden start to tear up after the Ted Kennedy mention and couldn’t help but join you.
As much crap as Biden gets for his sporadic artlessness, he sure deserves a lot of love for his palpable sincerity.
Sarah
Gave a bit to Carnahan and Markey. Thanks for doing this, Tim.
Violet
Yay! It’s law! Okay, now I’m really crying. Wow.
And hey, look. The stock market shoots up!
And there’s Nancy. NANCY SMASH!
El Cid
Amurka is now ded. I cover mahself in teabags in shame. And none of that herbal stuff neither, good amurkan orange pekoe.
geg6
Man. I think I just had an orgasm. Seriously.
Anybody have a smoke?
Comrade Mary
Yeah, can someone explain the multitude of pens to me? Is this just an Obama thing, or has every president done it? Either way, why? If it’s one pen per letter of name, it’s amazing to me that Eisenhower ever got anything done.
Ash Can
POP
OK, who wants cyber-champagne? I’m pouring.
John PM
Watching the signing on Yahoo. I love the examples Obama used to explain why this bill is so important. I also liked Obama’s shout out to Teddy Roosevelt. Yes, Virginia, Republicans used to have souls, until Nixon came along.
geg6
@Comrade Mary:
They decide ahead of time who is going to get one of the pens that signs the historic legislation and then the presnit uses all of them to sign his name.
IndyLib
Yeah!
Yep, I’m teary, too. Damn, this is why we worked to get this guy elected. What an amazing thing.
mr. whipple
@geg6:
Waves.
You coulda let me in on it, though. LOL.
RareSanity
Call me crazy, but I think it would a have been a healing olive branch to have Stupak at the ceremony.
(braces for incoming rotten tomatoes)
EDIT:
P.S.-I may just be feeling a little emotional because of the signing, I reserve the right to still issue a general “Suck it, Stupak” after the kumbaya moment passes…
me
Fox says the mics caught Biden saying to Obama “This is a big fucking deal.” Sounds about right.
Brian J
@slag:
He’s real. Flawed in a lot of ways (some legitimate, some not), but he’s real. It’s like the universe created him and then created Mitt Romney to give a great example of polar opposites.
scav
@Ash Can: Youpee! Many thanks!
Violet
@Comrade Mary
Before the signing one of the talking heads said that they were giving a pen that signed the legislation to everyone who was involved in getting it done, like a memento of the historic day. So that’s why so many pens.
Max
@RareSanity: He was there.
Tweety was talking about a camera shot that had Bart and Bernie Sanders in the same shot as a great representation of how wide the dem tent is.
geg6
@mr. whipple:
Well, I’ve never been old enough to have an orgasm when legislation this big gets signed. I was only 6 when the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was signed, so I was too young to have one or know it if I did. ;-)
dmsilev
@Comrade Mary: The pens are given out as gifts to various people connected with the law being signed. Dunno when the tradition started, but it’s gone on for quite a while.
-dms
Comrade Mary
@geg6: Thanks! So this is a traditional presidently ritual? Man, those historic bills must be all lumpy and chicken scratchy.
EDIT: Thanks for the additional answers. So it’s a presidently tradition of uncertain duration. Got it!
Violet
@me:
I heard it. Definitely said it. Hilarious. Love me some Joe.
gbear
Watched the whole thing on CSPAN. Beautiful. I was hoping that he’d hand the last pen to Marcelas though. I hope he got one of them.
Chat Noir
@Violet: I love the “NANCY SMASH” tag. I still say that her years as a mom raising five kids helped prepare her to be Speaker of the House. Never underestimate the pretty Italian lady from San Francisco (by way of Baltimore).
And no one can deny the sincerity that just oozes from both Biden and Obama. The contrast to Dubya, who was all smarm and insincerity, is striking.
geg6
@gbear:
They’d have never had him standing there during the signing if he wasn’t getting one. Marcellas will be cherishing that pen. And Obama just created another lifelong Dem activist with that.
Jim, Foolish Literalist
Tweety just told a WaPo reporter that the paper had become “hard to read”
Reporter: “Huh?”
Tweety: “It used to be a liberal paper, I don’t know what it is now”
Reporter: “An independent paper”
Tweety: “I guess that’s self-justifying, but back to this bill….”
Brian J
HAHAHAHAHA: Chris Matthews makes a funny:
Chris Matthews: I don’t know what to say about The Washington Post. It used to be a liberal paper, but it’s now hard to read ideologically.
Capeheart, editorial writer at The Post: We are independent.
Chris Matthews: Fine, that’s very self gratifying, fine.
Violet
@gbear:
I hope he got one too. He shook Marcellus’s hand first after he finished.
Just imagine being Marcellus. What an amazing thing he’s a part of at such a young age, after losing his mom. He seems like such a well-spoken young man.
Chat Noir
@Ash Can: Bolly for everyone!
/Patsy and Edina
Bill E Pilgrim
@Comrade Mary:
President Johann Gambolputty de von Ausfern Schplenden- Schlitter Crasscrenbon fried digger dingle dangle dongle dungle burstein von knacker thrasher apple banger horowitz (etc) used to use a truckload, and it took days.
The entire House and Senate got pens though.
(Link)
Corner Stone
@Comrade Mary: Yeah, all modern Prez have done it.
Ceremonial things used as little rewards and momentos.
mr. whipple
@geg6:
Me, too. Borned in ’61.
I am so proud of my party.
slag
@Brian J:
Ha! I like this way of looking at it. Although it doesn’t seem quite right that Romney ended up getting the better hair.
Rey
Damn, the FLOTUS is gonna get a banging tonight. We should have a new first baby in 9 months. Woohoo!
scav
what the the descent into everyone taking group pictures when it was going late at the beginning, and the masses of souvenir pens at the end (I though the kid was wondering “what is it with grownups?!” personally) and the back chat throughout, it was a v. v. human event in all its shambling goofy majesty.
RareSanity
@Max:
Good catch, I tuned in to th C-Span feed right after the President finished talking, so I missed it.
Whether it was for self interest or not, Stupak’s “speech” the night of the vote took some balls…
Although, I’m sure everybody involved wished that same “speech” wouldn’t have been necessary.
Violet
And the markets keep climbing. Took a nice little jump after the bill was signed.
Suck on that, wingnuts. And get ready – financial reform is next.
Oooh…I feel like I need a cigarette and I don’t even smoke.
Ash Can
Watching the Prez on C-SPAN, shaking hands and chatting, he really looks to be in his glory right now. And it gets me to thinking that maybe, just maybe, he’s seeing what a difference it makes when he takes matters into his own hands and starts cracking heads, as opposed to assuming the divas and prima donnas of the Capitol Hill Chowder and Marching Society will automatically carry the ball on his agenda. Now, I’m not saying that he did the wrong thing by putting the onus of HCR on the legislature; that was obviously the right strategy. But things really seemed to get moving when he took a more hands-on approach himself. I wonder if — and hope that — this success will encourage him to be a little more personally pushy regarding the rest of his agenda.
Comrade Mary
@scav:
Phrase of the day!
Jim, Foolish Literalist
David Gregory wanking hard to make this look like a pyrrhic victory
Tom Hilton
@Violet: I was thinking the same thing. And I loved how Biden guided him toward the front of the bunch–it was such a sweet gesture.
Corner Stone
@Chat Noir: I still love this quote from 2006:
Never
me
Sounds like the states that were threatening to sue, have filed their lawsuit.
SGEW
Gosh, this hope and change thing is kinda working out a little, huh?
Extraordinary. As in: extra-ordinary. I.e., IOW, “a big fucking deal” all right.
Comrade Mary
Yeah, I was a little worried when Marcellus was trapped behind Biden when Obama first sat down. Speaking as a short kid and short adult, I know what it’s like to miss out. But then Grampa Joe guided him to the front. What a mensch.
(Yes, it was probably also an effective political choice to have Marcellus out front. But I still like the way Biden shepherded him out.)
Chat Noir
@Violet: Nerd that I am, I’ve been a Joe Biden fan since the Bork hearings were televised in 1987. I was young college coed at the time.
Jim, Foolish Literalist
Gregory: Look at the stimulus. The administration said it would help the economy. Our polling indicates that Americans still oppose it.
What’s missing there, if you’re an actual reporter?
Mwangangi
Can’t take any more Republican slanted ANALysis from Gregory. I guess I’ll just have to leave it there.
Bobzim
Seems to me the GOP idea of privatizing Medicare and Social Security would be incongruous with their plans to fight HCR on the basis that the federal government can’t force us to buy a private product.
Violet
Oh, nice. 13 GOP State Atty Generals sue to stop the health care bill.
Bring it on. Tell people they can’t put their kids on their insurance. Tell people they can’t get insurance. Go on. Bring it.
Jim, Foolish Literalist
@Mwangangi: and to prove the point, Senator John Barrasso (R-Dick Cheney’s Ass) comes on to say “David made some great points…”
Brian J
@slag:
Considering that pretty much every other part of Romney’s life has been fake at one point, how can we be sure that it’s real?
Either way, it looks great. I’d love to have his great hair when I am that age. Hell, I’d love to have it now. I should take it to a salon, as opposed to a barber, and the lady I want to look like that, but I am not sure it would come out right.
Brian J
@Jim, Foolish Literalist:
Did the Mayo Clinic really say what he claimed about the place turning away Medicaid patients?
Corner Stone
@Jim, Foolish Literalist:
Well, I’m not an actual reporter but speaking as a more or less sentient human being my first thought would be:
“Is there a way to determine if the stimulus is in fact helping or not? And where would that info be located?”
Violet
@Jim, Foolish Literalist:
No kidding. Gregory is such a tool. I can’t wait for MTP to tank even more once Amanpour takes over This Week.
scav
quick! giggle at the LATimes front page.
Violet
@scav:
What’s so funny?
Brian J
@Rey:
Do you think she’s been holding out until he passed something? I mean, if that’s the case, maybe the single payer people should have paid her a visit.
bemused
Ha, Sen Barrasso says Dems were bribed & bought. I expect to see repubots repeating this one in ranting letters to local papers.
slag
@Mwangangi:
Nice idea, but I don’t think CNN’s any better.
Comrade Mary
@Violet:
What is best in life?
To crush the tools pretending to be journalists, to see their ratings fall like a Republican’s pants, and to hear the exultations of the woman who will kick their asses.
CHRISTIANE SMASH!
Genine
@me:
Yeah, Colorado’s Attorney General (Republican) says he is joining the lawsuit over the objection of the Governor (D-Ritter).
But I heard that the suit is an empty gesture since the law won’t take effect until 2014. Is this true?
scav
@Violet: the image. Our commie overlords have taken over already. eek!
I’m trying to get a screen capture. Damn being unemployed and not having my old computer!
Ash Can
LOL! I missed that. That’s beautiful. That and seeing him being such a good grandpa to little Marcelas have made me just giddy this AM over having him as our VP. Jeebus H, what a difference an election can make.
IndyLib
@Jim, Foolish Literalist:
Hmmm, let me think. A relevant fact that wasn’t dependent on a Rasmussen polling number?
The Main Gauche of Mild Reason
Another great idea. Some guy at GOS is arranging a campaign to send Pelosi roses to thank her for her work on HCR/her birthday. Not just a nice gesture, I think it’s a great PR move which should do something to counteract the teabagger narrative.
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/3/23/849359/-UPDATE-x10:-Speaker-Pelosi-70th-Birthday-Rose-Campaign!!-(363-roses-so-far!)
Brian J
Great tweets from Michael Roston:
1. 13 Alberto Gonzales-grade GOP Attorneys General file lawsuit against just-signed #hcr http://bit.ly/axfrvr
2. Er make that 12 Gonzales-grade Attorneys General and one Zell Miller
me
@Genine: Apparently, it is true about the individual mandate won’t go into effect until 2014.
Comrade Mary
Jesus Christ, she’s SEVENTY? I feel like such a slacker next to her.
slag
@The Main Gauche of Mild Reason: I thought something like that might be nice. But then I thought spending that $10 on campaign contributions might be nicer.
WereBear
@David in NY: I second that: I sent him a blistering email a while back, and this time he actually put a survey on his site.
I think he’s trainable! I’m in for five bucks when he appears on ActBlue… let him know there’s real Progressive in his district… and I’ll Facebook the link, too!
ericblair
@Jim, Foolish Literalist: What’s missing there, if you’re an actual reporter?
Directions to the free food after the event?
Lefty Lefty
Where’s Foster on the list? This is Denny Hastert’s district (IL-14), for crying out loud!!!!
Violet
@scav:
Ah, I wondered if that’s what you meant. I thought it was kind of interesting that the Chinese flag was on the front page. Even better, it’s right next to the headline: “GOP mobilizes opposition to healthcare.” ROFLMAO!
PanAmerican
@Violet:
Fap Fap Fap.
They need to bring in Orly Taitz. She’s the expert on nuisance legal action vis-a-vis Obama.
Legalize
Yeah. I thought that was one of the most amazing things I’ve seen during a congressional debate on television. It’s irritating that he put himself in the limelight by being such a douche, but I, for one, don’t really feel all that much scorn for the man any longer. He made a stupid gamble, didn’t realize the backlash he would get, and then ran for Stenny’s protection when it became clear that he had bitten off more than he could chew. He didn’t have to make that plea for rejection of the motion to commit – unless where was a gun to his head. If there was, it’s his own fault. But I doubt we’ll ever hear a peep out of Bart Stupak ever again. In some ways it’s a very good thing that Stupak made such a stink because we now see what happens when you fuck with Nancy and Obama by trying to upend their agenda – as does the rest of the Dem caucus.
scav
@Violet: oh, and possibly sorry, I giggle madly at weird juxtapositions. The breaking news line “Obama signs healthcare reform into law” just above the Google/China image of the commie flag does something to me that actual real live grownups may not find as amusing.
EDIT: oh whew, I knew I was with good, or at least similar, people here!
Michael #2
Unfortunately I’m too broke to donate money (adjunct teaching sucks), and though I may be moving out of his district by November, I did call Mike Capuano’s office (MA-08) this afternoon to thank him for his (eventual!) support of the bill. The woman on the phone at his district office said that phone calls have been pretty mixed, so unfortunately I didn’t have the satisfaction some folks have been able to report (“Good heavens, you’re the first polite, considerate and appreciative caller!”), but I was still able to leave a message for him: Good One!
If I could quote Wayne Newton in The Adventures of Ford Fairlaine: Obama = “an Island of reality in an ocean of diarrhea.”
mistersnrub
David Gregory is the world’s worst journalist. Hands down.
Violet
@Comrade Mary:
Yeah, baby! I think she’ll be good at that job and might even make the show interesting to watch. And I have every confidence she’ll tank Gregory’s sad little show.
I wonder if NBC will think about luring someone like Fareed Zakaria away to host MTP as a counter. Just imagine those two on the Sunday morning shows. Talk about the changing face of America. Wingnut heads exploding all over!
Who am I kidding? They’ll probably give it to Luke Russert or Jenna Bush Hager.
El Cid
You know, for a while there, he was one of the few members of the White House press crew willing to stand up and ask tough and pointed questions to the Bush / Cheney regime, particularly on Iraq PS (Pre-SURGE, when all problems were solved and Iraq became a stable land of peace and ponies and candy).
Mwangangi
@slag: nah, I just turned it off. Gotta study my rotor-craft manual if I want one of those gubbmint whirlymajigger flyin’ jobs, I was born with the black part, now all I need is the vehicle. I can’t imagine how good my T-bone steak will be in one of those… once I put some beats and rims on it.
LD50
In his goofy way, Biden is adorable. And I NEVER say that about politicians.
The Golux
One of the best parts of all this is that the phrase “spineless Democrats” can be retired.
I hope they all feel so good about this that it leads to greater cohesion on immigration, finance reform, cap and trade…
General Egali Tarian Stuck
@Genine: Ordinarily, this sort of nonsense would be laughable as the SCOTUS has for the past 100 years or so clearly stated that anything that affects interstate commerce congress has reason to regulate.
But we have 4 justices, and increasingly 5, activist wingnuts on the court who are systematically overturning such precedent, and a couple of times since the 90’s have ruled there are limits to the Commerce Clause.
It would surprise me if they ruled HCR unconstitutional, but not by much. It would IMO, come close to a judicial branch going full original text hard core right wing to strip congress of it’s powers, and thusly the executive branch as well, at least for a dem administration.
Jim, Foolish Literalist
@bemused:
Yup. All those uninsured people countered the insurance cos and the Chamber of commerce with millions and millons of dollars!
@mistersnrub: Yes, but with apologies to the late Mr Zevon, his hair is PERFECT!
Violet
@El Cid:
Yeah, I remember when David Gregory actually did some real reporting. He did ask questions. Not sure he was really remarkable, but since most of the other “journalists” were rolling over and getting their tummies scratched it did stand out a bit.
He’s been dire as the moderator of MTP. Just horrid. When Tom Brokaw steps in, the show is a million times better and that’s sad.
soonergrunt
From GOS himself, this short blurb accompanying a picture of a nearly empty briefing room:
That is all kinds of win.
gbear
@soonergrunt:
That is just the saddest picture ever.
Bwhahahahahahahah!!
ajr22
@mistersnrub: John King is running a close second. His new show on Cnn thinks that putting a lot of flags in the background and making the show about “real America” will bring ratings. Oh ya and he has Erickson on as a real american pundit, enough said.
RedKitten
Watched the signing ceremony, and I was just so delighted for you guys. I know he’s not my President, but I’m still damn proud of him, if that’s all right with you.
Linda Featheringill
Watched the signing of the HCR bill. Obama looked tired. Is that small army of medical personnel that follows him around everywhere keeping an eye on him?
Linda Featheringill
Question:
What is in the reconciliation bill? Anything new and exciting?
Violet
Wow, speaking of Christiane Amanpour taking over This Week, I just saw this hit piece on her. Excerpts:
and
Wow, did Terry Moran or Jake Tapper blow this guy or what? This only makes me think she is going to be great at that job.
gbear
Fuck off, Tim.
SGEW
@RedKitten: No no no! He’s ours! You Northerners have had so much to crow over, all these years; let us have what we can get.
Comrade Luke
Man, Obama and Hillary Clinton sure hate each other.
mr. whipple
Obama: ‘ Go to any credible news site and see what reform will do for you.’ Crowd laughs, then Obama. LOL.
Ash Can
@lamh31:
@soonergrunt:
That made me LOL. Pathetic little dweebs. I love all the empty chairs. I hope the two or three mopes who were in attendance were sycophantic staffers. If they were actual press, I’m sure they were pissed at having drawn the short straws when assignments were doled out this morning.
Violet
@RedKitten:
I’m glad when others like our President, especially this one. Now I won’t have to borrow one of your country’s flags to put on my backpack the next time I go overseas. LOL.
Brian J
@Violet:
A lot of the dissatisfaction has to do with the fact that she might take the show away from pure politics into something more focused on international news, which is what she did at CNN. That makes sense if you are a political reporter who was passed over at ABC, but I think I understand ABC’s reasoning here, assuming this is what it is: there’s already a flurry of political talk out there, so why not stand out a little by changing the focus? I doubt she will be able to avoid politics entirely, even if she wanted to, but she does bring along a certain heft as an international reporter.
There’s also the fact that ABC is cutting back on the news team in a big way, but just announced it will spend a lot of money to lure a big star to the network. That’s bound to cause some bitterness.
soonergrunt
@RedKitten: I was going to say “it’s a free country” but I don’t know. This is starting to sound like that lack of freedom that you didn’t know about, being free and all, that we were discussing earlier.
bemused
@gbear:
Pawlenty, desperate to be prez, sure didn’t waste any time joining in with all the other wingnuts that want to make sure their states’ residents don’t get anything good. He is such an shameful embarrassment to Minn.
Mwangangi
@mr. whipple: That was hilarious.
Ash Can
@gbear:
::applauds the MN AG::
me
@Brian J: Internationally focused television news shows FTW.
soonergrunt
@Brian J: If ABC’s stable were worth a shit, it wouldn’t be an issue.
Corner Stone
@Comrade Luke: I never knew the President had his own time zone.
Leelee for Obama
I can’t do anything just now, but I will when I get my first paycheck. This is a good thing to donate to. These Congress Members took a chance on us, helping them is the least we can do. I hope someone wants to run against Posey, I’ll knock on doors for ’em.
Leelee for Obama
@RedKitten: I learned from watching Sesame Street with my kids that it’s nice to share, so yeah, you can be proud of him too!
Leelee for Obama
@Mwangangi: Not sure if this is the funniest thing I’ve read lately, but it’s definitely in the top 3!
Well done, well done!
Mwangangi
@Leelee for Obama: If I wasn’t cooking right now, I would’ve searched YouTube for a clip of the “I learned it by watching you” anti-drug commercial. Since I didn’t, you’ll just have to imagine it.
slag
@Mwangangi: I like it! Nothing better than kicking it old school.
As the kids like to say, that is.
Genine
@me:
@General Egali Tarian Stuck:
Thanks for the info guys. I was confused about that.
I really hope this bill stays law. People’s LIVES depend on it.
Claudia
We got a give-away to Insurance and Pharma corps and the gutting of MediCare. This is not “progressive” in the least, nor “leftist” as a Brit news item sent to me last night claims. This Bill is a corporate coup and while all the bs and PR swirling around may program sheeple’s attitudes, the fact remains it is almost wholly the Insurance Lobby’s bill from 2008.
scav
@Claudia: and thanks for playing. Nancy Smash!
more tries
edit again
oh a FYWP!
Angela
I have, over the last 2 days, called Anthony Weiner, Barney Frank, Alan Grayson, John Lewis, Dennis Kucinich and Nancy Pelosi (my rep) to tell them they rock. I broke down in tears when I was thanking John Lewis and his staff. Im sure the guy who answered the phone thought I was crazy. But then I realized that probably hundreds of people are so thankful that they have shed tears, and possibly to that same nice staffer who had to listen to me blubber. If I worked for a congressman, and people called me in tears to say that lives have been saved because of what I did and that I was a hero…I wouldn’t mind the crying so much.
Brian J
@soonergrunt:
Someone did say that this does, in a way, help Terry Moran, because his profile will be raised right before his contract is up. If he’s looking to go on to something else, or even if he’s not right now, that’s a good thing.
Shade Tail
Over the past two days, I’ve called my Rep (Mike Honda) at both offices, Capitol Hill and local, to tell his staffers how thankful I was that he voted for HCR and the fix. And I also talked up Grayson’s ‘Medicare You Can Buy Into‘ bill, only to learn that Rep. Honda is already a co-sponsor.
Ah, the joys of being represented by a real liberal.
I’ve also called both my Senators, Boxer and Feinstein, to find out if they are committed to the Reconciliation fix. Boxer is, but I didn’t get a clear answer from Feinstein’s staffer.
If either of your Senators are dems, CALL THEM. Talk up the Reconciliation fix. And talk up a public option while you’re at it; winners aim for the stars, after all. And there are ways we can still get a public option. After all, Rep. Grayson is already moving on that.
db
I donated already.
But would be willing to donate again if Reid is added to the list. Yes, he’s imperfect (aren’t we all?). But he came through for House Democrats.