Open Threads

I can’t keep up with the rest of the front pagers, so I’ll just throw up this open thread.

Just edited the Darth Vader entrance theme down to a ringtone for my dad. Having too much fun with this new phone.

Open ThreadPost + Comments (86)

Not so long ago I got off the phone with a member of John Barrow’s campaign team. He told me that John would be voting NO. The reasons given were quite a few, but they all boiled down to fear.

John Barrow is afraid that the Republicans will use a YES vote to beat him in November. He has made the calculation that he can vote NO in a District that Barack Obama won by 54.09% because he thinks the Democrats in the 12th will have no options other than giving him their support in November–no matter how much he betrays them.

Almost one out of every four people in his District do not have any health insurance, but John seems to feel that it is OK to tell them to fuck off because he is afraid that Glenn Beck might say something mean about him.

He is a spineless coward, but that means he could change his vote between now and Sunday if he is given reasons to fear the backlash of his NO vote more than he already fears Fox News and Republican talking points.

So call him. His numbers are below the fold. And if you have connections to an organization (Unions, the NAACP, AARP, etc.) that could send the weasel a message–encourage them to give Barrow a call as well.

It might also be a good time to send Regina Thomas–his Primary opponent–some money.

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Update on John BarrowPost + Comments (37)

A reader just wrote me that Stephen Lynch’s “no” was basically absolute yesterday, but today Lynch’s staffer hedged a lot more about his problems with “the Senate bill”. When pressed about how how he would vote on the bill as it will probably come up on Sunday she wouldn’t say. Movement? Call and find out tomorrow.

Speaking of tomorrow, many Congressional Dems will have their offices open Saturday to give more people a chance to comment. Tell family and friends that they have one more chance to make this happen!

Also. Too. Another reader tells me that the free fax site faxzero is a handy way to get your message through when phone lines are tied up.

It Helps To Phone A LotPost + Comments (29)

Per CNN. If he goes through with it, Cao will almost certainly switch parties on the same day that he votes ‘yes’. God knows he won’t be a featured speaker at the next GOP convention. If you live in the area it can’t hurt to phone Cao and encourage him to do both. The screaming that his staff are getting from the right must be epic.

***Update***

DanF.

I met with one of Baron Hill’s staffers before lunch today. I explained my strong support for the bill. I asked if the Congressman had seen the CBO score, and was assured that he had. I was told that Baron Hill wanted to see the text of the reconciliation bill and get feed-back from the community before making his decision.

A ton of Representatives take constituent calls very seriously. And they should. The Framers gave Representatives two-year terms precisely because it makes the House responsive to the day-to-day constituent demands. So get their staff on the line and demand.

Did Joseph Cao Switch To ‘Maybe’?Post + Comments (170)

Time to phone John Hall.

I just got off the phone with Congressman John Hall’s office (NY-19). I assumed he would vote for HCR but he is undeclared. I gave money to elect Hall. His staff said I was one of only TWO calls in support of HCR, and the office has been flooded with calls opposing the bill. He will make up his mind on Sunday, but the staff member said calls are needed, and if I care about what happens we need to contact friends and family to call Hall’s office to voice support. I could hear the worry and fear in her voice.

If you have already called, send a fax as well. Faxes are as close as you can get to the gold standard of written letters, which take too long to arrive ever since the anthrax business.

What Time Is It In New York?Post + Comments (107)