Health Care: Fait Accompli Watch

Health Care: Fait Accompli Watch

Health Care: Fait Accompli Watch

A mostly political weblog.
Dec. 14 2009 2:09 PM

Health Care: Fait Accompli Watch

Lots of talk on the Sunday chat shows about how the uncertainty over health care reform is discouraging businesses from hiring, since they don't know what sort of taxes, etc. they'll be facing. But if what business wants is certainty ... well, at this point the fastest way to get certainty is for the Dems to pass a bill quickly, no? ... 11:18 A.M.

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Reihan Salam joins the anti-Orszagists , calling Obama's emphasis on curve-bending cost control in health care the "most glaring and consequential unforced error" of his presidency.  11:20 A.M.

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Only 33% of *U.S. born* (second-generation) Latino immigrant kids identify themselves first by the term "American." Most prefer either their country of origin (41%) or the term "Latino" or "Hispanic." This is supposed to prove Lou Dobbs wrong? 11:21 A.M.

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The Secret Weak Link in the Dems' 60-vote Scenario? If Joe Lieberman wants the Medicare buy-in taken out, and he's the 60th vote, then there's an obvious solution for Harry Reid: Take the Medicare buy-in out! Duh. ...The senator I worry about is Blagojevich appointee Roland Burris of Illinois.  He's already made noises about voting against any bill that doesn't have a public option , which the final Senate bill is unlikely to have. ... Think about it. He's not running for reelection. What hold do the Dems have on him? His record does not give you confidence that he's not susceptible to whatever ...er,   persuasion anti-reform lobbyists might come up with. He might like a bit of attention before he re-retires. And if he does vote against the bill it will at least appear to be from the left. It''s the perfect cover for doing the lobbyists' bidding, should he be so inclined. .... 12/15 Update:   Told you so! Burris threatens "no" vote again, after Reid/Lieberman deal. ...  11:28 A.M.

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Dana Milbank suggests that Max Baucus is scandal-proof--in the matter of recommending his girlfriend for a job-- because he's a "dork"? I'm   not sure Milbank has it right. He's applying New York standards. Baucus is Sexy for Washington. He's not even fat. ...  11:32 A.M.

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