Tweet
Leading up to tonight’s vote on the motion to proceed with consideration of the Senate health reform bill, the Republican Senate leadership has been putting enormous pressure on Arkansas Senator Blanche Lincoln and others to vote “no” on the motion to proceed, arguing that the procedural vote could not be differentiated from a vote on the merits of the health reform bill.
And all week, Senator Lincoln dodged media questions about whether Democrats could count on her vote on the procedural motion. Her dodges seemed designed to create the impression that she was seriously considering holding the bill hostage and voting “no” on the procedural motion to extract concessions on the bill’s substance.
On the Senate floor today, after promoting herself for nearly 8 minutes, the distinguished Senator resoundingly rejected this way of thinking:
The reason we are having this vote, Madam President, is because our Republican colleagues object to beginning debate and consideration of amendments on health care legislation.
Although I don’t agree with everything in this bill, I have concluded that I believe it is more important that we begin this debate to improve our nation’s health care system for all Americans rather than simply drop the issue and walk away. That is not what people sent us here to do.
Attempts by the national Republican Party and other conservative groups to portray this as a vote for or against this particular health care reform bill is [sic] untrue, and it’s deliberately misleading.
The vote tonight will mark the beginning of considerations of this bill by the full US Senate, not the end.
The Republicans have sought to revive their political party by opposing any real solution to our nation’s health care crisis. In fact, Madam President, this vote for or against a procedure that allows us to begin open debate on health care reform is nothing more, and nothing less.
Put simply, those who vote yes on this vote believe that our nation’s health care system needs reforming, and they are ready, ready to have an honest and open debate on the floor of the United States Senate on how best to achieve that reform.
Okay, Senator. But if voting "no" was nothing more than an irresponsible, misleading Republican tactic to derail health reform, and the issue was so clear cut that it would have been absurd to vote “no,” what exactly was all this week’s posturing about?
This is why voters find it hard to take some of these people seriously.
More:
Teddy Partridge/FDL, Stage three cancer Arkansan hasn’t seen doctor in 7 years.
Teddy/FDL, The shame of unaffordable health care
Teddy/FDL, Two-time cancer survivor, aged out of family’s health plan, tells Senators, "Take heed!"
Teddy/FDL, 59-year old Arkansan to Senators, "Jesus healed the sick, have human compassion please!"
25 Comments
Blanche Lincoln went on to say that she is not accountable to “outside groups” who are running ads in Arkansas and that she will vote against cloture for a final vote if a public option remains in the bill after debate. She said it explicitly near the end of her speech.
While playing victim, she neglected to say that she opposes a public option even though a majority of her constituents are in favor of it.
Can you say “Nuclear Option”? I knew you could. It’s the only way to restore majority rule.
While she was speaking, I commented that Blanche was both laying out her position, while simultaneously explaining why she was wrong.
If Senate hypocrisy was currency there would be no deficit.
If there was no Senate hypocrisy, there would be no Senate.
Not only that but the economy as we know it would cease to exist because every American would be wealthier than Midas. And if Senate cowardice were currency we could bring the whole world up to our economic standard.
I dare say we got under her skin
The funniest part was when Durbin let slip that Lincoln had told Reid how she was going to vote, before she even supposedly made up her mind.
Also, I watched her speech and she did not promise to filibuster the bill. She said she would vote not to advance it. That could mean many things.
Harry is coming dangerously close to sounding like a fighting man.
It’ll pass.
Why did he wait until the bottom of the ninth? Finger in the wind all the time – I’m sure that comity is everything s/
The Senate vote is about to start.
vote started!!
about time!
Anyone know why harry asked that Senators be required to “vote from their seats”?
Keeps the fighting to a minimum?
just guessing – but possibly to either:
a) avoid embarrassment for Nelson, Landrieu and Lincoln, or;
b) to avoid last second arm-twisting and nefarious deals?
So they can be heard casting their vote!
is lieberweasel safely in the fold?
Rayne’s covering the vote
The vote has begun, upstairs…
Liveblog: Senate Vote on Cloture for Health Care Reform Bill
vote count?
liarman voted yes??? wtf
Progressive Agenda 2010 and beyond….
PRIMARY OPPOSITION FOR Landrieu, Nelson, and Lincoln.
The only vote I never doubted was Joe Lieberman: he is in it for attention for Joe. Don’t act surprised.
The others — Nelson, Landreiu, Lincoln — these folks are so over their heads. I believe this has challenged everything they thought they were about. I feel for them but really, get out of the proverbial kitchen if this is too much for you.
All Blanche needs to tell many of the Arkansas folks is walk the talk…Jesus would want every person to have access to health care. Everyone full access to health care. Nothing less.
Hit the issue where it will work. Throw their supposed spiritual religious beliefs back in their faces.
Lots of supposed Christians in Arkansas
That stump speech sounded as if she was solidly behind profits for private insurance companies and then she went on to tell us that she is all about the people.
Go get her Jane…we are right behind you