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08 Dec 2009 21:17

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U.S.: Public option not needed? The Democrats bend for health care

  • You knew it was gonna happen. After over a week of intense debate, Democratic senators have given in to the biggest factor affecting whether the bill was going to pass. The public option is off the table for now. Liberals, cry a single tear. It’ll be okay. *pat* source

21 Nov 2009 21:02

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U.S.: No Republicans, no problem: The Senate Dems get health care going

  • It’s official, kids. The Democrats have taken weeks of attempting to get this shiznit on the Senate floor and actually gotten it on the freaking Senate floor. And they did it without a single Republican. Who knows if they’ll get any further with it, but it’s a great first step. source

21 Nov 2009 15:00

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Politics: Senate update: The Democrats have 60 votes for health care!

  • 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 just simply drop the issue and walk away.
  • Arkansas Sen. Blanche Lincoln • On her reason for agreeing to allow the Senate bill to go to discussion. Her move gives the Democrats 60 votes. Reminder: This is only a vote to discuss health care. None of the moderate Democrats have agreed to a final vote, just more discussion. source

21 Nov 2009 13:11

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U.S.: The Senate’s Democratic health holdouts are droppin’ like flies

  • 59 Democrat-caucusing Senators favor bring this bill to the floor
  • one Democrat-caucusing SenatorMary Landrieu – just offered her support source

20 Nov 2009 20:42

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U.S.: Odds of Senate Dems getting 60 votes for health care: Improving

  • Good news for Dems It appears that the party has close to the 60 votes needed to push the health care bill to a discussion in the chamber. Who knows if that’ll actually happen, but man, it’s fun to watch democracy in action.
  • The lone holdouts Among Democrats, the main people holding back the bill are Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas and Mary Landrieu of Louisiana. Ben Nelson, the other wildcard, is favoring a discussion if not a vote. Source

08 Nov 2009 09:57

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U.S.: The New York Times has a pretty killer health care vote map

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  • Anyone find it vaguely amusing that West Texas is so strongly Democratic? Anyway, The NYT’s graphical map of the vote breaks down by district how your rep voted. Joseph Cao is alone in his principles. And when you’re done with this graphic, here’s one specifically on Democrats who voted no. (The most surprising “no” vote? Dennis J. Kucinich, who argued that the bill didn’t go far enough.)source

03 Nov 2009 22:15

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U.S.: ELECTION RESULTS: Chris Christie upsets Jon Corzine in New Jersey

  • It was a close race, at the end, but it wasn’t enough to keep the incumbent in office. In an election night which is starting to look like a wash for the Democrats, the Republicans won the two biggest prizes up for grabs. Poll numbers at the end leaned towards Corzine, but independents didn’t stick with him. The AP is calling this (and we usually boycott them), but we feel that this news is big enough that it’s worth an exception.source
 

20 Oct 2009 09:41

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U.S.: Bailed-out firms in no rush to help the party behind the bailout

  • Having had their hides saved by the Democratic party, it might be suggested that bailed-out firms might try to pat their backs in return in future elections. source
  • However, largely out of fear of further hurting their public image, many bailed-out firms are staying away from a Democratic fundraiser near Wall Street. source

06 Oct 2009 10:13

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U.S.: Obama’s trying to “extend” the stimulus to help unemployed

  • We’re thinking through all additional potential strategies for accelerating job creation.
  • Top Obama adviser David Axelrod • Describing the current state of affairs regarding job creation. Realizing that a 9.8% unemployment rate is unlikely to win the administration any friends, they’re working on a plan that won’t require a second stimulus but will adjust the first to help create more jobs. Democrats in Congress are also trying to assist with the plight of jobless by increasing unemployment benefits for those long-jobless. • source

29 Sep 2009 11:08

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U.S.: The Senate Democrats make one last push for the public option

  • A couple Senate Finance Committee Dems plan to push for it today. Obama has seemingly given up on the public option, but other Democrats haven’t, and today, they plan to push for its presence in the Baucus plan by forcing a vote. Sens. Jay Rockefeller and Chuck Schumer may not have the votes to get it passed, so it could be a mere symbolic gesture, but you have to start throwing the kitchen sink at some point. source