Booman Tribune ~ A Progressive Community

Waterloo Bounces Off Us, Sticks to You

by BooMan
Sun Mar 21st, 2010 at 06:12:00 PM EST

David Frum is feeling glum.

Former Bush speechwriter David Frum says Republicans bet that the health care reform bill would be President Obama's Waterloo -- "just as health care was Clinton's in 1994."
"Only, the hardliners overlooked a few key facts: Obama was elected with 53% of the vote, not Clinton's 42%. The liberal block within the Democratic congressional caucus is bigger and stronger than it was in 1993-94. And of course the Democrats also remember their history, and also remember the consequences of their 1994 failure."
"This time, when we went for all the marbles, we ended with none... We followed the most radical voices in the party and the movement, and they led us to abject and irreversible defeat."

I wouldn't say they got nothing. It just got a lot harder for those of us who would like to do away with the Hyde Amendment, and if we're not careful, the stupid Ben Nelson language in the Senate bill will make it harder for people to find a provider to help end a pregnancy. I'd say that the anti-choice movement made some progress in this messy process, and that's at least something that Republicans can point to as progress. But, in the larger picture, David Frum is correct. This bill might have been the Republican version of health care fifteen-twenty years ago. Today it passes with no Republican support. And they have so poisoned the minds of their supporters, that they will never be able to govern effectively in this new paradigm. They screwed themselves. Plus, this bill greatly expands Medicaid. Last I checked, not too many people using Medicaid vote for Republicans. If their party goes from being the Party of No to the Party of Repeal, they'll create at least 31 million solid Democrats. Idiots.

Update [2010-3-21 19:19:33 by BooMan]: The Roll Call on the Rule is a proxy for for the final vote. It passed 224-206, with 28 Democrats losing out on a chance to be seen in a good light by history.

Waterloo Bounces Off Us, Sticks to You | 45 comments (45 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

Re: Waterloo Bounces Off Us, Sticks to You (4.00 / 3)

I love your title, made me laugh. That is all.

by sjct on Sun Mar 21st, 2010 at 07:48:13 PM EST

Waterloo Bounces Off Us, Sticks to You (none / 0)

yes!

Viva Obama

by Errol on Sun Mar 21st, 2010 at 08:17:43 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Waterloo Bounces Off Us, Sticks to You (none / 1)

Statement of NOW President Terry O'Neill
March 21, 2010
The National Organization for Women is incensed that President Barack Obama agreed today to issue an executive order designed to appease a handful of anti-choice Democrats who have held up health care reform in an effort to restrict women's access to abortion. Through this order, the president has announced he will lend the weight of his office and the entire executive branch to the anti-abortion measures included in the Senate bill, which the House is now prepared to pass.
President Obama campaigned as a pro-choice president, but his actions today suggest that his commitment to reproductive health care is shaky at best. Contrary to language in the draft of the executive order and repeated assertions in the news, the Hyde Amendment is not settled law -- it is an illegitimate tack-on to an annual must-pass appropriations bill. NOW has a longstanding objection to Hyde and, in fact, was looking forward to working with this president and Congress to bring an end to these restrictions. We see now that we have our work cut out for us far beyond what we ever anticipated. The message we have received today is that it is acceptable to negotiate health care on the backs of women, and we couldn't disagree more.

I share their frustration.

by BooMan on Sun Mar 21st, 2010 at 06:39:22 PM EST

Me too. (none / 0)

It was a cowardly and, I believe unnecessary, capitulation. This bill was already uninspiring. Obama may have now made it's passage a totally pyrrhic victory.

by Ed J on Sun Mar 21st, 2010 at 07:05:30 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Me too. (none / 1)

Ed, you have a way with overstatement.

by BooMan on Sun Mar 21st, 2010 at 07:12:48 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Is the bill inspiring? (none / 0)

Did this deal make it even less so?

by Ed J on Sun Mar 21st, 2010 at 07:26:07 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Me too. (none / 0)

pyrrhic? seriously? most likely not for the folks represented here:

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE62I4KD20100319

by forus50 on Sun Mar 21st, 2010 at 07:38:50 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Most likely yes... (none / 0)

for the women who start giving themselves abortions with coat hangers again.

by Ed J on Sun Mar 21st, 2010 at 07:43:41 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Most likely yes... (none / 0)

Or simply not using insurance to pay for the operation, which is standard practice for most women already.

by Paul W on Sun Mar 21st, 2010 at 08:07:37 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Most likely yes... (none / 0)

Since pregnancy is a pre-existing condition, women tend not to use insurance for abortions now. Not that much of substance has changed.

FDR's response to progressive demands: "I agree. Now go out and make me do it."

by DaveW on Sun Mar 21st, 2010 at 08:38:44 PM EST
[ Parent ]

What the fuck are you talking about? (none / 0)

Pregnancy is a pre-existing condition?

by Ed J on Sun Mar 21st, 2010 at 08:43:15 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: What the fuck are you talking about? (none / 0)

That's what the insurance cos have said to policyholders.

FDR's response to progressive demands: "I agree. Now go out and make me do it."

by DaveW on Sun Mar 21st, 2010 at 08:49:01 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Federal law says... (none / 0)

otherwise:

Under a law known as HIPAA, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, health insurers cannot consider pregnancy a preexisting condition. So, unlike illnesses such as diabetes, they can't deny you coverage when you go from one job to another and switch health plans.

by Ed J on Sun Mar 21st, 2010 at 08:57:03 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Federal law says... (none / 1)

Federal law must be enforced for that to be true in people's lives. It is the case that from 2001 to 2009, enforcement of the law was not a strong suit of governance -- unless you are talking about the PATRIOT ACT.

50 states, 210 media market, 435 Congressional Districts, 3080 counties, 192,480 precincts

by TarheelDem on Sun Mar 21st, 2010 at 09:20:07 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Federal law says... (none / 1)

Especially labor and environmental law.

by seabe on Sun Mar 21st, 2010 at 09:22:24 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Waterloo Bounces Off Us, Sticks to You (none / 1)

I don't see that it makes any substantive difference. The symbolism is a step backward, but that can be reversed. My sympathy with NOW, after their hot romance with Lieberman and the like, has worn pretty thin.

FDR's response to progressive demands: "I agree. Now go out and make me do it."

by DaveW on Sun Mar 21st, 2010 at 07:17:34 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Waterloo Bounces Off Us, Sticks to You (none / 0)

well, it does make it harder to kill the Hyde Amendment.

by BooMan on Sun Mar 21st, 2010 at 07:21:24 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Waterloo Bounces Off Us, Sticks to You (none / 0)

Why? An executive order expires on its own just like the appropriations bill Hyde is attached to, no? So what's the substantive difference?

FDR's response to progressive demands: "I agree. Now go out and make me do it."

by DaveW on Sun Mar 21st, 2010 at 07:28:08 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Waterloo Bounces Off Us, Sticks to You (none / 0)

Obama put his stamp of approval on it, making it harder to argue against it later.

by BooMan on Sun Mar 21st, 2010 at 07:41:48 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Waterloo Bounces Off Us, Sticks to You (none / 0)

That's reaching. He made a deal. This is politics. He'll take a small hit if he reverses it in the future. So what.

FDR's response to progressive demands: "I agree. Now go out and make me do it."

by DaveW on Sun Mar 21st, 2010 at 08:42:24 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Waterloo Bounces Off Us, Sticks to You (none / 0)

And Dana Goldstein Tweeted that she was at a meeting where Obama met with the leaders of Planned Parenthood and pledged to dump the Hyde Amendment. Promises, promises!!

by Calvin Jones and the 13th Apostle on Sun Mar 21st, 2010 at 08:10:15 PM EST
[ Parent ]

George Bush's invasion of Iraq... (none / 0)

will "be reversed". Does that justify agreeing to it in the first place?

by Ed J on Sun Mar 21st, 2010 at 07:29:43 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: George Bush's invasion of Iraq... (4.00 / 2)

Depends on how important breaking the back of Republican obstructionism is to you as to whether it is justified. Obama could have just forced through Stupak's language in the law and told the pro-choice caucus to "suck it up".

My suspicion is that NOW's statement is primarily intended for the fundraising that will begin tomorrow. How they use those funds in the 2010 cycle will determine how reversible the executive order is.

50 states, 210 media market, 435 Congressional Districts, 3080 counties, 192,480 precincts

by TarheelDem on Sun Mar 21st, 2010 at 07:33:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: George Bush's invasion of Iraq... (4.00 / 2)

Totally agree. NOW has it's agenda and one of them is clearly fundraising off of this. I would have been very surprised if they didn't take advantage of it.

by forus50 on Sun Mar 21st, 2010 at 07:40:44 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Are you kidding? (none / 0)

It can't possibly be "reversible" at all. I believe Obama lacks courage but I don't think he's a liar.

by Ed J on Sun Mar 21st, 2010 at 07:37:51 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Are you kidding? (none / 0)

At worst it will expire on its own. And I don't see how reversing it would be lying. It's called changing your mind. Enough with the hysteria already. It grows tedious.

FDR's response to progressive demands: "I agree. Now go out and make me do it."

by DaveW on Sun Mar 21st, 2010 at 08:40:54 PM EST
[ Parent ]

When do you think it will expire? n/t (none / 0)

by Ed J on Sun Mar 21st, 2010 at 08:58:22 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Waterloo Bounces Off Us, Sticks to You (none / 1)

I don't have a problem with it. It was meaningless - an EO is just that. To save healthcare and to save us from living the rest of my life in a teabagger world?? Obama didn't give up anything.

by forus50 on Sun Mar 21st, 2010 at 07:23:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Waterloo Bounces Off Us, Sticks to You (none / 0)

It's very clear. If you don't turn out the votes to elect pro-choice candidates, you don't have pro-choice members of Congress to vote your interests.

Any pro-choice Republicans should read the handwriting on the wall. I'm pro-choice but I vote on economic issues doesn't cut it anymore.

Change the composition of Congress, and you will have fewer of these standoffs that end in serious compromise on the part of the President. You don't do that by dropping out of the electoral process.

50 states, 210 media market, 435 Congressional Districts, 3080 counties, 192,480 precincts

by TarheelDem on Sun Mar 21st, 2010 at 07:30:16 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Waterloo Bounces Off Us, Sticks to You (none / 0)

What, no neener neener?

Oh, there you are, Perry. -Phineas -SLB-

by boran2 (blogistan@yahoo.com) on Sun Mar 21st, 2010 at 08:22:46 PM EST

Re: Waterloo Bounces Off Us, Sticks to You (none / 0)

Not until the ink is dry.

50 states, 210 media market, 435 Congressional Districts, 3080 counties, 192,480 precincts

by TarheelDem on Sun Mar 21st, 2010 at 08:45:38 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Waterloo Bounces Off Us, Sticks to You (none / 0)

Jeb Hebsarling just crammed 20 lies into 2 minutes.

by BooMan on Sun Mar 21st, 2010 at 08:58:05 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Waterloo Bounces Off Us, Sticks to You (none / 0)

The loudest ones are always the biggest liars. Jeb Hensarling is always lying, but that might be a new record. I saw it, too.

by seabe on Sun Mar 21st, 2010 at 09:00:16 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Waterloo Bounces Off Us, Sticks to You (none / 0)

it's good that some of them are insane because the rest are so boring and predictable. Michele Bachmann? Not predictable. She's got crazy you never see coming.

by BooMan on Sun Mar 21st, 2010 at 09:35:15 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Waterloo Bounces Off Us, Sticks to You (none / 0)

I think my Congressman, Eric Cantor, is a more miserable lying douche than Hensarling, though.

by seabe on Sun Mar 21st, 2010 at 09:53:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Waterloo Bounces Off Us, Sticks to You (none / 0)

And he's just really really dumb as well. I recall an argument he had with Chris Matthews on TV about the word "Appeasement" which was apparently the bold-print item in his talking points that day but he didn't know what it actually meant.

by RandyH on Sun Mar 21st, 2010 at 10:00:13 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Waterloo Bounces Off Us, Sticks to You (none / 0)

Yeah, he's pretty dumb. I talked policy with him when I was 17 at some breakfast thing I went to, and it was going over his head. When he spoke, all he did was try and sell the success of the Iraq War, even though the event was about nominations for the military academies.

by seabe on Sun Mar 21st, 2010 at 10:10:38 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Waterloo Bounces Off Us, Sticks to You (none / 0)

Oh my favorite is quickly becoming Virginia Foxx of Texas. She's so mean that no one even calls her on her lies and she gets bolder and crazier each time she gets in front of a microphone.

by RandyH on Sun Mar 21st, 2010 at 09:56:43 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Waterloo Bounces Off Us, Sticks to You (none / 0)

Sadly, she's from my state, NC. What an embarrassment.

by Second Nature (denn1214 at gmail) on Sun Mar 21st, 2010 at 10:22:46 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Waterloo Bounces Off Us, Sticks to You (none / 0)

Woops.

Then just say she's from Texas. It fits. I guess that's why I thought she was from there. North Carolina really gets a bad rap when they're nothing like South Carolina or Texas, politically. I guess she's the exception.

by RandyH on Sun Mar 21st, 2010 at 10:30:19 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re LOL best headline with photo today (none / 0)

http://wonkette.com/414342/victory-party-to-nite-obama-bringing-limo-full-of-nurseshookers-blow

by forus50 on Sun Mar 21st, 2010 at 09:41:46 PM EST

Re: Waterloo Bounces Off Us, Sticks to You (none / 0)

Unbelievable.

10 PM and the Republicans are still blowing wind, with the biggest windbag of all at the podium: Boehner.

by shergald on Sun Mar 21st, 2010 at 10:12:32 PM EST

Re: Waterloo Bounces Off Us, Sticks to You (none / 1)

love the title BooMan...thanks

by rikyrah on Sun Mar 21st, 2010 at 10:14:35 PM EST

Re: Waterloo Bounces Off Us, Sticks to You (none / 0)

Shergald, great book by President Carter.....
Congratulations Booman for helping to get this sucker passed. Woooohoooooo, we did it.

by LiberalForReal on Sun Mar 21st, 2010 at 11:35:43 PM EST

Re: Waterloo Bounces Off Us, Sticks to You (none / 0)

thanks for coming along for the ride.

by BooMan on Mon Mar 22nd, 2010 at 12:34:25 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Waterloo Bounces Off Us, Sticks to You | 45 comments (45 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

Go to: [ Booman Tribune Homepage : Top of page : Top of comments ]

. Home
. About
. Contact
. Advertise
. FAQ
. Search

Username:
Password:

. Make a new account
. Reset password

Gift Cards * New Arrivals

THE BOOKS WITH "BUZZ":
______________

The roots of the bubble and the story of Wall Street's collapse can be told no clearer — nor with as much humor — as by Michael Lewis. If you read only one book that explains the current economic crisis, make it The Big Short.
:

"The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine
by Michael Lewis

Check out the new biography of Barack Obama that is getting rave reviews:

The Bridge: The Life and Rise of Barack Obama
David Remnick.
Senator Edward M. Kennedy tells his extraordinary personal story:

True Compass: A Memoir
by Edward M. Kennedy.

Read Barack Obama's vision for America:

The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream
by Barack Obama

Boran2 and maryb2004 recommend:

The Big Over Easy: A Nursery Crime
by Jasper Fforde

Must-have information for all presidents-and citizens-of the twenty-first century?

Physics for Future Presidents: The Science behind the Headlines
Richard A. Muller

rae recommends:

Dark Ages America: The Final Phase of Empire
by Morris Berman.

On BooMan’s shelf:

Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln
by Doris Kearns Goodwin

This looks interesting:

Adventure Divas
by Holly Morris

Check out
Powell's new section:
NEW FAVORITES
Selected new arrivals at 30% off

Recommended by Indianadem and ejmw:
The Conscience of a Liberal
by Paul Wellstone

From northcountry’s bookshelf:

The New Golden Age:
The Coming Revolution Against
Political Corruption and Economic Chaos by Ravi Batra

Great Deals
----- * ^ * -----

Find mystery novels by Nancy Pickard ("Kansas")

Challenging Empire: How People, Governments, and the UN Defy US Power by Phyllis Bennis (interviewed on DN!)

Featured by Keith Olbermann, New (Powell's Sale): Rogue State: A Guide to the World's Only Superpower by William Blum (whose other books merit serious consideration)

"Explosive" State of War: The Secret History of the CIA and the Bush Administration
by James Risen

The book the CIA doesn't want you to read: Jawbreaker: The Attack on Bin Laden and Al Qaeda: A Personal Account by the CIA's Key Field Commander
Larry Johnson's review

BT's all-time best seller:

PERMACULTURE:
A Designers' Manual
$79.95 * Sale: $59.95

Unequal Sisters: A Multicultural Reader in U.S. Women's History (Third Edition)

The Undercover Economist: Exposing Why the Rich Are Rich, the Poor Are Poor And Why You Can Never Buy a Decent Used Car!

The Worst Hard Time: The Untold Story of Those Who Survived the Great American Dust Bowl
by Timothy Egan

Green Press Initiative
----- * ^ * -----

Journalistas: 100 Years of the Best Writing and Reporting by Women Journalists by Eleanor Mills * NYT review

Bury Me Standing: the Gypsies & Their Journey

1491: New Revelations of the Americas before Columbus

Brokeback Mountain
by Annie Proulx
----- * ^ * -----
Check out Powell's
"At The Movies"

Imperial Ambitions: Conversations on the Post-9/11 World by Noam Chomsky (Power & Terror: Post 9-11 Talks)

The Price of Privilege:

How Parental Pressure and
Material Advantage Are Creating a Generation of
Disconnected and Unhappy Kids
by Madeline Levine

Save 35-70% on
name brand clothing,
footwear, and outdoor gear
at SierraTradingPost.com
:

We listened to PEN American Center's "State of Emergency" and found 1940s books by Curzio Malaparte only at Alibris. (Selection (MP3) excerpted from "The Skin.")

Banned Books * Are you a fan of Film Noir, Art House, Documentaries or Hong Kong Action? * Searching for a long-lost children's book or a first printing of Miles Davis' Kind of Blue on vinyl? Find it at Alibris!

:
:

Booman Tribune Homepage
admin@boomantribune.com
powered by Scoop

More blogs about Blogs at Technorati.

Technorati Profile