The American Spectator : Repeal Appeal

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Repeal Appeal

By Ross Kaminsky on 2.4.11 @ 6:08AM

Senate Democrats seal their fate for 2012 by voting against repeal of Obamacare.

On Wednesday, in a 47-51 party line vote -- with Senators Lieberman (CT) and Warner (VA) not voting -- Senate Republicans followed their House colleagues in coming through with their promise to get a vote on repealing Obamacare.

Despite the rhetoric of the left, the vote was far more than symbolic as it forced some key vulnerable Democrats, including Claire McCaskill (MO) and Ben Nelson (NE), to show whether they stood with the citizens of their states or with the arm-twisting of Harry Reid and Barack Obama. In a vote in August, 71% of those Missourians who cast ballots voted to prohibit the government from requiring that a person purchase health insurance, the lynchpin of Obamacare's takeover of the American health insurance system. McCaskill gave those 71% of voters the finger and, I predict, sealed her fate in the 2012 elections, as did Ben Nelson whose state is 2-to-1 against Obamacare.

"Conservative" Democrat Joe Manchin (WV) also voted with the Democrats to preserve Obamacare, proving right his Republican challenger in the 2010 Senate race who said that Manchin's late-in-the-race conversion to being against Obamacare was a lie and that his earlier support of Obamacare represented who Manchin really is. A Rasmussen Reports poll of West Virginia likely voters in August, 2010 showed 69% of the state opposed to Obamacare, with 80% of those "strongly opposed" and almost twice as many supporting the state suing to block the law's health insurance mandate as opposing such a lawsuit. &%^$! the people, says Manchin!

In addition to hurting his own re-election chances (he's up in 2012 because his election was to fill Robert Byrd's unexpired term), it's also good ammunition for Republicans to use against every Democrat in 2012. Arguments along the lines of "see, you can't trust a word they say" and "they don't care what you want, only what Harry Reid wants" won't help Democrats retain their 23 current Senate seats up for grabs in the next election.

Democrats seem to believe that the 2010 elections were not about Obamacare -- and, by extension, that the 2012 elections won't be either. Although it wasn't the only issue -- government spending is also top-of-mind for many voters, even more so now than going into the last elections -- it was a critical issue; Democrats are making a huge error in thinking that repeal of Obamacare is just something Republicans need to "get out of their system really quickly," as Harry Reid put it.

THE RESULTS OF WEDNESDAY's vote were not surprising, even if many of us thought there was a chance that one or two Democrats might vote for repeal just to save their own electoral hides. What also isn't surprising is the rhetoric from the left and its tools in the press, as exemplified by Washington Post writer Stephen Stromberg who asks, "Did Republicans overpromise on health bill repeal?"

Right on cue, here's what passes for analysis from the Post: "House Speaker John Boehner didn't exactly guarantee outright repeal in November, but he and others in his party came pretty close." Let me summarize for you, Stephen: Neither Boehner nor others guaranteed repeal. You know what they say about "close," and in what situations it counts.

Perhaps compared to his fellow travelers at Reuters, whose article Stromberg links to, he is a model of accuracy. After all, Reuters' headline was "Boehner vows to repeal Obama healthcare reforms" even while the quote from Boehner says "we have to do everything we can to try [emphasis mine] to repeal this bill and replace it..." And by the way, Stephen, Boehner did get the repeal vote through the House -- with the support of several Democrats and without losing a single Republican.

Stromberg's assessment that Republicans could be erring by "setting expectations high" shows a complete lack of understanding of the impact of the votes. As Jim DeMint (R-SC) put it earlier this week, "Well, we need to get everyone on record so Americans and the voters in 2012 will know where their senators stand on it." And now we know.

And as if Stromberg hadn't already displayed enough cluelessness, he closes his article with this:

It could be easy enough to blame everything on Obama and the Democratic Senate. Anti-Obama animus could well buoy the movement into 2012. And conservatives are usually more understanding than liberals when their politicians don't follow through as spectacularly as they'd hoped.

Again, Mr. Stromberg, let me make this simple for you: First, it will be easy to blame Obama and the Democratic Senate because given the issues that Americans are focused on now, it's extremely likely that a lack of progress will be their fault. Second, the animus is against the health care takeover and the reprehensible process by which it was shoved down our throats; it is not specifically anti-Obama, as shown by his personal approval ratings being much higher than Congress' ratings or Obamacare's ratings. And third, conservative politicians have -- perhaps for the first time in a generation -- something to be proud of. They didn't promise to repeal Obamacare, but they promised to try. And they'll keep doing everything they can to weaken and defeat the unconstitutional law -- as promised -- with each and every successful hack at Obamacare representing a small but spectacular success.

There's one way in which Republicans, including particularly the usual suspect, Lindsey Graham (SC), may be responsible for the GOP's not getting one Democrat vote: Graham, along with Wyoming Senator John Barrasso, offered a well-intentioned but badly timed measure to allow a state opt-out from Obamacare, giving those Democrats wiggle-room to claim they're going to support "making it better," along the lines of President Obama's insincere plea during his State of the Union Address: "If you have ideas about how to improve this law by making care better or more affordable, I am eager to work with you."

As usual, Graham's fellow South Carolinian, Senator DeMint, had it right when he said, "But the thing I don't want to do right now is to go in try and fix (Obamacare)... to go back and try to fix pieces of it, recognizing that it's built on a government foundation, a foundation of government health care, we don't want to fix pieces of it. What we want to do is repeal the whole thing, and then step by step improve the system we have now, which is the best health care system in the world. And so we're not only trying to protect our health care system but our way of life, and hopefully, constitutional limits when this whole thing is over."

Despite Graham's in-character unwitting usefulness to the left, it remains unlikely that Harry Reid would have allowed more than one or two Democrats to vote for repeal. The modicum of cover that Graham and Barrasso gave those Democrats was unnecessary an won't keep the other shoe from dropping on Senate Dems in 2012.

If you want to understand the implication of the Republican assault on Obamacare (and of the Democrats' defense of it), don't bother with the lamestream media. Instead, look at betting on 2012 Senate control. It's trading around 70% for the Republicans to win back control, the all-time high for that bet and up 15% from the November elections.

About the Author

Ross Kaminsky is a self-employed trader and investor and is a senior fellow of the Heartland Institute. He blogs at Rossputin.com and is the host of The Ross Kaminsky Show on Denver's NewsRadio 850 KOA at 11 AM on most Sundays.

Letter to the Editor View all comments (98) | Leave a comment

Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 2.4.11 @ 6:32AM

I don't think it's all that clear that Republicans will gain or even keep control.

Yesterday, while the country continues to muck and mire it's way through an economic maelstrom, it was announced that the Republicans in the House came up with 32 billion in cuts. Whoppee!

Talk about the mouse that roared!
This is the flea that squeaked

According to Heritage these flea like cuts
are still 42 billion higher then the 2008 levels the Republicans promised.
Not only are the Republicans breaking a promise,
they look like complete and utter fools.

If this is their idea of serious cuts they should resign and let Republican
governors name their replacements. It's enough to make you laugh out
loud, if you weren't despondent about the future.

The Democrats were voted into power on January 4th, 2007 and left office on January 4th ,2011.
In just 1,461 days, Pelosi and the Democratic congress accumulated 5.343 Trillion dollars in debt
(more debt than the first 100 Congresses combined.)

Now we are faced with a Republican Congress who can't do
much. The 32 billion in cuts are not meaningful for the long
term and are the equivalent of chump change when you consider
that in 2012 the budget deficit is projected to be 1.5 trillion.

They've already wasted time trying to repeal Obamacare when it looks like the
courts will do it. They should proceed immediately to defunding Public Broadcasting
(400 million) and cut federal agencies 5%. Many cut their own salaries and those of their
staff 5%. Why would that be too much to ask federal agencies to cut 5%?

Many of these agencies, like the Department of Energy produce nothing but consume 45 billion a year.
The Department of Education should be eliminated and those elitiets can go get a real job.

In the meantime the Republicans have failed right out of the box. The cuts are laughable at best.
The public has observed the promise of 100 billion in cuts shrink to 60 billion in cuts and now
32 billion in cuts which won't survive the Senate process.

Mark Levin is right when he states, " Our government is being led by ideologues and amateurs. That is the real danger."

Ross Kaminsky| 2.4.11 @ 8:59AM

Bill,

I have written something up regarding the first spending cut proposal. Will let you know when it's available to view on my site or somewhere else.

In short, I think we should give Paul Ryan a chance here...

MikeD| 2.4.11 @ 9:51PM

Ross;
Good article, informative. But, the problem still seems to be that the Republicans have the onus on THEM to do something substantive. It's not fair, but nothing ever is. Frankly, they need to clearly convey one message:

AMERICA IS BROKE. EVERY CENT WE SPEND ABOVE WHAT COMES IN THROUGH TAXES MUST BE BORROWED...FROM POTENTIAL ENEMIES.

That's all. Now, to the cuts:
1. Dept. of Education.
2. Dept. of Energy.
3. EPA; turn it over to the States
4. OSHA; eliminate! insurance companies will fill in because of potential for law suits.
5. All depts. involved in housing, welfare, and regulation of anything not determined necessary by the States.
6. Privatize as much as possible, like FAA, FCC, FDA, an on and on.
7.Eliminate ALL Federal pensions for elective and civil service jobs, and put them on Social Security.
8. Same with healthcare: put them on Medicare.
9. Pass the 28th Amentment which includes all sorts of things, primarily making congress comply with every law and regulation they pass.
10. Reduce all congressional staffs to 3 for each Senator and 2 for each Rep.
11. Reduce Congress time in session to NO MORE THAN 90 days per year.
12. EVERY BILL must be submitted as a single item covering no more than 3 typed pages.
13. Every law/bill has a 3 year sunset unless re-passed except for a very few like Social Security and other long term programs; including the military.
14. Require every member of congress to live in a dormatory in D.C. and provide a cafeteria. Thus, no per diem expenses or expensive multiple homes.
15. Kill PBS and Nat'l Endowment for the arts. It is not the responsibility of taxpayers to support bad artists.

I have so many more, but my mind fails when I have to struggle through typing. Somebody please come up with better ideas to rein in these morons. Of course, this presupposes a Balanced Budget Amendment. If every bill is single item, there is no need for a line item veto since every bill would be a line item.

There are lots of really smart people out there reading Am Spec. THINK!!!!! All ideas gratefully accepted.

Tex Expatriate| 2.7.11 @ 3:35PM

Great ideas, Mike, and all too sensible.

chuck| 2.4.11 @ 9:12AM

Cut federal employees wages 15%, eliminate Dept. of Education, Energy, Housing, Commerce, defund Obamacare, eliminate NHA. NEA, PBS, reform public pension system, decertify the public emploee union, institute the Fairtax, eliminate the IRS,reform SS, privatize medicare, turn medicaid over to the states,.........Then next month,............

USSAlabama| 2.4.11 @ 1:40PM

I've been saying the same thing as you, Chuck - good points.

Needs to come faster.

Claire McCaskill is FAT.

The Bishop| 2.4.11 @ 9:34AM

Excellent points, Bill. They've got to get serious or leave. PS. Love the Great One, too.

Ross Kaminsky| 2.4.11 @ 10:02AM

Bill,

Take a look at this. Would be interested in your take:

http://rossputin.com/blog/inde.....-the-first

Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 2.4.11 @ 11:03AM

Here's my take after reading the rossputin blog and Allocation Document.

The proposed spending is 3.7 trillion dollars. Somewhere in that figure is a heck of a lot of waste.

Thirty two billion is a drop in the bucket, a rounding error in that mess.

Maybe it's a good start.

I'm only commenting on what the public will take away from it.

Even a casual observer will take 32 billion for what it looks like. A ruling class move.

It's the typical three card Monte game you see over and over where the public is left confused and dazed after believing they sent some principled people to do their bidding in the U.S. Congress.

What did they get for all their effort?

One quarter of 1% cuts being highlighted and triumphed in an insanity parade.

The Rasputin blog claims that Paul Ryan should be given the benefit of the doubt when it comes to spending cuts.

I will tell you when you get the benefit of the doubt in this world.

You get it when you follow through on your principles. When the Republicans do that it won't matter what I think. They won't need the benefit of the doubt. They will have followed through on their promises.

Thirty two billion is a farce and nothing can change that and anyone could have foreseen the field day the liberal media will have with that.

In effect, the Republicans are going to get what they deserve if this is the best they have to offer.

Perception is everything, and the only perception one can deduce from a measly cut like 32 billion is that the freshman class is asleep at the wheel, Boehner is getting ready to go on another crying jag, and anyone who put a 32 billion dollar cut forward does not wish to be taken seriously.

DCnAr| 2.4.11 @ 1:24PM

Excellent post BHO'Stalin, HEAR ,

DCnAr| 2.4.11 @ 1:25PM

Sorry and one more HEAR

carnot| 2.5.11 @ 11:42PM

so Bill....not opposed to your list ....but who gets the blame when unemployment ratchets up from all the government cuts?

darcy| 2.6.11 @ 1:33PM

Can't be really serious, can you, carnot?

As public-sector employee numbers start to tumble, these workers will have no where else to go but into the private sector. As private-sector employers begin to understand that our bloated federal bureaucracy is at last shrinking and consuming vastly decreased tax dollars, private businesses will have increased confidence about the future of our country and certainty about their tax liability; they will therefore begin expansion and hiring in preparation for the coming consumer spending boom emerging from every corner of our economy and every region of our nation. Former gov't workers will be happy to find private-sector jobs in which things are actually PRODUCED -- this will be a welcome departure from the millions of gov't jobs that entail little more than pushing paper and ordering free citizens about in the name of "social justice" and equality of outcomes.

Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 2.6.11 @ 2:07PM

To: Darcy

Perfect response.

darcy| 2.6.11 @ 6:09PM

Humble servant most grateful for acknowledgement of my contribution to debate.

(Been watching too much Charlie Chan of late.)

George S| 2.4.11 @ 11:59AM

Look at it this way: back in the mid 1990's, NYC was awash in crime. Giuliani came in and within a couple of years the crime rate drop was the largest in history. At first, critics complained that the police would be trying to hold off the ocean with a spoon. When the police were ordered to take on petty acts such as turnstile jumping and panhandling, the consensus in the media was that the cops would just be spinning their wheels. Yet the crime rate dropped -- dropped because the people understood that CONTROL was restored, not because actual panhandlers were taken off the street. That, and the fact that the small arrests turned up people who were lifelong petty criminals.

Same thing with cutting back the budget. Sure, a few billion here and there may be chump change, but it gives the powerful sense of control, which leads the career money spenders to sense the free ride is over. And, just like petty criminals who leave a wake of crime, who knows how many congruent wasted dollars go along with one dollar of a budget cut. Waste feeds upon waste. We have to start somewhere.

Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 2.4.11 @ 2:44PM

To: George S.
I know you mean well but that's ridiculous. You aren't quoting percentages. If the police cracked down on all turnstile jumpers, etc., then it's a 100% crackdown and that's why it was successful.

A 32 billion cut is so small in the scheme of things, you couldn't equate it to one criminal in the entire criminal justice system.

Kishego| 2.4.11 @ 2:54PM

I tend to agree with you on this one George. It's a good start (even if it's a small one), the problem is they never seem to finish the race. Our runners seem to sit down right in front of the finish line.

Nancy in NC| 2.4.11 @ 3:29PM

If we can't make them hear us, then they need to feel the heat. Everytime the NRC calls me for money, I tell them no money until they do at least part of what they were sent there to do...cut the spending.

To give credit, they did try to repeal health care, and they voted lockstep on that. Now, they need to vote to defund it.

While a good part of the nation is watching Egypt, things are falling apart here. We must e-mail and call our representatives regularly and let them feel the heat. 2010 is right around the corner.

Impeach Don't Wait| 2.4.11 @ 3:46PM

" 2010 is right around the corner."

Sure is.... Woops. We already passed it!

Sorry, couldn't resist :).

Bally| 2.4.11 @ 9:17PM

How long did it take you to realize that Republicans didn't have an answer. They in fact were simply the party of "NO". Don't you think voters have also realized they have been hoodwinked. As for me, I didn't have to wait as long as you to see they had no answers. Aren't you embarrased that you fell for their sheeeeet.

Rich| 2.4.11 @ 9:40PM

Oh sure, you parrot the DNC/Obama party-line with every post. You adhere so closely, many of us wonder if you have your own central nervous system...and yet HE has the problem. Apparently.

Ret. Marine| 2.4.11 @ 6:43AM

I does not matter how the demonrat party members try to fry their own words, we all know they are full of themselves and the supposed power they think they have over We the People. Yeah that really worked out well for them didn't it? ( the largest upset in what 72 years)
You are correct in the line, if you really want to know how this is working out don't try and read the LSM for your information. Para of course. We all knew is was the results of the Senate as to what will happen next, with "dingy" at the controls, it is hardly likely that any thing will get done to counter the frauds of obamas Bin Lyn and himself. For some reason the unions think they have a hold of ole harry's nuts, but me thinks this whole harry and his nuts gig is about to be exposed for the fraud everyone know it is. Dingy is not about to let a vote take place, first it will prove to all of us he is no friend of the Constitution, as if we didn't already know this as fact, and second, obamas Bin Lyn can't tell enough lies to garner any more support than he had all along. What really has me spinning, is this. If the demonrat party knew all along this was and still is highly unpopular with We the People, why is he instructing his minions to fall on the sword for it? Surely they ( Senate members) know their time is going, going and soon will be gone,perks and all, so why are they doing this. Me thinks it all been a ugh waste of the taxpayers money and time, and for what, do they think the Supreme Court is sufficiently stacked in their favor now, or will it be in the future. Anyway you look at it or think about this issue where the Senate is concerned, they must understand it will do nothing but divide more and more of the population against them and their willful disdain for both their actions and our Constitution. Senate members come and go, but the damage on our Constitution just keeps on getting more bizarre by the day and that is not something they can pin on the R-party.

FakeEagle| 2.4.11 @ 7:51AM

I'm with you, Bill. The Republicans (and I am one) paltry attempt to curb the budget madness only confirms what should already be clear. They, like the Democrats, appear more interested in getting elected than in effectual governance. If all our elected officials were Republican, I doubt they could address the serious concerns that confront this nation rationally and effectively. Call me a pessimist.

Al Adab| 2.4.11 @ 2:54PM

Republicans have failed us all too often. It is only when Movement Conservatives preponderate that there is any success. The GOP and Conservative Movement are not the same.

FakeEagle| 2.4.11 @ 2:59PM

Amen

Nancy in NC| 2.4.11 @ 3:31PM

You're right, but they are all we have to work with at this time. We need to find even BETTER candidates to run in 2012. The conservatives we sent in 2012 need company.

Al Adab| 2.4.11 @ 5:15PM

Right you are Nancy:
We all need to engage with local parties and push Conservative values into them. Become a precinct Committeeman or party worker. Attend rallies and Town Halls. Now is not the time to rest on our recent success, but rather now is the time for a final push toward victory.

Bally| 2.4.11 @ 9:20PM

Oh, please. Stop trying to drag Democrats into the fact that your party hoodwinked you. You are resp0nsible for believing their sheeeet. Don't try to dump it on Democrats. We are all laughing at you for being taken.

Rich| 2.4.11 @ 9:42PM

One laments, that somewhere there is a bridge going without a troll under it tonight, so Bally can post here..

Frisbee| 2.4.11 @ 9:55PM

We needed 10 more Reagans. Instead we got Bush, Clinton, Bush, and finally Obama/Pelosi. That last pair was like a fifty ton nail dropped on the coffin.

Stan Redmond| 2.5.11 @ 10:52AM

Unfortunately conservatives don't run for office. And in reality can you blame them? There is an entire industry aimed at destroying their lives. Not just their political life but their family, friends, and businesses.

There aren't that many strong souls willing to take on the "machine" to enter politics. What has happened to Sarah Palin and her family is just disgusting and unfortunately the M.O. of the left.

I am a pessimist too. It does seem people are getting fed up a bit. There is talk radio and the internet to counteract the CNNABCBSPBS networks so that is good news. And Obama, Pelosi, Reid, and their democrat cohorts have stripped away ANY doubt to their motives. If the SCOTUS rules Obamacare unconstitutional their will be good news ahead. If not? I don't even like thinking about it...

logmank| 2.4.11 @ 8:13AM

I said before the last election that I was "willing to be shown" that this new crop of politicians were going to be different from all who came before them. They are not. They are demonstrating by their actions that they are simply a case of "same song, next verse".
My recommendation is that we all go outside, spread our legs wide apart and bend over and kiss our a## goodbye. We are, as a country, toast.

Bally| 2.4.11 @ 9:21PM

Don't be so pessimistic, the Repubs won't last long in power so don't feel so down and out. They are one and done.

Frisbee| 2.4.11 @ 9:56PM

Tea Party now!

Louis Jenkins| 2.4.11 @ 9:28AM

Debt limit will be the next big test. Let's see who votes to hold the line. Then we will really know who is a good guy and who is trash. It may be too early to see significant cuts, and I suspect there will be more, provided, the debt limit issue can be won. However, if they vote to increase it, I would have to agree, we will be toast.

Clueless| 2.4.11 @ 9:36AM

I agree 100% that the Republicans have to cut significant programs out of the budget. But, I would like to ask a question. What happes to the thousands of government employees that will lose their jobs when this happens? They will enter the unemployment ranks and wreak havoc on the economy....or not?????? Just wondering.

Bally| 2.4.11 @ 9:23PM

Do you really think that the economy is of any concern to your Republican party? Ending this black Presidency is really the root of all they stand for.

MikeD| 2.4.11 @ 11:00PM

Your own words mark you as one of the stupidest people to ever post here. Just answer three questions for me. No 'smart' comments, no 'names', just three answers:

1. What is obama hiding by concealing his background?
2. What was LBJ's comment after he signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964?
3. What was the official Democratic Party Song in the election of 1868?

Do your homework. We'll see if you're just a fool who parrots the party line or you really are capable of finding answers. Your call...

Stan Redmond| 2.5.11 @ 11:01AM

I should have voted for the political party of slavery, Robert Byrd, Jim Crow, Bull Conner, black welfare, black abortion, black eugenics, Margaret Sanger, George Wallace, and the KKK.

Occam's Tool| 2.5.11 @ 10:03PM

Right. That's why I want Allen West in office, feeb.

Stan Redmond| 2.5.11 @ 10:55AM

The same thing that millions of Americans have done throughout our history. Find a job or make one for yourself. I make a good living doing what I do despite the 50 gov't officials I have to deal with every year standing in the way of me expanding and growing my business. Just think, without all those government employees leeching tax dollars and standing in the way of American business they might even get jobs in the private sector.

carnot| 2.5.11 @ 11:49PM

gimme a break...while I support private enterprise...there are just as many slothful crooks in the private world...especially as the scale of a business grows. the only real difference.....is that I can turn away from businesses I detest. businesses can be made much less permanent than government.

Al Adab| 2.4.11 @ 10:15AM

Several of those voting against repeal represent States currently suing the Federal government over the mandate. Those Senators defied the express wishes of their States and should be held accountable for it. Governors and legislatures should make it clear.

JP| 2.4.11 @ 11:21AM

I think people generally under-estimate the Senate Dems. They have no shame, and will do anything to retain thier offices. Just yesterday, Sen Debbie Stabinow held a series of press conferences in which she touted the legislative prowress of her and her party? And what was thier accomplishment? They (the Senate) just rescinded the ornerous 1099 reporting requirement for businesses. Of course, what she didn't say (nor did the media) was that the 1099 requirement was part of ObamaCare (which every Senate Dem voted aye). Nor did she point out that she casted a vote of no to repeal ObamaCare.

Stan Redmond| 2.5.11 @ 11:05AM

She did have to pass it to know what was in it. Now that everyone who has read it has told the hapless Stabinow, she can work hard to find bipartisan support to perfect Obamacare. Why fight for repeal when the hapless republicans will be on constant defense. The Republics support onerous 1099 requirements on small business and are therefore anti business

gordon| 2.4.11 @ 11:35AM

THE DEMS' DIRTY DOZEN

TWELVE Dem Senators from Red States or states that voted for McCain are up for re- election in 2012 and voted AGAINST OBAMACARE REPEAL :

1) Jon Tester (Mont.) ,

2) Ben Nelson (Neb.),

3) Jim Webb (Va.),

4) Sherrod Brown (Ohio) ,

5) Bob Casey Jr. (Pa.) ,

6) Herb Kohl (Wis.),

7) Debbie Stabenow (Mich.),

8) Amy Klobuchar (Minn.),

9) Bill Nelson (Fla.),

10) Joe Manchin (W. Va.),

11) Claire McCaskill (Mo.), and

12) Jeff Bingaman (N.M.).

These Senate Dems say one thing at home and vote differently in Washington.

They are liars and vulnerable in 2012.

Let's refer to them as the "DEM'S DIRTY DOZEN" for the 2012 election and make them infamous

Bally| 2.4.11 @ 9:27PM

You do realize that all current polls show that the Health Care bill passed last year is receiving overwhelming support among voters. How does that translate in vulnerability for these Senators? On the contrary, I'm laughing that the Republican Senator leadership forced a vote making Republican Senators go on record as opposed to a bill now favored by the majority of voters. Great campaign fodder in 2012/

Rich| 2.4.11 @ 9:46PM

Well, except that every poll shows 60%+ AGAINST the AHCA (ObamaCare) , your post is quite snide, as usual.

I predicted in summer of 2009, Dems were gonna get creamed at the polls a year-and-a-half later. My forecast calls for more of the same in 2012.

MikeD| 2.4.11 @ 11:02PM

Rich,
Don't bother. he really can't understand what we're saying. He obviously can't read; so somebody (Maybe mommy?) is typing his answers right out of "Rules for Radicals".

Occam's Tool| 2.5.11 @ 10:05PM

Well, I'm looking forward to voting against Klobuchar as long as David Duke or Clint aren't the Republicans running against her...

old one| 2.4.11 @ 12:06PM

No Cojones Goober Graham, ever the RINO useful idiot of the left again screwed his constituents and all Americans. Let us hope South Carolinians send Goober back to the alleys he crawled out of in 2014.

Richard Baker| 2.4.11 @ 12:13PM

So Joe Manchin voted for this abomination? I saw his ad where he fired a rifle, if memory serves, at a copy of the legislation. Guess he didn't mean it, eh? The West Virginians were bamboozled right out in the open and so they voted for this guy thinking that he meant what he said. Twain was correct about the Congress being the only true, native American criminal class. Wonder what Manchin's political handlers will come up with as an excuse?

Nancy in NC| 2.4.11 @ 3:33PM

He "fired" at cap and trade. However, Manchin may lose in 2012.

MikeD| 2.4.11 @ 11:50PM

He's a democrat. Lying is their natural state. He; and the rest of the dems, are banking on the continued stupidity of the electorate and the continued lack of backbone on the part of the GOP. They have already forgotten Nov. 2nd or written it off as an aberration.

I do not have my usual optimistic outlook for the future of America. It may take the unthinkable, like a secession or even worse to get these moroms' attention. Be very afraid...

Tom in Michigan| 2.4.11 @ 12:51PM

The real danger of "fixing" bits and pieces of unconstitutional legislation, passed on strict party lines and by legislative legerdemain is that the US degenerates into a great, big Great Britain where politics is nothing more than arguing about which liberal party can better manage the dole on which fully 40% of Britons are now dependent. This kind of government, which Lindsay Graham represents so well will make this country just another has-been blot on the pages of history.

MikeD| 2.4.11 @ 11:52PM

It cannot be fixed. Nothing good will come from ANY OF THOSE EFFORTS. Once again it will be the stupid republicans outplayed by the lying dems because they thought (yet again) that they could trust a dem. No! they're like rabid dogs.

Clint| 2.4.11 @ 1:10PM

Many of We Tea Party Patriots want to Draft Our Kingmaker & Senate Point Man Jim DeMint to Beat The Beatable Obama in The 2012 Presidential Showdown.

tonypal| 2.4.11 @ 1:53PM

Clint, don't know if he's going to run, but this is not the worst idea I've heard. He's an exceptional Senator and more importantly an exceptional conservative.

Alky| 2.5.11 @ 9:17PM

I've heard him say more than once on talk shows that he's not interested in running. What a shame, a DeMint Palin ticket would turn this boat right around :)

Occam's Tool| 2.5.11 @ 10:10PM

I love Jim DeMint. He's tough on fiscal policy, but, unlike Rand Paul or Ron Paul, he understands foreign policy and terrorism.

Oldefarte| 2.4.11 @ 1:21PM

Many of us cannot wait for November of 2012 to get here!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rich| 2.4.11 @ 9:47PM

Nice use of old english in the screen name, bravo. ;)

Impeach Don't Wait| 2.4.11 @ 3:35PM

"There's one way in which Republicans, including particularly the usual suspect, Lindsey Graham (SC), may be responsible for the GOP's not getting one Democrat vote: Graham, along with Wyoming Senator John Barrasso, offered a well-intentioned but badly timed measure to allow a state opt-out from Obamacare, giving those Democrats wiggle-room to claim they're going to support "making it better," along the lines of President Obama's insincere plea during his State of the Union Address: "If you have ideas about how to improve this law by making care better or more affordable, I am eager to work with you."

Yeah, Republicans really have to be smart and be careful not to undercut their goal by offering competing solutions!

Bally| 2.4.11 @ 9:29PM

But Graham knew that opposing the Health Care bill according to the polls would end up being political suicide in 2012. No conjones maybe, brains, yes.

Ray| 2.4.11 @ 3:40PM

I live in Nebraska, and I wasn't happy about Ben Nelson's vote last year. A couple of weeks ago, I sent him an e-mail, encouraging him to redeem his vote this time around. His boilerplate response was disappointing. By retirement or by electoral defeat, he's done in Nebraska.

Glenn Koons| 2.4.11 @ 3:48PM

Of the 23 Senate Dems up in 2012, perhaps 12-13 could lose to Pub opponents. Fla. is surely an area where change could happen as is MO. , Nebraska, Montana. It depends on whether voters remember who what where how these reps vote on issues. Sure the opponent puts forward material but with the leftist MSM around, who knows????

gary siebel| 2.4.11 @ 4:51PM

McConnell made a huge political mistake when he declared that the main goal of Repubs should be to deny Obama re-election. Everything the Repubs do is now tainted by that bias. Even if true, it's not something that should be stated publicly. Major error!!~!!!!!!!

Much as the Repubs want to bash Obama Health Care, at least the Dems tried to do something about the major health care financing problem, but all the Repubs have demonstrated is obstructionism in the matter, and that they are in the pockets of the insurance companies, which are about as popular as bankers.

As someone who voted for McCain, I can say Obama will win in 2012 because the Repubs continue to act as if all the people are stupid, instead of merely their retarded Repub base. I am likely to vote for Obama because the current Repub potentials are a pack of blatherskites. My dark horse candidate: the Gov of Arizona.

But I bet Obama will be reelected.

Nite| 2.4.11 @ 10:46PM

You are welcome to vote for Obama if you feel he is doing a good job. Really, he has shown that he is not qualified to be President of the US. He has brought all the radicals into his administration, and his foreign policy is a joke. He and his Czars are destroying this country. Obamacare is nothing more than a take over of healthcare in this country. People come here from all over the world. However, if Obamacare is implemented, the US will be no more than a third world country. I read those bills several times, and if people knew what is coming, all of the Dems would be tossed out of office, including Obama.

Occam's Tool| 2.5.11 @ 10:13PM

Mr. Siebel:

I fail to see where sticking one's gonads into an electrical outlet is preferrable to voting Republican. Therefore, unless the Presidential candidate is Ron/Rand Paul, who are to the LEFT of Obama on foreign policy and terrorism, I'm voting for the elephant like breathing.

carnot| 2.5.11 @ 11:55PM

yawn....yea....at least they tried to put out the fire...too bad they threw gasoline into the flames. this is one of dumber party lines plaguing the blogosphere for nigh on a year now.

shipley130| 2.4.11 @ 5:48PM

Lindsey Graham is continuing to be a real disappointment. He has to get on board with all issues.

joanne| 2.4.11 @ 7:21PM

Loved your article, your speaking the truth, as the dems twist facts and yell loudly(Weiner) saying nothing!! I hope McCaskell falls off the cliff with Obama in 2012. Her arrogance is almost on par with Barbara Boxer!!Thank you again for speaking for all the people who see right thru Obama but who never get called for polls!!!

axbucxdu| 2.4.11 @ 7:42PM

The Repugs are proceeding with more gutlessness than expected. They never fail to disappoint. It's hell to say it, but it's true: It's now up to the Chi-coms to end the madness. Brace for impact.

Cathy6224| 2.4.11 @ 8:44PM

Everyone keeps saying the attempted budget cuts , are a drop in the bucket, 1% of the budget or whatever reason people say. With all due respect to all posters, if they never start cuts because they are miniscule and don't cut enough, then nothing changes.

The Republicans may not be making big cuts (and yes I know they haven't done any in the past), but they listened to the voters from November 2010, and at least they are trying. Democrats want to just keep spending. The spending is helping how????

Rich| 2.4.11 @ 9:50PM

Agreed. Before you can cut $100, you must first cut $1. News media-Bureaucracy complex won't allow everything at once -- we have to take out a little at a time. Basically, we have to use their own incrementalist tactics against them. It will be long, it will be arduous, but you do have to get the RNC leadership their props here.

valwayne| 2.4.11 @ 9:15PM

The Democrats have all put themselves solidly on the line in favor of the most massively corrupt and costly bill in the history of the nation. A bill that is also Uncontitutional! Gov Manchin played the people of his state for fools! Sen Manchin has proved it beyond all doubt. All 23 Democrats up for election in 2012 must be defeated for betraying the American people and inflicting massive damage on the U.S. economy. Don't forget!!!!!!

Tom Johnson, Largo, FL| 2.4.11 @ 10:13PM

1 Nov 2010
Folks,
Obama’s GAME (Great American Marxist Experiment) is over, a failure. Marxism goes against the basic human instincts that freedom is a natural, God-given right, that what you make (or earn) is yours to keep, that family, not government, is the basic social unit. Democrats have historically been the party to raise taxes and increase the size of government, but Obama, Reid, and Pelosi have taken these mistaken policies to the extreme. Republicans, Independents, and Tea Party members will now be forever vigilant of the Left and we will vote.
Tom Johnson, Largo, Florida

PS 19 Jan 2011
Obamacare is illegal. The original, very short, Commerce Clause is too loosely interpreted. Obamacare will NOT reduce total US health care costs by bringing an additional 30-50,000,000 people into the health care system, especially without tort reform. Democrats do NOT believe in the US Constitution as the supreme law of the land.
1. Federal health care is not one of the enumerated powers in the US Constitution, therefore, Obamacare is illegal. This only matters if you believe that the USA is a nation of laws and that the US Constitution is the supreme law of the land. It is clear that Democrats do NOT believe in the US Constitution. Obama supposedly taught US Constitutional law for 12 years, so he must understand the US Constitution. Since health care, as he signed it into law, is illegal, the only conclusion left is that Obama, and the Democrats who voted for health care, do not believe in the US Constitution.
2. The commerce clause was never intended to have such broad scope. These powers have been made up by the Democrats out of thin air.

Nite| 2.4.11 @ 10:39PM

Bill Nelson is not listening to the voters here in Florida. He is toast in this next election.

jolizoom| 2.4.11 @ 11:46PM

"...won't help Democrats retain their 23 current Senate seats up for grabs in the next election."

And those senate seats are:
Name State
Manchin, Joe, III WV
Gillibrand, Kirsten E. NY
Whitehouse, Sheldon RI
Cardin, Benjamin L. MD
Akaka, Daniel K. HI
Menendez, Robert NJ
Brown, Sherrod OH
Feinstein, Dianne CA
Stabenow, Debbie MI
Casey, Robert P., Jr. PA
Bingaman, Jeff NM
Carper, Thomas R. DE
Kohl, Herb WI
Lieberman, Joseph I. CT
Nelson, Bill FL
Klobuchar, Amy MN
Tester, Jon MT
Conrad, Kent ND
Webb, Jim VA
Cantwell, Maria WA
Sanders, Bernard VT
McCaskill, Claire MO
Nelson, Ben NE
Snowe, Olympia J. ME
Lugar, Richard G. IN
Brown, Scott P. MA

Oh wait, that's more than 23. Oh well, you can figure out who the extras are...

Intelligent Design| 2.5.11 @ 8:49AM

In the November elections, Demo-Socialists lost an unprecedented 750 races, including those at the state level. The Senate Demo-Socialists apparently learned nothing at all from this "shellacking". I'm delighted, because at least half of them will soon be going home. They have already done so much damage to our country! Rino Snowe an go back to Maine and shovel snow. Bill Nelson can go back to Florida and pick oranges in the groves......

gordon| 2.5.11 @ 11:33AM

Let's do a FULL NELSON & get rid of BILL NELSON & BEN NELSON

Rick| 2.5.11 @ 12:35AM

Your a rasist!

MikeyG| 2.5.11 @ 3:02AM

When Dems run in moderate to conservative districts they think that if they talk like a moderate/conservative the voters will listen to their soothing words rather than hold them accountable for their liberal/progressive votes.

At some time during their candidate training they're told that if they just say something often enough, repeat it enough times, regardless of how false the statement may be voters are that stupid they'll believe their ears instead of their eyes.

Actually, that tactic works for a few cycles. It's what got the Dems elected on a "fiscal austerity" claim when Reps were busy following GWB's "compassionate conservatism" and growing the federal government. Voters forgot just how profligate Dems had been since FDR.

Savvy conservatives knew that the only budget area Dems would ever cut would be defense and tax exemptions; they're naturally predisposed to big government entitlements paid for with high taxes on everyone who works. Sadly, the public bought into the lies of austerity the Dems claimed, bought into it for two consequential election cycles.

But in 2010 the truth of voting records began to triumph over the lies of the campaign rhetoric Dems had been spewing. After multiple massive trillion-dollar big government programs, tax and fee increases up the wazoo with much more pending and terrible and terribly expensive government-run healthcare looming in 2014 voters now realize Reps spend like pikers compared to Dems.

Of the 23 Dems up about 12-13 hail from states trending conservative, states where voters are adamantly opposed to Obamacare. No amount of "voters really like it, polls have turned, the more people learn about it the more they like it" repetition will convince them to believe their ears instead of their eyes. The Dems have used that playbook too many times, voters have clued in and the party-line vote will haunt those 12-13 through November, 2012.

Whether or not Obama is reelected (how he's severed himself from his signature big-government accomplishments is baffling, unless poll respondents are fudging their responses lest they be thought of racist by the pollsters) voters will continue to punish Dems, punish them mercilessly in election after election until they see the nation return to her reason for existence: individual liberty and the pursuit of happiness, no taxation without representation and leaders who govern with the consent of the governed. Dems continue to impose their will on the American public, and in doing so with votes like this on Obamacare where the liberal wolves are revealed from their conservative sheep clothing they guaranty themselves minority status until they change their ways.

Gary Campbell| 2.5.11 @ 4:44AM

Just more spew from some rightwing wingnut.
Americans are coming around to the idea, finally, of a reasoned approach to healthcare in Amerika. Maybe the thought of "doctors" being less than gods and a medical system that doesn't bankrupt ANY family due to healthcare issues doesn't sit well with thieves like you spout for.
When the time comes, and it will come, hopefully in your lifetime and the revolutionary mobs tear down the gates of your "High class community"
you will get to taste the fear of the guillotine in your lie spouting mouth. I'd be happy to pull the cord for you!

Ross Kaminsky| 2.5.11 @ 8:18PM

Gary,

I wonder if you're a real liberal or just someone trying to show the world how stupid and vicious liberals are.

To be clear, Gary, you don't have a right to health care and a doctor doesn't have a responsibility (at least not beyond the oath he takes) to provide it to you.

If you don't like the price, then don't get it, just like you don't get anything else too expensive for you. And if you have to have it, then pay the price. Period. It's not my responsibility to pay for your health care and not government's rule to turn doctors into serfs.

Finally, I live in a rural area that's hardly a "community", much less "high class". But if you'd like to act as tough as you talk, I have a very nice .223 or .308 either of which would be happy to make your acquaintance should the revolution come, big mouth.

axbucxdu| 2.5.11 @ 9:47PM

It's kind of amusing that these libs never give a thought to the fact that when the rebellion comes, it'll people like him, not gun-toting conservatives, that the hordes come for. Thanks to the 2nd Amendment, and unfortunately for perps like Gary, this revolution ain't gonna be anything like 1917 Russia.

carnot| 2.5.11 @ 11:58PM

bingo!.... lmao

Occam's Tool| 2.5.11 @ 10:07PM

Thank you, Ross. Gary, I'll be perfectly happy to ration your care if Obamacare comes to fruition.

Occam's Tool| 2.5.11 @ 10:09PM

Nice to know that you, too, Ross live in a rural community. I grew tired of big city life after the LA riots. I love having minimal traffic and no crime fears.

By the way, you write beautiful stuff.

baldy| 2.6.11 @ 4:54PM

Heh,heh,

Very nice Ross.
I see you also have come to the realization that the direct approach is best when dealing with those who refuse to apply critical thinking in their arguments.
Nicely done.

Occam's Tool| 2.5.11 @ 10:15PM

Incidentally, I have also been a senior medical consult in an NHS, Mr. Campbell. You have no idea what you are asking for, you clown. MDs still get respected in an NHS---they simply have far fewer tools.

Timely Renewed| 2.6.11 @ 12:38AM

Obamacare is only the tip of the iceberg. The underlying problem is the vast expansion of federal power based upon the Supreme Court's vast expansion of the interstate commerce clause far beyond its original meaning. The only sure way to stop not only Obamacare but the innumerable other ways in which the federal government has expanded beyond the original scope of the Constitution is to reverse those Supreme Court cases (which date back to 1937) and restore the interstate commerce clause to its original meaning. Given how entrenched these Supreme Court precedents are, this will require a constitutional amendment restating the original, very limited scope of the interstate commerce clause. See http://www.timelyrenewed.com

baldy| 2.6.11 @ 4:48PM

One has to wonder if these dem senators are just too stupid to comprehend the message sent in Nov or they are so arrogant and self absorbed they think they can't possibly fall out of favor with the electrate?

axbucxdu| 2.6.11 @ 6:11PM

It's not just the dems. RINOs are also counting on the electorate dozing back off to sleep.

angellight| 2.8.11 @ 5:55AM

The enactment of the health care law shows just how much effort it takes to instigate change, and to overcome the powerful forces of selfishness, inertia and habit. Almost every president from the Truman through Bush 2 tried without success to initiate reforms to what everyone agreed was a dysfunctional system. However imperfect the final bill ended up being, it represented a step forward in making real a central tenet of our nation - that every person is entitled to Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. This event is evidence that the wheel of evolution may move slowly, but its eventual triumph is assured by our collective will to love. Similarly change in our own lives requires a similar level of courage, tenacity and steadfast vision. It may take time, and many temporary failures may ensue, but the arc of evolution also ensures our success.”

Heidi, OMS Insights Newsletter

Big Bambu| 2.9.11 @ 12:40AM

Isn't Mr.Strombrg the guy that had the kid who put everything up his nose?

العاب بنات| 4.11.12 @ 4:02PM

There aren't that many strong souls willing to take on the "machine" to enter politics. What has happened to Sarah Palin and her family is just disgusting and unfortunately the M.O. of the left.