And then there was one.
Sen. Mary Landrieu just announced she would vote to allow Harry Reid’s health care bill to make it to the Senate floor for a vote.
Landrieu, who was one of just two remaining Democratic holdouts, secured $100 million in special Medicaid funding for Louisiana as part of the bill. She cautioned that, "The vote today to move forward in this important debate should in no way be construed by supporters of this current framework as an indication of how I might vote as this debate comes to an end."
But her decision does make it much more likely that the legislation will ultimately pass, and leaves Sen. Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas as the only Democrat who has yet to declare her intentions. Reid needs Lincoln in order to reach the necessary 60-vote threshold.
UPDATE: Landrieu addressed the million payment to Louisiana in her remarks, blasting "very partisan Republican bloggers" for spreading the story. However, the news, as far as I can tell, was first reported by the Politico and ABC News. The argument she made was that post-Katrina federal aid to Louisiana made the state appear artificially richer, and thus deprived them of the federal Medicaid funding they deserve. And she boasted that the actual amount was $300 million.
In her remarks, Landrieu also suggested many improvements, and praised Sen. Ron Wyden proposal to open up the exchanges to those who may not be satisfied with their employer-based care.
She also continued to express reservations about the government plan, arguing that it would pose "significant risk to taxpayers over time.” Instead, she supports a proposal by Sen. Olympia Snowe to "trigger" the government plan if the private market doesn't meet certain government benchmarks.
mike| 11.21.09 @ 1:14PM
Where were you when Landrieu voted away your freedom for 100 million?
Stan Redmond| 11.21.09 @ 1:16PM
Disgusting. Mary you sold your soul to the evil Reid Pelosi Obama triad. This is the most dangerous legislation EVER in this nation. If this is passed cap and trade will follow giving control of EVERY SINGLE ASPECT of life in America. And little incompitant Mary sold out for a pitiful sum.
Pingback| 11.21.09 @ 1:18PM
Twitter Trackbacks for The American Spectator : AmSpecBlog : Landrieu Says She’ll Vo links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Beth Thornton| 11.21.09 @ 1:43PM
In Sen. Mary's L. defense, at least she was the LAST to sell out. I am sure many other Senate and House votes were bought and paid for with our tax money. Surely SOME of those Senators know better.
Beth Thornton| 11.21.09 @ 1:51PM
Looks like we lost Sen. Lieberman too. He will vote yes for cloture. I had an outside hope he would be strong.
Pingback| 11.21.09 @ 2:06PM
HarryCare: Increased Taxes & Subsidized Abortions Among Other Problems | Caffeinated links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 11.21.09 @ 2:46PM
Tom Harkin Doesn’t Want to Hear From His Constituents « Des Moines Register Staff Blo links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 11.21.09 @ 3:53PM
zo skin health offects exfoliating polish « Mickmurp links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
MarkJ| 11.21.09 @ 3:56PM
Memo for Mary Landrieu:
1. Enjoy your last year in office.
2. Start working on your resume.
3. Spend that $100m bribe as quickly as possible.
...because you're T.O.A.S.T.
Jim W| 11.21.09 @ 5:57PM
Don't think she much cares - I suspect she's also got a promise somewhere of a lucrative post-Senate job should she lose her seat as a result.
In fact, these Dems are looking at this as a once-in-several-lifetimes opportunity to reshape the country into the leftist/socialist behemoth they really want - I'm not sure the thought of losing their seats is enough to stop them if they think they can make it happen first.
Jim O'Brien| 11.22.09 @ 9:10AM
"...she boasted that the actual amount was $300 million..."
A congressman being "paid" in this manner for his vote is not unusual, but it still reeks. The skyrocketing national debt combined with higher taxes will sink our economy to new depths.
Pingback| 11.21.09 @ 4:20PM
The American Spectator : AmSpecBlog : Landrieu Says She'll Vote to … | liliveev-Healt links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 11.21.09 @ 4:20PM
Hot Air » Blog Archive » Lincoln warns Reid: Drop the public option or next time I’ll links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 11.21.09 @ 4:30PM
The American Spectator : AmSpecBlog : Landrieu Says She'll Vote to … | My Health and links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
gary fouse| 11.21.09 @ 4:33PM
Landrieu was bought, and she was bought in the full glare of the public spotlight. What a shameful spectacle our political process is.
Pingback| 11.21.09 @ 4:43PM
The American Spectator : AmSpecBlog : Landrieu Says She'll Vote to … | Health Blog links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 11.21.09 @ 4:55PM
Lincoln warns Reid: Drop the public option or next time I’ll filibuster - Conservativ links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 11.21.09 @ 5:22PM
The American Spectator : AmSpecBlog : Landrieu Says She'll Vote to … | Vwfaq Site-Wel links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 11.21.09 @ 5:45PM
The American Spectator : AmSpecBlog : Landrieu Says She'll Vote to … | Health Blog links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Jim W| 11.21.09 @ 5:56PM
Wow, I think she just admitted she's the most expensive prostitute on the planet.
Pingback| 11.21.09 @ 6:02PM
The American Spectator : AmSpecBlog : Landrieu Says She'll Vote to … | Health Blog links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 11.21.09 @ 6:03PM
The American Spectator : AmSpecBlog : Landrieu Says She'll Vote to … | Health blog links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 11.21.09 @ 6:18PM
The American Spectator : AmSpecBlog : Landrieu Says She'll Vote to … links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
CG| 11.21.09 @ 6:21PM
Why are "Americans" in this country asleep while our country is being moved into socialized medicine? Once this voting drama is over, everyone will experience the results. Not only in our pocketbooks but also our bodies. What's the rush to pass this? Pharmas owning members of the house and senate w/ big payoffs. The rush is just to make the curent group look good for doing something. What's next?
Pingback| 11.21.09 @ 6:37PM
The American Spectator : AmSpecBlog : Landrieu Says She'll Vote to … « Internet Cafe links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 11.21.09 @ 7:26PM
The American Spectator : AmSpecBlog : Landrieu Says She'll Vote to … | Linaqi-Healtn| links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 11.21.09 @ 8:13PM
ajf7688 Blog - The American Spectator : AmSpecBlog : Landrieu Says She'll Vote to … links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 11.21.09 @ 9:19PM
The American Spectator : AmSpecBlog : Landrieu Says She'll Vote to … links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 11.22.09 @ 2:32AM
The Diamond Chicks: Dannii Minogue on Piers Morgan Last Week | Dannii Minogue Celebri links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 11.22.09 @ 8:49AM
Shakira 'To Apologize To Matt Damon's Wife' | Matt Damon Celebrity Monitor links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Yosemeti Sam| 11.22.09 @ 11:07AM
Money talked!
Just goes to exhibit the Democrat party players in Dingys' pay to play powerplay.
Four - 4 - women decided the outcome; Nelsons included!
Whereas: oldest professions' practice embedded in the second oldest professions' senatorial venue.
There we have it
Richard Baker| 11.22.09 @ 11:40AM
Jim W:
Agree with your sentiment. Used to live and work in Lafayette, LA and Landrieu learned the corruption way from her Daddy, Moon, who was a former Mayor of New Orleans. Unfortunately, Earl Long, Huey's brother, probably said it best. He said that "one day the people of Louisiana are gonna get good government, and they ain't gonna like it." Therein lies the problem, statewide.
Pingback| 11.22.09 @ 2:46PM
My hips were not touched: Demi Moore fashion photographer, perez … | Demi Moore Celeb links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Iris| 11.22.09 @ 5:29PM
Landrieu is a traitor to the American people stealing our 100 million as if it belonged to the Obama gang in Washington, D.C. and pocketing it for her reelection campaign fund because she knows that this is the only she can try to stay in office. Boot her to the curb and be sure it has recently rained to muddy her new suit. What a low life she turned out to be.
JimE| 11.22.09 @ 6:29PM
WHORE!
Tex| 11.23.09 @ 11:31AM
Everyone, in every state should work to ensure that Landrieu's treachery is punished. Unless these people are made to account, they will continue to sell out their constituents for a bag of short-term goodies. Her days as Senator are numbered.
Pingback| 11.23.09 @ 2:37PM
Eva Mendes plans love letter to Kate Winslet | Celebrity News Now | Kate Winslet Cele links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
laptop lcd screen| 11.24.09 @ 1:42AM
dell x300 adapterdell x300 adapter
inspiron 1501 adapterinspiron 1501 adapter
ugg classic cardy| 12.4.09 @ 9:11AM
Welcome to our website: http://www.infls.com
As the commodities we supply are of excellent quality and low price,
we have won a very good reputation from our clients all over the world.
If you are interested in any of our products, please don't hesitate to contact with me by email.
i trust that through our cooperation we shall be able to conclude some transactions with you in the near future.
Website: http://www.mbtshoe.co.uk
Best regards!