One of the many implications Sen. Evan Bayh’s retirement could
have is to make it even more difficult for Democrats to pass
comprehensive health care legislation. In the broader sense, news
of a strong moderate Democrat feeling the need to step aside
could make other red state Democrats even more nervous than they
already are about reelection and thus uneasy about casting a
tough vote. But more specifically, the
most obvious Democrats to seek Bayh’s seat are Indiana’s
Democratic congressmen: Reps. Brad Ellsworth, Baron Hill and Joe
Donnelly. All of them have already voted for the original version
of the House health care bill, and it’s unlikely that any of them
would want to cast another vote for the bill during a difficult
race for the Senate. Liberals may argue that any of them would
get slammed for voting for the bill regardless. That’s true, but
all of these Democrats also voted for the Stupak amendment on
abortion, so they’d have some wiggle room to argue that they
voted for a bill that prohibited federal funding for abortion,
but didn’t vote for a bill once that restrictive language was
dropped. Ellsworth was actually a co-sponsor of Stupak, and said
at the time that he could not vote for the bill if that language
wasn’t in it. This won’t shield them from attacks, but you can
definitely see them deciding that the “flip flopper” charge would
be better than casting a second vote for a highly unpopular bill.
Keep in mind that the House health care bill passed by a slim 220
to 215 margin the first time around, with 39 Democrats voting
against it. Since then, the one Republican who voted for it —
Joseph Cao — has indicated that he would not support the bill a
second time around given the weaker language on abortion. Florida
Rep. Robert Wexler
already retired prematurely. Factor in Jack Murtha’s
death, and Pelosi is down to 217 votes. If Hill, Ellsworth or
Donnelly defect while running for Senate, she’s down to 216 and
the route to passage is even further in doubt.
Doug Pettut| 2.15.10 @ 12:57PM
There isn't a change in hell the the dumbocrates are going to pass anything. Morons all of them.
HoosierRedMan| 2.15.10 @ 1:04PM
Bayh isn't a moderate but likes Hoosiers to think he is. He is a classic bait-and-switch politican who postures moderation at home and practices liberalism in D.C.
There is no chance that Baron Hill will be our next senator...he won't even be re-elected for Congressman with the stiff opposition he's facing.
In fact, Indiana will not elect any democrat for senator this fall regardless of who the candidate might be.
SeeingRed| 2.15.10 @ 1:27PM
Good time to plug this new fresh faced conservative for IN: Marlin Stutzman
http://www.youtube.com/marlins.....DQfxoSIaic
SeeingRed| 2.15.10 @ 1:27PM
Good time to plug this new fresh faced conservative for IN: Marlin Stutzman
http://www.youtube.com/marlins.....DQfxoSIaic
Spicy Joker| 2.15.10 @ 1:30PM
So it looks like Dan Coates will get his seat back.
Franklin| 2.15.10 @ 1:39PM
Per previous 2 articles on Bye, er Bayh:
Ok, nevermind. I'm convinced that it's better that the Democrats run away rather than stay and be beaten in November.
Government Mess | 2.15.10 @ 1:46PM
I love it! Run liberals Run, we will vote you out anyways as soon as possible. Democrats will be slaughtered (figuratively speaking of course, lol) for many elections cycles to come! Great piece and keep up the good fight my friend!
rrpjr| 2.15.10 @ 2:08PM
How is Bayh a "moderate"?
Pingback| 2.15.10 @ 2:34PM
Health Care BS - BAYH’S EXIT: ANOTHER NAIL IN OCARE’S COFFIN links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 2.15.10 @ 3:08PM
Maybe If the White House Just Repeats Its Health Care Reform Plan One More Time, Ever links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
tractah| 2.15.10 @ 3:11PM
The "progressive" Democrats running the Washington are the most threatening group of politicians that constitutional America has ever faced. Their one and only goal during Obamas (one) term in office is to transform this country from a Republic to a socialist union, RULED by an elite few rather than governed by all.
Pingback| 2.15.10 @ 11:13PM
Maybe If the White House Just Repeats Its Health Care Reform Plan One More Time, Eve links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 2.16.10 @ 12:10AM
Maybe If the White House Just Repeats Its Health Care Reform Plan One More Time, Eve links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Siegfried X| 2.16.10 @ 8:08AM
I must disagree totally with the vote counting. Nancy Pelosi has 255 potential "yes" votes (Democrats), not 220.
We are in a totally different political situation now, post-Scott Brown. Last year's vote doesn't give a clue of how congress would vote this year.
Democrats now realize there will be a lot less of them in the next congress, so this is their last chance to pass a left-wing health care bill. If Obama Care passes, it is likely to be by a very different group in Congress. It would likely be the furthest left holding their noses and voting for their last chance to pass Democratic health care.
Pingback| 2.16.10 @ 12:32PM
Health Reform News for February 16, 2010 « Health Care Repair links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 2.16.10 @ 10:45PM
Maybe If the White House Just Repeats Its Health Care Reform Plan One More Time, Eve links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 2.17.10 @ 2:28AM
Maybe If the White House Just Repeats Its Health Care Reform Plan One More Time, Eve links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 2.17.10 @ 2:40AM
Maybe If the White House Just Repeats Its Health Care Reform Plan One More Time, Eve links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 2.18.10 @ 11:53AM
Health Care News Podcast: Interview with Rep. Paul Broun - Ben_Domenech’s blog - Red links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 2.18.10 @ 11:53AM
Health Care News Podcast: Interview with Rep. Paul Broun - Ben_Domenech’s blog - Red links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 3.5.10 @ 1:48PM
The American Spectator : AmSpecBlog : How Bayh's Retirement Could … – Retirement links to this page. Here’s an excerpt: