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The Spectacle Blog

Liberal Defections Will Be Minimal

By W. James Antle, III on 3.17.10 @ 12:00PM

There's another reason none of the Democrats who oppose the Senate bill from the left are likely to vote no, besides the very good one Phil mentioned: the vote is too close and no liberal representing a strong Democratic district can afford to risk being the deciding vote against health care reform. It would potentially be a career-ender.

Dennis Kucinich is a case in point: he attracted viable primary opposition last time around and a decisive vote against health care could make the difference in whether he turns such challenges back in the future. The only way liberal defections would be permitted is if the bill was clearly going to pass, which obviously isn't the case right now, or if it was clearly going to be defeated, which isn't the case either. (It's also unlikely that Nancy Pelosi would bring the bill to the floor in that event.)

Prediction: No generally liberal Democrat will vote against the health care bill on anything other than pro-life grounds. Speaking of pro-life liberals, that's another issue on which Kucinich flip-flopped in spectacular fashion.

View all comments (15) | Leave a comment

Ken (Old Texican)| 3.17.10 @ 12:27PM

Ken (Old Texican)| 3.17.10 @ 10:39AM

I REPEAT!
They can pass it.

We won't obey it.

They will have torn up our contract with our government.
(The Declaration, and the constitution.)
Screw 'em.

PS: Please call your family doctor and get his/her personal contact information. I just read a piece that estimates that some 60% of US doctors...will "leave the profession" if this passes.

Missy| 3.17.10 @ 12:47PM

So much for the 'principled' Kucinich. What a joke.

He came cheap, too; it only took a single Air Force One ride with the big cheese to flip him.

Oldefarte| 3.17.10 @ 2:13PM

Liberals vote for progressive governmental legislation because same is funded/paid for by TAXPAYERS, not themselves. If the Kucinishes, the Kennedys, the Gores, the Schumers, the Pilosies, the Reids of this country had to whip out their respective wallets/billfolds and pay for Obamacare with their own money solely, it would stand a DOG'S CHANCE IN HADES of being passed!!!!!!