Don't Worry, Be Happy, Be ADD...

Charlie Cook is sounding the alarm, and the White House and Congressional Democrats don't seem to care:

Political handicapper Charlie Cook said that it was "very hard to come up with a scenario where Democrats don't lose the House" in an interview with National Journal late last week.

Oh, I don't know Charlie. The newest version of health care reform is out, and it seems to be just what the doctor ordered... It manages to retain almost everything we've come to loathe about Obamacare the first time around, but it gets rid of the Cornhusker Kickback.

Wow.

That, no doubt, will pacify progressives now that it's clear the White House will not lift a finger to push the one thing they had to have out of this legislation:

The White House says it's up to Harry Reid whether the Senate votes on the public option.

New improved Obamacare seems to still have the same old Obama, though:

Gibbs suggested it was left out because it lacks support, saying the president is looking for "the best way forward into something that can ultimate wind its way through Congress."

He's nothing if not a fighter, that president of ours.

And for Republicans and Independents, the lack of a Cornhusker Kickback will certainly make up for all those other things they've been telling Obama and the Democrats they hate. Things like:

• Mandated coverage
• New taxes
• Other new taxes
• New "fees"
• Other new "fees"
• the Lousiana Purchase
• A $950 billion price tag

What's not to love, Charlie?

In all seriousness, though...

I just don't get this. Not even a little bit. Given that all the stuff the public learned to hate in Obamacare 1.0 is still in Obamacare 2.0, I don't understand why anyone in the White House thinks minds are going to be changed by this proposal. And to be honest with you, I just don't think the votes are there - either in the Senate or the House - for any proposal. You don't see Nancy Pelosi prancing around saying she's got the votes, do you? Is it in character for her to keep her piehole shut when she thinks she's winning? And given that Harry Reid can't get a shitty little $15 billion jobs bill passed, does anyone think he's going to successfully ride herd on Obamacare 2.0?

The kicker in all this is as follows: The new bill strengthens the pro-abortion language that was objectionable to a number of conservative Democrats back in the day. Therefore, I think at the very least we have another huge, time-consuming Democrat vs. Democrat fight on our hands as Democrats wrangle over abortion. That issue is the "out" a certain number of conservative Democrats are going to take to avoid having to vote Obamacare 2.0 on its merits. Watch the progressives go crazy when they do.

Beyond that...

Remember a couple of weeks ago? When Obama's theme o' the moment was economic recovery and jobs. Where the fuck did that go? Since then we've had one bad jobs report, Harry Reid tank a bipartisan jobs bill, and then fail to pass his jobs bill. Does the super-genius in the White House really think the public is going to consider that a laser-like focus on the economy? And just how does a $950 billion price tag on a pig of a piece of legislation like Obamacare 2.0 fit into the newly minted image of Barack Obama as cost cutter, fat trimmer and budget tamer?

It's nearly March, and Obama is still fucking around with legislation nobody wants instead of focusing on an economy that's going to sink his party in November and his presidency in 2012. I just don't get this. Not one little bit.

Fuckin' ADD presidency.

Comments

[Mike C.]

"Therefore, I think at the very least we have another huge, time-consuming Democrat vs. Democrat fight on our hands."

Works for me.

[just passin by]

"$950 billion price tag" ...

Is that just for 1 year? Please say no!

[Zimriel]

The jobs bill got passed. Thanks to Brown, the two from Maine, Voinovitch, and some clown from Missouri who apparently wants a lobbying job after he resigns.

[JeffS]

Fuckin' ADD presidency.

With a whole lot of clowns egging Obama on.

[Allen]

Obama's laser like focus is on the pivots. Shit, we should have sent him to Vancouver, he'd win every event that required supersonic rotations.

His legacy is secure, the Whirling Dervish Presidency.

I was listening to a Cheney interview about DADT, bwahahaha! Obama is behind the curve of Cheney when Cheney says it's time to end it? Now that's funny stuff. Pivot

[Scrutineer]

That, no doubt, will pacify progressives now that it's clear the White House will not lift a finger to push the one thing they had to have out of this legislation...

The point of the government option was to drive private insurance firms out of business and smooth the way to single payer. The point of the insurance premium price controls in Obama's proposed legislation is the same.

There might be tops a half dozen progressives who want the government option as an end in itself rather than as a waypoint to the promised land.

[Lefty]

Spell check is your friend Dennis. How much are the French offering for Louisiana?

[Lefty]

Is that just for 1 year?

Sure we pay for it by banning Christmas. And Vegas. And selling Lousiana.

[Dennis the Peasant]

Spelling's easy for you. After all, you only know 75 words.

[Lefty]

I also have spell check. All the kewl kids use it these days.

[Randy Rager]

950 billion is the estimated cost for the next 10 years. Given past experience with government programs, that means that we'll be at 9.5 trillion in 10 years.

Seriously, Lefty? All you have to contribute is some Grammar Nazi bullshit? That's weak stick, boy, even by your standards. Fine. Before you hammer someone for spelling, you might want to review the rules for use of comma's, periods and complete sentences.

Dumbass.

Also, your attempt at snark sucks major donkey cock.

[TmjUtah]

I believe that the administration is getting ready to play their hole card...

... race, of course.

"The illogical obstruction of the Republicans can only be attributed to racism"....

That will get at least four RINO votes for them in the senate. Hell, it will probably get McCain.

This is a failed presidency. Just nobody has had the bad form to ask "what is that SMELL???".

[Randy Rager]

Even the Associated Press has given up trying to put a positive spin on this one.

After the Republicans retake Congress this year, Obama will be lucky to not to be impeached.

[JeffS]

I also have spell check.

Actually, that's ALL you have, Lefty. So you'd best treasure it.

[Mat]

It's not only O's ADD that takes away his credibility, multiplies his opposition and divides the Dems, but his exponential power miscalculations. He thinks one Messianic President raised to the 12th power equals a trillion.

[Lefty]

I have a hard time taking you guys seriously so I'm not gonna bother engaging in policy talk for the time being.

Did the like the Louisiana Purchase thing though. That's pretty funny.

[Phil Smith]

First time I've ever seen one of these pukes admit that they're nothing but a troll.

[Dennis the Peasant]

If you have a hard time taking us guys seriously, then it's probably time for you to move on. I'll help.

[JeffS]

I have a hard time taking you guys seriously so I'm not gonna bother engaging in policy talk for the time being.

"Spell check is your friend Dennis. How much are the French offering for Louisiana? "

"Spell check is your friend Dennis. How much are the French offering for Louisiana? "

"I also have spell check. All the kewl kids use it these days. "

Policy "talk", huh? Sssssuuuuuuuuuuurrrrrrreeeeee, Lefty. Sure.

[just passin by]

Don't worry, chomskybot, we know you'll just come back with a new name.

[Mat]

Dear American People,

You elected me to give you Hope and Change, and so I've changed the hope, per your vote, in order to leave America with change as its hope-- maybe 53¢ or so.

Love, Your Obama

[aelfheld]

But I like 'Democrat vs. Democrat' fights.

Not as much as nude Jello® wrestling, but still.

[Randy Rager]

"I have a hard time taking you guys seriously so I'm not gonna bother engaging in policy talk for the time being."

Translation: "I'm having my ass with a side of trimmings handed to me every time I open my cumcatcher, so I'm going to pretend I know how to be witty in hopes that no one will notice what an utter waste of oxygen I am."

Fail.

[Tim Worstall]

" every time I open my cumcatcher"

Is that American for the accusation that he's talking out of his arse?

[Eric Blair]

"...open my cumcatcher..." LOL--That's one I actually haven't heard before.

It's always entertaining here in Dennis' comments.

[Randy Rager]

It's a roundabout way of calling him a dirty little sperm slut, but for the purposes of this forum, yes, he's talking out his arse.