House Democrats vote to increase Republican gains in 2010
The good news about the House vote yesterday to approve PelosiCare is that the city where I was born, Cincinnati, Ohio will, come January 2001, once again have a Republican Congressman. Now that Steve Driehaus, who currently represents the Queen City, voted in favor of HR 3962, he has all but guaranteed that Steve Chabot, the man he ousted in 2008 by clinging to Obama’s coattails, will win his old seat back. And Chabot won’t be the only Republican ousting a Democratic incumbent next fall.
Just scanning the list of Democrats who voted for increased government control over our health care, I see Republican pickups elsewhere in Ohio as well as in New Hampshire, New York, Virginia, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Florida and Tennessee. And even though yesterday’s vote does not guarantee enactment of this multi-hundred billion dollar bureaucratic boondoggle, it does guarantee Republican pickups in next fall’s elections. And some of those Democrats who voted “Nay” may be swept up in the rising tide against their party.
I wonder how many of the 220 representatives who voted for the bill actually read the whole (or even significant parts of the) bill. The backlash against those who voted in favor is surely already beginning, but will increase as citizens find particularly offensive or onerous provisions in the legislation which many Congressman did not know they had voted for. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi may not have posted the bill online in time for all those voting on it to read it, but it is online now.
While our representatives did not have had time to read the bill before they voted on it, citizens will have a chance to read it before we vote on them. A “Yea” vote for many will mean a “Nay” vote from their constituents.
The narrow passage of HR 3962 makes Saturday, November 7 a sad day for freedom, but the battle is far from over. The Senate has yet to vote. And the House will have to revisit the issue. Will those 64 Democrats who voted for the Stupak Amendment barring “any federal funding of abortions or any use of the new health care provisions for abortion” should the provision be excised from the final bill. If just three Democrats flip, Pelosi loses her majority.
Of course, that’s presuming the Senate first gets all 60 votes it needs for cloture. And as we see a backlash against this bill, a number of Democrats are going to get cold feet, particularly those who face reelection in 2010 in strong McCain states like Arkansas and North Dakota, weak Obama states like Indiana and even more comfortably Obama states including Colorado, Nevada, Oregon, Washington and Wisconsin.
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The battle is still far from over!
I believe number of the Democratic representatives in the House will get a rude awakening. Not from the droves of angry Americans, but from the language of the bill they voted for. Then they will try to distance themselves. Of course they’ll deny of any knowledge the bill contained outrages provisions. However that’s no excuse because many sensibly minded citizens will say you should have read the bill!!!
It’s hard for me not to be angry right now and the rage inside of me is making me ill. If anything that is comforting, I know I’m not the only one!!!
Dave
Comment by Dave_62 — November 8, 2009 @ 4:27 am - November 8, 2009
Radical left-wing congress passes wildly unpopular health care bill despite bipartisan opposition.
Comment by American Elephant — November 8, 2009 @ 4:34 am - November 8, 2009
Don’t roll on the Chabot!
Comment by ThatGayConservative — November 8, 2009 @ 6:48 am - November 8, 2009
Just woke up to this bit of bad news. But you’re right, Daniel, a whole bunch of Democrats have just made sure they’ll be fired in 2010. And Patriots across America are now less willing to tolerate RINOs like Joseph Cao, who’s vote made it a “bi-partisan” bill. It should be an earthquake.
Let it increase our resolve to clean house!
Comment by Buddy Watchman — November 8, 2009 @ 7:07 am - November 8, 2009
Start organizing to get the vote out for 2010 and 2012 now. Get another big “Tea Party” in DC before 11/10 get the word out even more so about what was voted.
Comment by martin J smith — November 8, 2009 @ 7:35 am - November 8, 2009
Interesting to note that last night’s vote happened on the 92nd anniversary of the infamous Russian Revolution (November 7th, 1917).
The problem for Her Serene Majesty Nancy Pelosi and the rest of her misbegotten party is that there is a revolution coming alright, but it’s not going to turn out as fortuitously for her, or her good-time buddies, as it did for the Bolsheviks.
Comment by MarkJ — November 8, 2009 @ 7:56 am - November 8, 2009
GOODBYE TO JOHN SPRATT (5TH CONGRESSIONAL IN SC). ASIDE FROM THE FACT THAT HE HAD TO BE COERCED INTO HOLDING A TOWN HALL HEALTHCARE MEETING AND VERY FEW AGREED WITH HIM, HE VOTED FOR THIS BILL LAST NIGHT
Comment by PatriotMom — November 8, 2009 @ 8:31 am - November 8, 2009
I don’t think a backlash is a sure fire thing, from conservatives maybe but this will also fire up the Democrats. If the Democrat voting groups felt like they had not gotten anything for votes so far, this bill is definitely a prize. I definitely see the their troops fired up now to protect the bill and those who voted for it. The democrats that voted against it could have their own primary problems now, depending on how much protection they get from the white house.
Even with their losses on tuesday, the issue the Democrats still won on was health care. I would just hasten the celebrations of 94: The Sequel. They at least have something now to energize their own base of support.
Comment by Darkeyedresolve — November 8, 2009 @ 8:59 am - November 8, 2009
DDE, you can’t win without INDEPENDENTS period unless they stay home. And that isn’t going to happen. You fall into the same stupid trap the REPUBLICANS did when you start thinking you can win elections without them. In the last election, INDEPENDENTS were breaking 2 to 1 in favor of the REPUBLICAN your base be damned. But hey don’t listen to me, you all go ahead with your delusional thinking and loose that’s fine with me.
Comment by Steven E. Kalbach — November 8, 2009 @ 9:21 am - November 8, 2009
Well, either my Rep—Betsy Markey–was looking for cover or truly felt it was an over-reach, I am not sure, but she did vote “no” on it and was one of the 39. However, I don’t ever trust anything a democrat says, because 9 times out of 10 they always do different, and I’ll have to parse her statement for understanding. My district here in Colorado is a conservative district.
Comment by Steven E. Kalbach — November 8, 2009 @ 9:30 am - November 8, 2009
Awesome, awesome post title.
Laughed out loud.
Then I read the post, of course. I’m in Cantor’s district, so I won’t be voting anyone out next year, but I did have the supreme satisfaction of watching Virginia turn red again. Even Fairfax County, where the out-of-state transplants all wind up, carried McDonnell in a landslide. The Dems are in trouble.
Comment by Meryl Yourish — November 8, 2009 @ 9:42 am - November 8, 2009
What do I do? I emailed my congressman (Andre Carson 7th Indiana) in opposition to this monstrosity no less than 12 times in the last three weeks, only to recieve a letter on beautiful, expensive stationary saying thank you for your support of me.
I work in the medical device industry, set to take a 20 BIL tax hit. We compete daily against Korean and Chinese knock off devices, which ultimately end up in your body! We cannot sustain more tax hits and be expected to create jobs for Americans and be competitive.
What can I do with a congressman who cannot read the bill, let alone my emails?
Comment by dcr022002 — November 8, 2009 @ 10:01 am - November 8, 2009
You are a dreamer Dan. This will be seen as a massive political victory for Obama. His approval numbers will go up, since he will gain support from all those lefties and independents who are down on him now because they dont think he can or will accomplish much.
The reforms themselves will end up being a treasured part of American life – one that Republicans in the future will work to protect – like with Medicare, another program conservatives were dead set against, but now pretend to protect.
Will this transformation happen by 2010? Not completely, but it will start. I’m guessing that it will end up being a net positive for the Dems.
Getting the same tea-party fringe elements twice as upset doesn’t translate into twice as many votes against the Dems.
Comment by Tano — November 8, 2009 @ 10:44 am - November 8, 2009
Taxpayer march on capitol…Raleigh NC 11/14 beginning 11:00AM
Comment by Mark — November 8, 2009 @ 11:17 am - November 8, 2009
[...] House Democrats vote to increase Republican gains in 2010 [...]
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Pingback by Your Sunday Linktacular « The Daley Gator — November 8, 2009 @ 11:47 am - November 8, 2009
Oh, Tano, Tano, Tano, Tano, your comments always provide such fodder for morning amusement. Guess you’ve been reading Democratic talking points and ignoring polling data and economic analysis.
Obama hasn’t been losing support from left-wingers, at least according to most polls, but has been losing support from independents. Expect their movement away from him to continue.
Just read the polls, not the left-wing blogs.
Comment by B. Daniel Blatt — November 8, 2009 @ 12:28 pm - November 8, 2009
Dan,
I am reading the polls. As I have often pointed out, Obama today has the same support he had on Election day. All the oceans of over-the-top nonsense and hatred from your side has done nothing but dissapate his honeymoon bump – something that would have happened anyway.
Obama today is more popular than Reagan was in Nov. 81. And Reagan was on the downslope, heading to mid-30s approval. Before eventually winning a near-landslide reelect. Obama does not seem to be going down at all – he slipped to low50s in August and has remained there ever since.
You are the one who is simply transmitting the approved talking points of your insular alternative reality. Everyone who opposes Obamacare is against him already. Actually passing the bill isn’t going to add to those numbers. The only movement one can expect is from those who are against him because of a failure to accomplish anything – and they will appreciate his success.
Comment by Tano — November 8, 2009 @ 1:13 pm - November 8, 2009
I think Democrats (and the GOP to an extent) will be in trouble because of the unemployment figures more so than the health care bill.
10.2% is .40 jump over September’s number.
There are simply no jobs out there and the employers who may be hiring are now so picky (understandable but unfortunate) and most you never hear from again and they do want phone calls about the positions.
Forget about health, people are concerned with food, shelter, clothing and gas.
The Democrats just give excuses about the unemployment situation.
Comment by Victim of Hope and Change — November 8, 2009 @ 1:36 pm - November 8, 2009
It’s which polls he’s reading, Dan.
After all, this is the guy who cheered the adminstration’s support to topple the rightful government of Honduras, and turns a blind eye to the slaughter of people in Iran.
Mary Jo Killjoy better watch out. If only I was in her district to vote against her.
Comment by The_Livewire — November 8, 2009 @ 2:15 pm - November 8, 2009
Tano, go read the internals of the polls, okay?
Obama retains strong support among Democrats and has slipped significantly among independents. So, if you expect the passage of this big-spending boondoggle to increase his support among Democrats, well, he doesn’t have much margin to improve there.
Ok, fine, bring up Reagan, but compare the media treatment of that great man to that of Obama. And let’s not forget that in 1981, Chuck Robb, a very centrist Democrat didn’t win that year by nearly as convincing a margin as did Bob McDonnell last week. And the Republican candidate for Governor of New Jersey that year eked out a victory.
Livewire, Mary Jo’s gone. In a Democratic year with a great Democratic turnout machine, she won by the skin of her teeth. And I hear Stivers is running again.
Comment by B. Daniel Blatt — November 8, 2009 @ 2:24 pm - November 8, 2009
Ah, Tano. You really believe that people support Barack Obama’s insistence that you either spend thousands of dollars annually to buy health insurance or go to jail?
Do you really think people support Barack Obama’s assessing of taxes on wheelchairs, pacemakers, and other medical devices?
Do you really think people support Barack Obama’s screaming demands that businesses all be forced to provide health insurance for employees whether they can afford it or not?
Do you really think people support Barack Obama’s massive increase in corporate taxes that were pushed through with this bill?
Of course you do, because you don’t think; you only repeat talking points and insist that everything Barack Obama does is right. But of course, what you don’t realize is that not everyone in the country is anti-business, anti-liberty, and pro-tax like you are because — shock — they actually have businesses and pay taxes!
Comment by North Dallas Thirty — November 8, 2009 @ 3:42 pm - November 8, 2009
“Obama retains strong support among Democrats and has slipped significantly among independents.”
I don’t disagree. He has the support of Dems, and some independents – i.e. the coalition he won with a year ago. Other, somewhat right-leaning independents didn’t vote for him, but expressed support when he took office. This is what honeymoons are made of. He has slipped significantly with those independents, but all presidents lose their honeymoon support.
‘So, if you expect the passage of this big-spending boondoggle to increase his support among Democrats…”
Yes – the anti-Obamacare numbers include a fair number of lefties who dont support the bill because it doesnt go far enough. Once it passes, they will be supportive, albeit disappointed. They certainly will continue to support Obama in all other parts of his agenda.
As well, passing the bill will improve his standing with independents –
those non-ideological types who neither think Obamacare is the salvation of our nation, not its destruction. They largely do not know if it is a good solution, but they do know they want something done – and they hope it will work out for the best. As time goes on, and nothing happens in DC, they increasingly turn against the administration – who they supported with the hope that something would be done. When something does get done, they will be supportive, on that basis alone. Down the road they will be supportive or opposed based on how the reforms actually work, or dont work. But for the next few years, they will reward accomplishment. and this will be a big one.
Comment by Tano — November 8, 2009 @ 4:22 pm - November 8, 2009
Tano, we have a record of how such reforms work. Go check TennCare and Massachusetts’ reforms.
And you watch, Obama’s approval may show a brief uptick due to enthusiasm of gushing liberals, but will continue its gradual descent.
Comment by B. Daniel Blatt — November 8, 2009 @ 4:38 pm - November 8, 2009
I think there is something to be said the most people calling themselves Independents now are conservatives who are unhappy with the Republican party. They are more fiscally conservative than their moderate counterparts and they will come back home to Republicans, now that Republicans can say they are for lowering spending.
I think Tano has a valid point that a lot of leftist Democrats/Liberals are unhappy with the bill. They don’t see it as going far enough and they will be especially annoyed with the abortion compromise that happened, which is already being attacked from the left. They will come home however and will vote for those who voted for the bill, since its at least a step in the right direction for them.
Yes Independents are critical for elections but you also need your base to be fired up. They are the ones who donate time, money and bodies to elections. If Democrats come to them before 2010 with nothing to show for it, they will see continue depressed turnout and lose more races than they would have.
Not like House Republicans handle the situation well, they didn’t put out a bill till the last minute. They should have put out something earlier that could have gotten news and brought to surface. I think it was a miss opportunity on their part.
Comment by Darkeyedresolve — November 8, 2009 @ 4:38 pm - November 8, 2009
When something does get done, they will be supportive, on that basis alone.
This demonstrates two things:
1) How foolish Obama Party members like Tano are
2) The contempt in which Obama Party members hold voters.
According to Tano, voters do not care about results or consequences — all they care about is “passing a bill”. They do not care what’s in the bill, nor do they care about its costs, its long-term requirements, or what it does in the here and now; all they are interested in is “doing something”. What is actually done is irrelevant.
This attitude explains why, though, Tano and his ilk deem their “stimulus” bill a success, even though it has failed spectacularly to reduce unemployment, failed spectacularly in being spent wisely, and has resulted in fabulist accounting on an epic scale from the Obama Party. Their only requirement is that a bill pass, and they don’t care about the consequences or the end outcome.
This is where the Obama administration is proving more than useful for conservatives. It demonstrates starkly the difference between conservativism, where emphasis is placed on results, responsibility, and value, and liberalism, which is concerned only with “doing something” and has nothing of substance to support it.
Comment by North Dallas Thirty — November 8, 2009 @ 4:46 pm - November 8, 2009
And let’s not forget that in 1981, Chuck Robb, a very centrist Democrat didn’t win that year by nearly as convincing a margin as did Bob McDonnell last week. And the Republican candidate for Governor of New Jersey that year eked out a victory.
Yes, Dan, but the difference in percent between what Reagan received in Virginia vs. the Republican opponent is comparable to what happened this year in Virginia and New Jersey. Also, Christie is a centrist Republican. Also, in 1985, the Republican candidate for governor received 45% of the vote versus 65% by Reagan in 1984.
Comment by Pat — November 8, 2009 @ 4:53 pm - November 8, 2009
“According to Tano, voters do not care about results or consequences — all they care about is “passing a bill”. ”
If you had actually tried to read and understand the comment before responding, you would have realized that my point was that these non-ideological independents would base their opinions on results and consequences – when those consequences actually kick in. Which wont be for several years. Till then, they will reward the fact that a big solution has been passed – and they will hope that it works out.
I realize that a bitter hyper-partisan like you cannot understand such an approach, but thats the way most people think about things.
Comment by Tano — November 8, 2009 @ 5:08 pm - November 8, 2009
Tano, you call our readers hyper-partisans when more often than not, instead of responding to their points, you continue to repeat left-wing talking points.
And Pat, I’d check your 1984/1985 numbers. As I recall, Kean won a landslide reeelction in 1985.
Comment by B. Daniel Blatt — November 8, 2009 @ 5:14 pm - November 8, 2009
I think I’ve figured out the Obamacrats’ anti-terror policy: If they destroy America themselves, there’s no reason for Iran or Al Qaeda to bother.
Comment by V the K — November 8, 2009 @ 5:18 pm - November 8, 2009
If you had actually tried to read and understand the comment before responding, you would have realized that my point was that these non-ideological independents would base their opinions on results and consequences – when those consequences actually kick in.
So according to Tano, most people buy a house without thinking about whether or not they can pay for it because they’re more interested in buying the house than they are the long-term consequences of not being able to pay for it.
Again, the more you read Tano’s blabbering, the more you realize just how incompetent and dangerous Tano and his fellow liberals are. They honestly do not care about results or consequences — all they care about is “passing a bill”. They have no idea what is going to happen or what the outcomes could be; the only thing that interested them was “passing a bill”.
Again, Tano demonstrates that Obama Party members are fools who hold voters in nothing but contempt. That’s what happens when you have a party based on skin color and where you went to school rather than on results and actual performance.
Comment by North Dallas Thirty — November 8, 2009 @ 5:40 pm - November 8, 2009
The more I read Tano’s screaming, the more obvious the Obama Party’s basic thought process becomes — superficiality is supreme, results and outcomes don’t matter.
‘
That’s why we are carrying out a fool’s errand trying to demonstrate to Tano that his Barack Obama makes mistakes. Tano cannot process that Barack Obama makes mistakes because all Tano cares about is Barack Obama’s blackness. Tano is not capable of understanding that his “health care bill” could cause problems because, according to Tano, the important part is that Barack Obama passed it, and since Barack Obama is black, it will be correct.
Comment by North Dallas Thirty — November 8, 2009 @ 5:44 pm - November 8, 2009
Dan, you’re right. At least in NJ in 1985, there wasn’t much difference. Kean was popular in 1985. Corzine, in 2009, was not.
Comment by Pat — November 8, 2009 @ 6:18 pm - November 8, 2009
I just reread my other post (27). The last sentence referred to Virginia, not NJ.
Comment by Pat — November 8, 2009 @ 6:21 pm - November 8, 2009
Wait for the old people to realize DEMOCRATS voted to cut 600 Billion from medicare.
Comment by Gene in Pennsylvania — November 8, 2009 @ 8:21 pm - November 8, 2009
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Pingback by All American Blogger » 220-215: A Blogosphere Roundup — November 8, 2009 @ 8:24 pm - November 8, 2009
Or until folks have to go into dark, back alleys to get real health care.
Comment by ThatGayConservative — November 9, 2009 @ 7:04 am - November 9, 2009
Say Tano, did you bother to look at the polls showing that healthcare was not a priority with the voters?
And I don’t mean the CNN polls weighted toward the liberal kooks.
Comment by ThatGayConservative — November 9, 2009 @ 7:12 am - November 9, 2009
We shall see, Tano. With unemployment numbers over 10%, a very high deficit and national debt of astronomical proportions, plus talk of cap-and-trade as well as VAT taxes, the Democrats are in for interesting times in 2010. If you think health care will save them I’d like to share some of that medicinal MJ you are smoking. Obviously it’s some really good stuff!
Comment by John — November 9, 2009 @ 9:35 am - November 9, 2009
Tano, the bill has three years of raised medical insurance prices and raised taxes, before anyone gets any benefit. Social security and medicare were protected because they offered people benefits. This bill doesn’t. It also annoys a lot of budget hawk independents. Raising taxes is never a good way to win over independents. If you just believe that on the vague hope that something good will happen independents will turn and vote democrat, you haven’t learnt anything from the past.
Obama successfully pushed a Bush bailout bill, and a cap and trade bill, and a stimulus bill. None of those really raised his popularity, because none of them addressed people’s concerns that well- bailing out foolish mostly northern banks, imposing taxes and regulations on businesses, and rescuing state finances and funding green technology weren’t what Obama was voted in for. People know he can do things. They’d prefer if he addressed the huge problem of 10% of the nation out of work. I doubt they have any particular desire to be taxed more for three years.
Comment by TD — November 10, 2009 @ 8:40 am - November 10, 2009
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