The HCR Summit is a joke. It's pretty much political lecturing-- 101. The American public already knows where each political side stands even with a laser-like focus on the key-points of the legislation. The statement screams even more truth when both sides clarify the bullshit talking points, expose the facts, and admit their mistakes. Who is owned by the Insurance companies? Where is Joe Lieberman (from my state) who is owned by the Insurance companies?
The Bi-partisanship meeting is dull in substance and just re-cycles all the key points educated people know about regarding Healthcare. The reality is that I want a fucking bill passed that atleast tackles some of the problems. The bottom line: (HCR) legislation is already watered-down and only Democrats believe in fixing healthcare for the uninsured, low-income individuals/families, and lowering costs for those (individuals) who are currently insured under a plan. --- From a political philosophy perspective: (The 3 p’s) The Republican party in power wants nothing to do with that problem. They just don’t believe in that stuff period.
The Democrats know where they stand in the room and the Republicans know where they stand on the opposite side. Not surprising is the constant disagreements, political campaigning talking points, and no mention of the public-option. The Democrats want to fill in the uninsured gap and the Republicans want nothing to do with interjecting more people into our broken system even at the cost of fixing the problem for forever.
Who votes for the HRC bill via Reconciliation--- 51 vote majority
The easiest way of analyzing this problem is assuming:
Y= HRC votes
D^1S = Democrats supporting HRC without vulnerability
D^2S = Democrats supporting HRC with vulnerability
D^SN = Democrats Not supporting HRC with vulnerability
Joe Lieberman= 1 voting or O no support
Scott Brown= 1 voting or O no support
Republicans: Why ask ?
** Bernie Sanders is in the D^1s category - automatic Dem vote.
Y = D^1S + D^2S (D^2S-D^SN)+ Scott Brown + Joe Lieberman + Republicans (40) + Joe Biden (only if necessary)
Joe Lieberman-- Senator from Aetna, Cigna, & Well-Point. (no support)
Soctt Brown---Massachusetts (he's running in 2012-- should be fun to watch)
Reid- Nevada (will support the bill)
Bay- Indiana (leaving the senate) hmmm
Lincoln- Arkansas (will not support the bill)
Nelson- Nebraska (will not support the bill)
Dorgan- North Dakota (he's retiring + will support bill)
Specter- Pennsylvania- (he's supporting the bill)
Bennet- Colorado - (facing tough primary challenge) he will support
Bottom line- Only 7 Democrats fit into the D^2 category. Out of this group I only see Nelson and Lincoln voting against HRC. And with the political cover of 51 votes-- Dorgan/Bayh (can vote for this bill). Furthermore, this will give Brown & Lieberman cover to vote against the bill.
Final vote
Y (56)= D^1S (51) + D^2S (5) (D^2S (7)-D^SN (2))
No votes (44) = 40 Republicans + Scott Brown + Joe + Nelson + Lincoln
Update: 56 is the high number in the range. Will Senators not running for re-election vote against HCR legislation. I don't see how this endears Democratic voters in 2012 when their sitting Senatorial representative voted with Republicans by trying to kill the legislation. Until these type of Democrats come out against the legislation I can't assume they won't support the bill in the end.