What is the old saying, keep your enemies close, keep your friends closer.
Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) said Thursday he hasn’t made up his mind on whether he will vote to confirm Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor.
Baucus this summer has infuriated liberals on and off Capitol Hill by working to strike a deal with Republicans on healthcare reform. A "no" vote on Sotomayor would be adding fuel to the left’s fire at the Finance Committee chairman.
Baucus on Thursday twice told The Hill he is undecided on next week’s floor vote on Sotomayor.
"I have no idea," Baucus said. "I haven’t paid any attention and I haven’t announced ... I’ve been so busy with healthcare. It’s under consideration. I’ll certainly know when I vote, but right now I can’t tell you."
h/t bugscuffle
So here we stand. The Democratic party is currently being held hostage by a Democratic Senator who doesn't know if he is going to vote for the Democratic President's first Supreme Court nominee.
Is there anything else that Senator Reid and President Obama need to be hit over the head with to realize they are not dealing with a willing partner? As a matter of fact, at this point, I think it is reasonable to wonder if Sen. Baucus is intentionally attempting to sabotage the Obama Presidency.
As stated in ryeland's earlier diary, Baucus made a commitment to Reid in return for more time last week and Reid went on record..
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid vowed today that the Senate Finance Committee would wrap up its work on the health care reform bill before the end of next week.
And lo and behold, as usual, someone in the Democratic caucus shows Sen. Reid he really isn't running the show.
The Senate Finance Committee will not vote on a compromise health care proposal before the upcoming month-long August recess, panel chairman Sen. Max Baucus announced Thursday.
Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Punk'd). Rodney Dangerfield got more respect.
Baucus has now demonstrated that he is not a man of his word, and not loyal to his party in the two most basic pillars of the Democratic platform, a public plan in health care, and Supreme Court nominations.
I do not want to hear, but he will vote the right way in the end. Who cares? This statement is quite simply unacceptable.
I think Mike Stark needs to ask Sen. Baucus was born in Hawaii. I literally wonder at this point if he would get a straight answer.
By the way, Sen. Reid is between a rock and a hard place because he likely doesn't want to treat Sen. Baucus worse than Sen. Lieberman who literally campaigned against the party. There is a direct line between this current behavior, and the kumbaya moment in November where Sen. Lieberman was brought allowed back into the caucus at the behest of our 44th President.
Regardless, the time for action is now.
Senator Reid. TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR CAUCUS. The powder will not get any more dry!!!
Update [2009-7-30 23:38:10 by justmy2]: And on cue...Reid folds like an antique lawn chair...
Reid spokesman Jim Manley said his boss wanted the Finance coalition to continue its efforts. "He's taking this day by day, but he's still hopeful we can work out a bipartisan deal," Manley said.
Whose side is Sen. Reid on again?
Update [2009-7-30 23:38:10 by justmy2]: Thanks for the recs everyone. Appreciated as always!!! It is important that we get as much sunlight on Sen. Baucus as possible. Now is the time for us to really stand up and fight. Are we willing to fight as hard as the lobbyists are fighting for their cause? We are the one's we have been waiting for!!! Please show the Progressive Caucus your support and make sure they don't feel isolated!!!
Also, while I have your attention, I would like to continue to promote an idea proposed on a comment last week by Gravedugger to try to turn around public opinion.
We need to have a different kind of demonstration.
We need to have the Wise County Fairgrounds annual clinic equivalent set up on the mall.
Open a giant free clinic on congress's doorstep. Let them dare to ignore it. Dare them to volunteer.
Dare them to even come and look.
Meanwhile, thousands of people will descend on the mall to get health care, forming an utterly massive protest.
And we can invite Sen./Dr. Coburn and Barrasso to participate!!!
(Some have asked how to get involved in this effort. None of the few of us continuing to promote this idea/event have the requisite organizing or health care experience. We have been trying to locate someone with the appropriate skill set to organize such an effort. Any recommendations would be welcome. Feel free to take this and run with it if you are so inclined. Thanks.)
Keep up the fight everyone!