Healthcare passes in the House, but uphill battle awaits
I'm not sure what crazy deals Nancy Pelosi had to make to Blue Dog Democrats to get their vote. Maybe I don't want to know.Democrats narrowly passed their healthcare reform bill Saturday in a close 220-215 vote. After the bill's passage, Nancy Pelosi struck the gavel to Democrats' cheers and applause. Now the fate of healthcare reform lies in the significantly less capable hands of Harry Reid and re-election conscious Democrats in the Senate.
Between Reid and Pelosi, it's clear which is the stronger party leader. I still can't forget the look on Pelosi's face when Joe Wilson shouted, "You lie!" at the President in her chambers. Frankly, she looked ready to wrap the offender in her coils and swallow him whole. Despite the outburst, Pelosi has been able to get business done with Republicans at their craziest.
Reid, on the other hand, may not even be re-elected. His approval rating dropped to 32% among Nevadans in October 2007. Much of that can be blamed on sketchy land purchasing deals he made in 2006. God knows how low it is now. The man has allowed Republicans to create a 60-vote passage minimum without them actually having to filibuster. Ridiculous! Maybe if he'd called their bluff during debate over lesser bills, then we wouldn't be in this mess. But now he has no leverage and no real power.
So what's next? Well, here's what I'd do if I could ghost-hack the Democratic party leadership:









Chris Jr.