The battle for Kennedy's seat

[Lynnie]

I think it's a message against politics and big government, sending a very strong message as well as setting a precedent for this years' mid-term elections. But, historically, this voting behaviour is the pattern when one party gains too much control. It is fascinating. Do we have any more Reps jumping ship into the Dem camp to give them a super majority again?

Sometimes, it takes several generations to turn over in politics. GA elected the first Rep Governor in over 130 years and elected a Dem Lt. Gov. on the same day! More to come of this, I believe.

BeachSiO2, I thought about the spread in the vote and I agree, this should be a swift confirmation. We'll see hows MA handles this.

 

[Gidget]

?The short memories of American voters is what keeps our politicians in office.? ~ Will Rogers

 

[Will B]

Somebody mentioned the "cram down" option a few posts ago. Even in the darkest of times I don't think either party would be so desparate to do that. I think the Dems are having a serious "Oh, crap" moment, right now. They reallllly need to ask themselves how it came to this. I can't imagine that there would be enough Dem support for a "cram down" that they would do it. Talk about losing seats! Holy Cow...

Brown's election may well have been the one thing to make the House and Senate both step back, take a deep breath, slow down, try to approach this whole thing from less of an emotional perspective, and reach out across the aisle to achieve some sort of bipartisanship on the bill.

Pelosi and Reid hold all the cards to the Dem's future. If they are smart, they will rein in their egos before it all goes down the drain.

 

[Miss Critter]

This registered Independent who voted for Obama is glad that Brown won.

I think Obama won because, among other things, Americans were tired of the Republicans having their way with them. Brown won because, among other things, Americans are tired of the Democrats having their way with them. The "change" that people seek is a return to thoughtfulness, fairness, compromise and a long-range view of what's best for our country, not a wild swing from one party's far-leaning idealogy to the other. Human nature and politics being what they are, none of these things is likely to happen in Washington unless they are forced to happen. A balance of power forces compromise. Compromise is good.

 

[LuciferSam]

This registered Independent who voted for Obama is glad that Brown won.

I think Obama won because, among other things, Americans were tired of the Republicans having their way with them. Brown won because, among other things, Americans are tired of the Democrats having their way with them. The "change" that people seek is a return to thoughtfulness, fairness, compromise and a long-range view of what's best for our country, not a wild swing from one party's far-leaning idealogy to the other. Human nature and politics being what they are, none of these things is likely to happen in Washington unless they are forced to happen. A balance of power forces compromise. Compromise is good.

I agree that compromise would have better served the Obama administration with regard to healthcare. They should have compromised while they had the chance. Now I believe all chance of compromise is gone and the Republicans will ramp up their obstructionist tactics to unprecedented levels. Shame on both partys. A lot of time has been wasted. I hope I'm wrong about all of this.

 

[Miss Critter]

I agree that compromise would have better served the Obama administration with regard to healthcare. They should have compromised while they had the chance. Now I believe all chance of compromise is gone and the Republicans will ramp up their obstructionist tactics to unprecedented levels. Shame on both partys. A lot of time has been wasted. I hope I'm wrong about all of this.

Me, too. Although obstruction of this particular version of healthcare reform would be a good thing. Let's hope both parties can work together toward sensible solutions for not only healthcare, but the myriad other problems facing American right now.

 

[LuciferSam]

Me, too. Although obstruction of this particulary version of healthcare reform would be a good thing. Let's hope both parties can work together toward sensible solutions for not only healthcare, but the myriad other problems facing American right now.

I believe the Republican party line is to cooperate with the administration as little as possible and help contribute to the perception of a failed presidency in order to position themselves best for 2012. This strategy may very well backfire, but it wastes time and hurts the country. I believe that the Republicans now will try to block any form of healthcare reform. That would be a shame because this is the perfect opportunity for the more progressive Republicans to differentiate themselves from the mob and provide their party with an electable presidential candidate. Problem is, electable Republican candidates have a slim chance of getting nominated.

 

[30ashopper]

I believe the Republican party line is to cooperate with the administration as little as possible and help contribute to the perception of a failed presidency in order to position themselves best for 2012. This strategy may very well backfire, but it wastes time and hurts the country. I believe that the Republicans now will try to block any form of healthcare reform. That would be a shame because this is the perfect opportunity for the more progressive Republicans to differentiate themselves from the mob and provide their party with an electable presidential candidate. Problem is, electable Republican candidates have a slim chance of getting nominated.

Well that certainly wouldn't be anything new for a lobsided Congress. Which is why I look forward to something more a long the lines of what we had in Clinton's second term, those folks got a lot done.

 

[Santiago]

Somebody mentioned the "cram down" option a few posts ago. Even in the darkest of times I don't think either party would be so desparate to do that. I think the Dems are having a serious "Oh, crap" moment, right now. They reallllly need to ask themselves how it came to this. I can't imagine that there would be enough Dem support for a "cram down" that they would do it. Talk about losing seats! Holy Cow...

Brown's election may well have been the one thing to make the House and Senate both step back, take a deep breath, slow down, try to approach this whole thing from less of an emotional perspective, and reach out across the aisle to achieve some sort of bipartisanship on the bill.

Pelosi and Reid hold all the cards to the Dem's future. If they are smart, they will rein in their egos before it all goes down the drain.

If Pelosi and Reid are smart? Are you kidding? Did you just land on Earth?

 

[Will B]

If Pelosi and Reid are smart? Are you kidding? Did you just land on Earth?

I never implied that they were. I honestly think that Pelosi has gone bat sheet crazy due to her power in the gov't. Reid may actually show some modicum common sense seeing how he is getting killed in the polls in his own state. I think he may well see the writing on the wall if he doesn't do something. Only time will tell...