State of the Union: Candy Crowley's Crib Sheet for March 7
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/02/07/art.sotucandy0207.cnn.jpg caption="In her Crib Sheet, CNN's Candy Crowley wraps the news from Sunday's political talk shows."]
A Troika of Maybes on Sunday. Three congressional Democrats who voted no on the original House health care bill got some rare Sunday air time to fence sit on how they will vote when the House takes up the Senate bill, which so far as anyone can figure is the next step in this year-long saga.
Rep. Jason Altmire (D-PA), who supported the strict “Stupak Amendment” to prevent federal funding of abortion says he thinks the issue will be “decisive” to whether reform passes or doesn’t.
Rep. John Adler (D-NJ) is awaiting the dotted “i’s” and crossed “t’s,” quaintly declaring that he is “one of the guys who believes I should read the bill first before making up my mind.”
And the last of the troika, retiring Rep. Brian Baird (D-WA), said it’s not the bill he would write, but it’s better than the “status quo.” But if, he comes to the conclusion he can’t support the Senate bill, would he vote no even if it meant health care would go down? In Baird’s word, “yes.”
All of which is to say, the three undecideds wrapped up their Sunday stints as they began, undecided. Although Altmire sounded more “no” than his two colleagues.
It’s enough to give House Speaker Nancy Pelosi heartburn, but not Maryland’s Chris Van Hollen (the guy who’s in charge of getting Democrats elected to the House this fall). Van Hollen says he thinks the House will pass the Senate health care bill, ”but do we have a lock? No.”
Off the topic du jour, but certainly of interest: Both Republican Senate Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and Utah Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) got as far away as possible from that toxic RNC fundraising presentation which contained, among other things, racially-tinged depictions of President Obama as the Joker in Batman. Senator Hatch said he was “ashamed.” Senator McConnell said he couldn’t imagine why anyone would think that was helpful. Us neither.
And finally, the bipartisan note of the day as Iraqis concluded their parliamentary election. After his appearance on ABC, McConnell told reporters Iraq is on its way to becoming a “normal” democratic country which – wait for it – “could well be one of the big accomplishments of this current administration.
This week for Health Care Reform: Do or Die. Make or Break. Now or Never.
The End Game. Unless, it’s the week after this.
Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) on CNN’s “State of the Union”
“I belive we will have a pass, but do we have a lock? No. The president sent Congress a letter based on the ideas he had. Until people have a final product they are able to look at and the Congressional Budget Office, our referee, says whether or not this will do what the earlier bills did, then I think it’s going to be hard for people to commit. But the trend is in the right direction.”
Rep. Brian Baird (D-WA) on CNN’s “State of the Union”
“The difficult choice is that this is not the bill I would write but it’s better than the status quo and what would we do if we don’t have that option?
Crowley: “You would vote against it if you come to the conclusion you don’t like it even if it meant health care would go down?”
Baird: “Yes.”
Rep. Jason Altmire (D-PA) on “Fox News Sunday”
“Well, I think given the vote dynamic, abortion may be the decisive issue. There is a block of voters who voted for the Stupak amendment. I voted for the Stupak amendments, who say they are not going to vote for the finish product unless they tighten the abortion language in the senate bill. We may see vote hold-outs based on that issue.”
Rep. John Adler (D-NJ) on “Fox News Sunday
“I have to know what the bill says. I'm one of the guys who believe I should read the bill first before making up my mind. There were pieces that were missing and the house bill failed to address cost containment.”
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) on ABC’s “This Week” on the controversial RNC PowerPoint presentation that critics say had racial undertones
“That sort of thing is certainly not helpful; I can't imagine why anybody would have thought this helpful.”
Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” on the RNC controversy
“There’s no excuse for that type of stuff. I, I just don’t agree with that type of thing.”
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) after his appearance on ABC on whether Iraq is closer to being a democratic country
“As the Vice President – earlier no supporter of the Iraq war indicated - it could be one of the big accomplishments of this current administration.”
Have a great Sunday and week ahead.
Candy Crowley
...retiring Rep. Brian Baird (D-WA), said it’s not the bill he would write, but it’s better than the “status quo.”
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Does it not make sense that the overwhelming majority of Americans do not want the federal government to pass this $1 trillion health insurance bill just because it's better than nothing?!?! Start Over! It's not better than nothing! Killing this bill lets it get done correctly!
Misters Stupak and Altmire are perfect examples of why there should be a very specific separation of Church and State. They have given an oath to represent the best interests of all constituents, not just a specific religious group. In essence, they are holding a sword over the heads of millions of uninsured citizens, and many of these are small children. Attempting to change someone's religious belief is another discipline, another vocation, removed from politics. It takes a wise and sincere politician to understand the difference and act accordingly.
MONEY, MONEY, MONEY, M_O_N_E_Y!!!!
That's all these people think about. They are thinking of no one but themselves and the money they are making from the Health Insurance Companies and the Pharmaceutical Companies. They obviously are not the Christians they pretend to be, WWJD!?
I'm with Pres. Obama and the Dems in opposing the use of reconciliation to pass health care reform.
Democrats are weak, disingenuous and incompetent. They blame everyone else – Republicans, the insurance industry, etc. They could have passed a bill a year ago if they wanted to. Bottom line: AMERICAN STILL HATES OBAMACARE AND ALWAYS WILL.
Thank you Mr.Stupak for standing up for the right call. We the people don't want to pay for other people's abortions. And you are right for standing up for your religious beliefs. This is why religion needs to stay in politics. After all we all need a moral compass.
The Democrats simply do not understand!!!! The majority of americans DO NOT WANT this health bill? Why do they insist on passing it, is it because it may hurrt Obmas performance if it fails. I think they should go ahead and vote now.
It is a legislative piece of garbage, it does not fix the problem. However, I still say let the Dems pass it through reconciliation, it will be the best gift ever given to the GOP. If you think about it for a moment, should the two parties stop with all their political posturing and do what is needed for our Nation, a true Health insurance reform resolution, they would both be deemed winners. Then we could get on to putting Americans back to work and correcting some of what is dragging our Nation down. Remember, 1 trillion dollars equates to $1.00 per second for 36,000 years, and someone has to pay for it and that someone will be US, not them! House cleaning time 2010 and 2012!
Strip Mr. Baird of his government Health Insurance.. and we the people will just start over on it some day.. In the meantime Mr. Baird you can just do without Healthi Insurance for you and your family like millions of Americans do everyday.. Strip Congress of their Health Insurance until we get Health Insurance for all of us.. Sound good?.. You can go out and get your private health insurance which is really a government type organization with their laws and health insurance premium taxes going up 30-40% a year.. USA kinda goofy country ...huh?
My gut tells me this is not the plan to support..something is not right....in addtion, the wrong people are currently being placed into power in DC....too shaky! CNN has their work cut out for them over the next two weeks....
Just curious, why CNN or other US media is not reporting on the recent speech made by Putin (Russian) on the State of US and it's recent political appointments.....that is a story that should be told..
CNN and Candy Crowley must have been desperate when they booked this former republican has-been from Texas for what is supposed to be a prime time Sunday slot.....CNN, which used to be a trusted, reliable news source, has gone WAY to the right the past two years even AFTER removing Beck and Dobbs from their lineup....
Hey Marty, where have you been? There IS separation of Church and State. That doesn't mean legislators have to check their moral beliefs at the door. Tens of millions believe abortion is murder, and they come in all religious persuasions.
What rock did this piece of crawley come out from, she cant get somebody real to interview she has to pick a crook. Guess like calls to like.....they are starting a campaign to have her taken off this show. If she can't be a real honest American she deserves to be dumped.
Seems some are holding a sword over the heads of millions of unborn babies.
Candys show gets a poor review from my family,shes taking a pro corporate stance,wonder why?Money bag?
I've heard enough of the Republicans Nov. election projections. That's all they talk about...Seems to be their only focus...winning in November.
I'd like to hear GOP talk about issues they've resolved impacting American daily lives.
I'd like to see a list of their accomplishments since President Obama took office with CNN'S Fact Check following...
Republicans quit living off the government and get back to work! Earn that paycheck!
Ms. Crowley,
You were one of my favorite reporters on CNN until today. You and Jack (Situation Room) never chose a political side but fairly portrayed both sides until today.
You allowed that criminal, adulterer, father of a illegitimate child (which he tried to pass off as his Foster child), and blackmailer (His way not to support a member unless they followed what HE ,Tom The Hammer wanted) public access.
I live in CD 22 and worked to get rid of him since 2004. I even drove a Political float of a 12 foot high Uncle Sam spanking Delay to band music at full volume over the speakers for 3 months. We finally got rid of the crook to the cheers of hundreds.
You treated that man like whatever his opinion was about the State of the Union was important to us. After he finally goes to jail for all the rotten things he did during his time in office to this Nation and to Texas, THEN and only then will I consider anything he says to be honest and have any credence to the economy of this Country.