Stupak is the story.
Whip count again with John McCormack, Weekly Standard, along with Margaret Hoover FNC, and John Avlon, Daily Beast, to find that the number remains under 200 for the 216 needed by Mrs. Pelosi. McCormack spoke to Bart Stupak of Michigan, leader of the well-established opposition to the Senate healthcare bill because it does not contain anti-abortion language. Stupak does not have a solution to how the Senate can rearrange itself to suit the Stupak amendment in the House bill. Nor does McCormack or anyone I have spoken with have a solution to how to include a prohibition in the Senate bill or the so-called sidecar. Stupak does assert that he will not accept a deal from the White House where, somehow down the road, the language will be satisfied in another bill. Stupak is joined in his opposition by Oberstar of Minnestota, Lipinski of Illinois and others, who are firm against the Senate bill. Stupak is the story. Above, the shrewd Evan Newmark argues that the Democrats will suffer mightily once the healthcare is passed. Stupak makes me pause. How does anyone solve Stupak? One of the most liberal records in the House, Upper Michigan, hard-charger, and now he is the Obama administration's immovable obstacle.
29th New York.
Also spoke to Emily Cadei, CQ, re the now empty seat of the 29th New York, and we learned that the seat may remain empty until November. The rule is that the special election must be held 30 to 40 days after the governor declares the seat empty. It is empty. But the Democrats are aware that the GOP will likely regain the seat in the special and hold it in the general. David Paterson is not in a hurry. John Avlon agreed that this maneuver will not improve the Democratic image problem nationally or locally. Democrats are taking hit after hit. Perhaps the good ship of fools is sunk, and no one notices.
It’s interesting to analyze the psychological dimension of the Evan Newmark/Dennis Berman clip above. Evan puts forth a daring analysis. He has obviously agonized over it and wonders if it even should go out on air. Berman understands what Newmark is saying. He may have thought of it himself but he is scared. He responds to Newmark by attacking him. He asks if Newmark is advocating violence. Clearly Newmark is not. He is merely giving voice to a foreboding. Newmark backs off, allowing the discussion to sidetrack into a justification for what both feel could happen: America is at fault and, in the interest of ‘social justice’, should voluntarily give up her seat at the front of the bus. But Newmark returns to it. He wonders what would trigger civil strife in our nation. Berman, clearly uncomfortable with that (which means he too has given it some thought), launches once again into blaming the unnamed demagogue who would take advantage of the crisis and foment a violent response. Both men agree that we may yet have some time to turn things around. But one never knows.
Important to note is that the water is being tested. The unthinkable has been – however hesitantly - spoken. It will give others the courage to at the very least consider the possibility of violent upheaval in which reasonable voices will likely be drowned out. Missing from this spat is naming the aggressor. This generally marks the point of no return. It requires that defenses be built; it also requires individuals be held to account. The mantra, ‘we all are at fault’ no longer cuts it. This is the trigger. In my own mind, the fuse has already been lit. It was lit when we elected Barack Hussein Obama president of our nation which he appears to despise. He has declared war on us. We continue to ignore his aggression like we ignore Ahmadinejad and Chavez who continue to incrementally move to outflank us. Their intentions are clear. They have said so many times, using language that is as unambiguous as language can be. Once we leave, they will take Iraq; they fully intend to export their poison also to our own hemisphere. They will continue to torment us with the approval of people like Berman who claim we have it coming to us.
Both Ahmadinejad and Obama are building a bomb. We are doing nothing to stop them – not yet.
http://peterkoelliker.blogspot.com/
Stop pussyfooting Peter. I'll come out and say it. If Americans are ever confronted with a corrupt left-wing usurper of power such as Ahmadinejad, and the only recourse is a violent overthrow of the government to retain our Constitution, I will be out in the street at age 52 risking my life and everything I've ever fought for, even using violence if necessary, to defend our Constitution. I'm right there. I will be the first out the door on our block. But once we get to that point, there will be enough other people on our side that we'll be in the majority and won't have to worry about arrest or reprisal. We will sweep through the cities and towns like the fire-driven Santa Anas sweep through dry brush every November.
Stupak and Reagan Democrats cannot give in on Abortion. High Majority Catholic States will feel uncomfortable with Healthcare that funds Abortion. Mass, RI, PA, and Rust Belt states cannot support Abortion Funding.
Planned Parenthood and "Big Abortion" will fight this. This is a perfect wedge issue. Big Abortion is a major support group for the Democrats, they have painted themselves into a corner.