A Bit More on That Surprise Kennedy Visit

[babylonsister]

Phew! No selfless rethugs here. :eyes:

http://washingtonindependent.com/view/a-bit-more-on-that

A Bit More on That Surprise Kennedy Visit
By Mike Lillis 07/10/2008 12:51PM


Regarding yesterday's Senate passage of the Democrats' Medicare bill: If there was ever question about what force of nature compelled nine Republicans to switch their "no" votes of last month to "yes" votes yesterday, it's been put to rest. Here's a hint: It wasn't because they like the legislation.

There was some early speculation that ads run by seniors groups and the physicians' lobby over the July Fourth recess might have convinced the Republicans to join 129 of their House colleagues and support the bill. But according to today's New York Times, all nine flip-floppers voted against the bill yesterday in the early stages of the vote. (Senators have a 15-minute window in which to vote, and change votes if necessary.) It was only after the surprise arrival of Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.), who hasn't visited the Capitol since being diagnosed with brain cancer nearly eight weeks ago, that the Republicans recognized the bill had the final vote it needed for passage. Rather than going down with the ship, the nine switched their nays to yeahs.

So, technically, these nine supported the bill. But if they think the physicians' lobby didn't watch the process closely, they should probably think again.

As an interesting side-note, this is a different story than the one reported yesterday by The Dallas Morning News. It credited Texas Republican Sens. John Cornyn and Kay Bailey Hutchison with supplying "crucial support for the bill." Actually guys, that was Ted Kennedy.

[gateley]

1. Ah...makes sense. Thanks!! nt

[Breeze54]

2. That's what was reported here! The Bear arrived and the mice got nervous!

;)

[babylonsister]

3. PM kick. nt

[LiberalAndProud]

4. I adore Ted Kennedy.

I am so in love with this man. I am overwhelmed with emotion and gratitude. He made this supreme effort to show up when it really mattered. I can't say enough how he inspires me.

[Breeze54]

5. Medicare is his project and he's been working on it for years!

I sort of wish he'd been there sooner for the FISA vote but it may not have mattered. :(

[babylonsister]

6. I hear you. I also adore him for being there. Words fail me. nt