Was that a play on speculums?

OK, never mind.

Was that a play on speculums?

Misogynist.

Yes, but will he be the Fierce, Jut-Jawed Scourge of the Senate…or the usual guy?

Yes, but will he be the Fierce, Jut-Jawed Scourge of the Senate…or the usual guy?

I’m staying away from news and blogs until it’s over. What are they predicting?

What are they predicting?

The few I’ve looked at say Reid will roll out a public option with state opt-out. Whatever it is, we can rest assured it will be a SLAP IN THE FACE.

SLAP IN THE FACE.

To whom today?

To whom today?

Pretty much everyone except for the <spittle> “progressives” </spittle>...

And we can also predict that Lambert WILL BE HEARD! And that he welcomes our hatred. Also.

The creative-class tribalism on this thread does nothing to facilitate productive engagement.

The few I’ve looked at say Reid will roll out a public option with state opt-out.

Trigger FTW!!

Trigger FTW!!

Check out the “MORE” link I just added. Excuse me while I go throw myself in front of a bus. (I will NOT go under the bus, though.)

Here he goes…

It’s the opt-out.

Reid’s enthusiasm is contagious!

Olympia Snowe rules my world, apparently.

Anyone have any idea how many states would actually take an opt-out?

Olympia Snowe rules my world, apparently.
Comment by StrangeAppar8us on 10/26/09 at 03:25 PM

I’m sure she’s quite grateful for the attention.

Anyone have any idea how many states would actually take an opt-out?

Was just wondering the same thing. Also, how in the hell are they going to have co-ops in the bill, too? That’s what Reid just said.

And with that, it’s over.

Actually, Harry mildly dissed Snowe.

Reid also said he had the support of the White House, so unless he was lying, I guess those rumors that the admin wanted the trigger were—surprise!—bullshit.

Reid also said he had the support of the White House, so unless he was lying, I guess those rumors that the admin wanted the trigger were—surprise!—bullshit.

I don’t know, I think they were probably legit in context, and the WH ultimately decided to trust Reid has a good feel for the mood of the chamber. Personally, I wish they would have stuck with the trigger, but here we go anyway.

Brien, why do you favor trigger over opt-out?

I can’t picture any state opting out. It’s window dressing.

Brien, why do you favor trigger over opt-out?

Everything about the trigger just sounded like a big fail to me. The public option’s timeline makes it “triggered” already. Kicking the can even further down the road seems useless to me, especially when I don’t think the rules would have been enforced.

Gotta cut out for a bit.

Brien, why do you favor trigger over opt-out?

In policy terms I don’t, but in political terms, for now, it’s a much safer bet for getting out of the Senate without incident.

My worry at this point is that a group of 5-10 conservadems balk at the opt-out and force the Senate to go with the trigger anyway. The problem with this is that it then gives them leverage over the conference committee, as they can argue that the Senate already rejected the opt-out in favor of the trigger, whereas going with the trigger from the starts lets you improve the bill in conference, and dare the conservadems to vote against cloture on the final bill.

Let’s remember that Blue Cross Dems aren’t the only constituency to be appeased—from what I understand, there are progressive Dems who would balk at a trigger bill because, as policy, it sucks worse than opt-out.

The trigger is way too unpopular to ever pass.  It will be opt out.  The question is, how long before the states can choose to opt out.  If it’s 2+ years then unlikely any will because people will have already chosen that option.  If the insurance companies have their way (with the Blue Dogs) it will be <2 hours.

Are we really winning this one? Dayum!