When is Conrad for reelection? Because he seems the worse in the Senate Finance Committee

[Mass]

Just voted for an amendment that that would have required women to purchase a separate, supplemental insurance plan to cover abortion services. (only dem for that)
Supporting a plan that allows plans with high copays (60 % value).

Supporting money for abstinence only plans.

Voted against 2 public options.

[Epiphany4z]

1. He is Dem right?

jeeze he sucks.

[WCGreen]

2. 2012...

[lamp_shade]

3. He's always votes strongly anti-choice.

[sofa king]

4. He was useless on the SCIA.

I knew he was on the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, because his name was on some of the letters we sent to the Committee. But even though I covered that Committee's hearings for years, I don't recall ever seeing him there. But I saw an empty seat with his nameplate in front of it at least fifty times.

For purposes of comparison, I saw Ben Nighthorse Campbell and Dan Inouye almost every time, Daniel Akaka occasionally, Byron Dorgan rarely, and John McCain once. (I presume McCain showed up more often once he became Chairman.)

As a possible explanation, Conrad comes from North Dakota, where conservatism is common (except on the reservations) and voter turnout is admirably high. There are few major urban centers, where people can see public works actually working, and as we know, farm subsidies and winter survival programs are a god-given right, not socialism. It's probably not possible to replace him with a better, equally viable candidate because it's something of a mystery as to why North Dakotans actually tolerate Conrad in the first place.

But on the other hand, his loss would only affect the Democratic Senate in terms of caucus votes and limiting debate. If he ain't toeing the line on things that matter, like these, then it's worth cutting the rope on him.

[karynnj]

5. He is bad

I can see taking abortion payments out of the bill if it were absolutely necessary to pass an otherwise good bill, but it seems highly unlikely that you could create a supplemental insurance for it. Think about it. How would you set the premiums? If abortion is not covered, it is likely that it would have to be subsidized for some women maybe via existing organizations like planned parenthood.

[Mass]

6. So, once again Conrad is the only one siding with the GOP

(Amendment did not pass).