Sens: Snowe may be risking a high perch on healthcare reform vote

[babylonsister]

So will she vote for her own self-interest, or the interests of her constituents. Stay tuned.

Sens: Snowe may be risking a high perch on healthcare reform vote
By Alexander Bolton - 10/13/09 06:05 AM ET


Sen. Olympia Snowe (Maine) is risking a shot at becoming the top Republican on an influential Senate committee by backing Democratic healthcare legislation, according to senators on the panel.

A Senate Democrat on the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee said Republicans on the panel are threatening to vote against Snowe, who is in line for the senior GOP post that is about to come open.

“Wake up,” the Democrat told a reporter last week when questioned if the Republicans would retaliate against Snowe for crossing party lines.

Snowe, a potential swing vote on the Senate Finance Committee, could give Democrats a major boost Tuesday when that panel holds a final vote on Chairman Max Baucus’s (D-Mont.) bill. She could also support the bill in the coming weeks on the Senate floor.

“A vote for healthcare would be something that would weigh on our minds when it came time to vote,” said a Republican on Commerce, who said Snowe would otherwise be assured of the ranking member post if not for the healthcare debate.

Every other GOP member of Finance is expected to vote against the healthcare bill.

more...

http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/62727-sens-snowe-risks-perch

[TheCowsCameHome]

1. "interests of her constituents" Imagine that. What a refreshing concept.

Why aren't there more like her?

[davidpdx]

2. There was a similar story that was more of a backgroundish one about her

on Yahoo. It will be interesting to see what happens.

[Triana]

3. Baucus' Bill sux and Snowe sux. To Hell with them both AND the bill.

Why bother?

[KharmaTrain]

4. The Moment They Break Ranks....Their Party Collapses

The only way the rushpublicans have any affect on legislation is by voting in a unified bloc. Their 40 votes in the Senate isn't enough to pass anything, but it is enough to block any meaningful legislation. If Snowe jumps ship and begins to vote with the Democrats, there goes the brick wall and with it others will be looking out for their own self interests as well.

[sharp_stick]

5. Perhaps the Dems

could offer her the "chair" of the same panel if the leading Dem could be persuaded to take a smaller role. Wouldn't that just be a kick in the nuts of the GOP pricks?

Probably not possible the way these people guard their positions but it would be funny as hell to see the look on the pukes faces if she showed up with the gavel.

[Barack_America]

6. I hope she votes for it and loses the Chair.

Further disintegration of the Republican party is always welcome.

[Maine-ah]

7. meh, don't count on it. She'll vote with her party.

[babylonsister]

8. Umm, she just announced she'll vote for the bill. nt