If Repugs had wanted bipartisan HCR, maybe they should have donated to Democratic coffers?

[levander]

Here's a Chicago Tribune article that you should read to understand special interests involvement in this bill. It's been widely referred to in the news media. I 1st heard about it on a story from NPR: http://www.chicagotribune.com/health/chi-health-lobbyists_bddec20,0,4862599.story">Click.

Arrianna Huffington's response to the article. From http://www.huffingtonpost.com/arianna-huffington/the-senate-health-care-bi_b_400006.html">Click:

Sunday night, just before the post-midnight vote was taken, John McCain took to the Senate floor and, hearkening back to his days as a crusader for campaign finance reform, lambasted Obama and the Democrats' "negotiations with the special interests," adding: "We should have set up a tent out in front and put Persian rugs in front of it. That's the way that this has been conducted. So the special interests were taken care of, then we had to take care of special senators."

This kind of populist rhetoric resonates with voters across the board, including independents. If Democrats cede this turf by celebrating a bill that is a victory for special interests and special senators, look for a lot more of this kind of rhetoric in the run-up to 2010.

President Bush brought us preemptive war. President Obama's specialty seems to be preemptive compromise. He gave the farm away to Pharma, and then had to keep on giving when Lieberman, Nelson, and the other industry-backed Senators came calling.

Now, my opinion of Obama isn't very high right now, but as a bragging point. Preemptive compromise may be wishy washy and weak. But, who's gonna argue that it isn't better than preemptive war? Especially after the Iraq disaster!

But boy, oh boy, this whole health care reform thing, I don't know how you can't argue campaign finance reform is direly needed these days. How are you gonna fix any problems we have with the nation if all these problems are so dearly protected by special interests who profit from these problems? Obama, WHERE IS THE CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM LEGISLATION??!

[dkf]

1. Bernie Sanders hit it right on the nose.

[levander]

2. I missed that....

What did Bernie say about it?