The Dems just completely forgot what the Republicans did 5 short years ago. It's great being a Republican, even in the minority your guys push the Democrats around.

Did anybody see the Daily Show last night? Perfect illustration of the Republicans being the older brother from the Wonder Years (Wayne?) and the Democrats being Kevin, never being let in the station wagon no matter how close Wayne lets him get to opening the door and getting in.

Why are Dems like Bayh afraid to use the nuclear option to get Health Care passed?

In Bayh's case his wife's close ties to the HC industry specifically Wellpoint may well be the real stickler but wot about the others?

Does Bayh really imagine here that compromising endlessly on HC reform until it becomes more of a sop to Big Insurers than any form of effective reform will result in a WIN fer the Dems?

"Poison the Well"?

WTF?!

Like the goosestepping right with their unprecedented obstructionism will somehow become magically bipartisan if Dems continue to cave?

Is Bayh dumb enough to believe that or does he just think his constituents are that dumb?

Either way Spud is gonna make this really, really simple so that even Evan Bayh can understand.

Nuke them or they will obliterate you in the polls.

And you will deserve it.

Period.

It's that simple.

K?

Be Well.

What Spud said.

answer is easy...
just AS AL HUNT said last night on charlie rose..
if they do this...they WILL LOSE the house in november and remember al hunt is a democrat liberal calling himslef a journalist.

same reason air america didnt last

same reason they refuse to even acknowledge a REPUBLICAN plan for things such as the paul ryan plan that is CBO approved and sent to the white house THREE TIMES with no answer...

"Why are Dems Afraid to Play Hardball?"

Simple.
They can feel the rumble of the coming election cycle smack-down steaming strait for them this fall.
The Dems, like the Republicans, place their own individual political careers ahead of principle.
Basically, screw you supporters.
They presume you aren't going to take your vote elsewhere so the focus is on not further agitating the opposition.
They are trying to cool the torches and dull the pitchforks of the opposition in hopes that they will fall back asleep over the next few months.
Not too hard to figure out.
Will it work?
It shouldn't but lets face it, politicians are really only good at one thing...getting elected.
In that one, single, solitary expertise, I'm pretty sure they know what they're doing.
Job creation, health care, economic stimulation, budgets? ...not so much.

"Why are Dems Afraid to Play Hardball?"

Simple.
They can feel the rumble of the coming election cycle smack-down steaming strait for them this fall.
The Dems, like the Republicans, place their own individual political careers ahead of principle.
Basically, screw you supporters.
They presume you aren't going to take your vote elsewhere so the focus is on not further agitating the opposition.
They are trying to cool the torches and dull the pitchforks of the opposition in hopes that they will fall back asleep over the next few months.
Not too hard to figure out.
Will it work?
It shouldn't but lets face it, politicians are really only good at one thing...getting elected.
In that one, single, solitary expertise, I'm pretty sure they know what they're doing.
Job creation, health care, economic stimulation, budgets? ...not so much.

The Democrats act like some brow-beaten housewife to their abusive Republican "master". They've had every opportunity to institute real healthcare and insurance reform - and never intended on allowing that to happen.

There is no Republican/Democrat divide - they operate on behalf of the same interests and get paid from the same watering holes just as they always have throughout my lifetime.

To hell with them all.

There is no Republican/Democrat divide - they operate on behalf of the same interests and get paid from the same watering holes just as they always have throughout my lifetime.

very well said. the "divide" is pure stage.

Bayh is an idiot, the Republicans will not cooperate with the Democrats no matter what the Democrats do on health care. How many times do they have to learn the same lesson?
IT's like the filibuster and the nuclear option. The Republicans threatened to use it so the Dems backed down and gave them what they wanted. Now the Republicans use the filibuster on almost every bill yet the Dems are afraid to bring up the nuclear option because the fear not having the filibuster when they are in the minority. Thing is, when they are in the minority and try to filibuster those same Republicans won't hesitate to use that same nuclear option. The Democrats just don't learn.

Why are Dems Afraid to Play Hardball?

The Dems have the 'big tent'. Repubs want to whitewash their party of all but those in lockstep. See: Tom Delay

The Dems have the 'big tent'. Repubs want to whitewash their party of all but those in lockstep. See: Tom Delay

The blue dogs are certainly working out well.

Well, that's what 'big tent' means. Today's GOP doesn't want moderate Republicans.

AU Would you say that the Blue Dogs are beneficial to the Democrats passing legislation?

Sometimes. At least the Democrats welcome a variety of view within the party. The GOP tread moderates of then own with disdain, or openly act to lose them elections. Perhaps McDonnell of VA will prove to be an actual moderate and set a new path of 'big tent' in the GOP. This 'power for power's sake' while forsaking their stated principles once in power has left egg on the GOP. It's pretty sad to have watched unfold, and sadder yet for the country.

I know right wingers or leaners on DR think I'm an ultrapartisan. They couldn't be more wrong. We NEED a strong two party system, but the GOP have proven their spots were painted on and thus not worth a vote among me or anyone I know - even long time registered Republicans.

We NEED a strong two party system, but the GOP have proven their spots were painted on and thus not worth a vote among me or anyone I know - even long time registered Republicans.

I agree, but if both parties have unavoidable blocs of dead center moderates that they must placate to, then what progress will ever be made?

ANDY

From what I've read most of America is moderate. But, of course, it's those on the far right and far left who make all the news. The media loves a dirty headline. They don't want bipartisanship. That would be bad for their business. That's my view.

Man, I really hope, regardless of whatever the news wants to report, that this tone in Washington can moderate. As Obama put it today about jobs: "We need to care about their jobs, not our own.

Andy, I'm gonna call it a night for a bit. We're getting a once-in-30-years snowstorm here in Nashville. They're saying as much as 6". I have my snowboard and toboggan out and a long hill in front of my house. See ya later. Looks like no one's going anywhere here for a couple days at least. FUN!!

I talked to a guy from NC on the phone at work earlier and he said they were having record shit too. Enjoy it!