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Lieberman: Sure, I'd Filibuster A Health Care Reform Bill With A Public Option
Brian Beutler | October 27, 2009, 1:25PM

Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) told reporters today that he would in fact filibuster any health care bill he doesn't agree with--and right now, he doesn't agree with the public option proposal making its way through the Senate.

"I told Senator Reid that I'm strongly inclined--i haven't totally decided, but I'm strongly inclined--to vote to proceed to the health care debate, even though I don't support the bill that he's bringing together because it's important that we start the debate on health care reform because I want to vote for health care reform this year. But I also told him that if the bill remains what it is now, I will not be able to support a cloture motion before final passage. Therefore I will try to stop the passage of the bill."

There are two procedural issues at play here. Most people think of a filibuster as a minority blocking passage of a bill that's already been debated ad nauseum on the Senate floor. That's the most standard filibuster. But on major legislation, it's become more common for the minority--in this case the Republicans--to object to the majority getting a chance to debate legislation in the first place. If any one of them objects to the so-called motion to proceed, it will take 60 votes just to start the amendment and debate process. That's a less-discussed filibuster, but it's quite plausible that this health care bill will have to contend with it.

Lieberman is saying that he's pretty much OK with letting senators offer amendments--try to change the legislation, move it in any direction they deem necessary. But when that process is all over, and Harry Reid wants to hold an up or down vote on the final product, Lieberman's saying he'll join that filibuster, if he's not happy with the finished product. Point blank.

Even Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE) doesn't go that far. "I'm not going to make up my mind until I actually see the bill," he told reporters.

One of Lieberman's main objections to the health care bill is that it includes a public option, which he describes as a burden on taxpayers.

"I think a lot of people may think that the public option is free. It's not. It's going to cost the taxpayers and people who have health insurance now, and if it doesn't it's going to add terribly to the national debt...there's so much in this health reform legislation that is so good, that I think they're just putting an unnecessary burden on top of it by creating another Washington-based entitlement program."

This is at great odds with the findings of most experts, who say that, by bringing efficiencies into the greater insurance market, and therefore lowering the government's subsidy burden, a public option will actually save money.

I asked him to square his rationale with the experts consensus, but he was undeterred. "Well all the history we have of health entitlement programs, including the two big ones that I dearly support, Medicare and Medicaid, is that they end up costing more than we're prepared to pay, and they add to the debt, and then they add to the burden on taxpayers."

As written, congressional health care legislation would require the public option--whether administered by a government, or by an outside body--would be financed by premiums, and unable to draw on federal funds.

It is HARD to BELIEVE that THIS MAN actually ran WITH Al Gore in 2000! Lieberman has turned into this DIVA...that goes for the "glory" while he straddles the FENCE! You can't even call him a RINO because he doesn't SIT with the GOP! :rolleyes:

Yet he doesn't do much for the Democrats as well! Now he tries to set himself up as a 'spoiler'?

He also KNOWS that the Democrats hung their 'hats' on HEALTHCARE...when we have TWO WARS still 'on the ground' on the other side of the world! :angry:

We NEED to handle these problems as they ARISE...instead of letting them boil on a 'back burner'.... :o

You took the words right out of my mouth, PB!

Why doesn't he just become a Republican already and show his true stripes?

I'll bet Lieberman is trolling for favors and attention once again. We need to pass a good plan this year. If they can't get 60 votes then push it through during reconciliation. Get 'er done. It's time for Joe to retire from politics and just go straight into corporate lobbying.

I'll 2nd that, Wayne. :clap: Here we have the public option right in front of us, and Diva Joe and going to straddle on the fence line?

Go blow, Joe. It certainly is hard to believe he is the same person who ran with Gore. :unsure:

We need to flood him with letters, plus much more to tell him what we think of him. He is mad because of what happened in 2004. Gore backed Gov. Dean and his own state tried to get rid of him, but he is just mad at democrats in general.

That's a good idea, Patsy. We should flood him with letters and let him know what the people want.

in the old days traitors were dealt with harshly

but then Harry Reid (who is Harry Reid anyhow? Who elected him King? I do hope he loses in 2010, along with Joe and Evan Bayh and the others.

(btw- you all know Evan Bayh's wife makes a million or so a year working on
various boards of big pharma and health companies don't you?
Why?

What expertise does this witch have? and isn't Bayh the influnce one, really a bagman? Pocketing millions over the years

It's obvious these so called democrats are traitors all. I would try them and if found guilty, pput them in a public square for all the world to see (sort of like Saddam was at the end)...

For the UnAmericans that they are.


If they actually wanted to do something to Joe, they could do it, but for some reason they don't, so it must mean Harry and the gang don't actually want to
do something about their problem, now do they?

Clay, all of this SMACKS of The Gang Of 14. Remember them? Whether or NOT we pass this bill through the Senate is going to pivot on a 'handful' in the Senate, and Lieberman KNOWS it!

Was Bayh in that Gang? I KNOW McCain was in it.

My point is this, If they DID NOTHING about Joe when the GOP was in 'control', what makes ANYONE THINK that the Democratic is going to do something NOW, just because They are in control?

Our Congress works on a principle called 'compromise', and THAT is what this Health Care Bill is 'riding' on. THEY do NOT want a 'public option' and THEY are doing THEIR 'damnedest' to 'water it down' or completely 'scuttle' it.

They want to hand this President a 'loss' and be 'd@mned' of the consequences. But THIS is NOT ALL ABOUT OBAMA. THAT is just what THEY WANT EVERYBODY TO BELIEVE.

THIS IS ABOUT HAVING EVERYBODY COVERED BY HEALTH CARE!

You see, THEY would RATHER hang it around THIS PRESIDENT'S NECK LIKE A MILLSTONE Rather than COMPROMISE ON ANYTHING!

So it comes down to a 'Nuclear Option' with hopes the Bill will pass during 'reconciliation'. Meanwhile Senate Divas on BOTH sides of the Aisle would rather bicker over it. And Lieberman leaves the DOOR OPEN to a Filibuster! Joe is the GOP'S BEST WEAPON!

unfortunately the nuclear option would have to be done by the same people that have allowed Joe and others to be in their position

that is why I am afraid it won't happen

Harry Reid now reminds me of Arlen Specter, who for years (Mr.SingleBullet theory himself, Arlen ) would go on and on against Bush, but 10 out of 10 times
voted with Bush in the end.

Reid sometimes says something good, but he NEVER does anything good.

I hope Harry loses in 2010. He is a terrible majority leader.

and triple that for Bayh.
People used to say, but he wins in a republican state- YEAH, because he is one.

Clay is right...if they were gonna 'torpedo' Lieberman, they would have already done it... <_<

Lieberman is the 'odd man out'...CONGRESS wants ALL BUT OUT OF THIS...so They will FLIP the Hot Potato on a Lieberman Filibuster...After ALL he is an INDEPENDENT ANYWAY! :Y:

Reid and ALL of them can say WE TRIED! But JOE SIDED WITH THE GOP! :wtf:

If a FILIBUSTER cannot KILL THE BILL...THEN NOTHING WILL & IT WILL BE PASSED! <_<

That is why the SENATE refused to give the Radcons a view of the 2000 page document..They plan on RUSHING IT THROUGH RECONCILIATION...IF PASSED THEN IT'S BARACK OBAMA'S HOT POTATO AGAIN! AND HE WILL SIGN IT INTO LAW! ;)

Unfortunately due to Senate rules Lieberman can only be removed from his chairmanship when the next Congress convenes in 2011. Until then we are stuck with him.

Lieberman is a rhymes-with-bass.

I have spoken.

That's OK...Joe's gonna find out that his socalled GOP friends will be throwing him 'under the bus' next go-a-round...He's not just an ex-DINO...he's an Ex-DINO-RINO! He's jockeys for positions like McCain...ROUND & ROUND HE GOES WHERE HE STOPS NOBODY KNOWS!! :blink:

He belongs to the PARTY OF JOE! In MY book...it's I...ME...MINE when it comes to Lieberman! :!: