Paul Rosenberg is Wrong on healthcare

by: BobTegas

Fri Oct 23, 2009 at 03:13


About a week ago, Paul Rosenberg posted a diary here that stated that healthcare reform doesnt have to pass this year.  I have to say right now that I disagree 110% with that.  Democrats must lock in reform before they lose the House and possibly even the Senate in 2010.  
BobTegas :: Paul Rosenberg is Wrong on healthcare
There is almost nothing Democrats can do to prevent Republicans from taking over the House in 2010.  Every week, Charlie Cook moves more and more safe Democratic seats into the competitive column and I suspect it will continue.

The reason Democrats cant hold the House in 2010 is the economy.  The unemployment rate is expected to peak in mid 2010 around 10%, which is almost certain to wash destroy the Democratic majority in the House.

We are living on borrowed time and the ONLY way we are going to see healthcare reform in the next 30 years is if it is passed before Christmas.  

Reform has to pass before the Republican takeover.  


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I wonder (0.00 / 0)
I do hope Paul responds to this. It seems a reasonable take on what's likely to happen, or would be likely to happen, if we had the political environment today that we had in 1994. Since I don't think that we do, it seems to me that we could afford to be a bit less risk averse than you're advocating.

If the Republicans do win the House in 2010, my own sense of things is that being even crazier and less competent than the Republican freshman class of 1994, they'd be lucky to last until 2012. The economic instability which underlies the supposed renaissance of the financial sector in the past year would almost seem to guarantee that. I suppose that how you view the situation depends on how long you think that voters will put up 200+ Glenn Becks in the Congress.


Redistricting will help Republicans (4.00 / 1)
Unlike the freshman class of 1994, the freshman class of 2010 is likely be have the benefit of 2011-2012 being a redistricting cycle.  Since Republicans are likely to control redistricting in most states, these seats will be made much safer for these Republicans, likely locking in their gains for a decade unless Democrats somehow do far better than expected at the state legislative(who will be drawing the district lines) than expected.    

[ Parent ]
A good point, (0.00 / 0)
but to be honest, I don't think they'll have a decade. A banana republic with 300 million people in it is a powder keg, especially when its population considers prosperity, however narrowly defined, as their birthright.

[ Parent ]
Not To Mention The Election of Glenn Beck As President (0.00 / 0)
in a special election on Christmas day!

If you believe Charlie Cook--a Versailles God who thinks that Alan Grayson is in trouble!--then I've got a bridge to sell you.

"Senate passes expanded GI bill despite Bush, McCain opposition"


Hmm, certainly not the best source, but... (0.00 / 0)
..on the other hand, even our Chris sez Dems will lose seats. Ok, looks they will still keep the majority, but this will make it harder to pass legislation. Even if it will be mostly Bluedogs which will be kicked out. I don't see how the chances will be better next year or 2011. Remember how long it took after the Clintoncare fiasco to start the next attempt!

Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested, we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back, nor did we falter

[ Parent ]
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