The death of Sen. Kennedy (D-MA) will be a turning point for healthcare reform. The only question is which way things will turn. Jim Cramer of TheStreet.com believes without Kennedy, Democrats simply don’t have the votes to get reform done. He writes:
We have to acknowledge that his death does change the debate…The Dems only have 59 votes in the Senate — and the Senate is all that matters — and there will be no new senator emerging from Massachusetts because of the commonwealth’s law.
In contrast, Gregory Valliere of Soleil Securities Corp. expects “a renewed resolve” among Democrats to pass reform — even if it means using the 50-vote reconciliation process. He writes:
Democrats know the window for reform will close by winter…We think they’ll get partisan and pass a measure as a tribute to Kennedy that will satisfy most of the liberals in the House with a quasi-public option, perhaps some type of national health cooperative. The right wing will howl, but the Democrats have the votes.
I lean more toward Valliere’s view. Democrats — the President included — were already growing weary of Republican stall tactics on reform. Now the Dems have a rallying cry.
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DO OBAMA AND THE DEMOCRATES KNOW HOW TO SPELL IMPEACHMENT/RECALL!!!
IF THEY ARE SO ARROGANT TO ATTEMPT THAT, THERE WILL BE A NATIONAL OUTCRY THAT THEY WILL NOT WITHSTAND!!!!
The “reconciliation process” was created by Republicans to get bills passed without the threat of fillibuster by democrats. They used it and no one was impeached. Why should it be different now that democrats are in control. If Kennedy hadn’t died they wouldn’t even need it. I say go for it!