Posted by Democratic (!!) representative Bart Stupak, apparently concerned that the Senate health care bill is insufficiently misogynistic, might be willing to try to kill health care reform unless the anti-abortion language is strengthened:
Stupak’s continued opposition to the Senate plan, despite those conversations and intense pressure from the White House, suggests that reconciling it with the House bill may prove politically challenging.
The Senate language represented “a dramatic shift in federal policy,” said Stupak, adding that he remained hopeful that the differences could be resolved in conference. Nelson, though, said earlier Saturday that his support for the legislation was contingent on the abortion compromise remaining in it.
The emails suggest a previously unseen degree of coordination between the offices of Stupak and McConnell. Stupak is the leader of a group of pro-life Democrats who say they’ll oppose the sweeping legislation if it uses government money to pay for abortion, while McConnell is firmly committed to killing the legislation.
The fact that their offices have made common cause against the Senate’s health care compromise will likely further infuriate Stupak’s Democratic colleagues in the House, and demonstrates his willingness to stop any bill that doesn’t pass his test.
Stupak denies knowing about or authorizing the e-mails in question.
We have people dropping dead from treatable illnesses because they lack health insurance, but the “pro-life” position is to oppose the bill unless it really, really sticks it to women. Charming.
Meanwhile, I have been listening to evangelical talk radio for the last few hours. They are outraged. Surprise!
They are displeased with Ben Nelson, who they preposterously describe as a “moderate” Democrat. He caved! He sold-out! He let down all of his religious conservative voters! My opinion of him just went way up.
Actually, Kevin Drum explains why they might have a point. Nelson’s abortion compromise is not nearly as awful as it might have been.
Ben Nelson’s squishiness is not the only problem. Harry Reid comes in for some abuse as well. They’re having votes at one in the morning! When there is snow on the ground!! They are going to be voting on Christmas Eve, for heaven’s sake!!! And Harry Reid just went and bought the votes he needed. What an unprecedented abuse of power!
The callers are even more outraged. My tax dollars are going to kill babies! Why aren’t these senators whose vote was bought being brought up on bribery charges? (Even the show’s host, Jordan Sekulow, had to balk at that one.)
The other message was not to give up hope. You see, they can still pray for Robert Byrd to die before the final vote. So respectful of life, these folks. They really have their priorities in order.
But wait! Now the subject has changed to the New Atheists. What’s this they’re saying? They are having a massive, anti-Christian impact on society? Whoo-hoo! I suddenly feel better.
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