Senate Democrats and Republicans tangle over content and tactics as health debate continues, GOP outrage over Democratic treatment of Lieberman, President Obama demands the world unite to stop climate change.
The News
Sen. Vitter on Health, Copenhagen
Louisiana Sen. David Vitter discusses the marathon health debate in the U.S. Senate, how hardly any members have seen the bill and the accusations being exchanged between parties. We also get his reaction to remarks from President Obama and Hillary Clinton at the Copenhagen climate conference.
Still A Massive Government Takeover
Arizona Rep. John Shadegg says even without the public option, the Senate health care bill is still a ‘massive government takeover’ that will crush the private health insurance industry. He explains how and says President Obama is desperate to pass anything. He also rips Harry Reid for not making the bill public and for trying to buy and bully votes.
Little Hummer Boy
In their latest Christmas parody, The Capitol Steps examine the push for Americans to buy more fuel-efficient cars in their song “Little Hummer Boy”.
Why Obamacare Won’t Get 60 Votes
John Gizzi of Human Events says the Democratic efforts to pass a health plan in the U.S. Senate will fail – before Christmas and after the New Year. He also calls the Copenhagen climate change conference a failure, sees a growing trend of Democrats who will retire rather than face the voters again and offers a report on the White House Christmas party.
Obama Turns to ‘Total Blackmail’
Missouri Sen. Kit Bond says President Obama is engaging in the ‘worst kind of Chicago politics’ by threatening to close Air Force base in Nebraska to win the final Democratic vote for health care. He also says Harry Reid is trying to ram through a bill that no Republican has even seen. He also says the real vote is on cloture, and anyone who votes for cloture ‘owns it’ even if they vote against it on final passage.
Obama Bullying Worse Than LBJ
Utah Sen. Bob Bennett slams the Obama administration over reports that it threatened to close a an Air Force base in Nebraska if Sen. Ben Nelson opposed moving forward on the current health care bill. Bennett also says Republicans still haven’t been given any details on the new bill and that the most recent cost estimates could be very expensive.
People vs. Pelosi on Marriage
Iowa Rep. Steve King says Democrats in Congress will try to ignore Congressional oversight for D.C. and allow new ‘gay’ marriage law to stand by refusing debate. But King says vocal public can trump Nancy Pelosi’s arrogance and force a debate on the House floor.
Marriage Fight Heads to Congress
Mathew Staver, chairman of Liberty Counsel, says Congress needs to reject Washington, D.C.’s new gay marriage law within the next weeks. He says ignoring it is the same as approving it, which would violate the federal Defense of Marriage Act. Staver says the ‘gay’ marriage movement promotes a motherless and fatherless community that harms America.
The News
Liberals accuse Democratic leaders of giving away too much to pass health bill, Republicans stall health debate with parliamentary tactic, Pelosi won’t whip Democrats to back funding of Afghan surge, Bernanke named Time’s ‘Person of the Year’.