11.21.09 -- 9:25PM // RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (129)

Where Does This Leave Us?

The takeaway from today's debate is that the conservative Democratic senators have not budged on a public option. They've been persuaded not to block the bill from going to the floor for debate, but beyond that it doesn't appear any deal has been struck to get their votes on the next and more important cloture vote.

You might attribute that in part to the Dem holdouts wanting to enjoy their moment of maximum leverage for as long as they can, right up until the next vote later this year. But it's wishful thinking to conclude that's the only thing going on here. Blanche Lincoln's floor speech in particular seemed to foreclose her being able to plausibly turn around later and vote for a public option. You can't come out as strongly against it as she did and then vote for it anyway without seriously compounding your political problems back home.

The only reasonable reading of today's developments is that while the Dems will get 60 votes this evening they are still short of the 60 they need to get to a final vote on a bill that includes an opt out public option. Couple that with the fact that there is 100% guaranteed to be a health care reform bill in some shape or form passed by the Senate, and you're left with somebody needing to strike a deal to get this done.

Read more »

--David Kurtz

11.21.09 -- 8:56PM // RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (3)

Bernie Sanders: I Want My Leverage!

Meanwhile, on the other end of the liberal political spectrum, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) remains adamant in a statement issued this evening that his vote for a health care reform bill isn't guaranteed, though he stops short of saying he must have a public option in the final bill.

--David Kurtz

11.21.09 -- 8:08PM // RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (23)

Filibuster Thwarted ... For Now

On a 60-39 party line vote just now, Senate Democrats overcame an attempted Republican filibuster on health care reform.

Determining who the lone senator not voting was. A Republican obviously ... more shortly.

Late Update: Sen. Voinovich did not vote and was not present in the chamber, AFP's Olivier Knox reports.

--David Kurtz

11.21.09 -- 7:50PM // RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (10)

The Cast Has Assembled

The only potential monkey wrench in tonight's vote was whether Max Baucus, who was tending to his sick mother in Montana, and Robert Byrd, himself in frail health, would actually be able to be physically present for the vote.

But Baucus is apparently in the building, and Byrd just arrived. So we should be all set for a vote shortly.

--David Kurtz

11.21.09 -- 2:27PM // RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (32)

There's Your 60

Arkansas Sen. Blanche Lincoln just announced her support for bringing the health care reform bill to the floor for debate -- so that makes the Dems united ... on debating the bill. Not a surprise, but an important step. The official vote later today still, but now everyone's put their cards on the table.

--David Kurtz

11.21.09 -- 2:09PM // RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (5)

What Have You Done For Me Lately?

Mary Landrieu says Harry Reid will have to make a tough call on the public option at some point very soon, and that Chuck Schumer's at the center of the trigger negotiations.

--Brian Beutler

11.21.09 -- 12:08PM // RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (11)

The Brett Favre Of HCR

Mary Landrieu will finally announce her decision on how she'll vote today on cloture on the Senate floor in about 20 minutes.

Hard to imagine she'd go so far as to block the bill from even being debated. Then again, you never know.

Late Update: Landrieu will stick with her party and her President ... for now.

--David Kurtz

11.21.09 -- 11:19AM // RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (5)

Stupakified

In a statement to TPMDC, Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI) takes issue with that George Washington University study which found that his anti-abortion amendment would ultimately cause insurance companies to stop covering abortions.

--David Kurtz

11.21.09 -- 10:54AM // RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (15)

UFC Senior Division

On the Senate floor this morning, Majority Leader Harry Reid dismissed David Broder as "a man who has been retired for many years and writes a column once in a while."

The jab came in response to Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's citation of Broder's column set to appear tomorrow.

Broder is 80. Reid is 69.

--David Kurtz

11.21.09 -- 7:50AM // RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (22)

Tweeting #hcr

Sarah Palin tells her 25,000 Twitter followers just now:

Thot I'd stick w tour news on Twitter but can't help digress: Call senators! Tell 'em KILL THE BILL tonite;horrible govt healthcare takeover

--Christina Bellantoni

11.21.09 -- 7:24AM // RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (8)

Converge! (If You Live Nearby)

A Tea Party group that had planned an event to "converge" on the Capitol for today's crucial test vote on health care clarifies - the event is for those "within driving distance of DC" who "want to be there tomorrow when the Senate votes in the cover of darkness on cloture."

Evan McMorris-Santoro has the story.

--Christina Bellantoni

11.20.09 -- 11:36PM // RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (13)

Golden Dukes

It's hard to believe we're coming up on the third annual Golden Duke Awards.

--Josh Marshall

11.20.09 -- 8:16PM // RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (115)

Mysteries I Need Solved

Anybody know what is behind the craze of right-wing journalists and politicians to dub themselves with J-Lo-esque and/or rap-like nicknames? You know what I'm talking about, right? A particularly virulent trend in the Politico newsroom apparently. But not only there.

--Josh Marshall

11.20.09 -- 7:36PM // RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (19)

Rockin' the DeREG, YO!

Meet right-wing rapper (aka, "conservative hip-hop artist") Hi Caliber, the toast of the Tea Party circuit who recently appeared in the FreedomWorks-produced video "Patriotic People."

--Josh Marshall

11.20.09 -- 7:18PM // RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (220)

All About the 60

A Senate Democratic Chief of Staff chimes in ...

There is a lot of misplaced anger coming from many of our fellow progressives about Senate Democrats (which often is just shortened to "The Democrats") inability to pass a robust healthcare reform bill, climate change, etc.

Read more »

--Josh Marshall

11.20.09 -- 6:33PM // RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (1)

'Conservative Hip Hop Artist'

Christina Bellantoni catches up with Hi Caliber. Whatever you do, don't call him a Republican rapper.

--David Kurtz

11.20.09 -- 6:31PM // RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (5)

Special Saturday Coverage

We'll have Brian Beutler on the Hill tomorrow as the full Senate takes up the health care reform bill. This is the first big procedural hurdle: 60 votes to end debate on the motion to bring the bill to the Senate floor. The debate starts at 10 a.m. ET, with the vote expected around 8 p.m. ET. Here's a preview of what to look for. We'll be here through the day with coverage, so as you prep your Thanksgiving feasts you can check in on the latest.

--David Kurtz

11.20.09 -- 5:46PM // RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (3)

Roguely Going Where No Man Has Gone Before

Sarah Palin's roguely interview with Bill O'Reilly condensed to a merciful 200 seconds.

--Josh Marshall

11.20.09 -- 5:24PM // RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (75)

Don't Get It

Khalid Sheik Mohammed

"I'm just worried he's going to win this argument for months before he gets executed."

This is Chris Matthews from a few moments ago on Hardball, worrying about the propaganda victories he fears KSM will win spouting jihadist propaganda while on trial in New York City.

As I've said in earlier posts, I simply do not get this. And this from Chris Matthews who's had an improving record of political sanity of late. First, federal trials give defendants precious little opportunity for free-form court room lectures or speeches to the cameras that don't even exist in federal court. I guess I'm in denial about what a propaganda coup the Moussaoui trial was for al Qaeda.

But what do we have to fear? We're going to lose this argument? Really? Why am I so alone in having confidence in this country and what it stands for?

--Josh Marshall