Doctor Howard Dean: Democrats only need 51 votes in Senate to pass health care reform
Posted by AzBlueMeanie: Doctor Howard Dean was a guest on Countdown last night and he made the point that I have made here previously: Democrats don't need 60 votes for cloture in the Senate to end a filibuster by Republicans of health care reform. Only 51 votes are needed in the Senate because the health … Read more
Progressive Caucus: no trigger for public option in health care reform
Posted by AzBlueMeanie: Let me begin with the disclaimer that I have never been enamored with Rahm Emanuel. He was President Clinton's Assistant to the President for Political Affairs and then Senior Advisor to the President for Policy and Strategy. He was the leading strategist in the unsuccessful White House efforts to institute universal healthcare. … Read more
Organizing for America under-utilized in the movement for health care reform
Posted by AzBlueMeanie: I recently attended one of the Organizing for America (formerly known as Obama for America) "salons," or "discussions" on health care. With all due respect to OfA, I was most unimpressed and disappointed. I thought that maybe it was just the salon I attended, so I asked around and spoke with several … Read more
It’s time, Representative Giffords
by David SafierOn Saturday, July 11, Raúl Grijalva is hosting a health care rally (11:30 am [doors open at 11] at the Tucson Convention Center, North Exhibition Hall, 260 S. Church Ave.). Here is his statement. “We need legislation that guarantees healthcare coverage that is affordable, high-quality, accessible and which lowers costs for all consumers, … Read more
They’re not just picking on the Tucson City council
by David SafierYou know the statewide legislation to make all Arizona city councils nonpartisan, which only affects Tucson? It's not alone. Another bill awaiting the Accidental Guv's signature or veto requires Pinal County to go from three supervisors to five. Though it's a statewide bill, only Pinal County will be affected. Sound familiar? First let's … Read more
A clear explanation of what happened Monday
by David SafierI've tried to piece together a picture of what happened in Monday's legislative session, with no more than partial success. "Krysten Sinema's Notes" gives me the clearest picture so far. It's dense and compact but very clear. July 6th – 4 bills are passed unanimously by the Legislature. #1 – we fund K-12 … Read more
Sen. Al Franken swearing in ceremony
Posted by AzBlueMeanie: Hailing from the state of Minnesota and great senators like Hubert H. Humphrey, Walter Mondale, and Paul Wellstone, you can all just indulge me this moment. The right-wing has attempted to smear Al Franken as a jokester and court jester — at the same time they promote Sarah Palin, a natural comedian … Read more
