none of this makes any sense.

The problem was the task force was formed and most of the ground-work was already done, BEFORE Senators could get in and chip away at the foundation of the plan.

The problem you admitted was the task force didn't allow differences of opinion

Yet, the current administration is screwing around and letting it happen all over again, simply due to having too many chiefs in one wigwam.

And now you're saying the problem is they are allowing differences of opinion.

You somehow think the Clinton strategy would work NOW...but then suggested that Clinton used Obama's strategy.

Forcing Congress had nothing to do with the last time it failed.  A public and willful demand that Congress do it, which is exactly why it's failing this time is why it failed.

and

The problem was the task force was formed and most of the ground-work was already done, BEFORE Senators could get in and chip away at the foundation of the plan.

First, you say the problem in 1993 was, just like today, we allowed Congress to take the lead and the same mistakes are being made today, then you admitted the problem was we didn't allow the Senate to get involved, but somehow that would work fine today.

I have ever read in a blog.

You're suggesting the Obama admin basically tell Evan Bayh, we are going to "primary you" if you don't stay in line?

Clearly, the impairment is the blog disease of "Let's primary them" as a political tool because that works just so darn well in the real world. I see that nutty idea run out, against Pelosi, against Reid.

Do you have any idea the size of the egos of these Congress Critters?

Only when like Arlen Spector, they are clearly facing their own POLL TESTED Doom, does the pressure of the primary scare any of these guys.

Plus, as anyone that actually knows how politics works will tell you, any Senator that the WH threatens with that rallies ALL the other Senators to his defense.

Black-mail blowback works, Obama would have a Stonewall of massive proportions from virutally the ENTIRE Democratic Senate if he tried that tactic.  

The Senators ACTUALLY believe they are a seperate body of deliberation, I know that comes as a shock to the blogs. And, particularly Democratic Senators, we really haven't had the kind of tight machine control the Republicans, who are natural born lemmings anyway, exhibit.

It always was the Republican Senator Leaders, who threatened to withold campaign funding from the RNC to these guys..

But, these days, again, WHO CARES?  

When Primera Blue Cross pays for your relection campaign, F the parties money.

Besides, the party will always pony up, and the party DOESN'T like to primary it's own.

Lamont found THAT little fact out.

do you understand why Senators are afraid of lobbyist-backed opponents?

Because the lobbyists have money...the administration does not and elections are won with money.

Here's the diary:

http://www.mydd.com/story/2009/6/7/23451 0/6367

You accuse me of calling for censorship by using an irresponsibly imprecise definition of the term.

I take your arguments on point by point here:

http://www.mydd.com/comments/2009/6/7/23 4510/6367/31#31

You don't respond.

But I am not sure why you throw out "paranoid" here.  Your forgetfulness may be convenient, but it certainly does not equate to my paranoia.  What is it you think I am afraid of, imaginary or otherwise?

Hillary Clinton to replace him in the Senate.

Obama can speak to the people all he wants in Nampa, Idaho, Dothan, Alabama, Hot Springs, Arkansas, Chalmette, Louisiana and Cottonwood Heights, Utah all he wants, it probably wouldn't help seeing as he isn't popular there

However, peeling off Blue Dogs where he does have an effect can help.

I saw that one of the holdouts is Mike Ross of Arkansas;

. The fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition plans to present a letter to House Democratic leaders Thursday raising concerns about costs and other issues and asking for more time, members of the group tell The Associated Press.

Democratic Rep. Mike Ross of Arkansas says that if the Democrats' liberal legislative plan came to the floor as proposed, an "overwhelming majority" of his group would oppose it. The Blue Dogs claim 52 members so that could endanger the bill.

The move comes just as House Democratic leaders are trying to finalize the proposed legislation and unveil it Friday.

But Stand With Dr. Dean lists Ross as a support of the public option;

http://www.standwithdrdean.com/where_con gress_stands?chamber=&party=&sta te=AR&hc_status=&commit=Filter

Having said all this, cost is a concern...but should be an easy one to allievate.

When the Labour Party in Britain instituted the NHS in the late 1940's, it nearly bankrupted the country, because the cost problem hadn't been thought out properly.