New poll has Mass. Senate race in a dead heat

[jimmy olsen]

Time says no one is doing any exit polls. 

http://swampland.blogs.time.com/2010/01/19/massachusetts-senate-race-election-day/

[KRonn]

A vote against this dumbass would be a vote against Obama.  The Democrats didn't take this very seriously.

Seriously Wags, reading polls like that I feel like I've fallen into an alternate universe. Does it really feel like Brown's momentum is that strong?

Yes, there's a lot of energy and enthusiasm for Brown. Still a close race but the energy is there for Brown that you're seeing.

[KRonn]

I hadn't heard of this case before today.

Seriously?  The Amirault case got fairly frequent (albeit generally low-level) coverage for years up there.

Yep, pretty strong coverage, and a lot of worry over how it was handled and that it took so long to resolve the issues around it. Coakley got some flack over it for her part, when she was involved later on, but I haven't seen any negative campaign ads over it.

[Faeelin]

I think it would be tragic is Brown wins, given the implications for the healthcare reform.  I'm starting to think that our country is no longer capable of doing anything on a large scale except maintain the inertia to the bitter end.

Why? The Democrats wouldn't be being hammered over this health care bill if it was popular. The President's done very little to make people think it isn't a load of pork, with back room deals with individual senators, the pharmaceutical industry, etc.

You can argue that's wrong, but it's not a sign of systemic failure because the Democrats had trouble selling a questionable bill of goods.

[alfred russel]

Why? The Democrats wouldn't be being hammered over this health care bill if it was popular. The President's done very little to make people think it isn't a load of pork, with back room deals with individual senators, the pharmaceutical industry, etc.

You can argue that's wrong, but it's not a sign of systemic failure because the Democrats had trouble selling a questionable bill of goods.

Health care reform is complex enough that it is almost impossible to make a good case for it on a cable news show, but that doesn't mean it isn't a sound bill.

[Fate]

I think it would be tragic is Brown wins, given the implications for the healthcare reform.  I'm starting to think that our country is no longer capable of doing anything on a large scale except maintain the inertia to the bitter end.

Why? The Democrats wouldn't be being hammered over this health care bill if it was popular. The President's done very little to make people think it isn't a load of pork, with back room deals with individual senators, the pharmaceutical industry, etc.

You can argue that's wrong, but it's not a sign of systemic failure because the Democrats had trouble selling a questionable bill of goods.

Agreed I much prefer the status quo. Scott Brown is the only thing standing between America and communism. VOTE BROWN!

[Faeelin]

Health care reform is complex enough that it is almost impossible to make a good case for it on a cable news show, but that doesn't mean it isn't a sound bill.

Mmm. So in other words it's the fault of the masses for not studying the issue?

I dunno. The Obama administration has managed to be perceived by the left as selling out to big business and basically subsidizing insurance. It's managed to get the center uneasy with the expansion of government interference, and galvanize the right. It's also completely let its grass roots support system (which would have been a nice way to counteract the Tea Party movement) wither away.

[MadImmortalMan]

Health care reform is complex enough that it is almost impossible to make a good case for it on a cable news show, but that doesn't mean it isn't a sound bill.

Maybe a better strategy then would be to do the reform in a series of smaller bills that are easier to understand on their own instead of one big huge one that just looks overwhelming.

[Fate]

Health care reform is complex enough that it is almost impossible to make a good case for it on a cable news show, but that doesn't mean it isn't a sound bill.

Maybe a better strategy then would be to do the reform in a series of smaller bills that are easier to understand on their own instead of one big huge one that just looks overwhelming.

And require five 60 vote cloture motions on each of them? Are you kidding me? That's a gift bag to obstructionists.

Sounds like a great idea!

[MadImmortalMan]

And require five 60 vote cloture motions on each of them? Are you kidding me? That's a gift bag to obstructionists.

Sounds like a great idea!

There is certainly that, but it's much easier to obstruct an unpopular bill than a dozen popular ones.

[Caliga]

MIM, you're forgetting about The Fate Rule. 

[DGuller]

Maybe a better strategy then would be to do the reform in a series of smaller bills that are easier to understand on their own instead of one big huge one that just looks overwhelming.

Politically, maybe, but practically it would be a disastrous strategy.  So many pieces of the healthcare reform must come together, or not at all.  You can't have guaranteed issue without a mandate, for example.

[Darth Wagtaros]

Health care reform is complex enough that it is almost impossible to make a good case for it on a cable news show, but that doesn't mean it isn't a sound bill.

Mmm. So in other words it's the fault of the masses for not studying the issue?

I dunno. The Obama administration has managed to be perceived by the left as selling out to big business and basically subsidizing insurance. It's managed to get the center uneasy with the expansion of government interference, and galvanize the right. It's also completely let its grass roots support system (which would have been a nice way to counteract the Tea Party movement) wither away.

Yes.  Lefties here in Mass. complain that Obama sold them out to Big Business.  He and his DNC masters have managed to piss off everyone and have very little to show for it.  Maybe the surprise invasion of Cuba will generate some support from everyone.

[KRonn]

Health care reform is complex enough that it is almost impossible to make a good case for it on a cable news show, but that doesn't mean it isn't a sound bill.

Mmm. So in other words it's the fault of the masses for not studying the issue?

I dunno. The Obama administration has managed to be perceived by the left as selling out to big business and basically subsidizing insurance. It's managed to get the center uneasy with the expansion of government interference, and galvanize the right. It's also completely let its grass roots support system (which would have been a nice way to counteract the Tea Party movement) wither away.

Yes.  Lefties here in Mass. complain that Obama sold them out to Big Business.  He and his DNC masters have managed to piss off everyone and have very little to show for it.  Maybe the surprise invasion of Cuba will generate some support from everyone.

I tend to agree with you and Faelin here. The Obama admin has managed to annoy just about everyone it seems, doing business even more so than usual, after promising quite the opposite.

[Ed Anger]

Part of me is laughing that the Dems are likely going to lose that seat.

I'd laugh harder if the cunt pulls it out so I can laugh at Tim. I'd so rub it in his face.