tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3412583847145043520.post2882017678636808186..comments2024-03-27T19:01:21.504-06:00Comments on Enik Rising: Yes, this is the best health reform we can get right nowSeth Maskethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17178036016555722068noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3412583847145043520.post-19711274800478744002009-12-16T10:56:00.585-07:002009-12-16T10:56:00.585-07:00Remember Alfred's lesson from Dark Knight: &qu...Remember Alfred's lesson from <i>Dark Knight</i>: "Some men just want to watch the world burn."Seth Maskethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17178036016555722068noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3412583847145043520.post-18837623282349283762009-12-16T10:08:01.028-07:002009-12-16T10:08:01.028-07:00That's a pretty convincing explanation. Looks ...That's a pretty convincing explanation. Looks like the only option is a scandal. I'll put up the first fifty to hire either a a good PI or one of Spitzer's ex's -- or both.Marcnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3412583847145043520.post-13541834950142598812009-12-16T09:46:32.469-07:002009-12-16T09:46:32.469-07:00I agree except that I don't think he's a s...I agree except that I don't think he's a safe incumbent at all; I think he's almost certainly basically serving out his last term, although he might not think of it that way. <br /><br />I don't see what Reid could do to avoid needing moderate Senators (with Holy Joe not the only one). I assume Reid (and the WH) are doing all they can to persuade the Mainers to switch, but that's about the limit of things.Jonathan Bernsteinhttp://plainblogaboutpolitics.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3412583847145043520.post-46205383350308661462009-12-16T08:23:53.413-07:002009-12-16T08:23:53.413-07:00I think the only way to deny Lieberman leverage is...I think the only way to deny Lieberman leverage is to basically kick him out of the caucus. He probably responds by joining the GOP or at least voting with them more. That may not seem much different from the status quo right now, but Lieberman voted with the Dems just last weekend on a big spending bill that included funds for needle exchanges. He'll likely vote with the Dems on cap-and-trade. Dems could lose this vote and likely couldn't replace it with entreaties to Collins or Snowe.<br /><br />Lieberman has leverage because that's how he's positioned himself, not because of how Reid has treated him. He has no loyalty to any party and is a very safe incumbent, so no one can really pressure him. He also apparently has no loyalty to any policies, or at least he's willing to see policies he once cared about lose as long as it keeps him pivotal in the Senate.Seth Maskethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17178036016555722068noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3412583847145043520.post-44742648920280948332009-12-16T05:34:39.572-07:002009-12-16T05:34:39.572-07:00Why is the response to Lieberman's actions alw...Why is the response to Lieberman's actions always "let's sack Lieberman," rather than "let's sack Reid for constantly needing Lieberman." At this point the long term strategy has to be to deny Lieberman leverage, not give him some and then manage it, right?Marc, formerly Lidzvillenoreply@blogger.com