Democrats Get One Vote Closer to Passing ObamaCare in Both House and Senate?

That's the optimistic, cheerleading assessment from the objective and neutral NBC News. Half of it is pure speculation, though:

First, Rep. Nathan Deal (R) announces his resignation today to concentrate on his bid for Georgia governor. And with Deal’s retirement, that means there are 431 House members, so the magic number to pass health care in the House is now 216 votes, down from last week’s 217.

Second, in Arkansas, Lt. Gov. Bill Halter (D) today announced he’s launching a primary challenge against Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D). While Arkansas isn’t Pennsylvania -- where Joe Sestak’s primary has pushed Arlen Specter to the left -- Halter’s challenge probably ensures that Lincoln ends up voting for reconciliation, assuming that Lincoln wants to remain in the Senate.

They acknowledge that Lincoln's challenger is not from the left, but conclude that forces her to vote in favor of reconciliation anyway? His announcement video doesn't state his opinion on reconciliation, but he does stress that he wants to fight for Arkansans against "Washington,"promises to fight for "middle class families," and objects to "Washington" protecting insurance companies' profits -- a lefty complaint often lodged against ObamaCare.

NBC's official blog could be right about this. But it sure seems they are just looking for any reason at all to cheerlead for Dear Leader.

Update: Actually there is more evidence that Halter will challenge from the left than I was first aware of -- he was encouraged to do so by liberal blogs like the Daily Kos, so that will be his constituency, and that will be the way he votes.

He seems pretty quiet about it in his ad, though. Probably the usual leftist tactic of speaking secretly and honestly to liberals about one's intention while speaking vaguely and dishonestly to the broader electorate.

posted by Ace at 12:47 PM

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