Top Items:
Shailagh Murray / Washington Post:
Sen. Ben Nelson to announce support for health-care bill — Sen. Ben Nelson (Neb.), the final Democratic holdout on health care, was prepared to announce to his caucus Saturday morning that he would support the Senate reform bill, clearing the way for final passage by Christmas.
Discussion:
The Field on the Narcosphere, Hot Air, Associated Press, Michelle Malkin, Washington Monthly, Townhall.com, No More Mister Nice Blog, Weekly Standard, JustOneMinute, Scared Monkeys, The New Republic, The Other McCain, Jules Crittenden, Pajamas Media, DownWithTyranny!, Riehl World View and The Corner on National …
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Chris Frates / The Politico:
Ben Nelson's Medicaid deal — Sen. Mary Landrieu got the “Louisiana Purchase.” Sen. Ben Nelson got the federal government to pick up most his state's future Medicaid tab — forever. — As part of the deal to win Nelson's support, the federal government will fund Nebraska's new Medicaid recipients.
John McCormack / Weekly Standard:
Nelson Agrees to Abortion Funding in at Least 13 States? — Harry Reid has released the manager's amendment that Ben Nelson has reportedly agreed to vote for, meaning that the Senate bill has 60 votes. The abortion language includes the phony segregation of funding language that was rejected in the House.
Discussion:
Riehl World View
Kevin Bogardus / The Hill:
Obama slams insurance industry going into health reform's home stretch — As the Senate prepares for a final round of votes on its healthcare reform bill, President Barack Obama chastised the insurance industry for its lobbying against the legislation. — In his weekly address Saturday …
Discussion:
The Swamp
Prescriptions:
Democrats Say They Clinch Deal on Health Care Overhaul — Brendan Smialowski for The New York Times — Sen. Ben Nelson, right, agreed after hours of negotiation Friday to back the Senate Democrats' legislation, making him the pivotal 60th vote. — WASHINGTON - Senate Democrats …
Discussion:
The Moderate Voice
Chris Frates / The Politico:
Nelson at the mic — In announcing his support of the Senate reform legislation, Sen. Ben Nelson is warning that the bill cannot change much in negotiations with the House and still keep his support. — “If there are material chnages in that conference report that are different from this bill …
Discussion:
The Page
Igor / Wonk Room:
Nelson's Nebraska To Receive Extra Medicaid Funds Under Senate Bill — This morning's managers amendment to the merged Senate health bill goes a long way towards satisfying the demands of Democratic hold-out and all-important 60th vote Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE).
CNN:
Health care holdout reaches agreement, senators say — Washington (CNN) — U.S. Sen. Ben Nelson, the lone Democratic holdout on the Senate health care reform bill, has reached an agreement with Democratic leaders, several Democratic senators said Saturday on Capitol Hill.
Discussion:
The Moderate Voice
Kevin Bogardus / The Hill:
Defense appropriations bill passes Senate 88-10, clears way for health bill
Defense appropriations bill passes Senate 88-10, clears way for health bill
Discussion:
The Politico
The Politico:
Reid ‘confident,’ Nelson not there yet
Reid ‘confident,’ Nelson not there yet
Discussion:
Commentary, The Confluence, The Foundry, Le·gal In·sur·rec· tion, The Note, The Lonely Conservative and The Hill
Amanda Terkel / Think Progress:
Fox News: Ben Nelson Opposes Health Reform Because He 'Understands …
Fox News: Ben Nelson Opposes Health Reform Because He 'Understands …
Alec MacGillis / Washington Post:
Ben Nelson's Medicaid concerns questioned
Ben Nelson's Medicaid concerns questioned
Discussion:
TPMDC, Ezra Klein, Wonk Room, Matthew Yglesias, Washington Monthly, The Washington Independent and Power Line
Victoria Reggie Kennedy / Washington Post:
The moment Ted Kennedy would not want to lose — My late husband, Ted Kennedy, was passionate about health-care reform. It was the cause of his life. He believed that health care for all our citizens was a fundamental right, not a privilege, and that this year the stars …
Guardian:
Low targets, goals dropped: Copenhagen ends in failure — Deal thrashed out at talks condemned as climate change scepticism in action — The UN climate summit reached a weak outline of a global agreement in Copenhagen tonight, falling far short of what Britain and many poor countries …
Discussion:
Grist, QandO, Telegraph, DeSmogBlog, Daily Kos, AMERICAblog News, Jay Currie, Scared Monkeys, The Other McCain and Wall Street Journal
Mark Matthews / Orlando Sentinel:
Grayson wants to send critic to jail for five years — WASHINGTON — Not everyone thinks imitation is the best form of flattery. — In fact, U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson of Orlando took such offense at a parody website aimed at unseating him that the freshman Democrat has asked …
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The Huffington Post:
John Kerry Breaks Out Oppo, Takes On Howard Dean For ‘Kill The Bill’ Comments — WHAT'S YOUR REACTION? — The pushback against Howard Dean for his call to “kill” the Senate health care bill, continued on Friday night, with a prominent Senate Democrat picking out an old quote …
Discussion:
Firedoglake
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Chris Frates / The Politico:
Boxer and Murray on board with abortion compromise — While they don't love it, Democratic Sens. Barbara Boxer and Patty Murray said they support the abortion compromise struck in the manager's amendment. Their early support is a good sign that the deal will not lead to a defection among liberal senators.
Glenn Thrush / The Politico:
Copenhagen Connection: Day 13 — BREAKING: Obama hails ‘a meaningful and unprecedented breakthrough here in Copenhagen’ — Some activists call it ‘toothless’ — Pelosi praises — The rush to reschedule flights, as COP-15 hits overtime and storm wallops D.C.
Discussion:
The Washington Note
Taegan Goddard's Political Wire:
Flashback of the Day — When Sen. Al Franken objected to Sen. Joe Lieberman's request for additional time, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) said that in his 20-plus years in the Senate he had never heard a senator do that before. — However, a Political Wire reader sends this excerpt from the Congressional Record from October 10, 2002:
Discussion:
The Political Carnival
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Brian Beutler / TPMDC:
Wheeling In The Cots: A Winter Snow Emergency—And An Absentee Lieberman—Is Complicating Democrats' Health Care Push — As if Democrats didn't have enough to worry about. Overnight and into tomorrow, Washington, D.C. is preparing for a major snow storm, complete with thunder and high winds.