I think Chuck Shumer saying what Lincoln just said would be bad news for reformers. That Lincoln said this? Eh.

Maybe she's getting some heat for her weaselly non-vote today. And I'd say that's good news for reformers.

*Apologies to weasels everywhere.

When was the last time there was an actual poll in Arkansas of how they felt about the public option? Did Blanche Lincoln do anything at all to educate her constituents as to what it actually is?

Her amendment to reduce the tax benefit to corporations of providing part of employee's compensation as health benefits will make it more expensive for companies to provide health insurance to their employees. I fail to see how this can possibly keep health insurance costs in line for the average consumer.

Blanche Lincoln's current standing in the polls would seem to indicate what her constituents think of her current stand.

Last I checked if you don't have a public option, you don't have the votes of the CPC in the house. How does Majority Leader Blanche Lincoln expect to pass her bill exactly?

"We can achieve these goals, stabilize the cost of coverage for Arkansans who have health insurance, and expand coverage to the uninsured and underinsured without creating a purely public, new government program..."

Uh, you left out the "and we can do this by" part of this statement, Blanche.

And, judging by the polling, all the corporate-whoring in the world isn't going to save your sorry ass come 2010.

With Democrats in the Senate like her and Max Baucus, who needs the Republicans? Their willful tone-deafness on this important issue is simply astonishing.

I just watched her vote. *sigh*

what is it about the Arkansas Democrats that they feel the need to abandon the best interests of their constituents in favor of the 'industry'?
Follow the $$$$ - follow the $$$$

Accomplishing Blanche Lincoln's defeat only works if it happens in the primary, and the resulting Democrat is more reliably progressive, and beats the Republican nominee in the final. Otherwise, we have either replaced Lincoln with a clone, or worse, we replaced her with a Republican guaranteed to oppose any and all Democratic initiatives. So, when posters advocate tossing out Dems who are not supportive of progressive bills, or a too timid in opposing Republican stonewalling, they better be clear on what the possible outcomes of those actions are. Things could be worse.

Considering the majority of Republicans support a public option, I guarantee the majority of her constituents oppose it. Nationally opposition to a public option is in the 20-30% range. She is using her constituents as scapegoats because she is a corporate puppet.

Correction: We don't need TOXIC Democrats like Blanche Lincoln who are oppose to social change.

This Senator should be targeted for defeat!

If Blanche Lincoln is not truly in danger of losing her Senate seat, then why is she so against the public option? I saw a poll, I think on Nate Silver's website that said that a majority of Arkansans are in favor of the public option, so it can't be that? So what is it Sen. Lincoln?? Maybe you have to give a little back to your health insurance industry "sugar daddies"?

Morning to all: I got back from doing some business yesterday just in time to watch the debate on TPM of course, and was just blown away as I watched the voting. Does Pres.Obama know that the head of the FC is a republican, and that quite a few of the members of his party in the Senate must be ardent listeners of rush limbaugh?. If they aren't then they need to be educated as to what liberalism means. Shocked.

Fuck you, Blanche.

The predictable result if you "... force[s] insurance companies to cover pre-existing conditions and prevent[s] them from dropping coverage when you become seriously ill," unless you also assure competition via a strong public option, will be increased premiums so the private insurers can maintain their profit margins.

Not exactly news here.

Lincoln is basically useless. She doesn't even stand up for progressive policies that are popular in her own state.

Who the hell runs the Democratic Party? You mean to tell me this scumbag gets money from us then runs around pulling this crap? Someone needs to play hardball with these douchebags and eject them from the party. What's the point of having them in your majority if they don't vote with you in times like these? Yeah yeah I know- blah blah sometimes they do blah blah their constituents blah blah red states. To hell with them.

The Democratic Party doesn't need Lincoln. Go away.

Bought and paid for ...may everybody she knows and loves fall ill and die for lack of care...its what she wishes for us after all.

fine, no public option? then put into place price controls and include the health insurance industry under anti-trust laws! i would suggest sen. lincoln go back and look at her poll numbers again; the majority of her constituents want the choice of a public option; and the rest of us will do all we can to make sure those citizens are the ones who come and vote in her next election!

"which most Arkansans do not support".

You Lie !

p.s. here's her twitter page - blow it up !
http://twitter.com/blanchelincoln

And the Democratic Party doesn't NEED Lincoln's seat if she is not with us.

If we can't get a unified 60 votes of Democrats, or a unified committee of Democrats on key issues, then we effectively have 59 Democratic Senators and so makes zero difference to me if she joins the ranks of the unemployed.

Would rather have a Democrat who votes like one, than one who votes like a GOPer on key issues, since it makes no difference between having 59 votes vs. having 59 seats.

'I have always depended on the kindness of insurance companies.'
-Blanche

You know, this is getting interesting. Foreign affairs are being run from Tel Aviv, and domestic policy comes from Wall Street and the Health Care monopoly.

Fuck you Blanche Lincoln, we are primarying you come November.

Yeah, Blanche fuck you!!!!

"Lincoln: We Can Accomplish Health Care Reform Without A Public Option"
Democrats: We Can Accomplish Health Care Reform Without A Lincoln Option".
Is there any doubt she'd change her position if Walmart supported the public option?
Some "Democrats" are unneeded. She's may be [in the sense she may be a Democrat] one.