The potential fate of millions now rests with Harry Reid, Max Baucus, Chris Dodd, and Rahm Emanuel

[IRemember]

Let that sink in.

And now the only question left is.. when do I wake up from this nightmare?

[Oregone]

1. Buckle Up

[SIMPLYB1980]

2. Get use to it.

[FiveGoodMen]

3. THAT'S not a pleasant think to contemplate

We're pretty screwed.

[Zen Democrat]

4. Why Chris Dodd? Tom Harkin is the Chair of the HELP Committee. n/t

And he's a VERY good guy on health care who has promised a strong public option in the final bill!!!

[KharmaTrain]

5. So Is Schumer

He's already working on the next phase to make sure there's a public option in a final bill. Baucus will have little power in the process and Reid is being marginalized by both the White House and his own party.

The game here...and this IS a game, sadly, is to get all the bills to the floor and then find a way to get to Senate reconciliation where 51 votes will enable passage...enough to ensure there's a Public option in the final bill.

[Stinky The Clown]

6. Harkin ceded that particular job to Dodd ..... I'm sure someone smarter and more in the know .......

.... than I can explain *that* one and tell us why it is good and on level 9 of the eleven level chess board.

[AllentownJake]

12. Dodd is in a shit load of trouble at home

and the other Senators are trying to save his ass by giving him some sort of victory to sell at home next year.

[Sebastian Doyle]

7. Last week, Harkin said he was going to allow Dodd to do the negotiations

....because it was Dodd who was temporarily leading the committee during all the months that Teddy was technically still in charge, but unable to be there, for obvious reasons.

If Dodd was actually advocating for the people in this one, I could see the wisdom in Harkin making that decision. Unfortunately Chris has a HUGE conflict of interest here, since his wife is employed by the enemy.

Dodd is no more on our side than Baucus is. Tom fucked up on this one.

[debbierlus]

8. This whole thing has been a big song and dance to keep the insurance industry profiteering

Off our illness...

It is a disgusting thing to behold.

[Individualist]

10. +1

Reid, Baucus and Emanuel are DLC, Dodd former DLC. Whatever they come up with will be beneficial to insurance companies.

[bullwinkle428]

9. Translation : We are SO fucked.

[IRemember]

11. And Kent Conrad opposes a public option out of "principle"

As in, he has no principles, and it would disrupt the stream of profits his insurance masters are receiving.