Even though GWB twice used reconciliation in the senate to

[samrock]

get his tax bills passed.. (that are a BIG factor in generating the huge budget deficit we now face).. I guess there seems to be about 0% chance democrats will use that procedure to force health care thru the senate ... Why!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

[piratefish08]

1. The Dems have no spine?

Evidenced by the steaming pile of shit called HCR. They can only make the bill worse in the Senate.

I want to be excited - really I do. But it just gets harder and harder.

[FARAFIELD]

2. We will do it if we have to

But the prez doesnt want to, so my guess is that he will get a rebublican to vote for cloture (negating Lieberman) The other option is to tell the caucus (except lieberman) to vote for cloture, get a republican to vote yes, and then say we will do reconciliation with a chance to let the really shitty DEMS (nelson, landrieu etc, vote no) thats option A abd B, Also its my guess that if the senate wants to fillibuster then the prez will let them, just to show how ridiculous they are, of course then the Media can compare it to the other REAL fillibusters that were mainly by racist people that didnt want civil rights (which is a comparison that will wear on people).

[BzaDem]

3. Because we can't ban discrimination on the basis of pre-existing conditions under reconciliation.

It is procedurally impossible without 60 votes.

[Tippy]

4. No doubt there will be a real fight...

If push comes to shove I think Reconciliation will be used. We all know this is NOT a perfect...bill but it is a beginning.