Quote:Since it's basically one-party rule in Washington nowadays, Democratic leaders including Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi are seriously considering pushing President Obama's beloved healthcare legislation through Congress without the normal conference committee work involving both party's members from both houses.

But Barry, Shady backroom deals will be a thing of the past....

Quote:As our colleague James Oliphant reports, such a beeline has some advantages for Democrats. While they don't need Republican help, they also don't need the GOP's avowed obstructionism. Simply choosing conference committee members offers numerous opportunities for long procedural delays in a democracy.

Da democrats want as much distance between them and the stench of the healthcare vote as possible they certainly don't want this held up till spring for a final vote.

Democrats Reid, Pelosi ponder crafting Obama's final healthcare bill behind closed doors

Quote:Lamb reminded the leaders that "President Obama, Senate and House leaders, many of your rank-and-file members, and the nation’s editorial pages have all talked about the value of transparent discussions on reforming the nation’s health care system. Now that the process moves to the critical stage of reconciliation between the Chambers, we respectfully request that you allow the public full access, through television, to legislation that will affect the lives of every single American."

Specifically, then-Sen. Obama said on the campaign trail that "we'll have the negotiations televised on C-SPAN, so the people can see who is making arguments on behalf of their constituents and who is making arguments on behalf of the drug companies or the insurance companies."

Promises are made to be broken...

C-SPAN CEO to Democrats: Televise the Health Care Reform Negotiations

Obama used to refer to this as "his health care plan" and still does. Comically, he gets to find out what's in it a little before we do. Obama is a spectator in this debacle who will get credit if it passes and the blame if it doesn't. If he had a brain in his head he'd wait on this to see what happens during the 2010 elections and if the dems get pounded he'll know he should back off a bit if he wants to win another 4 years - which he won't.