John Roberts picked up the votes of three Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee - Leahy (Vt.), Kohl (Wis.), and Feingold (Wis.), along with all of the Republicans, in the Committee's 13-5 vote to send his nomination to the Senate … [Read more...]
Interview with John McDonough of Health Care For All
1. Many people are calling a constitutional amendment for universal health care. Why is the approach of HCFA/MassACT different?Passage of the proposed constitutional amendment is one route to pursuing expanded coverage. If approved by … [Read more...]
The new Inquisition
It's (almost) official: Pope Benedict XVI is expected to sign a new rule prohibiting any homosexual, even a celibate one, from becoming a priest. The new rule supposedly will apply only to candidates, not to already-ordained … [Read more...]
The worst possible strategy on Roberts
OK, so it's not looking like the Dems are going to adopt my "everyone vote yes, but with a warning" strategy. Nor does it look like there will be united front of "no" votes, though there will certainly be … [Read more...]
Hack Attack
Little Bush has appointed a member of his inner coterie to investigate the blunders of his inner coterie during the Katrina disaster. Homeland Security Advisor Frances Townsend, a lawyer with no disaster relief experience, will lead the … [Read more...]
MassACT needs people who act
but I don't mean Dustin Hoffman...Let's be honest: Most folks aren't crazy about ballot initiatives, not even a lot of the folks who are getting signatures. I don't like having to decide on complicated matters in the voting booth -- that's … [Read more...]
Reid’s strategy on Roberts: is there a better way?
So Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.), the Democratic leader, has announced that he intends to vote against the confirmation of John Roberts for Chief Justice. The liberal interest groups that have raised and spent gobs of money in an … [Read more...]
The Modest Mr. Rove
Recent headlines from the Gulf Coast this week have been dominated by a familiar combination: federal fumbling and payoffs to cronies. The incompetence is so stunning that even administration lackeys like Joe Scarborough have revolted.Who … [Read more...]
Signing on
If you go to a supermarket, farmer's market or other public agora this weekend and next, you will likely see folks asking for signatures to put various acts on the ballot in November 2006. This is to introduce the Massachusetts Quality … [Read more...]
Dramatis personae for the health care show
This is an introduction to the various players on the MA health care scene. Note the two-pronged strategy by the coalition of groups led by Health Care for All: Legislation on one hand, ballot initiative on the other.Health Care for All … [Read more...]