I know the Senate has strict rules on calling out its members by name, but I would so love it if Al Franken would honk their noses a little bit, e.g., "Would the gentleman from Arizona explain in more detail why he wants to give Nebraska money that no other state gets? Why is he not voting to block this sweetheart deal??"

Thank you for pointing this out. The reconciliation changes in the Senate will make it better legislation. I don't understand why Republicans, as a group, are opposed to these things. I completely agree with Rathskeller. If Dems were smart, they would call Republicans out on this - during the process.

This, Republicans are convinced, is a smart strategy.

Oh! Then by all means, Republicans. Have at it! Do press on with your "smart" strategy. Why shoot another bullet into that one mangled foot when you've got a perfectly healthy one to shoot at dangling at the end of your other leg? Let me load that pistol for you, Mr. Republican.

[Heh, heh, heh...]

I'm sure Jim Bunning or Jeff Sessions can find a way to mess things up. If nothing else I expect some debate over whether this bill can be handled under reconciliation rules.

I'd love Al Franken to sit in the press gallery during the proceedings. Whenever the R's go into their delaying tactics (like the House R's lining up to "ask unanimous consent to revise and extend their remarks in opposition to this flawed health care bill"), he can point out to the reporters that of course it's their right to follow any Senate procedures they want, but it's a damn shame they are just wasting everyone's time for a couple of days when they could be discussing jobs legislation....

"I can see the ads now: "Why is Sen. David Vitter fighting to protect special deals for Nebraska?""

Steve -- can't the Dems *already* do that against every GOP Congressman? They all voted to keep the Cornhusker kickback last night, right?

And, the more important question: is anybody important actually thinking along these lines? (I.e., to use ads such as these?)

Repugs are not interested in "Better Legislation" - They are only interested in their own legislation when they control the power. Remember their mantra "One Nation under One Republican God". Kinda gives one goosestepping bumps, doesn't it, as "Horst Wessel" swells.

It's now Harry Reid's turn to shine, and his bulb isn't exactly bright. The fight for this legislation won't be over no matter what the Senate does or doesn't do. Obama has to go on the road and nail down the positives that it represents. He has to motivate the base to vote in November because the no-nothings are definitely motivated and will continue to spread their lies, fears, intimidation, and threats until they lose all credibility and support.

Will the corporate MSM ever get on the side of good governance instead of knee-jerk support for the reactionaries? Probably not.

The only sane reason to oppose the reconciliation bill was to prevent the House Vote. Now that the trigger is pulled, they'd be insane to go through with the threat. Which of course doen't mean they won't.......

They hoped it would be Obama's Waterloo, but now this is looking more like the Repubs' Battle of the Bulge--pointless, last ditch opposition that only prolongs the inevitable.

Firedoglake is advocating for people to sign a petition to have a public option added to the reconciliation bill.

My questions are:

If the senate does add that, what then happens, does the bill then have to go back to the house for another vote?

And

Would it be better to introduce the public option at a later time as a stand alone bill or even added to another bill?

If the senate does add that, what then happens, does the bill then have to go back to the house for another vote?

If they add or remove anything at all, it has to go back to the House, and I don't think they want to do that. That's why Durbin was saying that if the House added it, he would get the votes, if not, then he wouldn't. Because they don't want to have to send it back for yet another vote.

Would it be better to introduce the public option at a later time as a stand alone bill or even added to another bill?

Yeah, I think you're gonna see that, as well as a Medicare buy-in.

Paul Dirks beat me to it. I always assumed they were trying to scare the House Dems into voting against the bill. The only reason to continue now is just to keep gumming up the works to feed the crazies.

In a political context, this means that Republicans intend to fight as hard as they can to protect the parts of the Senate bill that no one likes.

I'm sure we can count on the so-called "liberal media" to point this fact out.

Someone set out a fainting couch for Reid. With the back of his hand to his forehead, he can whimper, "No, no! Not yet another delay!" and as he collapses he mutters over his shoulder, "Yo, Steny! Do we have 51 on the high speed rail bill yet?"

rrrk1 , your question about MSM and Z. Mulls idea fancying Sen Franken playing color analyst for the press gallery coincide with my own curiosity about the press .
I imagine the position of Sen Franken in the press gallery to be superfluous with the pride of the press establishment coordinating the story . Their own knowledge of recent history and experience in dealing with the congress would be worlds easier than following the dreary logic and gray facts from Senator Franken .
Perhaps they could use the details of the actual contest , instead of the fragile web of narratives that have worn a bit thin in the seam to sell a story .

@FRP: but Sen.Franken does seem to have a way to make "dreary logic and gray facts" seem FUN !

From an old, old story...

Oh, PLEEEZE Mr GOP, don't throw us in that briar patch!!!

BTW, watch the MS narrative change prettyt much overnite. Fox excepted, of course.

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