Community Blogs at ProgressOhio

Video: On Eve Of Historic Vote President Obama Addresses The House Democratic Caucus

Dave Harding, ProgressOhio — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 21:10:43 EDT

President Obama addresses the House Democratic Caucus and says that the time is now to vote for health care reform for America.

Watch It:

Full remarks of The President Below.

With Deposition Looming Monday, Christopher Drops Baseless Lawsuit

Dave Harding, ProgressOhio — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 17:54:35 EDT

To anyone who followed the minor saga of Steve Christopher, this late Friday announcement comes as no suprise.

Hardin County attorney Steve Christopher (the tea party wanna be candidate who apparently got confused on filing day and didn't deliver all his petitions to the Secretary of State's office) has dropped his legal fight to be listed as an attorney general candidate for the May Republican primary.

Of course, the decision to withdraw the lawsuit also means that Christopher won't have to answer questions under oath in the case in a deposition that had been scheduled for Monday. Those answers likely would have labeled him a fool who's claim came down to a kid trying to say, "I swear I turned in my homework . . . the teacher must have lost it".

Secretary Brunner said that the burden was always on Christopher to prove the allegations in his lawsuit and given he is withdrawing it, “I would surmise that he cannot prove them."

"I would say he blinked,", added Brunner.

Case closed on Mr. Christopher. The Tea Party won't be happy, but primary or not they're not going to vote for the ORP (Chairman Kevin Dewine) endorsed Mike Dewine anyway.

Thank You Representative Ryan!

Dave Harding, ProgressOhio — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 15:21:27 EDT

U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Niles, D-17th, who voted for the House’s first health-care bill in November remains a firm yes on the bill to be considered Sunday.

From The Youngstown Vindicator:

Ryan, who is also anti-abortion, said support of the bill by those who represent 59,000 Catholic nuns and from agencies that run about 1,200 Catholic hospitals and nursing homes shows taxpayer funding won’t go for elective abortions.

Passage of the health-care bill is “critical” to middle-class families, small businesses and low-income people who can’t afford health insurance, he said.

“Economically, we have to do it,” Ryan said. “The bill isn’t perfect. It’s not a panacea. Once it passes and takes effect, it will dismiss the myths and misconceptions people have about the bill.”

The bill could be signed into law in a few weeks, he said.

“It isn’t a giant government takeover,” Ryan said. “There’s not even a public option.”

Among the bill’s key points are: expanding coverage to more than 30 million uninsured Americans; prohibiting insurance companies from denying coverage for those with pre-existing medical conditions or dropping coverage when a person becomes ill, imposing annual or lifetime limits on care; requiring free preventive care; and allowing people up to the age of 26 to remain on their parents’ health-care coverage.

“This is middle-of-the-road stuff,” Ryan said. “There’s nothing to be afraid of here. I have no interest in hurting business. My No. 1 goal is to grow businesses. This will be looked back on as something that helped the country.”

TONIGHT IN CINCINNATI: Vigil for Health Care Reform Passage

Dave Harding, ProgressOhio — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 13:40:44 EDT

A House vote is expected Sunday, so it’s more important than ever that we stand up for health care reform, and for the millions of Americans whose lives will be improved and even saved if this reform passes.

Will you join us tonight?

WHAT: Human Face of Health Reform Vigil
WHEN: Saturday, March 20, 2010 (TONIGHT!), 7:30-9:30 PM
WHERE: Meet at the corner of 5th and Vine on Fountain Square in downtown Cincinnati

If possible, please bring a sign that says “I’m here for [NAME]” if there is someone you know who will benefit from health care reform. You could add “if reform passes, she’ll be able to buy insurance to cover her diabetes,” or whatever the reason is. If you’re able, add a photo of that person to your sign, to help put a face on health reform.

ALSO – be sure to bring a candle or a flashlight!

This will be a very solemn event. Yelling or bickering between pro- and anti-reform sides would be inappropriate. Tonight we are gathering so that no one forgets the human lives that are going to be improved and saved with the passage of reform.

Please join us tonight as we stand up for those in our country -- insured and uninsured, healthy and sick, young and old -- who NEED this reform to happen. This is our last chance to communicate to Congress how many people in our country need reform to become a reality.

Passage of this health care reform will be historic -- be a part of it!

Representative Fudge To Vote Yes On Health Reform

Dave Harding, ProgressOhio — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 13:19:08 EDT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – After a thorough review of the health care reform legislation, Representative Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11) announced her support of this historic bill.

“I remained undecided until I could thoroughly review the bill and ensure it's in the best interest of my constituents.

“I've found it to be a strong first step towards providing health care for all Americans. Small businesses will receive tax credits to help them maintain quality insurance for their employees. Affordability measures and tax credits for the middle class are implemented to expand access to the uninsured. The unfair practice of denying folks coverage on the basis of pre-existing conditions is also ended. Medicaid is expanded to cover additional youth in need—America’s foster youth who have aged out care.

“I'm proud that the proposed changes improve Medicare for our seniors. Immediately after this bill becomes law seniors who enter the donut hole in 2010 will receive a $250 rebate. The bill also completely closes the Medicare Part D donut hole.

“These reforms are completely paid for and will not increase the deficit. This bill actually reduces the federal deficit by $138 billion in the first ten years and cuts the deficit by $1.2 trillion in second ten years.

“My constituents have spoken. Ohioans, and all Americans, deserve affordable, accessible quality health care that is responsive to their needs. Now is the time to stand for change. Now is the moment to fight for quality care.”

Video: Will Zack Space Become A Health Care Hero?

Dave Harding, ProgressOhio — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 10:57:12 EDT

WASHINGTON -- As the House prepares for a likely vote Sunday on President Barack Obama's health-care bill, several Ohio Democrats, including Rep. Zack Space, of Dover, could be key to whether it passes or fails.

Space remained undecided Friday, heading into an uncertain weekend. Lawmakers were told to expect votes today and Sunday, although the final vote on the health-care bill itself wasn't expected until Sunday afternoon or evening.

Space has avoided all media contact for more than a week, including repeated requests for an interview by the Gannett Washington Bureau. His spokesman, Andrew Ricci, said Friday the congressman remains undecided but he would speak to the press once he makes his decision.

The Benefits of Health Care Reform In the 18th Congressional District of Ohio (pdf)

Chair of Hamilton County Democratic Party Responds to John Boehner's Vicious Comments About Rep. Driehaus

Dave Harding, ProgressOhio — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 09:59:43 EDT

Below is a letter to the editor that I sent to the Cincinnati Enquirer early this morning. I know that there are strong feelings within our Party about how Congressman Driehaus should vote on the Health Care bill.

Like most of you I sincerely hope that his is, in the end, a yes vote. But whether you agree with him on his final vote or not please show him and his family greater respect than the Minority Leader of the House does or the folks who used his children in a full page ad did.

And please, at least on our side, demonstrate civility, respect and a willingness to understand that good democrats can have issues on which they disagree. Steve has never hidden his prolife position so we should not be surprised when he stands by it.

Steve has been a strong supporter of massive improvements in our health care system. Those of you who heard him in town hall meetings this past Summer know that.

Here is the letter:

Dear Editor.

My God, what have we come to.

Congressman Boehner, the Minority Leader, carries the debate over health care and Steve Driehaus’ vote to the most extreme and vicious. Today’s Enquirer (3/20/10) quotes Boehner saying that if Driehaus votes for the bill “the Catholics will run him out of town. He may be a dead man. He can’t go home to the West Side of Cincinnati.”

Make no mistake I am a partisan Democrat. But I value the ability of those who can, through their respect for the other side and the give and take of good faith political discourse, accomplish things in a bipartisan manner. Whether used for rhetorical purposes or not, the suggestion that death is an appropriate response to a vote not liked goes beyond any acceptable partisan advocacy. Shame on you Congressman Boehner.

I don’t agree with Congressman Driehaus on every one of his positions. I sincerely hope that the final language of the health care bill will win his yes vote. But I know, if it does not, it will not be because of threats like this, or the misuse of his children in ads, but because of a long held and publicly stated position of conscience. One which I may not agree with but I have to respect.

And Mr. Boehner, I thought you were pro life.

Tim Burke
Chair, Hamilton County Democratic Party

Thank You Congresswoman Sutton!

Dave Harding, ProgressOhio — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 09:29:30 EDT

Rep. Betty Sutton will back health care bill

In response to a query from The Plain Dealer, Copley Township Democratic Rep. Betty Sutton just announced her support for the health care bill that's under consideration in the U.S. House of Representatives. Here's a copy of the statement she sent by email:

"Every year more than 40,000 people die because they don't have health insurance coverage, and in this great nation it should not be that way. The legislation is not perfect and indeed contains provisions that I will continue to strive to improve, but I will vote for the bill. By passing this legislation we will take the long overdue step toward ending the egregious, discriminatory practices of insurance companies that deny care based on pre-existing conditions and impose outrageous premium increases. This legislation will also strengthen the solvency of Medicare, lower drug costs for our seniors, and make health insurance more affordable and accessible for small businesses and individuals."

Cleveland Plain Dealer, March 17, 2010

Why Not Ohio? Conn. would waive student loans in 'green' jobs

Dennis Spisak — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 07:32:59 EDT

Why Not Ohio? Conn. would waive student loans in 'green' jobs

From the AP last week:

===================================================

By STEPHEN SINGER

HARTFORD, Conn. — Paul Goulet hopes Connecticut will help him get from under nearly $8,000 he's borrowed for college after losing his job in a paper manufacturing plant.

Goulet, 55, is a student in environmental studies at Goodwin College in East Hartford, aiming to find work in wastewater treatment. State legislation that would waive thousands of dollars in loans would benefit him and other students who earn degrees or certificates in green technology and other jobs.

"Everything I've taken out since October is on the student loan program," he said. "Any little bit would help, especially with the job market the way it is."

Loan forgiveness programs aren't new — states use them to entice medical professionals to rural areas, steer teachers to certain subject areas and attract farmers to local agriculture.

The legislation comes as the White House is emphasizing the importance of green works and job creation. President Barack Obama announced in January $2.3 billion in tax credits — to be paid for from last year's $787 billion stimulus package — that he said would create 17,000 green jobs. The money will go to projects including solar, wind and energy management.

Connecticut's proposal could break new ground. Trying to boost its work force in high-growth green technology, life sciences and health information technology, the state would annually forgive as much as $2,500 of federal and state education loans for up to four years, or 5 percent of loans, whichever is less.

To qualify, students must earn a bachelor's or associate's degree and work in Connecticut for at least two years.

Joan McDonald, economic development commissioner, said Connecticut is seeking to boost its population of young workers.

"What we're doing here is to encourage people to come here and stay here," she said.

The legislation, which would earmark $6 million, cites green technology, life science and health information technology because prospects are good for job growth in those industries and Connecticut is home to employers in fuel cell technology, pharmaceutical products and other high-tech industries, she said.

The bill is not a sure thing in the legislature. Members of the House-Senate Committee on Higher Education and Employment Advancement will decide by March 16 whether to bring it up for a vote, said Sen. Mary Ann Handley, co-chairwoman of the committee.

Retraining unemployed workers is the focus of another bill that would provide more immediate help to the jobless, she said.

"We need to think about what direction to go," Handley said.

===================================================

Why not Ohio? What is Ted Strickland doing to keep Green jobs and students in Ohio?

Dennis Spisak-Green Party Candidate for Governor

Vote in the Green Party Primary on May 4th!

Http://www.votespisak.org/governor/

Http://www.dennisspisak.com

for more info: contact 330-503-1407

Weekly Address: Time for Action on Financial Reform for the Economy

Dave Harding, ProgressOhio — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 06:42:50 EDT

In this week’s address, President Barack Obama reiterated his call for comprehensive reforms to the financial system including commonsense rules of the road and a Consumer Financial Protection Agency that will advocate for everyday Americans. The President also urged the Senate to remain strong and resist the pressure of those who wish to preserve the status quo.

Watch It:

Transcript of the President's remarks below:

Twisted Teabaggers

Dave Harding, ProgressOhio — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 22:16:55 EDT

Gil Smart says the video of anti-reform demonstrators mocking a Parkinson's victim is a perfect window into the twisted soul of teabag nation.

Watch It:

Wilson Announces He Will Vote “YES” on Health Care

Dave Harding, ProgressOhio — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 19:32:24 EDT

CBO Score Released: Largest Deficit Reduction Measure in 17 Years
Final Reconciliation Language Released Thursday

WASHINGTON, DC – After reviewing the CBO score and the final reconciliation bill (H.R. 4872) language, U.S. Congressman Charlie Wilson announced his support of the Senate health reform bill and the reconciliation bill which will make necessary changes to the Senate bill.

Analysis released yesterday by the Congressional Budget Office concludes that the health reform bill with the amendments in the reconciliation bill will lead to a reduction of $138 billion in the federal deficit over a ten year period. In addition, it will cut the deficit by $1.2 trillion over the second ten year period --the largest deficit reduction measure in 17 years.

“This bill is not perfect, but it is a strong step forward,” Wilson said. “I have seen the CBO score and the reconciliation changes for myself. This bill will not add a dime to the deficit. I am confident that the Senate bill will be amended by the reconciliation language and that special deals for certain states, like Nebraska, have been taken out, that affordability for middle class families has been improved and that the harmful excise tax on high cost health plans has been adjusted. For these reasons and for the benefits that this bill will bring to my constituents, I will support the Senate bill with the announced reconciliation changes.”

Wilson, who is pro-life, has given serious consideration to the abortion language in the Senate version of the bill. Thursday afternoon, Wilson joined a conference call, along with pro-life Congressman Dale Kildee of Michigan, to discuss the Senate bill with several pro-life religious leaders, including Francis Xavier Doyle, the former Associate General Secretary of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Doyle thanked Wilson for taking a thoughtful and deliberative approach to health reform. Doyle agreed with the other religious leaders on the call that no federal funds would be spent on abortion because of this health care reform bill.

“I am confident that the language in the Senate bill ensures that there will be no federal funding for abortions,” Wilson said. “It is important to remember that according to a Harvard Medical School study, an estimated 45,000 people die each year – that’s one American every 12 minutes – in part because they lack health insurance and access to quality health care. We must value their lives as well. At this point, I am confident that the Senate language upholds all of my pro-life values. ”

Congressman John Boccieri Statement Of His Position On Health Care Reform

Dave Harding, ProgressOhio — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 18:11:56 EDT

Dear Friend,
In the past year, our nation has engaged in a national debate over health care reform.

It's been a privilege meeting with the thousands of constituents and listening to both sides of the debate. But a central theme emerged over the course of recent months. Both sides of the argument agreed we need reform. The personal stories, from Ashland to Wadsworth and from Wooster to North Canton and from all across the district, relayed to me were the most moving and persuasive arguments for reform.

I have met too many families and small businesses in our area who are one medical emergency away from bankruptcy. Today, I invited three such families effected by our broken system to come to Washington to tell their stories and stand beside me as I made my commitment to vote in support of health care reform that would protect them from financial ruin while providing them with life-saving health care.

The current cost of health care is breaking the financial back of American small businesses, middle class families, and seniors.  If Washington decides to do nothing our country’s deficit will continue to grow, the health insurance industry will continue to raise premiums, and 32 million Americans will go on without health care.

That's why I'm supporting health care reform. The reform package cuts the federal deficit by 1.2 trillion dollars over the next two decades, gives tax credits, contains cost, reduces existing fraud and waste in the current system, and extends affordable high-quality health care to an additional 32 million Americans - including 414,000 16th District residents.

What does all this mean for the 16th Congressional District.  Working families in the district will receive the largest middle class tax cut in history.  The 9,800 uninsured individuals in the district who have pre-existing conditions like cancer, heart disease, and diabetes can no longer be denied affordable coverage.  Our seniors will see the cost and quality of their Medicare improve while providing new discounts and rebates for prescription drugs.  The new health insurance exchange will offer group rates and more choice for small businesses in the district that provide health care for their employees.  Finally, the 38,500 residents who cannot afford health insurance in the district will receive coverage.

For some this difficult vote has become about politics and reelections. Personally, making sure the folks in our district can afford quality health care is more important than the obsession over politics in Washington.  The National Republican Party from the start has stood with the health insurance industry and other special interest groups as Americans call for action from Congress.

I want to thank all of you who have shared your stories with me and for those families who came to Washington today to stand with me in support of health care reform. We can only do this together, and I need your help.  I look forward to continuing to build upon what we are building together – a greater Ohio and a greater 16th Congressional District.

Sincerely,

Rep. John Boccieri
(OH-16)

SEIU and UFCW poised to rescind support for Zach Space

Dave Harding, ProgressOhio — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 17:45:03 EDT

ZANESVILLE, OHIO - The Service Employees International Union and UFCW announced today that if Congressman Zack Space chooses to oppose the President's health insurance reform proposal they will rescind their endorsement of the Congressman.

"Working people cannot wait any longer for real health insurance reform," said Becky Williams, President of SEIU District 1199. "If Congressman Space chooses to turn his back on his constituents and stand up for the insurance industry, he is jeopardizing the peace of mind and security that Ohio's families need right now more than ever. The 1.3 million more people in Ohio who would be able to now have health insurance and the tens of thousands who would better be able to afford care deserve better."

"Thousands of UFCW members in Ohio worked tirelessly in the 2008 election to elect leaders that would stand up for working families and pass long-overdue health care reform. If Congressman Space votes against legislation that would expand health care coverage to 95% of all Americans, he will have betrayed the trust of the working people who fought to send him to Congress," said Becky Berroyer, UFCW International Vice President and President of UFCW Local 1059.

District 1199 represents more than 35,000 health care, social service and public sector workers across Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky. The Union is a part of the Service Employees International Union, whose 2 million members make it the largest union of health care workers and the fastest growing union in the world.

UFCW Local 1059, headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, represents 20,000 members in Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Ohio in retail grocery, food processing and manufacturing, drug stores, and related companies. Major employers include Kroger, Meijer, CVS drugstores, General Mills, and Bellisios.

Central Figure in CDC Vaccine Cover-Up Absconds With $2M

One Oar in the Water — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 16:55:10 EDT

From Robert F Kennedy Jr writing at the Huffington Post:

A central figure behind the Center for Disease Control's (CDC) claims disputing the link between vaccines and autism and other neurological disorders has disappeared after officials discovered massive fraud involving the theft of millions in taxpayer dollars. Danish police are investigating Dr. Poul Thorsen, who has vanished along with almost $2 million that he had supposedly spent on research.
Thorsen was a leading member of a Danish research group that wrote several key studies supporting CDC's claims that the MMR vaccine and mercury-laden vaccines were safe for children. Thorsen's 2003 Danish study reported a 20-fold increase in autism in Denmark after that country banned mercury based preservatives in its vaccines. His study concluded that mercury could therefore not be the culprit behind the autism epidemic.
His study has long been criticized as fraudulent since it failed to disclose that the increase was an artifact of new mandates requiring, for the first time, that autism cases be reported on the national registry. This new law and the opening of a clinic dedicated to autism treatment in Copenhagen accounted for the sudden rise in reported cases rather than, as Thorsen seemed to suggest, the removal of mercury from vaccines. Despite this obvious chicanery, CDC has long touted the study as the principal proof that mercury-laced vaccines are safe for infants and young children. Mainstream media, particularly the New York Times, has relied on this study as the basis for its public assurances that it is safe to inject young children with mercury -- a potent neurotoxin -- at concentrations hundreds of times over the U.S. safety limits.

Read the rest of the article here.

Emergency Internet control bill gets a rewrite

One Oar in the Water — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 16:39:50 EDT

From Declan McCullagh of CNET:

Sen. Jay Rockefeller alarmed technology and telecommunications firms last year when he announced a plan for the president to seize "emergency" control of the Internet. Now the West Virginia Democrat is trying again with a new version that aides hope will be seen as less extreme.
During a closed-door meeting on Capitol Hill on Wednesday attended by about a dozen industry representatives, CNET has learned, Rockefeller's staff pitched a revised version of his controversial cybersecurity legislation.
It says that after the president chooses to "declare a cybersecurity emergency," he can activate a "response and restoration plan" involving networks owned and operated by the private sector. In an attempt to limit criticism, instead of spelling out the plan's details, the latest draft simply says that it must be developed by the White House in advance.
There is no requirement that the emergency response plan be made public, meaning it could still include a forcible disconnection of critical Web sites from the Internet--which is what the March 2009 version of the legislation had proposed.
Larry Clinton, president of the Internet Security Alliance, whose members include Verisign, Verizon, and Raytheon, says no disconnection language is explicitly in the bill: "We are pleased that the 'kill switch' allowing for the government to shut down private sector access to the Internet has been eliminated."
But, Clinton said, "We think the bill still has a long way to go." If the private sector is expected to help out with national security, he said, there ought to be liability protections, insurance breaks, and tax credits for small businesses.
Read the rest of the article here.

Kilroy Announces Support of Health Care Reform Bill

Dave Harding, ProgressOhio — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 16:38:26 EDT

Washington, DC—U.S. Representative Mary Jo Kilroy (OH-15) today announced that she will support H.R. 4872, The Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act of 2010. She came to her decision after reviewing the final bill which is posted on her web site.

“I will vote for the health insurance reform bill that will put our families and small businesses in charge of their health care choices,” said Kilroy. “As many of my constituents know, I live with multiple sclerosis. I understand what millions of Americans with pre-existing conditions face, including my constituent who suffers from Parkinson’s disease and who was physically harassed by opponents of health insurance reform just this week in front of my office.”

“This bill accomplishes much of what I have been fighting for and I’m encouraged that by passing it we’ll reduce the deficit by $100 billion over the next ten years, hold insurance companies accountable and give central Ohio families more insurance choices. For seniors, the bill would strengthen Medicare and close the donut hole for Medicare Part D,” Kilroy continued.

Kilroy concluded “This bill is by no means perfect. It does not stop the ‘pay for delay’ scam that allows big drug companies to stop affordable prescriptions from coming to the market, it is a big step in the right direction and will save lives. I will not stop fighting for central Ohioans after this vote.”

Bob in his own words

Bret Thompson, ProgressOhio — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 15:37:42 EDT

Taken from his post here:

I'm the person you all are writing about. Let me tell you a bit about me. First of all, my actions were NOT about me, NOT for me either.
My parents raised me to think about other people; like:
• "Whatsoever you do to the least of us..."
• "He's not heavy, he's my brother."
• "Do unto others what you would have them do unto you."; and, especially in our large family,
• "Share, and share alike."
One of my brothers said that if our parents would have written a book about how they raised seven kids on so little money, they would have been rich. But they didn't, and we weren't. We shared a lot and handed stuff down a lot--and our parents did without, often, and a lot.

Last Tuesday, i got up,, made my sign, went to the demonstration, and came home. I though it was over. But i guess i was wrong on that!
My sign borrowed from the "Got Milk?" ad: "Got Parkinson's?// I DO and YOU might//Thanks for helping!//That's community."
Medicare paid for brain surgery that significantly mitigated my suffering. When I got my brain implants turned on, life became almost ordinary for awhile--and we all cried tears of happiness.
But Parkinson's is still eating away at my nervous system, and some day i'll die from it. In the meantime, i have dedicated myself to thanking my family and friends, and the broader public for helping me. I do so mostly by writing, and occasionally by putting myself in harm's way, to bring attention, not to me--i'm the luckiest guy since Lou Gehrig--but to people who need help so badly and couldn't make the rally.
My only hope is that my Mother and deceased Father would be proud of me.

More Here

Video: Obama’s Final Health Care Speech: 'A Century Long Struggle'

Dave Harding, ProgressOhio — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 14:29:40 EDT

One day after announcing he was postponing an important trip to the Asia-Pacific region, President Obama today called this weekend's expected health-care vote in the House a "historic" opportunity to do what's "right" for the American people.

The speech at George Mason University was Obama's fourth off-campus health-care event in the past two weeks. In it, he framed the vote as a choice between a victory for the insurers or a victory for the American public.

"We are going to do something historic this weekend," the president told a cheering crowd that frequently interrupted him with chants of "Yes we can". "The only question left is this: Are we going to let the special interests win once again? Or are we going to make this vote a victory for the American people?"

Repeatedly couching the health-care vote in historical terms, Obama compared it to the votes to pass Social Security and Civil Rights legislation. He also invoked the memory of Sen. Ted Kennedy for the second time this week saying the late Massachusetts senator had pushed for reform because he knew it was right -- regardless of how it might play politically.

"In just a few days, a century-long struggle will culminate in an historic vote," he said. "As messy as this process is, as frustrating as this process is, as ugly as this process can be, when we have faced such decisions in our past, this nation time and time again has chosen to extend it's promise to more of its people."

Watch It:

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

ZACK, WHAT WOULD NIXON DO?

David Lore, Licking County Pro-Active Citizens — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 11:30:41 EDT

"It’s astonishing that Republicans today are lined up overwhelmingly against a health care package that is more modest and moderate than one that Richard Nixon proposed in the early ’70s." (Nicholas Kristof column, Access, Access, Access, New York Times, March 18.)

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/18/opinion/18kristof.html?src=tp

Surely, in the health care debate, we've always known what Jesus would do.

Now, according to Kristof, we'd know what Nixon would do as well.

The question remaining this weekend is what our own local congressman, Zack Space (18th), and other holdout Democratic House members will do when the final bill comes up for a vote

It's a lot harder to figure out politicians than basketball players, and that's why I don't fill out brackets going into March Madness and I usually don't predict how any particular politician will vote. In either case, too many ways the ball can bounce.

But I'm betting (for real, through my minimal campaign contributions) that although Space is holding out, hoping that Speaker Pelosi won't need his vote, in the end he'll do the right thing and vote "YES." if needed.

Why would he take such a political risk in his Republican-leaning district?:

He voted earlier for the more liberal House version of the health care bill and it's not like his Republican opponents and critics are going to forgive and forget, even if he votes NO on the final measure. Can you imagine all seven 18th District Republican hopefuls quitting the race and throwing bouquets instead of bricks at the Democratic incumbent? Do you really think a NO vote would lift the bullseye the GOP has put on Space's back?
Although a Democrat in a nominally Republican district, Space has amassed a large campaign war chest and won't face a well-known opponent, regardless who emerges from the messy Republican primary.
Space has done a good job over the past four years being attentive to the concerns of voters in his 16-county district, and has followed through with the energy and intelligence to do something about these concerns. He's been responsive to farmers and agricultural interests and has looked out for the interests of small business and community development. Progressives will support him because he's shown courage in supporting health care and cap-and-trade energy legislation. Yellow-dog Republicans (those who would vote for a yellow dog before ever voting for a Democrat) won't be in his column come November regardless of how he votes now, but by establishing creds as an independent thinker, Space should do okay with independents.
Space has been adopted as a favorite son by Speaker Pelosi and the Democratic House leadership, as well as by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Why would he jeopardize all that leverage in Washington?
What up-and-coming Democrat wants to be on the wrong side of history when health care is so central to not only the Obama presidency but the future of the party?
And now he can argue that he's only doing what (Jesus) (Nixon) would have done.

That's my view, anyway. Just don't ask me where the Buckeyes will wind up in the Big Dance. Let's hope that in this regard, President Obama (who gave Ohio State an early exit) doesn't know what he's talking about.