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In answer to the Question,
The Democratic Super Majority MythMany critics of the Obama administration often claim that the President has failed to accomplish anything even when he had a super filibuster proof majority in the Senate.
The thing that his critics miss is that President Obama’s administration has to plan their strategy on what is achievable during a particular time frame given the circumstances of the moment. Having a filibuster proof Senate majority was only possible under a specific set of circumstances. They began in April of 2009 when Senator Arlen Specter decided to switch from a Republican to a Democrat.
The 60th Senator, Al Franken of Minnesota, was locked up for months in recounts and legal challenges from a very close race with incumbent Norm Coleman. Finally, on July 8, 2009 after eight months of delays, Franken was sworn in as the 60th Democratic Senator (this includes the two independents who caucused with the Democrats). This was the first time Democrats had a filibuster proof majority since 1958.
SNIP
But six weeks later on August 25, 2009, Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy passed away. Technically, it could be argued that the Democrats still had a filibuster proof majority since cloture involves 3/5 of sitting Senators (59 out of 99 is roughly 3/5). But the Senate was in summer recess at the time so it may not have mattered.
SNIP
http://538refugees.wordpress.com/2011/06/22/the-democratic-super-majority-myth/
The 60th Senator, Al Franken of Minnesota, was locked up for months in recounts and legal challenges from a very close race with incumbent Norm Coleman. Finally, on July 8, 2009 after eight months of delays, Franken was sworn in as the 60th Democratic Senator (this includes the two independents who caucused with the Democrats). This was the first time Democrats had a filibuster proof majority since 1958.
SNIP
But six weeks later on August 25, 2009, Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy passed away. Technically, it could be argued that the Democrats still had a filibuster proof majority since cloture involves 3/5 of sitting Senators (59 out of 99 is roughly 3/5). But the Senate was in summer recess at the time so it may not have mattered.
SNIP
President Obama, against advice from many of his advisors, gambled his political capital on this bill and won. And it was a significant battle in what is sure to be a series of battles to come in order to keep the foothold on this particular beachhead. He put the brief super majority to good use and any argument that he squandered it will need to stand next to the impressive accomplishment of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010.
http://538refugees.wordpress.com/2011/06/22/the-democratic-super-majority-myth/
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA),[1] commonly called Obamacare[2][3] or the Affordable Care Act (ACA), is a United States federal statute signed into law by President Barack Obama on March 23, 2010. Together with the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act, it represents the most significant government expansion and regulatory overhaul of the U.S. healthcare system since the passage of Medicare and Medicaid in 1965.[4]
The ACA is aimed at increasing the rate of health insurance coverage for Americans and reducing the overall costs of health care. It provides a number of mechanisms—including mandates, subsidies, and tax credits—to employers and individuals to increase the coverage rate.[5][6] Additional reforms aim to improve healthcare outcomes and streamline the delivery of health care. The ACA requires insurance companies to cover all applicants and offer the same rates regardless of pre-existing conditions or sex.[7][8] The Congressional Budget Office projected that the ACA will lower both future deficits[9] and Medicare spending.[10]
On June 28, 2012, the United States Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of most of the ACA in the case National Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius.[11][12]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patient_Protection_and_Affordable_Care_Act
The ACA is aimed at increasing the rate of health insurance coverage for Americans and reducing the overall costs of health care. It provides a number of mechanisms—including mandates, subsidies, and tax credits—to employers and individuals to increase the coverage rate.[5][6] Additional reforms aim to improve healthcare outcomes and streamline the delivery of health care. The ACA requires insurance companies to cover all applicants and offer the same rates regardless of pre-existing conditions or sex.[7][8] The Congressional Budget Office projected that the ACA will lower both future deficits[9] and Medicare spending.[10]
On June 28, 2012, the United States Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of most of the ACA in the case National Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius.[11][12]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patient_Protection_and_Affordable_Care_Act
He put the brief super majority to good use and any argument that he squandered it will need to stand next to the impressive accomplishment of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010.
And it's Working!
Good News: Americans Saved Billions Thanks to the Affordable Care Act – And Medical Loss Rebates Are On the Way
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2013/06/06/good-news-americans-saved-billions-thanks-affordable-care-act-and-medical-loss-rebat
Health Datapalooza IV Tops Off a Huge Year in Health Data Liberation & Innovation
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2013/06/07/health-datapalooza-iv-tops-huge-year-health-data-liberation-innovation
Here's How the Affordable Care Act Is Helping Californians
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2013/06/07/heres-how-affordable-care-act-helping-californians
6 replies
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Imagine if he had FDR's Congress:
We have a lot of work to do before 2014, NYC_SKP!
To use Michelle's, namesake program. Let's Move!
We won't get a super majority, however we can make the difference. Together We Can!
PS~ Love your new pic! It's sweet beauty in motion!
The whole Repuke strategy is to point out what the Dems have yet to do ( thanks to the repukes adding things to bills that would make them useless or using there majority in the House to block).
They want to discourage the nation so they can get back in. They use their spin doctors well. They put out half information to block up any information getting out about certain things getting Voted for in the Hill. They get as much out as possible about what is not does and blocking out the reports of what has gotten done.
They are doing a fine job at blinding a majority of people. My question is how long are we going to keep letting them do it?
The Democratic Super Majority Myth
"The thing that his critics miss is that President Obama’s administration has to plan their strategy on what is achievable during a particular time frame given the circumstances of the moment. Having a filibuster proof Senate majority was only possible under a specific set of circumstances. They began in April of 2009 when Senator Arlen Specter decided to switch from a Republican to a Democrat."
That's a "myth" I still see bandied about the internet by those who are ignorant but always ready to post as if they knew exactly what they're talking about.
Correct me if I'm wrong .. but, wasn't the reason many didn't vote in 2010 was because they were disappointed with ACA.. which is now known by Obamacare?
mahalo for the OP, she~
