Earlier in the week, Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) equated those who opposed efforts to install government-run health care with those who opposed the abolition of slavery. His rationale was that attempts to slow down the rush to pass ObamaCare were somehow like those who sought to slow down freeing the slaves or passing the Civil Rights Act.
Fast forward a couple of days and look who’s trying to slow down progress by not keeping the Senate in session over the weekend:
Reid Called On Republicans To Join Him In Delaying Debate Over The Weekend To Gove “Senators And Staffers The Weekend Off. “. . . Reid, who wants to get a healthcare bill finished by Christmas, urged Republicans on the Senate floor to forego a debate on several conference reports this weekend in order to give Senators and staffers the weekend off.” (Z. Byron Wolf, “Reid Asks Republicans For Weekend Off, Has Big Easy Fundraiser To Get To,” ABC News’ The Note, 12/9/09)
In Calling On Republicans To Join Him, He Fired A Shot Across The Bow. “‘I understand the Republican leader doesn't want us to do health care. I appreciate that. He and I have different positions on that,’ said Reid. ‘I see no reason to punish everybody this weekend and I hope the minority will give strong consideration to the proposal that I've made.’” (Z. Byron Wolf, “Reid Asks Republicans For Weekend Off, Has Big Easy Fundraiser To Get To,” ABC News’ The Note, 12/9/09)
Sounds good, right? Harry’s concerned about his colleagues and their staff, and so he wants them to have the weekend off. Yeah, well here’s the kicker.
Reid Wants The Weekend Off So He Can Get To A Fundraiser In New Orleans With Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA). “It turns out Reid has a 1,000 plus per plate fundraiser scheduled for Saturday in New Orleans, according to one local paper, which also reports that Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-LA, a key swing moderate in the health care debate, will also be in attendance.” (Z. Byron Wolf, “Reid Asks Republicans For Weekend Off, Has Big Easy Fundraiser To Get To,” ABC News’ The Note, 12/9/09)
A fundraiser in New Orleans? Yup. The fundraiser is part of the scratch-my-back and I’ll scratch yours that resulted in Harry bribing Mary with $300 million in Medicare funding to secure Mary’s vote on ObamaCare.
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