blogging our way to democratic wins in virginia beach
Virginia will receive another $324 million (in addition to the $2 billion already received) for public education from stimulus funding.
Local Republicans Rep. Randy Forbes and Rep. Rob Wittman voted against it.
Local Democrats Rep. Bobby Scott and Rep. Glenn Nye voted for it.
I still hope Rep. Glenn Nye is reelected, but I don’t see how.
For the past few months, I have seen many comments here and at the Virginian-Pilot from Republicans and conservative Independents claiming that health reform was the critical vote for them and that if Nye votes yes, they will vote against him. If that is true, Nye’s vote against health reform should result in an outpouring of support from these same people pledging their votes for Nye’s reelection. I’m not holding my breath. Both the Republican candidate and the Democratic candidate oppose climate change and health reform legislation. Given the choice between a real Republican and fake Republican, they’ll vote for the real Republican every time.
Maybe there’s still time for Nye to enter the Republican primary.
Nye was swept into office on the Obama wave. He has now repudiated President Obama on two priority issues. He hasn’t given Democrats any reason to turn out to vote for him.
Nye has been a tireless advocate for military personnel and veterans (almost to the exclusion of everything else). Maybe he thinks that will be enough.
According to the CBO: the combined Senate / budget reconciliation health reform bill would reduce the deficit by $130 billion the first 10 years and by $1.2 trillion the second 10 years, cover 32 million uninsured Americans, extend Medicare solvency by at least 9 years, and close the Medicare Part D prescription drug “donut hole.”
Vote for health reform, Rep. Nye. It’s the fiscally responsible thing to do.
(Note: I moved this post back to the top of the page because the crucial House vote is likely to happen by the end of this week.)
More than a year ago, Rep. Glenn Nye established his “Principles for Health Care Reform.”
In violation of his own principles, Rep. Nye voted against the House bill.
Soon he will have another chance to stand up for his principles. Democrats are urging him to vote in favor of a bill that already passed the Senate by a 60% supermajority, along with a budget reconciliation bill to amend it.
UPDATE: An unofficial whip counts lists Rep. Nye as “leaning no.”
The Senate bill already meets or exceeds all 7 of Rep. Nye’s principles: (more…)
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