BUSH VOWS TO VETO HEALTH INSURANCE COMPROMISE BILL FOR CHILDREN

Democrats have been trying to pass a health insurance bill for children since taking over the majority in Congress. The House finally got a great bill passed, adding 6 million children from lower-income households. Only ten of the worst, most reactionary Democrats-- Dan Boren (OK), Jim Cooper (TN), Joe Donnelly (IN), Brad Ellsworth (IN), Bob Etheridge (NC), Baron Hill (IN), Jim Marshall (GA), Mike McIntyre (NC), Heath Shuler (NC), and Gene Taylor (MS)-- voted with the Republicans. 5 Republicans, the newly liberated (i.e.- retiring) Ray LaHood (IL) + 3 extremely endangered rubber stamps [Shelley Moore Capito (WV), Mike Ferguson (NJ), Frank LoBiondo (NJ), and Chris Shays (CT)], abandoned their hateful leadership to vote with the Democrats on this.

A few days later the Senate followed suit with a similar bill which passed 68-31 (veto proof). Every Democrat voted for it and most of the worst Republicans, predictably, voted against it-- David Vitter (LA), Larry Craig (ID), Miss McConnell (KY), Lindsey Graham (SC-- stay tuned), Jim Inhofe (OK), Elizabeth Dole (NC), John Cornyn (TX), Saxby Chambliss (GA)... Bush said he doesn't care which version he's sent; he'll veto either one.

Last night House and Senate conference committee negotiators compromised by cutting out 2 million kids to satisfy the Republicans. The Regime still isn't satisfied and the compromise "sets the stage for a battle with President Bush, who has denounced similar legislation as a step 'down the path to government-run health care for every American.'”  (And he's right. That is the point. Ask any Democrat (and most voters). The Regime says Bush will veto the compromise.

Republicans will come under political pressure to support the compromise. But if the president vetoes it, he will probably have enough votes in the House to sustain his veto, Republicans say.

The compromise would increase tobacco taxes to finance health insurance for more children.

...The compromise is likely to pick up some Republican votes in the House but probably not enough to override a presidential veto, Republicans said. A two-thirds majority is needed to override a veto-- 290 votes if all 435 representatives are voting.

When Bush vetoes the bill it will sharpen the contrast between Democrats and Republicans in the run-up to the 2008 elections. The bill is widely supported by the public. The answer, of course, courtesy of Darcy Burner: more and better Democrats. It will be interesting to see if Rahm Emanuel, who helped inflict reactionary freshmen like Heath Shuler (NC) and Baron Hill (IN) on the Democratic caucus-- both of whom voted with the Republicans, as they often do-- can talk them into voting to override Bush's veto when push comes to shove. After all, Emanuel pirouetted over to the Post and crowed how "If the president signs the bill we present to him, it’s a major accomplishment. If he vetoes the bill, it’s a political victory for us. Public opinion polls show strong support for expanding kids’ health coverage.” In Indiana? North Carolina?