• May 26, 2012

Introducing Your New Health Care Legislation, Now With Kennedy Cachet!

by Juli Weiner  

Democrats have gone from 0-60 in their mastery of the important political skill of “subtly exploiting a Kennedy death.” Yesterday, you’ll recall, America’s most unsuccessful technically successful senator Harry Reid announced that, uhh yeah, we’re all acutely aware that Ted Kennedy’s death is going to help our chances of doing what we want with health care. Like many things in politics, this was not okay for him to say despite it being completely true! Anyway, now this new plan, naming the health care bill after Kennedy… to honor him… NOW THIS IS HOW IT’S DONE.

Also smart move, replacing Harry Reid with some online petition as the thing that’s representing the will of the people:

The Progressive Change Campaign Committee says it’s gathered more than 65,000 signatures on an online petition to “honor Kennedy” by naming the bill for him. And the Los Angeles City Council is now considering a resolution asking Congress to name the final health care legislation for Kennedy.

The resolution, introduced yesterday by Councilmember Paul Koretz, could be voted on next week, said an aide.

Koretz’s statement: “Millions of people recognize the transcendent importance of Senator Edward Kennedy to the cause of improving our health care system, and vice versa. By renaming the bill in this way, our nation will honor both.”

…and if (when) the bill is killed in the Senate, it will be the moral equivalent of naysayers bringing Ted Kennedy back to life just to kill him again. For shame, naysayers.

[Ben Smith]

{ 28 comments }

Cape Clod September 2, 2009 at 10:28 am

I think it should be named after that 21 year old Dachshund that died yesterday. That was a good dog.

the problem child September 2, 2009 at 10:29 am

Yes, but will Congress have the backbone to pass something that would not have made Kennedy ashamed to have his name on it? I think the Kennedy family should decide whether or not to attach the name only after reconciliation. Hold that carrot high!

rambone September 2, 2009 at 10:31 am

I think the repubs should counter by insisting on naming it after Mary Jo Kopechne.

Monsieur Grumpe September 2, 2009 at 10:32 am

I’m so disappointed that Michael Jackson didn’t make the cut. Maybe they could name the death panel section after him.

MARCdMan September 2, 2009 at 10:37 am

They can name the section that tells the doctors how to dither and flip flop on their compensation agreements even though they hold all the cards after Harry Reid.

Holy Cow!! September 2, 2009 at 10:39 am

Finally, a detail about what’s actually in the health care reform bill.

Canmon (the Inadequate) September 2, 2009 at 10:40 am

[re=400543]rambone[/re]: The commenters at Politico already beat you to it:

“How about naming it the Mary Jo Kopechne Memorial Health Care Bill. Both dead in the water.

Posted By: | September 02, 2009 at 09:42 AM”

Norbert September 2, 2009 at 10:41 am

[re=400539]Cape Clod[/re]: did someone say dead Daschund?!?

DoctorCulturae September 2, 2009 at 10:41 am

Meh – “honor.” Slogans, pansy-dances, strawmen, but no spine.

gurukalehuru September 2, 2009 at 10:42 am

You’ve all heard of Medicare,
now you’ve got Teddicare!

It even has that thing the Democrats usually lack. A catchy slogan!

PrairiePossum September 2, 2009 at 10:44 am

I think they should name it after Terry Schiavo. The GOP already passed a federal law requiring she be given all the health care in the entire world. The GOP won’t deny Terry Schiavo health care even if won’t do her one damn bit of good.

Paul Tardy September 2, 2009 at 10:45 am

So if you die are you permanently off the no fly list?

If they want to get the Rs on their side name it the:

Richard M. Nixon, We are really sorry for impeaching you, Health Care Omnibus Act of 2009 With additional funding for Veterans, Police, Fire Teachers, and Israel (and maybe trains) (plus a shot at earned amnesty). H.R. 1776

magic titty September 2, 2009 at 10:46 am

[re=400544]Monsieur Grumpe[/re]: Some jackass elected official here in NYC wants to rename a subway station after Michael Jackson … presumably because all of the time he spent in NYC, riding the subway.

SayItWithWookies September 2, 2009 at 10:51 am

As long as they name the death panels after Michele “Let’s slit our wrists” Bachmann, I’m okay with it.

Gallowglass September 2, 2009 at 10:53 am

[re=400559]Paul Tardy[/re]: Or rather “The Richard Nixon, you don’t seem nearly so bad in comparison to some of your successors Omnibus Act” TRNYDSNSBICTSOYSOA for short.

V572625694 September 2, 2009 at 10:53 am

[re=400560]magic titty[/re]: Michael Jackson died for your sins! He was “murdered”! Honor Him!

If blotting out your consciousness with mind-altering chemicals makes you a martyr, today we are all Jacko.

rev_matt_y September 2, 2009 at 10:58 am

Internet petitions, like internet polls, are inherently worthless bullshit. And yet still more credible, effective, competent, and trustworthy than Reid. Go figure.

hobospacejunkie September 2, 2009 at 11:09 am

[re=400574]rev_matt_y[/re]: Yes, internet petitions are the way to go, carrying all the weight of a balsa wood model airplane.

[re=400560]magic titty[/re]: Michael Jackson rode the NYC subway huh? Wow, the things you learn on Wonkett. He should also be honored by changing the name of propofol to michaeljacksonol.

Lascauxcaveman September 2, 2009 at 11:24 am

[re=400559]Paul Tardy[/re]: Heh. Nixon, impeached? That only happens to recipients of a good White House knob polishing.

S.Luggo September 2, 2009 at 11:30 am

And what did his worthyness Mike Steele us? That we shouldn’t be “guilted” by Ted’s cancer deadness into supporting the DemoMarxists’ healthcare plan.
But are the Dems listening? Noooooooooo.

P Drizzle September 2, 2009 at 11:30 am

[re=400560]magic titty[/re]: But “transfer to the G at Michael Jackson” just rolls off the tongue.

And Hoyt Schermerhorn sounds like the name of a house rep running on the Staten Island secessionist ticket. Or the final question in the junior spelling bee.

gjdodger September 2, 2009 at 11:30 am

Nah, they should name it after George W. Bush. It would just be a pleasure to see all those Repubs vote against George W. Bush, seeing as how they refused to do so for eight sorry years.

S.Luggo September 2, 2009 at 11:38 am

[re=400622]gjdodger[/re]: Won’t work. Rebugs hate Dumbya for setting the stage for America’s first mullato president. Ergo GWB has become a non-person.

Name the healthcare bill after Ray-gun and have Nancy endorse it. Simple, yet efficient. Voting against it would like be pouring warm dog piss on Jayzuz’s tomb.

twowheeljunkie September 2, 2009 at 11:39 am

[re=400540]the problem child[/re]: I agree. I don’t think Ted Kennedy would want his name on the final watered down piece of shit that will emerge from reconciliation.

sezme September 2, 2009 at 12:06 pm

Would it be okay if we brought Harry Reid back to life just to kill him again? (Whether it’s Kennedy or Reid, though, behold the power of the National Health Care Plan and its associated Death Panels!)

GovernorGibbons September 2, 2009 at 12:27 pm

Name if after Limbaugh and Republicans will give us Medicare for all by the end of the month.

Baconbits September 2, 2009 at 1:25 pm

I’m confused by the “vice versa.” Does that mean that millions of people also recognize the transcendent importance of improving our health care system to the cause of Senator Edward Kennedy? Because, if so? It’s a little late, guys.

AbstinenceOnly Ed September 2, 2009 at 2:19 pm

Anything’s better than the GOP’s counter “No HMO Left Behind” bill.

Comments on this entry are closed.

Previous post:

Next post: