Slate Magazine - Has-Been, The

"Robust," the unlikely new leader in health reform buzzwords.

Bruce Reed — Tue, 3 Nov 2009 14:19:59 EST

When House Democrats rolled out a new health reform bill last week, much of the focus was on one word not found in its 1,990 pages—robust. "No 'Robust' Public Option," declared the Christian Science Monitor. "Not enough votes for the 'robust' public option," reported Politico. Even the top-secret House whip count that leaked to the press used the same exact term: "Whip Survey—Health Reform With 'Robust' Public Option."

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The Baucus bill makes Washington live within its means again.

Bruce Reed — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 21:06:14 EST

Assuming the Senate finance committee approves the Baucus health reform bill as planned, Tuesday will be a red-letter day in health care history, bringing comprehensive reform nearer the finish line than ever before. By producing a bill that meets the standards President Obama set forth last month, the finance committee will provide the closest approximation yet of what will probably emerge on the Senate floor and in a House-Senate conference. But the Baucus bill represents a crucial turning point for another reason: For the first time in nearly a decade, Washington will get back to paying for the major initiatives it passes.

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Joe Wilson does other politically challenged states a favor.

Bruce Reed — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 11:06:52 EST

When Rep. Joe Wilson embarrassed his home state by calling President Obama a liar on national television, pundits in South Carolina seemed less surprised that one of their leaders would say such a thing than that Wilson was the one who said it. A columnist for South Carolina's leading newspaper, the State, wrote that when she heard the heckler identified as a South Carolina Republican, "He wasn't on my top three list of suspects." For a state to distinguish itself as one of the crank capitals of American politics, it helps to have a deep bench.

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After all these years, conservatives have a lot to learn from Ted Kennedy.

Bruce Reed — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 20:59:19 EST

For once, Democrats and Republicans in Washington can agree on something: The U.S. Senate won't be the same without Ted Kennedy. Like the first great senator from Massachusetts, Daniel Webster, the Last Lion combined the two best traditions of the upper house as a brilliant orator who believed the Senate's job was to get things done.

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Health reform is still a good bet to happen.

Bruce Reed — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 09:39:33 EST

Recess is war by other means. Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., said he wants to make health care Obama's "Waterloo." House Speaker Nancy Pelosi summoned Democrats to the ramparts to defend against "carpet-bombing, slash and burn, shock and awe." The Washington Post described an Indiana Blue Dog's next few weeks as "the battle of Baron Hill." Jonathan Cohn of the New Republic suggested that "the guns of August" will make this the recess to end all recesses, "where reform will be won or lost."

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