The Other McCain

"One should either write ruthlessly what one believes to be the truth, or else shut up." — Arthur Koestler

OMG! Executive Order for ObamaCare Payoffs? Can This Possibly Be True?

Posted on | March 20, 2010 | 49 Comments

Michelle Malkin:

Both Left and Right are hearing rumors that the Dems are drafting an executive order to quell pro-life Democrat opposition to the government health care takeover plan.

I thought of doing this as an update to the Code Red rally post, but . . . this is just so bizarre, I’m having trouble believing it. Will try to verify and update later.

Meanwhile, Byron York reports that the Rules Committee descended into chaos today. Are we surprised? Hell, I’ve been up since 5 a.m. just trying to keep up with this story, and I’m on the verge of descending into chaos myself . . .

UPDATE 2:22 p.m.: Bill Owens is a “yes,” which means, as Ed Morrissey says, “Doug Hoffman has a new commercial.” Ed also blogs the Rules Committee chaos, and provides this video of Paul Ryan talking about the “Slaughter Solution”:

The American Spectator‘s health-care ace Philip Klein confirms that both Nancy Pelosi and Steny Hoyer have suggested that President Obama would sign an executive order in exchange for the Stupak bloc’s votes. Never mind whether it’s constitutional, this is just so freaking insane I’m having trouble processing it.

Guess it’s time to brew that third pot of coffee . . .

More at Memeorandum.

UPDATE 3:11 p.m. ET: Now hearing that “deem and pass” is dead, and a D.C. source tells me that pro-lifers aren’t buying the exectuive order pitch, rumors of which had been heard earlier this week. However, the fact that leadership is even talking about such a far-fetched maneuver means that Pelosi still doesn’t have enough votes to pass the bill. 

Meanwhile, we have photos of Smitty at the Code Red rally:

Here’s the close-up of Smitty’s signs, and you can click the photo to see full-size:

 Charmaine Yoest of Americans United for Life spoke today at the rally:

The bottom line is they do not have the votes,” said Yoest, the president of the nation’s oldest pro-life organization. “Never before in the history of this country have taxpayer dollars been seized like this to expand federal funding of abortion,” noted Dr. Yoest. . . .
“This vote will count when the House and Senate go before their constituents, no matter the kind of verbal gymnastics employed by the pro-abortion lobby. A Yes vote for this bill is a vote to fund abortion with tax dollars which more than seven out of ten Americans oppose. In fact, this is the only bi-partisan agreement we’ve seen in the health care debate.”

So, evidently, the whole thing comes down to the abortion issue. Time for lunch. I haven’t even had breakfast yet today . . .

UPDATE: 3:30 p.m. ET: Lunch? We don’t need no stinkin’ lunch! Here’s a report from Steven Ertelt of Life News on the executive-order ploy:

Apparently unable to find enough votes for the pro-abortion Senate health care bill and with talks breaking down on how to allow Rep. Bart Stupak a vote on some sort of motion or bill to stop abortion funding, Democrats appear to be relying on a potential executive order to corral more votes for the bill.
Majority Leader Steny Hoyer told reporters at mid-day today . . . he can’t promise an executive order will be issued but said one is under discussion.
“The intent is obviously to express what we have said all along, that we believe the language that has been included in both bills seeks to accomplish, and that is that there will no use of public funds for abortion,” he said.

Translation: They don’t have the votes, and all this talk you hear from the MSM is just hype intended to create the impression of “inevitability.” They’re bluffing. It might possibly work, but it’s certainly not a done deal yet.

UPDATE 3:38 p.m. ET: From a Capitol Hill source, here’s a link to the Manager’s amendment to the reconciliation bill (PDF), which comes with this note:

It will be a self-executed rule,  even though the Democrats say that the “deem & pass” seems to be off the table and they will have an up/down vote on the Senate Health Care bill.

Congratulations to anyone who understands what that actually means.

Comments

49 Responses to “OMG! Executive Order for ObamaCare Payoffs? Can This Possibly Be True?”

  1. CODE RED! D.C. Rally NOON TODAY : The Other McCain
    March 20th, 2010 @ 12:57 pm

    […] day about the fight to save America’s health-care system.NEWS UPDATESMOTHER OF ALL UPDATES: ‘Decending into Chaos!’UPDATE 11:27 a.m. ET: E-mail from GOP House leadership aide:See floor schedule for the House today […]

  2. Christine
    March 20th, 2010 @ 6:08 pm

    Hi Michelle,

    You are very good at what you do, but WE need people like you in Congress. What say you?
    Would you ever consider a run?

  3. Christine
    March 20th, 2010 @ 6:08 pm

    Hi Michelle,

    You are very good at what you do, but WE need people like you in Congress. What say you?
    Would you ever consider a run?

  4. Christine
    March 20th, 2010 @ 1:08 pm

    Hi Michelle,

    You are very good at what you do, but WE need people like you in Congress. What say you?
    Would you ever consider a run?

  5. Bob Belvedere
    March 20th, 2010 @ 6:19 pm

    Quoted from and Linked to at:
    DEFCON 1: Saturday 20 March 2010

    —–
    It’s Time To ROC ‘N’ ROLL:
    Restore Our Constitution & Restore Our Lost Liberties

    WOLVERINES!

  6. Bob Belvedere
    March 20th, 2010 @ 6:19 pm

    Quoted from and Linked to at:
    DEFCON 1: Saturday 20 March 2010

    —–
    It’s Time To ROC ‘N’ ROLL:
    Restore Our Constitution & Restore Our Lost Liberties

    WOLVERINES!

  7. Bob Belvedere
    March 20th, 2010 @ 1:19 pm

    Quoted from and Linked to at:
    DEFCON 1: Saturday 20 March 2010

    —–
    It’s Time To ROC ‘N’ ROLL:
    Restore Our Constitution & Restore Our Lost Liberties

    WOLVERINES!

  8. michigan
    March 20th, 2010 @ 6:22 pm

    Generalissimo Obama will do ANYTHING to put the choke hold on the American public. His buddy Hugo is watching CNN cheering on the cause and probably calling the WH, brainstorming with Rahm.

  9. michigan
    March 20th, 2010 @ 6:22 pm

    Generalissimo Obama will do ANYTHING to put the choke hold on the American public. His buddy Hugo is watching CNN cheering on the cause and probably calling the WH, brainstorming with Rahm.

  10. michigan
    March 20th, 2010 @ 1:22 pm

    Generalissimo Obama will do ANYTHING to put the choke hold on the American public. His buddy Hugo is watching CNN cheering on the cause and probably calling the WH, brainstorming with Rahm.

  11. Executive Order To Buy Off Pro-Life Dems? « The Underground Conservative
    March 20th, 2010 @ 1:23 pm

    […] McCain is skeptical: [T]his is just so bizarre, I’m having trouble believing it. Will try to verify and update […]

  12. Historic Days, We Are There
    March 20th, 2010 @ 1:32 pm

    […] I can’t find out any other info about this one, and don’t understand what it means, but I’m including it for you to look at.  “Executive Order For Obamacare Payoffs?” […]

  13. Robert Hand
    March 20th, 2010 @ 6:39 pm

    Too bad that tarring and feathering is no longer in fashion. traitors should be brought to the bar of justice, not rewarded with take over of 1/6th of the nations economy. what a disgraceful bunch Legosi, Reed and the liar in chief are.

  14. Robert Hand
    March 20th, 2010 @ 6:39 pm

    Too bad that tarring and feathering is no longer in fashion. traitors should be brought to the bar of justice, not rewarded with take over of 1/6th of the nations economy. what a disgraceful bunch Legosi, Reed and the liar in chief are.

  15. Robert Hand
    March 20th, 2010 @ 1:39 pm

    Too bad that tarring and feathering is no longer in fashion. traitors should be brought to the bar of justice, not rewarded with take over of 1/6th of the nations economy. what a disgraceful bunch Legosi, Reed and the liar in chief are.

  16. Chris W
    March 20th, 2010 @ 6:45 pm

    Constitution, what Constitution?

    You make it sound like the despots took some sort of oath or something.

  17. Chris W
    March 20th, 2010 @ 6:45 pm

    Constitution, what Constitution?

    You make it sound like the despots took some sort of oath or something.

  18. Chris W
    March 20th, 2010 @ 1:45 pm

    Constitution, what Constitution?

    You make it sound like the despots took some sort of oath or something.

  19. DEFCON 1: Saturday 20 March 2010 [Updated: see below] « The Camp Of The Saints [New Main Site]
    March 20th, 2010 @ 1:49 pm

    […] OMG! Executive Order for ObamaCare Payoffs? Can This Possibly Be True? […]

  20. Joe
    March 20th, 2010 @ 6:53 pm

    Anything Nancy Peolsi does now a days, can be safely described as insane. Unfortunately, like most mad people, she does not think so.

  21. Joe
    March 20th, 2010 @ 6:53 pm

    Anything Nancy Peolsi does now a days, can be safely described as insane. Unfortunately, like most mad people, she does not think so.

  22. Joe
    March 20th, 2010 @ 1:53 pm

    Anything Nancy Peolsi does now a days, can be safely described as insane. Unfortunately, like most mad people, she does not think so.

  23. Joe
    March 20th, 2010 @ 6:57 pm

    Deem and Pass dropped? Does that mean they have the votes?

    Or does it mean they need some other way of getting the votes (like an executive order bribe?).

    This was not a good day to give up psilocybin mushrooms.

  24. Joe
    March 20th, 2010 @ 6:57 pm

    Deem and Pass dropped? Does that mean they have the votes?

    Or does it mean they need some other way of getting the votes (like an executive order bribe?).

    This was not a good day to give up psilocybin mushrooms.

  25. Joe
    March 20th, 2010 @ 1:57 pm

    Deem and Pass dropped? Does that mean they have the votes?

    Or does it mean they need some other way of getting the votes (like an executive order bribe?).

    This was not a good day to give up psilocybin mushrooms.

  26. Robert Stacy McCain
    March 20th, 2010 @ 7:15 pm

    This was not a good day to give up psilocybin mushrooms.

    Yeah, but 6 hours sleep + 2 pots of coffee = CRAZY!

  27. Robert Stacy McCain
    March 20th, 2010 @ 2:15 pm

    This was not a good day to give up psilocybin mushrooms.

    Yeah, but 6 hours sleep + 2 pots of coffee = CRAZY!

  28. Joe
    March 20th, 2010 @ 7:28 pm

    You want crazy Stacy.

    This is friggin crazy.

    Rahm, you are a traitor to Israel.

  29. Joe
    March 20th, 2010 @ 2:28 pm

    You want crazy Stacy.

    This is friggin crazy.

    Rahm, you are a traitor to Israel.

  30. Joe
    March 20th, 2010 @ 7:29 pm

    Rahm, you are a traitor to the United States of America.

  31. Joe
    March 20th, 2010 @ 2:29 pm

    Rahm, you are a traitor to the United States of America.

  32. Adobe Walls
    March 20th, 2010 @ 7:56 pm

    Dropping demonpass removes two constitutional grounds for court challenges. As badly as they wanted to use demonpass I thought they needed to for some of their votes. Perhaps this means the Senate would have refused to accept the reconciliation/fix bill as valid unless Obama has singed the senate bill into law.

  33. Adobe Walls
    March 20th, 2010 @ 2:56 pm

    Dropping demonpass removes two constitutional grounds for court challenges. As badly as they wanted to use demonpass I thought they needed to for some of their votes. Perhaps this means the Senate would have refused to accept the reconciliation/fix bill as valid unless Obama has singed the senate bill into law.

  34. Adobe Walls
    March 20th, 2010 @ 8:16 pm

    Assuming the pro-life executive order isn’t just a rumor there’s definitely something nefarious going on. There is no reason to believe an executive order that uses Stupak’s language could be any more acceptable to the pro-abortion caucus than Stupak’s amendment. If house leadership is saying this on or off the record somebody is being had.

  35. Adobe Walls
    March 20th, 2010 @ 3:16 pm

    Assuming the pro-life executive order isn’t just a rumor there’s definitely something nefarious going on. There is no reason to believe an executive order that uses Stupak’s language could be any more acceptable to the pro-abortion caucus than Stupak’s amendment. If house leadership is saying this on or off the record somebody is being had.

  36. Tr Sterling
    March 20th, 2010 @ 8:18 pm

    Obama today to the House Dems, “If the glove does not fit, you must acquit” …

  37. Tr Sterling
    March 20th, 2010 @ 3:18 pm

    Obama today to the House Dems, “If the glove does not fit, you must acquit” …

  38. Charles Johnson
    March 20th, 2010 @ 8:34 pm

    All of this does not seem crazy to me.

    Now excuse me while I engage in LGF approved tickle fights with Cato and Iceweasel. Sharmuta and Wild Irish Rose could never understand.

  39. Charles Johnson
    March 20th, 2010 @ 3:34 pm

    All of this does not seem crazy to me.

    Now excuse me while I engage in LGF approved tickle fights with Cato and Iceweasel. Sharmuta and Wild Irish Rose could never understand.

  40. Bob Belvedere
    March 20th, 2010 @ 10:23 pm

    If you have any trouble reading what Smitty wrote on his signs, I have transcribed it here:
    DEFCON 1: Saturday 20 March 2010

  41. Bob Belvedere
    March 20th, 2010 @ 5:23 pm

    If you have any trouble reading what Smitty wrote on his signs, I have transcribed it here:
    DEFCON 1: Saturday 20 March 2010

  42. ~ Simple Health Care Question: At What Point Does the Reality of What Congress is Really Doing Hit Home to You? « Critical Political Thinking
    March 20th, 2010 @ 5:41 pm

    […] Other McCain: OMG! Executive Order for ObamaCare Payoffs? Can This Possibly Be True? CODE RED! D.C. Rally NOON […]

  43. dad29
    March 20th, 2010 @ 10:53 pm

    What it means, Stacy?

    C’mon. You KNOW what it means.

    It means that Nancy passes the Senate bill, which becomes law. Boom-shaka-laka, Obamacare.

    All the amendments go directly to the shredder; do not pass Go, do not collect $200.00.

  44. dad29
    March 20th, 2010 @ 5:53 pm

    What it means, Stacy?

    C’mon. You KNOW what it means.

    It means that Nancy passes the Senate bill, which becomes law. Boom-shaka-laka, Obamacare.

    All the amendments go directly to the shredder; do not pass Go, do not collect $200.00.

  45. Left Coast Rebel: Code Red Rally 12 Noon EST Washington DC, CODE … | Hill Talk
    March 20th, 2010 @ 5:54 pm

    […] Check out Glenn Reynolds at Instapundit for the Capitol rally as well. Smitty from the Other McCain is at the rally as […]

  46. Yankeemom
    March 21st, 2010 @ 8:34 am

    […] sure to head over to The Other McCain here and here, to get a good round up of yesterday’s goings on at the The Hill. And […]

  47. Marooned in Marin
    March 21st, 2010 @ 5:36 pm

    I thought I saw those signs, but didn’t know that was you, Smitty, or I’d have come and introduced myself.

  48. Marooned in Marin
    March 21st, 2010 @ 12:36 pm

    I thought I saw those signs, but didn’t know that was you, Smitty, or I’d have come and introduced myself.

  49. Madison and Federalism take on health care : The American MAXIM
    March 21st, 2010 @ 8:31 pm

    […] The Other McCain […]