Ace of Spades HQ

November 20, 2009

The New Louisiana Purchase: Landrieu's Vote Bought With $100 Million
— Ace

Landrieu's vote bought with a $100 million sweetener. Section 2006 of ObamaCare says that all states that have had a disaster area in the last seven years get a share of this money, and then... eliminates each of those states except Louisiana. So it's a straight-up vote buy, disguised, barely, as something else.

Krauthammer suggested (on Brett Baier) that Lincoln should ask for at least $250 million, as she's in deeper trouble.

How about a different job?

While she might ask for a similar home-state largesse as Landrieu, that might not suffice for someone as vulnerable as Lincoln. She more likely needs an escape hatch.
I polled some veterans of the Bush administration and the Senate who agreed with my hunch that the best way to help Lincoln is for President Obama to make her secretary of agriculture.

Call:

Mary Landrieu of Louisiana
202-224-5824

Ben Nelsonof Nebraska
202-224-6551

Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas
202-224-4843

Evan Bayh of Indiana
202-224-5623

Ben Nelson has already promised a "yes" vote but it can't hurt -- at least get him to follow through on his threat to sustain a filibuster if the abortion funding is left in the bill.

Posted by: Ace at 03:10 PM | Comments (60)
Post contains 214 words, total size 1 kb.

1 Best Congress money can buy.

Posted by: nickless at November 20, 2009 03:13 PM (MMC8r)

2 WTF does Obamacare have to do with disaster relief anyway?

As much as hate crimes have to do with funding the military, I guess.

Posted by: Waterhouse at November 20, 2009 03:13 PM (AwGqy)

3
If I were the Louisiana state AG, I'd have Landrieu picked up right now and thrown in the pogey for bribe taking.

Posted by: Blazer at November 20, 2009 03:13 PM (+FzLa)

4 Our money buying votes against us. A sad spectacle, a monument to the corruptibility of man.

Posted by: MikeTheMoose at November 20, 2009 03:14 PM (0q2P7)

5 The fate of the republic depends on Blanche Lincoln? Nelson has caved and Landrieu is being bought off. It's official. We're fucked. All we have is Lincoln and Lieberman.

Posted by: Vet Missing Parts at November 20, 2009 03:14 PM (MCHyX)

6 Oh, and even that assumes Susan Collins and Olympia "I hear history" Snowe not jumping ship...

Posted by: Vet Missing Parts at November 20, 2009 03:16 PM (MCHyX)

7 Liberman is voting for it.

Posted by: Donna at November 20, 2009 03:17 PM (6heFO)

8 I'm calling the two slimy Senators here in Washington with "Why on earth are you gutting Medicare? The seniors at my facility are steamed, and I won't be helping them with their ballots on your behalf next time around!"

Posted by: Al at November 20, 2009 03:17 PM (VtygY)

9 Argggghhhhhhhhh!

Posted by: Vet Missing Parts at November 20, 2009 03:17 PM (MCHyX)

There is an ugly part of me that says - Bring it on. Do your worst. Teach the American people that elections have fucking consequences.

If these Democratic fuckers had started out with the stated intent to destroy America, they could not have come up with a better plan. And 52% of us payed more attention to who was going to be on American Idol.

Fuck.

Posted by: LGoPs at November 20, 2009 03:18 PM (v/rEn)

11 Well, now we know the Bitch's price. Maybe "sheet's Byrd will kick off before the vote.

Posted by: jfalcon, the patriot at November 20, 2009 03:19 PM (omGgx)

12 Basically, the people don't want it but Obama does.

That's our system now, folks.

Posted by: nickless at November 20, 2009 03:19 PM (MMC8r)

Been calling Bayh's office all afternoon. Busy every time. Now the message box says it is full.

Posted by: Linda at November 20, 2009 03:22 PM (jDFF0)

14 Is there any chance that they are going to debate it, then fail to end the filibuster to end the debate, thus avoiding the impending doom in the polls while saying to their base that 'they fought the good fight'?

And can you tell that I am hoping to Hell that this is what is going on?

Posted by: Blue Hen at November 20, 2009 03:24 PM (1O93r)

15 @14 If they get it to debate it will pass. Dingy Harry will pull the nuke option if need be. They will not let Obama fail this. Period.

Posted by: Vet Missing Parts at November 20, 2009 03:25 PM (MCHyX)

Didn't Biloxi, Miss also get wiped out by Katrina?

Don't they qualify? Or does the governor being Haley Barbor disqualify them?

Posted by: TakeFive at November 20, 2009 03:26 PM (/3pxq)

17 I don't know how many morons are aware of this, but Louisiana's problem before and above anything else, is coastal erosion. Erosion in about a third to a half of North America becomes sediment in the Mississippi river. The river 'floods' every year depositing said sediment on the Gulf Coast. At least it did until about a decade ago when they leveed up the river because annual flooding was a pain in the butt, unhealthy, and dangerous. Unfortunately, erosion due to rain now only takes away from their land washing it out to sea. On average they lose a football field worth of land roughly every half hour. Katrina, Rita, Gustav, and Ike all made matters far worse.

Currently all that sediment collects near the port of New Orleans and we (the US) dredges it to keep the rifer open for shipping, but those doing the job are federally mandated to dispose of it in the cheapest manner available, which is currently shipping it five miles to the coastal shelf and dumping it. Louisiana's plan to save its coastline is to pump that material along its coast, distributing it as the river used to. But that coast is going to run to the tens of billions of dollars, if not more.

That's what people in Louisiana care about. $100 million for health care doesn't mean shit when your state is washing out to sea as we speak.

Posted by: Methos at November 20, 2009 03:26 PM (CoDwG)

18
Billions of Euros are at stake!

Posted by: ikilledamanwithatrident at November 20, 2009 03:27 PM (k9Ti8)

19 Levin reporting that the calls have shut down the Senate phone system. Or Harry just pulled the plug

Posted by: kbdabear at November 20, 2009 03:28 PM (sYxEE)

20 It was determined that the Army Core of Engineers were responsible after decades of building dikes and forcing the Mississippi to stay in its banks and not change course.

When do the show trials begin and why do the Army Core of Engineers hate black people?

Posted by: Blazer at November 20, 2009 03:30 PM (+FzLa)

21 re: 17
Shit, the levees to stop the Mississippi river from flooding were done a century ago, not a decade ago.

Posted by: Methos at November 20, 2009 03:30 PM (CoDwG)

The people responsible for this should be brought up on charges, convicted, and liquidated.

If this passes, I think we should use a new strategy. All conservatives should suddenly become enthusiastic about it, explaining to everyone that all healthcare will be free coming in Jan 1st. Start a meme that there will be no co-pays, free prescriptions for all and thank god for nancy pelosi and universal healthcare.

Then watch the ensuing hilarity

Posted by: Billy Barty at November 20, 2009 03:33 PM (IMSJ7)

23 So Landrieu is going to buy the oh so important votes of Medicaid recipients who are normally SO torn on whether or not to vote Democrat? At the peril of the remaining constituents who have returned, who happen to vote Red? Hope that coont is thinking this through.

Posted by: sybilll at November 20, 2009 03:35 PM (g+dOH)

24 I wish I was a Democrat, cause it sounds pretty fuckin' easy.

Posted by: tachyonshuggy at November 20, 2009 03:37 PM (YRjsF)

25 http://www.redstate.com/

From a reliable staffer:

Phone calls are not going through at all now. Try calling my phone or any phone. It is not even the switchboard anymore. The entire Senate phone system has collapsed.

Posted by: Seinfeld at November 20, 2009 03:40 PM (VuLos)

26 Damn sock

Posted by: Tami at November 20, 2009 03:41 PM (VuLos)

I called the Congressional switchboard eleven (11) times today; each time, I got the "all circuits are busy" message. From approx. 11 AM til 5 PM eastern time... busy every time.

Good news? Maybe? Or they're just not all that interested in their former constituency?

Posted by: Truman North at November 20, 2009 03:43 PM (XH/G8)

This used to be a great country, until we got all "compassionate:" about useless parasitic scumbags and helped to destroy our own childrens' futures.

But hey! We still get to watch "The Office".

Posted by: TexasJew at November 20, 2009 03:46 PM (z+twQ)

29 Kerry and Kirk's offices are closed. Kirk, btw, was the MA Dem Committee Chair, Kennedy's interim replacement, and was sent specifically to get this turd passed.

Posted by: Truman North at November 20, 2009 03:48 PM (XH/G8)

30 Puh-leeze help me, I'm falllin'...

Posted by: The Dollar at November 20, 2009 03:49 PM (z+twQ)

31 We have placed Michael Steele in a low orbit around Uranus. Don't expect to hear from him for a while.

Posted by: Sucking Vacuum of Space at November 20, 2009 03:53 PM (EL+OC)

32 Just goes to show you that these pricks have too much of the rich people's money.

Posted by: dogfish at November 20, 2009 03:56 PM (GQwdV)

33 is for President Obama to make her secretary of agriculture.

He's already got a small-business-hating global-warming-believing manure-brained leftist stooge for Sec. Ag.

Posted by: HeatherKittehRadish at November 20, 2009 03:59 PM (OkT2m)

34 We have placed Michael Steele in a low orbit around Uranus. Don't expect to hear from him for a while.

Posted by: Sucking Vacuum of Space at November 20, 2009 07:53 PM (

We are the space robots. We are here to protect you from the Terrible Secret Of Space.

Posted by: The space robots at November 20, 2009 03:59 PM (+FzLa)

35 They're all whores.

Posted by: UGAdawg at November 20, 2009 04:02 PM (O4miG)

36 Steele only shows up in person when a R wins a governorship from a D, otherwise the only time you see him is on a paid political annoucement. He will beg for money however. I got one this week in the mail. Anyone else?

Posted by: mystry at November 20, 2009 04:03 PM (kmgIE)

37 Earlier today I sent this email to my Senators:

Sen. Bingaman, Udall,

I would encourage you to hold out your vote on the pending health care legislation until you get a sweetheart deal for the state of NM like Sen. Landrieu did for Louisiana. If you are going to vote for this bill that will accelerate the insolvency of the US government, we should at least get some money before we go belly up.

Seriously, we are facing an unfunded mandate of close to $60 trillion for Medicare, Medicaid and SS. I don't know how you can even consider this legislation (even with its spurious $500 billion of "savings" through gutting Medicare) with this pending catastrophe looming.

I guess you'll be retired by the point the system falls apart so you don't worry about it.

Enjoy your cushy Congressional pension while the rest of us slave away to pay back the money we owe to the Chinese and Japanese.

Posted by: rockhead at November 20, 2009 04:03 PM (RykTt)

38 Nelson's other numbers:
(402) 391-3411
(402) 441-4600
(30

631-7614
(30

293-5818
(402) 209-3595

Landrieu's other numbers:
(504) 589-2427
(225) 389-0395
(31

676-3085
(337) 436-6650
Her website sounds like she's already accepted the bribe.

Bayh's other numbers:
(317) 554-0750
(812) 465-6500
(260) 426-3151
(219) 852-2763
(812) 218-2317
(574) 236-8302

Blanche's other numbers:
1-800-352-9364
(870)382-1023
(870) 910-6896
(479) 251-1224
(870) 774-3106

Probably all closed for the weekend, but save this list for Monday.

Posted by: HeatherKittehRadish at November 20, 2009 04:09 PM (OkT2m)

39 Oh, bloody hell, those smiley faces are 8s.

Posted by: HeatherKittehRadish at November 20, 2009 04:09 PM (OkT2m)

40 how dose it rule out the others? Can anyone elaborate? Thanks for the help fellow morons.

Posted by: johnny_p at November 20, 2009 04:10 PM (ldoxy)

41 I'm shocked. From the ABC News article about the little arrangement:

In other words, the bill spends two pages describing would could be written with a single world: Louisiana.

Posted by: rockhead at November 20, 2009 04:10 PM (RykTt)

42 I've put the list here.

Posted by: HeatherKittehRadish at November 20, 2009 04:13 PM (OkT2m)

I've got my torch in one hand and my pitchfork in the other. Just tell me when.

P.S. If it gets any worse, I've got guns too.

Posted by: Iamnotanalcoholic at November 20, 2009 04:13 PM (zDO4e)

: Iamnotanalcoholic

Second, Motion Carries.

All able bodied men assemble at his house!

All ample breasted women assemble at mine!

Posted by: hutch1200 at November 20, 2009 04:19 PM (usUEb)

45 Palin just killed on the foreign policy questions on Oreilly!

Posted by: Dan at November 20, 2009 04:22 PM (KZraB)

46 TOWANDA!

Posted by: Ample-Breasted HeatherRadish at November 20, 2009 04:24 PM (OkT2m)

47 Thank you H-Radish. That explains why I've always liked older women! They don't ASK for sex

Posted by: hutch1200 at November 20, 2009 04:39 PM (usUEb)

48 Our country is being destroyed before our very eyes through bribery, bribery using OUR MONEY. Good Lord. Sigh. Let's talk about those ample breasted women instead.

Posted by: CoolCzech at November 20, 2009 04:40 PM (QECjC)

49 The Democrats will essentially declare war on the American people with this vote. However, focus should be kept on the breasts for the near term. Don't let them provoke you. I think we will know when that time comes.

Posted by: mghorning at November 20, 2009 04:55 PM (lH0T0)

50 However, focus should be kept on the breasts for the near term. Don't let them provoke you. Posted by: mghorning at November 20, 2009 08:55 PM (lH0T0) I hear ya, but a good pair usually DOES provoke me, alas.

Posted by: CoolCzech at November 20, 2009 04:57 PM (QECjC)

51 CoolCzech We are about to see if we remain a repiulic, if we remain citizens instead of subjects, or, if we have given way to dictators. You go your way, I'll go mine.

Posted by: mghorning at November 20, 2009 05:05 PM (lH0T0)

52 I talked to a staffer of Nelson's today that I've known for years and he said that Nelson is NOT sold on this bill and will NOT support it if it has abortion supportive language in it. He listed other stuff about it that Nelson didn't like as well, i.e. public option, adding to the debt, and others. NOW, I may eat these words, but in 25 years of knowing Nelson, I've never heard him out and out lie. Granted, these are difficult times for a redstate democrat and this White House ain't fooling around. There will be repercussions if they don't fall into lockstep.

Posted by: prettypinkfluffypanties at November 20, 2009 05:07 PM (Jyuxh)

53 If this country does go down the drain, I doubt these Congresscritters will get to enjoy their pensions.

Posted by: butch at November 20, 2009 05:11 PM (myCYQ)

54 54 I talked to a staffer of Nelson's today that I've known for years and he said that Nelson is NOT sold on this bill and will NOT support it if it has abortion supportive language in it. He listed other stuff about it that Nelson didn't like as well, i.e. public option, adding to the debt, and others. NOW, I may eat these words, but in 25 years of knowing Nelson, I've never heard him out and out lie.

If Nelson does end up voting for the bill, then he still wouldn't have lied. It's his staffer who would have lied to you.

Nelson has an image of being a friendly, decent guy that he needs to uphold. If loyal staffers have to take a hit to maintain that image, well, them's the breaks.

Posted by: chemjeff at November 20, 2009 05:59 PM (F+U5/)

55 burberry scarf | CD Keys

Posted by: jason at November 20, 2009 06:30 PM (0dxbq)

56 All of Nelson's 402 numbers voicemails are full...

Posted by: Lt York at November 20, 2009 06:50 PM (XfA18)

Chemjeff, the problem as I see it, is that these political HACKS should not be supporting this or any like bill ON PRINCIPLE.

This is not good public policy, it is not fiscally sound, it does not have a track record of success anywhere on the planet, AND, those who PAY THE FREIGHT don't want t his fucking mess.

But HACK politicians finds single reasons TO and NOT TO support it.

This bill IS an ABORTION. The fact that BELTWAY INSIDER to a man/woman don't NOTICE THIS is the real problem.

Posted by: gus at November 20, 2009 07:20 PM (MaqIC)

58 Wow,how much money?I think i can have,hehe

Posted by: Laptop-battery at November 20, 2009 09:00 PM (ZBfcO)

59 The first thing the repubs should do if we can't stop the motion to proceed is to offer an amendment to strip the louisiana purchase from the bill. stick it in her face and i'm sure we could get a number of disaffected democrats to go along.

Posted by: eaglewinz08 at November 21, 2009 06:52 AM (SkdFq)

60
For those of you who are purchasing ebridalgowns,we realize that this is one of the most important purchasing decisions you will make.<a href="http://www.faucetso.com">Faucets</a>

Posted by: ebridalgowns at June 14, 2011 10:14 PM (SuY4Y)

Hide Comments | Add Comment | Refresh | Top

Comments are disabled. Post is locked.

97kb generated in CPU 0.0508, elapsed 0.2294 seconds.
64 queries taking 0.1959 seconds, 188 records returned.
Powered by Minx 1.1.6c-pink.