ACA repeal is very much alive

[Stinky The Clown]

Yes, the wind is at our backs right now, but they're more like August winds on Long Island Sound - fluky. McCain could change. Murkowski is not "leaning" anywhere; she officially undecided. Collins is a lean no, but her wet finger is in the air, seeing which way the shifting winds will turn. I have zero faith in Paul's no vote.

Then there's the Menendez factor. Will he break away from his days in court fighting the criminal charges against him and come to DC to cast a NO vote, or will he stay in NJ and attend court. The trial will not recess for him, so I see his vote as iffy.

A part of me sees this whole thing as Kabuki hatched by Graham and McCain.

Another part of me sees this as deadly serious and a bona fide attempt at repeal.

So I will not be congratulating anyone on anything until this one gets to the floor vote.

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

1. I don't even see how we can be so sure about McCain. Maybe he'll do a dramatic,

last minute thumbs up this time.

I just don't trust Rs.

[no_hypocrisy]

4. Depends on the choice of dirty trick.

If the R's have something to blackmail McCain or his family, they'll use it now.

Not to get dark and snarky, but with the cancer, they can't threaten his Senate seat as nobody knows how his treatment's going and he has the sympathy of being a cancer patient.

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

7. I notice the McCain hate is vicious on twitter right now,

reminding me that sympathy for anyone who doesn't fall in line isn't big with the Rs.

I might have to tune out for a few days. The suspense is driving me crazy.

[WinkyDink]

2. McCain will not waver now. He deliberately announced this early so as to buck up the Other Three.

[nini]

9. I agree

He's giving the other repubs an out to vote no also. Unfortunately it's only a few but it should be enough to hopefully kill this damn thing.

[WinkyDink]

12. The Democrats should all walk in for the vote carrying wooden stakes.

[no_hypocrisy]

3. Menendez. Why can't his counsel request an ADJOURNMENT to allow him

to travel to DC for a HALF DAY to vote against the Repeal?

[Jersey Devil]

10. He did request it and the judge said no

The judges reasoning was that by allowing adjournments for him to vote would be an attempt by Menendez to influence the jury of his importance.

BTW, the trial is Mon - Thurs with Fridays off. He can go vote anyway but he would have to waive his right to confront his accusers under the Constitution when he does.

[Girard442]

5. Our political process has become less predictable (and rational) than a box of bugs.

[Purveyor]

6. I'm suspicious myself. Too early to declare repeal dead... NT

[mvd]

8. I think it fails this time. But its a long fight

I read they can try reconciliation again in January. I have my plan from the exchanges, so it’s a constant personal worry. That’s in addition to my worry about how it would ruin the lives of others.

[Awsi Dooger]

11. I don't understand the complacency

Given the lowlife nature of the opponents