Tonight, Republican Scott Brown defeated Democrat Martha Coakley for the Massachusetts Senate seat vacated by the late Ted Kennedy. Two weeks ago Brown was trailing badly but since then steadily caught up in the polls to surpass his Democratic rival.
Once Scott Brown takes office, the balance shifts to 41 Republicans and 59 Democrats. Without 60 Votes, the Democrats cannot break a Republican filibuster—of, in particular, the ObamaCare health proposal.
This is welcome and exciting news for anyone who supports market principles and sustainable government spending. The fact that Massachusetts just elected a Republican sends a strong message to the Democratic leadership. He campaigned on being the 41st vote against the health care proposal [1]. So hats off to the citizens of Massachusetts for taking a step toward sensibility in American politics.
This is not to say that the status quo is good, just that the democratic health proposal went in the wrong direction. The right direction is to remove all employer mandates to buy health insurance for employees, and then, where health care is deemed necessary and unaffordable on a case-by-case determination it can be assisted by government subsidy.
Senate majority leader Harry Reid agreed to seat Brown immediately (rather than delay is inauguration until after health care legislation passes) [2]. This effectively brings an end to ObamaCare.
Source:
1. Obama Calls Brown to Congratulate him (FoxNews).
2. Dems Reeling, Soul Searching after Mass. Loss (AP).
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MAJORITY RULES:
There is growing understanding that the Senate/House leadership will come to an agreement to pass the Senate bill followed by budget reconciliation hours later to fix the worst parts of the Senate bill. Pelosi/Obama leadership is key. Time to ram this starter house through the obstructionists and march toward the long term goals of single payer and significant government regulation & oversight of the entire health care industry.
In the excitement I did write that it was dead a little too hastily, as you point out; that passing the Senate version straight up remains an option.
We'll see if they push it.
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