Is this what the final vote on the stimulus package will inevitably look like?

[Ronnie]

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/vote.xpd?vote=s2009-33


This is the Murray/Feinstein amendment to H.R. 1

Obviously, some of these votes are subject to change as the debates continue, but most of these votes feel as if they are firmly in place, unless some major bipartisan legislation passes.

Discuss

[CARLHAYDEN]

Well, I expect the Obama Administration to jump in feet first to dramatically alter the bill, because, as currently written, it is quite possible it will not leave the Senate, and if it does, it is likely to be a disaster for the Democrats in 2010.

I wonder what the Republicans in Pennsylvania are going to do the Specter?

[Ronnie]

Well, the Obama administration better jump in quickly because, from what I've heard, the final vote is happening pretty soon. 

[Lunar]

Whoah, the Maine Twins both rejecting it?  Snowe has been more liberal than a lot of Democrats this session (and past ones)


Also, because the Senate version will be different from the House version, they'll need a steering committee or whatever before it gets approved finally yo

[Ronnie]

I heard both Snowe and Collins debate, and they both said that unless there are more bipartisan legislation, they will vote against the bill, just as they have in regards to the Murray/Feinstein amendment (which is basically the same thing as the house vote).

In fact, Collins is meeting with Obama soon, where her goal is to cut over 200 billion dollars from the stimulus.

[Bono]

Here's what Snowe had to say on this:
"many of the provisions were jammed into the legislation by members of the Appropriations Committee who were ‘trying to short-circuit the normal legislative process.’" Snowe concluded: "They should scrub it."

There's a reason she is a Republican.

Also, Nelson is working with Collins in identifying pork in the bill and has stated publicly that he thinks there are huge problems with it. IMO, he'll vote against it in its current form.
I'd also venture that given his vote against both the bank and the auto bailout, Tester will vote against it, but I can be wrong.

[Brittain33]

I'd also venture that given his vote against both the bank and the auto bailout, Tester will vote against it, but I can be wrong.

The stimulus bill enjoys much greater public support than the bailouts did.

[Bono]

I'd also venture that given his vote against both the bank and the auto bailout, Tester will vote against it, but I can be wrong.

The stimulus bill enjoys much greater public support than the bailouts did.

I admit I don't remember what the numbers for the bailouts were, but according to Rassmussen, suport for the porkulus is now only 42%.

I think it's fair to assume that in Montana the number is even lower.

[Ronnie]

I'd also venture that given his vote against both the bank and the auto bailout, Tester will vote against it, but I can be wrong.

The stimulus bill enjoys much greater public support than the bailouts did.

I admit I don't remember what the numbers for the bailouts were, but according to Rassmussen, suport for the porkulus is now only 42%.

I think it's fair to assume that in Montana the number is even lower.

Actually, now only 37% support the stimulus.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/business/economic_stimulus_package/support_for_stimulus_package_falls_to_37

[Brittain33]

http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2009/02/03/two-tales-of-one-poll/

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Thanks to Snowe, Collins, and Nelson, it looks clear that what we are going to have is a stimulus bill with major changes, which would have super-majority support.

It is rational for people to see the stimulus bill differently from TARP, provided your agenda isn't purely about making Republicans look good, no offense. People think stimulus is needed to boost the economy, and worry about the best way to do it. They want the government to do something and they like roads and such. The bailout is disliked because people don't see the connection to the economy but view it as a giveaway to Wall Street.

[Bono]

http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2009/02/03/two-tales-of-one-poll/

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Well, that's not the poll I was quoting.

[Brittain33]

Well, that's not the poll I was quoting.

Duh. There is more than one poll out there, and you have to look at all of them. The Gallup poll has more granularity than the Rasmussen because it shows that people want a stimulus bill passed, but disagree about the details. No one would argue that is true about the bank bailout.