More Healthcare Flips

Now is the time for the democrats to steamroll the republicans, who are getting uglier and uglier, calling people "traitors," making threats and accusing dems of making backroom deals. Democrats voting against healthcare will be noted.
Blue Dog Allen Boyd has flipped from no to yes on healthcare. Eliot Engel is now a yes. Politico is calling Obama the "comeback kid" with a question mark. Come back from what? He's been out there fighting, laying the groundwork for health reform, education reform, immigration reform, student loan overhaul, climate legislation, since day one. It may be that the hard work on the front end may now start to pay off.

If healthcare passes, people are going to wonder, what the heck? What was all that fuss about? It's been about politics, the republican waterloo strategy to take down the Obama presidency. Republicans could be screwed if healthcare passes.

Obama will be meeting with the democrats at the Capitol on Saturday. Harry Reid, whose wife and daughter have been recovering from a car accident, will also be there, according to Politico.

Update: Another flipper: Suzanne Kosmas. Another flipper, John Boccieri. Scott Murphy turns into a yes.
Lotta, lotta, lotta hoops--deem and pass process explained:

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Reid Speaks on Obama's Pep Talk With Democrats

Sen. Harry Reid sounds upbeat and inspired. Now get to it!

Obama also apparently remarked about MoveOn's ads against the Blue Dogs, saying democrats shouldn't be attacking democrats.

Obama: Nobody is Talking Government Takeover of Healthcare

Obama continues his mission to dispel rumors on healthcare reform at a town hall in Raleigh NC:

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House moving on a health care bill:

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Blue Dogs Say Compromise Reached on Healthcare

While Obama was speaking at a town hall in North Carolina, blue dogs say a deal has been reached (public option included), committee vote by Friday and full House vote after August recess. Of course, this doesn't make the left happy. They've more or less demonized the blue dogs, but apparently, they've helped bring more costs down.

Update, Obama's statement:

"I want to thank the members of both the Senate and House of Representatives for continuing their work on health reform to provide more stability and security for Americans who have insurance, and quality, affordable coverage for those who don't. I’m especially grateful that so many members, including some Blue Dogs on the Energy and Commerce Committee, are working so hard to find common ground. Those efforts are extraordinarily constructive in strengthening this legislation and bringing down its cost."

Blue Dog: We Are Going to Pass a Healthcare Bill

"We're not ready to support a bill yet," said Rep. Baron Hill, D-Ind., a member of the Blue Dog group, who added: "We'll get there. We are going to pass a health care bill, whether it's now or in the fall remains to be seen."

Without the backing of the 52-member Blue Dogs, it would be difficult for Democratic leaders to pass a bill, especially since no Republican supports the legislation.

"I think there's still a bit of daylight between the positions," said Rep. Earl Pomeroy, D-N.D. "I think the bottom line of Blue Dogs has not been met as of this time." MSNBC

Most think Congress lack the ability to draft a decent bill:

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Blue Dog Dems Playing Political Games?

I don't have a problem with the so-called fiscally conservative blue dogs. I'm a fiscal conservative myself. What I oppose is their open criticism of Obama (a democrat (in case they forgot)) and their public struggle for power. Just do the work that we sent you to Congress to do instead of trying to climb the political ladder. It seems to me if everyone wasn't so worried about their political career, they'd get a lot more done. Loretta Sanchez speaks on behalf of blue dogs:

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Obama's Interview with Katie Couric July 21

Obama's putting the pressure on the blue dogs. This is a good interview: