"Well, here's another nice mess you've gotten me into."

Well, Well, Well ... Isn't this special ...

A couple of PartyonNoicans (Tom Coburn and Diaper David Vitter) thought they would be slick, sneak a bill in there that would shame the Democrats and save the day for the PartyofNoicans.

You could almost here the Mighty Mouse music playing in their heads.



Ah, but as the old adage goes, "Oh! what a tangled web we weave, when first we practise to deceive!"

Sen. Sherrod Brown joins Republicans in demanding that Congress go on 'public option,' too

Whenever Democrats talk about their proposed federally backed insurance plan, or public option, in the ongoing health-care debate, critics pipe up. If you think this public option is so great, they say, why don't you demand that all members of Congress go on it, too?

Ohio Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown says that's a fine idea. And this morning, he forced his way onto a Republican amendment saying as much, becoming a co-sponsor of a Republican protest measure that would require Congress to go on the public option if it passes.

Fact is, Republicans pushing the amendment are using it as a form of rotten eggs to hurl at their opponents. But Brown, a key sponsor of the public option legislation, likes those eggs.

[snip]

Republican Sen. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma didn't seem to be in a hurry to bring on Brown as a co-sponsor. Coburn had Republican co-sponsors, but Brown's office says the Ohio Democrat never could get a commitment to be added, despite nine calls from his staff to Coburn's staff over the last week.

So this morning, Brown stood on the Senate floor and forced the matter. He asked for unanimous consent to be added as a co-sponsor to the amendment. This procedure is usually reserved for issues of little controversy because it bypasses a roll-call vote.

But wait, there's more!

Sen. Sen. Franken Becomes A Cosponsor Of Vitter/Coburn Amendment



Hmmm Coburn and Vitter ...

What's that other old adage ... Something to do with doing something to a free lunch?

Keep obstructing there, boys ...

We need all the help we can get ...


Bonus Links

John Nichols: Sherrod Brown Shames Republicans Who Wanted to Shame Democrats

Digby: Beautiful