Meanwhile, people who are not personally running for Kucinich's job, but are honestly concerned about getting SCHIP reauthorized and expanded to more kids of all ethnic persuasions, should remember the arithmetic of all this. After working out the grand compromise with the Senate that excluded a lot of immigrants' children from coverage, Speaker Pelosi was still able to find only 265 votes for approval: 220 Democrats and 45 Republicans. That's 25 short of the 290 it will take to override the President's certain veto. Twelve Democrats including DJK voted “no” or didn't vote. Nothing prevents them from voting “yes” on a veto override; but even with all their votes, Pelosi will still need thirteen more Republicans to cross the aisle. The likelihood of getting them is small… and everybody involved knows it.

  So let's be clear, folks: People aren't mad at Dennis because his vote derailed a bill that was close to passage. They're mad because this bill, by getting vetoed, is supposed to set a bunch of Republicans up for “anti-child” attacks next Fall, and the Democratic leadership wants its whole team working from this playbook. It wants Pelosi and Co. to look strong. And Dennis is, once again, not being a team player.

And Dennis Kucinich was very clear in this regard:

“Legal immigrant children deserve the same quality health care as other children receive. It is Congress' responsibility to address the main difficulties that prevent legal immigrant children from gaining access to health care. Today, we did exactly the opposite.”

Shame on the Democratic Party Leadership on the Hill. In their game, Immigrants are only pawns. At the same time the Democratic Leadership has failed to bring the Dream Act to the floor. And mind you, the Dream Act has been label as a bipartisan initiative!

I really hope the Democratic Party and its leadership will start responding to the Latino Agenda. If not, I'm afraid, it will not take to long for many to jump ship, some to abandon the political scene and vote no more, others towards new third parties.

Peace with Justice / Si se puede! Marcos

Meanwhile, people who are not personally running for Kucinich’s job, but are honestly concerned about getting SCHIP reauthorized and expanded to more kids of all ethnic persuasions, should remember the arithmetic of all this. After working out the grand compromise with the Senate that excluded a lot of immigrants’ children from coverage, Speaker Pelosi was still able to find only 265 votes for approval: 220 Democrats and 45 Republicans. That’s 25 short of the 290 it will take to override the President’s certain veto. Twelve Democrats including DJK voted “no” or didn’t vote. Nothing prevents them from voting “yes” on a veto override; but even with all their votes, Pelosi will still need thirteen more Republicans to cross the aisle. The likelihood of getting them is small… and everybody involved knows it.

  So let’s be clear, folks: People aren’t mad at Dennis because his vote derailed a bill that was close to passage. They’re mad because this bill, by getting vetoed, is supposed to set a bunch of Republicans up for “anti-child” attacks next Fall, and the Democratic leadership wants its whole team working from this playbook. It wants Pelosi and Co. to look strong. And Dennis is, once again, not being a team player.

And Dennis Kucinich was very clear in this regard:

“Legal immigrant children deserve the same quality health care as other children receive. It is Congress’ responsibility to address the main difficulties that prevent legal immigrant children from gaining access to health care. Today, we did exactly the opposite.”

Shame on the Democratic Party Leadership on the Hill. In their game, Immigrants are only pawns. At the same time the Democratic Leadership has failed to bring the Dream Act to the floor. And mind you, the Dream Act has been label as a bipartisan initiative!

I really hope the Democratic Party and its leadership will start responding to the Latino Agenda. If not, I’m afraid, it will not take to long for many to jump ship, some to abandon the political scene and vote no more, others towards new third parties.

Peace with Justice / Si se puede! Marcos