It's usually hard to sort out who is the biggest idiot in Congress on a given day. Right now, my money is on Senator Max Baucus and Senator Kent Conrad. Baucus has been caving on key health care policy provisions to get Republican support. Conrad, has been abetting Baucus, while trying to prove he's smarter than everyone else. We got the first leaks about the Baucus/Conrad-backed GOP health care proposal last night. AP headlined its article: AP Sources: Senate group omitting Dem health goals.
The sad thing is that they've both been duped by Iowa's Chuck Grassley. Look what Baucus' bi-partisan pal was doing last night:
Top Republican senators involved in crafting health care reform legislation participated in a health-care specific fundraiser Monday evening. Guests were asked for a $2,000 contribution to the National Republican Senatorial Committee to attend a "Roundtable on Healthcare Issues" -- and $5,000 for both the roundtable and dinner with Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Sen. Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.) and Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.).Those Republicans probably had some good laughs about how easy it is to play Baucus. And, keep in mind, Baucus' former chief of staff, Jim Messina, is now the Deputy Chief of Staff at the White House. So, the GOPer probably realize they've got a direct line into the Obama White House, too.
The nonpartisan Sunlight Foundation cited the event for its upfront offer of special-interest access. All three senators sit on key health committees. Grassley is the ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, currently embroiled in negotiations with Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) over the pending reform bill. Enzi sits on the Finance Committee and serves as ranking member of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, of which Burr is a member as well.
Jed Lewison summed this situation up on Twitter:
Did we spend 2008 & 2009 beating up the GOP just so Conrad & Baucus could let them control health care reform?
