QUOTE OF THE DAY - AT 5:50 P.M. ET:  From the Republican governor of Nebraska, Dave Heineman, on the switcheroo pulled by his fellow Nebraskan, Democratic Senator Ben Nelson:

"Nebraskans did not ask for a special deal, only a fair deal. Under no circumstances did I have anything to do with Senator (Ben) Nelson's compromise. I, along with governors all across America, have expressed concern about the unfunded Medicaid mandate. I have said all along that this bill is bad news for Nebraska and bad news for America. Additionally, I criticized Senator (Harry) Reid when he got a special deal for Nevada that didn't apply uniformly to all states. Senator Nelson negotiated this special deal, rather than a fair deal for both Nebraska and America. The responsibility for this special deal lies solely on the shoulders of Senator Ben Nelson."

COMMENT:  Some people in Hollywood or Manhattan reading that statement would probably express wonderment that those people out there - the flyover people - can actually write English.  When did this happen?  My gawd.

It's a fine statement.  Republicans are asking a simple and devastating question:  If this health "reform" bill is so good, why have so many private deals with individual senators been needed to pass it?  So far, there's been no answer.

December 21, 2009