video For those carefully monitoring the potentially historic health care vote this weekend (and the subsequent online debate) there were a number of Internet memes that had a short but impactful lifespan yesterday. One such example is a nine-second viral video of Representative Alcee Hastings (D-FL) proclaiming in conference “we just make up the rules as we go along,” which, in the context of the current debate over the byzantine legislation process, is a pointed example of why so many are currently frustrated with the Government. However, the quote in question is lacking in context; that Hastings' quip was in reference to a Thomas Edison quote, and that taken in full, the quote isn't nearly as damning as was originally presented. In fact, its fair to say that the selective editing is disingenuous. What's worse? It appears to have started on the YouTube channel managed by the office House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH.) (more...)

video As news of the Democrats dropping the "deem and pass" in favor of separate votes in the Senate, the hours are inching closer to a time when we might have a conclusive health care reform bill passed in this country. At this point it's hard not to have an opinion about a bill that will require Americans to either buy health insurance (at government subsidized-prices) or pay for it on their taxes, but few have stronger words than Rep. John Boehner who has called the passing of the reform bill "Armageddon." (more...)

video This is the reason why Jon Stewart and The Daily Show deserve all the accolades they receive: they take a topic that would be so very banal in the hands of any one else, and make it far more entertaining and informative with their own treatment. In this instance the topic is political sex scandals and the associative and hypocritical rhetoric that follows. (more...)

Well you have to give the man credit for gumption: Rep. John Boehner today on State Of The Union, admitting that even though the House Republicans don't have the votes to stop the bill, they will do everything in their power to stop the Democratic Health Care Reform Bill from becoming a law. (more...)

video When Barack Obama's campaign pledge of a transparent and C-SPAN covered debate over health care reform failed to materialize, he was fairly pilloried by both right and left-wing critics. Since then, he's invited party leaders - and C-SPAN cameras - for a White House health care negotiation. Last night House Minority leader John Boehner sat down with Greta Van Susteren to discuss this suggested summit, and sounded pretty skeptical of the potential for political theater. (more...)

The Founding Bloggers? Or an Internet tea party? Take your pick. This morning news broke that a group of "politically diverse group of bloggers" were so impressed with last week's question and answer session between President Obama and the house Republicans that they have banded together to call on the president and the Congress to make it a regular thing. Sort of takes the term 'Internet Presidency' to a whole new level. (more...)

video A lot of people have been screaming for transparency on a number of issues of late and today both the GOP and President Obama complied...did they ever (UPDATE: Apparently it was televised at Obama's insistence). The President met with Congressional Republicans at their retreat in Baltimore to lead what the New York Times described as "a rare, sustained and unscripted exchange over the best way to address the nation’s ills." Without question it makes for riveting watching. So much so a slew of people on Twitter called for it to be a regular feature (just as many were asking where they could watch a rerun...answer: below!) (more...)

video Through a letter addressed to Henry Reid, Nancy Pelosi, John Boehner and Mitch McConnell, C-SPAN CEO Brian Lamb is requesting that all "important negotiations" in reconciling the differences between the House and be opened up to C-SPAN's cameras. This request is sure to be a hot political topic, as it directly confronts President Obama's campaign promise for transparency, specifically his pledge to open up the health care talks for C-SPAN's cameras. (more...)

Robert Gibbs answer to David Corn of Mother Jones' last question at Friday's briefing is getting considerable attention from the right. Corn asked Gibbs about House Republican leader John Boehner's declaration that the House health care bill was the "greatest threat to freedom" he's ever seen. Gibbs' response was worth a slight chuckle, but they ignore his larger point. (more...)

Dispatches from Fox Nation: The Republicans have made a chart that explains what will happen under the Democrats' health care plan, but those Dems are scared to let it be released to the public! Fox has taken the brave step of making this chart, that will answer every question anyone has about the plan, available to the public. We've followed in their footsteps. Look at this chart, people! (more...)