Good Morning America’s Bill Weir on Sunday defended the $300 million in pork that Senator Mary Landrieu acquired for her state, spinning, "The people of Louisiana sent her to Washington to get as much sausage as they could, you know, she could."
Landrieu provided the 60th vote on Saturday to bring the Senate’s health care bill up for debate. In return, millions in new funding will go to Louisiana. Guest George Stephanopoulos touted the money as a real bargain: "But I think Democrats are saying it's a pretty cheap vote. $300 million. Without Senator Landrieu's vote yesterday, this bill would have died, would have been very difficult to put it back together."
It didn’t seem to occur to either Stephanopoulos or Weir that one job of a senator might be to not waste millions in taxpayer money.
Just prior to that exchange, Weir actually demonstrated the dense, indecipherable language of the health care bill. Standing in front of all 2000 pages of the legislation, he quoted:
BILL WEIR: And here's a sample from page 432: "The federal medical assistance percentage determined for a disaster-recovery FMAP adjustment State stated under paragraph 1 shall apply for purposes of this title, other than with respect to the disproportionate share hospital payments-" bear with me, I'm getting to the good part- "described in the section 1920-" Actually, there is no good part. It goes on like that for 2000 pages. And translated into English, that one passage would expand Medicaid to states that have had experienced a disaster in the last seven years. But, only one really state fits that description. So, they could have saved four pages with one word- Louisiana.
Weir explained, "And why does this bill randomly devote four pages and least $100 million to Louisiana? Well, because Louisiana Senator Mary Landrieu was among the Democrats threatening to kill this bill." He then launched into his "sausage" defense.
A transcript of the November 22 segment, which aired at 8:05am EST, follows:
BILL WEIR: [Weir is standing next to the 2000 page health care bill.] And here’s the quote of the morning. It was German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck who said if you like laws and sausage, you should never watch either being made. And that 100-year-old quip took on new meaning this week for anyone who actually tried to read this behemoth. And here's a sample from page 432: "The federal medical assistance percentage determined for a disaster-recovery FMAP adjustment State stated under paragraph 1 shall apply for purposes of this title, other than with respect to the disproportionate share hospital payments-" bear with me, I’m getting to the good part- "described in the section 1920-" Actually, there is no good part. It goes on like that for 2000 pages. And translated into English, that one passage would expand Medicaid to states that have had experienced a disaster in the last seven years. But, only one really state fits that description. So, they could have saved four pages with one word- Louisiana. And why does this bill randomly devote four pages and least $100 million to Louisiana? Well, because Louisiana Senator Mary Landrieu was among the Democrats threatening to kill this bill.
SENATOR MARY LANDRIEU (D-Louisiana): I am not going to be defensive about asking for help in this situation. And it is not $100 million fix. It's a $300 million fix.
WEIR: There you go. That's a lot of kielbasa. And for the bottom line on this, let's bring in George Stephanopoulos, host of This Week. Getting ready, George. The wheeling and dealing is just beginning, I imagine. And the people of- Well, they voted- The people of Louisiana sent her to Washington to get as much sausage as they could, you know, she could. What's at stake for the people at Nebraska and Arkansas?
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: Well, we'll find out. I have Senator Ben Nelson on the program later. But I think Democrats are saying it's a pretty cheap vote. $300 million. Without Senator Landrieu’s vote yesterday, this bill would have died, would have been very difficult to put it back together. So, they say, it was important- they also would argue that this money is justified. Louisiana has been awful hard hit and they need this kind of help. But, this is only the beginning of the wheeling and dealing. You've got at least three or four senators, like Mary Landrieu, you showed, like Ben Nelson who is on my program today. Like Blanche Lincoln, the Senator from Arkansas. Like Joe Lieberman from Connecticut who could hold this bill hostage in the coming weeks. And they’re going to demand several things One thing they're all unified on, as Rachel reported, the public health insurance option in this bill will have to come out or be dramatically changed for them to allow this bill to go forward.
—Scott Whitlock is a news analyst for the Media Research Center.





















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DNA
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 17:27 ET by FranksamWe need a blood sample from Mary. I'm betting that she carries Huey Long's DNA.
Senator Mary Landrieu
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 17:38 ET by Edward LunnyIt's all very simple, she's a whore who has just established her price. Just another c**t with a price tag.
For that kind of payday
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 17:41 ET by MidAmericaFor that kind of payday the Bluedog cabal may get new members.
All Democrats should send her a check for $100.00
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 17:41 ET by averageschmoePut their money where their mouth is.
Why don't we just call this
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 17:45 ET by TykWhy don't we just call this woman the whore she is? Whores do things for money.
Only an a-hole liberal thinks we send REPRESENTATIVES to Washington to get pork and screw over the rest of the taxpayers.
I just hate all these bastards at this point.
Sure, but many of these
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 17:54 ET by RR GOPSure, but many of these Republicans up there are just as bad. I'm still PO'd that 40% of that pork spending in Porkulus was from GOP members.
I'd be curious to know if there are actually anybody up there of any party totally free of corruption. Hopefully, there are. Being a Socialist and therefore one with one's head up his a$$ (but at least well-meaning) is one thing, but being corrupt on top of that is waaaay too much. Pretending to be a Conservative and doing the same is equally galling.
One of the 34% who thinks George W. Bush was a great President. One of the 86% who wants to bring back the stock and pillory.
Our special today - Irony
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 17:50 ET by acumenWait until all these same sausage-loving voters from Louisiana get hit with the proposed fat tax coupled with being denied government health care for being deemed overweight by these same politicians. Jumbalaya!!!
exception rule for 'victims'
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 18:54 ET by wizardjrya just know that'll be in there somewhere or added later
Someone Tell My Congressman
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 17:54 ET by ptsonWhen you deal with an administration of TAX CHEATS, LIARS, THIEVES, and THUGS the ONLY reply is: Mr. President, Madame Speaker, STIC 'EM UP! It's not like the money comes from US! I mean, normally IT WOULD, but they are just printing it, so what the heck! Add EXTORTION and GRAFT to the list.
Actually, there is no good
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 18:02 ET by ThisnThatAmen. For sure, no one can mistake this keystone cops bunch of perverted, socialistic thieves and liars with our Founding Fathers.
__________
"mmm, mmm, mm. Barrack-Hussain-Øbama↓." - The liberals coolaid drinking song
We'll see what -- or who -- gets ground up in the next election.
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 18:04 ET by wnaegeleSigh!
I can't believe I'm the first to point this out...
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 18:07 ET by JnobleMy inner 12 year old can't stop snickering at this awesome headline:
ABC’s Bill Weir: Voters Sent Senator Landrieu to Washington to ‘Get as Much Sausage’ as Possible
Do you think her husband knows?
LOL
LOL!!
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 18:18 ET by srqvetHadn't thought of the possible alternative meaning. Now that you brought it up I cannot stop laughing. Thanks!
srqvet~
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 18:50 ET by Kat Outta the BagI thought of it and was trying to avoid posting anything about it myself (I'm trying to be a good girl these days). LOL
Still Can't Stop Laughing
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 19:10 ET by srqvetCan see the headline now.
"As Mary gets as much sausage as possible, other democrat senators strain to hide their sausage."
Must Stop
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 19:13 ET by srqvetAnother potential Headline.
Democrats turn Senate into Sausage Fest.
Jnoble... ROFLMAO! We
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 18:20 ET by bigtimerJnoble...
ROFLMAO!
We do need humor in this life, especially now...and for that I sure thank you.
'Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea'~Breitbart
ONLY IN WASHINGTON
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 18:10 ET by Benny"But I think Democrats are saying it's a pretty cheap vote." Only in Washington would $300,000,000.00 be cheap and the PURCHASE of a senator's vote not be not be investigated or even questioned.
Levin is right, we do live under a soft tyranny. My question is, do we really have to wait for a Hard Tyranny to revolt?
"2010! ONE WAY OR ANOTHER!"
Actually
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 18:50 ET by 10ksnookerI doubt if Weir has figured out the whole representative republic thingy.
actually, I kinda agree
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 18:59 ET by wizardjrWhen you are a member of a Kleptocracy then working for your constituents includes getting as much of the pie as you can for them.
Seeing as she's already a Demoncrat then voting for this travesty is not against her grain in the first place. So grabbing 300 million is bonus money for her state.
I wouldn't be in her position as I think the bill sucks as do the Demoncrats, but if I was her I believe I would have done the same.
You agree? You think getting
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 19:47 ET by pitter43You agree? You think getting money is more important than voting with principals? How sad.
The Great Louisiana
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 19:44 ET by pitter43The Great Louisiana purchase 2009 style.
A sausage, a sausage, my kingdom for a sausage
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 20:07 ET by Jack BauerAnd fellow Democrat Anthony Weiner was only to happy in helping her with that task.
In fact, they played an old German family game of 'hide the weiner,' followed by 'slip the pork' and 'find the frank.'
Oh what fun was had by all on the old Sausage Hunt.
Hey Jack... How dare you
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 20:10 ET by bigtimerHey Jack...
How dare you leave out ol' Bwaney Fwank!
He's gonna' shrivel up and die if he hears this omission.
'Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea'~Breitbart
hey guys -- thank goodness
Tue, 11/24/2009 - 04:15 ET by Jack Bauerhey guys -- thank goodness no one is talking about sausagegate
Jack, ROFL!
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 20:28 ET by R D HelmWhen I first looked over at the recent comments section and saw: A sausage, a sausage, my kingdom for a sausage, and then saw it was you, I started getting a little, ahh, worried. :-^)
-Dave
Our elected representatives have failed us.
Ms. Landrieu seems to be good at getting pork... or porking out
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 20:07 ET by pahuberShe is the very new Robert Byrd w/o the KKK title.
Guess who pays for it all :(
Curious thing... After
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 20:36 ET by SlyrrCurious thing... After the democrats successfully bribed, bought and blackmailed enough votes for their Saturday trick, I thought every liberal reporter and ever liberal news network would be stampeding to the screen, to their typewriters or whatever so they could write stories to gloat.
I expected a tidal wave of headlines and broadcasts with titles like 'In your FACE, conservatives!' and 'GOP powerless!' that sort of thing.
But there's hardly any. The mood, if anything, seems somber, subdued and nervous.
Could it be that even the liberal media, with their shameless and corrupt track record, are embarrassed that Reid, Pelosi, Obama et. al. needed to bribe and engage in corruption as blatently as they did - just to get past the ONE vote?
Could it be that even THEY know this was an embarrassment, and that the bribery corruption is so blatent that even they don't want to get anywhere near it?
Slyrr... It could be and
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 20:52 ET by bigtimerSlyrr...
It could be and I noticed it as well, I really expected different from the msm after Sat. night's vote.
I think you're right, they are in fear, look, if even Tingles is having problems it should tell everyone there are major problems coming down the road, it's going to be a bumpy ride for the left, they better have those seat belts they mandated on us fastened. ...tightly.
'Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea'~Breitbart
entitled
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 21:53 ET by WesenBy many accounts today, Louseyana (as they pronounce it) feels entitled to the dough and Mary may very well end up as their Patron Saint.
Some feel differently:
http://iowntheworld.com/blog/?p=11255
From bayou country ... Mary, Mary!
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 22:09 ET by metaphorsbwithuSen. Landrieu has never changed since she narrowly won her first two elections for Senate here.
First of all, she has always depended heavily on almost 100% support from black voters who almost universally support Health Care "Reform." She talks a "moderate" game when running and then reverts back to form when she starts voting.
Oh, she'll vote with the moderates/conservatives when it doesn't matter, like when she's running for office and voting against her Party doesn't affect the outcome.
Then it's vote FOR the Stimulus, FOR the Omnibus Bill, FOR Geithner, FOR Sotomayor, FOR Holder, FOR Sunstein, FOR "Health reform" and so on.
Most people here who pay the taxes and have families know exactly what that $300,000,000 means.
We'll pay for it 100 times over before it's over.
And we have Mary for another FIVE years!
People here are NOT very happy and saying we're "thrilled" about more pork, like some people have, is an insult!
metaphorsbwithu
"Sausage"
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 23:39 ET by Scrapiron"The people of Louisiana sent her to Washington to get as much sausage as they could, you know, she could." Now we know what happened to President O'Dumbo's manhood. Mary bit it off, all off.
Old, Retired and glad of it.
THE CONSTITUTION MATTERS...
Tue, 11/24/2009 - 00:47 ET by danybhoyNo, people go to Congress & then are sworn in to UPHOLD THE CONSTITUTION OF THE USA. They violate that oath, EVERY DAY they are in session. It's not about taking bribes from people spending other people's(the taxpayers)money. Sen.Mary Landfill makes William Jefferson, "Demacrat, Louisiana", look like a minor league player when it comes to taking a bribe.
The sad thing about the bribe that was worked out for her vote is that in Louisiana, that money will end up everywhere EXCEPT where it is intended to go.
"...How blind can you be, don't you see...
...that the gambler lost all he does not have..."
Nightwish
La.'s embarrassment
Tue, 11/24/2009 - 18:21 ET by cajun2La. does not want anymore sordid activities by our leaders. La citizens hounded Landrieu until she finally shut down all 4 of her offices against the outrage.
La has 2 Senators. David Vitter "pays" for whores, Landrieu is "paid" as one. Embarrassing.
Yeah, so true, Landrieu is pretty much... how u say... delicious
Wed, 11/25/2009 - 01:12 ET by pahuberas a whore that is.
: )