VOL. 3 NO. 181 POLITIwedNesday, jaNuary 13, 2010CO www.pOLiticO.cOm GOP: Let Reid Hang Himself HeaLtH care

By Manu Raju — including Republican National with his words,” said Sen. Lisa Race to Committee Chairman Michael Murkowski (R-Alaska), vice chair- Republican senators are back- Steele — said the majority leader woman of the Republican Confer- ing down from efforts to topple should resign. But Senate Minor- ence. “Sen. Reid is going to be Replace Sen. Harry Reid, having conclud- ity Leader Mitch McConnell (R- judged on a number of issues as ed that the Nevada Democrat has Ky.) declined to join the chorus he faces this election — what he done more to hurt himself than Wednesday. And immediately af- says and what he does.” Kennedy they could do with an inevitably terward, several other GOP sena- Stuck in a 40-vote minority, futile drive to oust him as Senate tors decided not to jump into the Republicans were powerless to majority leader. fray. dethrone Reid on their own, and In the immediate wake of news Republicans say Reid has done not a single Democratic senator Has Dems that Reid had referred to Barack enough to embarrass himself — has called for Reid’s ouster over Obama as a “light-skinned” Af- and to make his already tough bid his racially charged remarks. Ap rican-American with no “Negro for a fifth term even harder. sen. Harry Reid (D-nev.) may be On Edge dialect,” a number of GOP leaders “He’s going to have to live See REiD on Page 11 on the endangered senators list. By ChRis FRates

It’s hard for some Democrats to believe that the candidate running to replace Ted Kennedy is being Must All Senators Have attacked over health care reform — in one of the bluest states in the union, no less. Macaca Moments? But Republican Scott Brown has got Democrats nervous — Reid isn’t the first to not just for his opponent Martha Coakley but about the fact that a shoot first, think later loss in Massachusetts would be a body blow to Democratic reform By john BResnahan efforts in Washington. anD jake sheRMan Republicans are watching pub- lic approval of reform continue Senate Majority Leader Harry to tank while their candidates’ Reid stepped in it when he told re- poll numbers rise. And they still porters that Barack Obama could view the bill’s Medicare cuts, tax be elected president because he’s increases and lack of transpar- “light skinned” and lacks a “Negro ency as key to a 2010 message that dialect.” voters should bring GOP checks But it’s hardly the first time a and balances to a Democratic-run senator has made an outrageous Washington. or offensive remark. In spite of Democrats, meanwhile, contin- their high-brow, cooling-saucer ue to argue that once the legislat- reputation, members of the Great- ing is done, the party will be able est Deliberative Body in the World to sell reform’s benefits, including sometimes seem preprogrammed coverage for more than 30 mil- to say really dumb things at really lion Americans, better prescrip- inopportune times. tion drug coverage for seniors It’s almost impossible to keep and tighter controls on insurance up a comprehensive list — but it’s companies. Brown’s danger to health reform See sEnaTORs on Page 11 See HEaLTH CaRE on Page 22 Lukewarm McConnell Daschle-Dashing Thune May Doom Deficit Plan Could Be GOP’s Plan C By DaviD RogeRs before Christmas, declined to By jonathan MaRtin ity of Tim Pawlenty, Thune repre- commit himself when asked by sents a mainstream conservative Facing a showdown vote next POLITICO if he will vote for the With resurgent Republicans alternative. week, Senate Republican leader measure, sponsored by his rank- growing increasingly confident Tall, handsome, not yet 50 and Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) distanced ing Republican on the Senate that President Barack Obama may with the sort of sunny demeanor himself Tuesday from efforts to Budget Committee, New Hamp- yet be a political mortal in 2012, a that winning national Republicans create a bipartisan commission shire Sen. Judd Gregg. new name is emerging as a poten- usually possess, the former high charged with recommending A majority of Senate Republi- tial presidential contender: South school hoops star looks the part. bolder steps to tackle the deficit cans, including the chairman of Dakota Sen. John Thune. He’s also something of a na- in the next Congress. the party’s conference, Tennessee’s john shinkle — politico For those in the GOP who aren’t tional party favorite for slaying a McConnell, who had warmly south Dakota sen. John Thune is giddy about a second Mitt Romney praised the initiative’s authors See DEfiCiT on Page 7 emerging as a contender for 2012. run and aren’t sold on the viabil- See THunE on Page 18 iNside MONEY POLITICS CLICK ENERGY/ENVIRONMENT Sen. John January deadline for financial Liberal Dems are disenchanted Salahi stylists make a splashy Kerry Environmentalists make new push reform is looking unlikely. with Sen. Blanche Lincoln. entrance at grand jury testimony. as Kerry says finish line is in sight. john shinkle — Page 13 Page 19 Page 25 politico Page 9