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Friday, April 15, 2011

Politics UPDATE: Reichert Skips Vote on Medicare-Killing Budget

Posted by Goldy on Fri, Apr 15, 2011 at 2:25 PM

By a vote of 235 to 193, the US House voted to approve Rep. Paul Ryan's 2012 budget plan that would slash taxes on the wealthiest Americans while ending Medicare as we know it. Every single Democrat voted against the bill, joined by only four Republicans. And WA-08's own Rep. Dave Reichert, our "conscience-driven independent"? He was one of only four representatives, and the only Republican not to cast a vote.

Way to take a tough stand on principle, Dave.

Or, maybe I'm being unfair. For example, one of the other members not voting was Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. So perhaps Rep. Reichert missed such a crucial and high profile vote, not out of political cowardice, but due to a head injury of his own? I'm sure his office will quickly respond to my query and clear things up.

UPDATE: I just assumed I wouldn't get a response from Reichert's office because I've never gotten one in the past, but don't I look foolish:

Mercer Island, WA, Apr 14 - Congressman Dave Reichert (WA-08) did not return to Washington, DC this week due to his mother’s deteriorating health. Reichert’s mother, Marlys Klontz, died early this morning, ending her 18-month battle with pancreatic cancer.

Congressman Reichert’s office has contacted leadership to advise them he is unavailable to vote, and that he will submit for the record a statement of how he would have voted on the 2011 continuing resolution and the 2012 budget. Reichert will resume his normal schedule next week, with the exception of Wednesday when he will attend a funeral and memorial services with his family.

I suppose had I been on his office's media list, I might have known that. Still, my apologies.

UPDATE, UPDATE: And Reichert's office issued a statement saying that he would've voted for it.

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His mother died yesterday.

Posted by superfluous on April 15, 2011 at 2:34 PM

There is talk of him running for Senator in 2012.

Posted by sarge on April 15, 2011 at 2:41 PM

@1 . Yup.

Rep. Dave Reichert, R-Wash., has been absent from the House: The congressman’s 91-year-old mother died early this week from pancreatic cancer.

http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlepolitic…

Posted by Kinison

on April 15, 2011 at 2:42 PM

"but don't I look foolish"

I'll be damned, you ARE capable of self-awareness

Posted by Reader1 on April 15, 2011 at 2:42 PM

oops

Posted by sarge on April 15, 2011 at 2:43 PM

Some people's children.

Posted by Residual on April 15, 2011 at 2:46 PM

WWAAAAAAHH!! How many mothers would it if kill if they defunded Medicare OR Medicaid?

Posted by BigSid on April 15, 2011 at 2:51 PM

Not so much foolish as boorish and ever-ready to sound off loudly half-cocked in support of your politics. Which I'm sure even your friends tell you is pretty usual for you.

By the way, since I provided government supplied numbers supporting my assertions on WA state spending, can I inquire when you will you get 'round to retracting your accusation that "You are wrong. Completely absolutely wrong. You're pulling that assertion out of your ass."?

Posted by David Wright on April 15, 2011 at 3:03 PM

So even though the rich pay less than they EVER HAVE, and government revenues take a smaller slice of GDP than they have since 1943, we have to cut their taxes more?

Posted by Fnarf

on April 15, 2011 at 3:07 PM

So how much of Reichert's Mom's care was paid by Medicare? Three guesses and the first two don't count.

Posted by Rujax!

on April 15, 2011 at 3:13 PM

Well done Goldy. Kick a guy when he's down. Hasn't he had enough blunt trauma already?

Posted by Kal-El2000 on April 15, 2011 at 3:39 PM

This being the guy proud of getting a bus driver fired from her job, I doubt he would have voted for it. He's just trying to take credit for what he claims he would have done, just like he takes credit for capturing Gary Ridgeway in a dark alley showdown that ended up with Reichert delivering a knuckle sandwich to Ridgeway as they struggled to keep from falling off the Aurora Bridge.

Posted by seatackled on April 15, 2011 at 3:47 PM

Kinda stepped on your dick there goldy. It's Ok it happens to all of us.

Posted by wisepunk on April 15, 2011 at 4:19 PM

You're a piece of shit, Goldy. Nice journalism.

Posted by deer on April 15, 2011 at 7:24 PM

Geez, Goldy. Darcy Burner lost. Twice. Get over it.

Posted by Teslick on April 15, 2011 at 11:40 PM

So you are not on his media list.... Get over it you clown... try reading the nespaper....how do you suppose the rest of us knew about this and you didn't ....
Do us all a favor and check things out before you go mouthing off.

Posted by caps50 on April 16, 2011 at 9:26 AM

Sorry, the excuse about not being on his media list is weak. The least you can do before you slam someone is call his office for a response. Basic journalism, even by Stranger standards.

You didn't do that, and you look like an asshole.

Posted by bigyaz on April 17, 2011 at 8:09 PM