tweets stupak tune inn.png
Bart Stupak is the new Democrat Party It Guy. Roll Call reported this morning…

What better way to celebrate passing history-making legislation than kicking back at a dive bar famous for its cheap beer and taxidermy-heavy décor? A large group of House Democrats defied cigar-and-champagne stereotypes by partying down until the wee hours after the health care vote at the decidedly downscale Tune Inn on Pennsylvania Avenue.

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HOH spies say the gaggle of jubilant Democrats included Rep. John Larson (CT), who got a roar of welcome when he entered the bar; Rep. Joe Crowley (NY), who was briefly spotted standing behind the bar, handing out drinks; and Reps. John Boccieri (OH), Melissa Bean (IL), Tom Perriello (VA) and Jerry Costello (IL).
Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI), who had been the center of attention all weekend after resisting the abortion-related language in the bill but ultimately voting for the package, was among Tune Inn’s revelers. An HOH spy says Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY) planted a giant kiss on Stupak’s cheek….

Why did Stupak cave? Lots of opinion ranging from duping us to duping himself.
bart stupak and barack obama smiling rose garden ap.jpgBut I think the pressure to conform just became too great – good, old fashioned peer pressure, which we’ve all experienced, but his on steroids.
Don’t forget Stupak was dealing with a Speaker and President we may disdain but he is politically inclined to like and want to please. Plus, Stupak has repeatedly stated he supports socialized healthcare….
Amy Sullivan at Time agrees with my latter point, but my former point answers the “why now” she doesn’t get…

It’s really hard to interpret this as anything other than Stupak caving in order to end up on the side of supporting health reform. There’s nothing wrong with that… but it’s difficult to see why he dragged this out for months if he was going to settle for the Senate language in the end.
Stupak’s health care dance may well have made it even harder for pro-life Democrats to have their concerns taken seriously going forward….

[Photo via the Associated Press]

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