Code Red – Demon Pass – Update – Demon Pass Dead – Counting the Votes

This is the last thing any normal person would want to be thinking about on a Saturday morning. But these aren’t normal times. Obama’s meeting with the Democratic caucus later today to push them into saving his presidency. He’ll be greeted by thousands of Tea Partiers.

Photo via RightKlik

Update 7:42 ET: Instapundit has some good photos posted of the rally. I can’t help but think when looking at the photos that the government is not acting with our consent. With only three days notice, thousands turned up to say “no” and the Democrats refuse to abide by their wishes. This is very disheartening.

Update 7:39 ET: Code Red now has the vote count at 211 yes and 211 no. I want to cry.

Update 6:23 ET: Per Code Red the vote count is now 211 no, 209 yes and 11 undecided. Moving in the right direction. 216 is the magic number – if we get 216 the bill is dead.

Ann Althouse has some great photos – check it out. (Via Instapundit)

Update 4:18: When Mr. ‘I Vote Present’ said he knows what it’s like to make a tough vote I had to turn it off. Bad news at Code Red – no 209, yes 209, undecided 13. Start praying – and calling! (202) 224-3121 Specific reps to call can be found here.

Camp of the Saints has plenty of updates.

Update 3:30: Code Red update: 209 no, 208 yes, 14 undecided. I don’t know if those numbers will change now that Demon Pass is out. I suspect Pelosi doesn’t think so. Then again, in January she said they didn’t have the votes to pass the Senate bill. Do they really trust the Senate to “fix” the bill through reconciliation once Obama signs it?

Update 3:22: Here’s a link to the story about demon pass at the Washington Post. I don’t think this changes anything. In essence, they’ll vote for the Senate bill and the reconciliation bill in two votes. But as Orrin Hatch warned, they’re nuts if they think it’s over after the vote. The Senate bill will become law, while the reconciliation bill with all the “fixes” they were bribed with will languish in the Senate.

Update: It looks like Demon Pass may be dead, according to Waxman. They’ll have to vote on the Senate bill which so many people hate. Drudge has a headline with no link.

Update 2:13: I wonder if Obama will mention to the Democratic caucus that his own actuaries aren’t able to score this bill before they vote.

Update 1:59: There’s chaos in the rules committee. Ed Morrissey believes it probably won’t do anything to kill the bill, but could make Demon Pass ripe for a court challenge.

Update 1:41: Parker Griffith was just on Fox News and he said the arm twisting going on right now is unbelievable. He doesn’t think they have the votes, and they’re exerting enormous pressure on those who are undecided.

Update 1:12: Nice Deb has lots of great pictures from the Kill the Bill rally.

Update 12:50: Rumor has it that Obama’s considering an executive order to convince pro-life Dems to vote yes. See Michelle Malkin and NRO. If the pro-abortion Dems get wind of this what will happen with their votes?

Update 12:35: The health care legislation will not protect military benefits. I guess those who fight and serve for us don’t deserve the same back room deals the union gets. Priorities. Read about it here.

Update 12:32 ET: Ed Morrissey is updating continuously, with the latest yes and no votes.

Update 11:42 ET: Watch the House Rules Committee debates at C-Span 2. See the evil statists in action.

Update 11:38 ET: A few minutes ago my five year old asked me to explain what Medicare taxes are. I told him he’ll find out when he gets his first paycheck.

Update 11:32 ET: Live streaming of the Kill the Bill rally is here, via And So it Goes in Shreveport. Michele Bachmann is about to speak. The crowd is fired up. I expect it to grow as the buses and trains move more patriots into DC.

Update 10:35 ET: Neil Cavuto just reported on Fox News that the Stupak press conference is postponed indefinitely.

Update 10:42: Cavuto just reported that he was told there’s no deal with Stupak, so Stupak sees no need for a press conference. Code Red has updated the vote count to 209 in the no column.  The heat is on, big turnout is expected in DC. Tea Partiers are going in by the busload.

The Other McCain was up and at it earlier than I, and has been posting updates all morning. We picked up a couple of no votes with Health Shuler of North Carolina and Harry Teague of New Mexico.

Michelle Malkin has the bribe list, and directs you to Firedog Lake of all places, for the latest on Bart Stupak and a possible deal struck in the wee hours. But, according to Kathryn Jean Lopez, the deal may be collapsing. Keep your fingers crossed. Stupak has a press conference scheduled for 11:00 AM.

Code Red has the latest vote count, but it could be off. As of 9:55 AM they show 208 no votes, 207 yes votes, with 216 being the magic number.

Protests are scheduled around the country. Michelle Malkin has more on that, too. Check it out – Boston, San Diego, Salt Lake City and St. Louis. If you live in those areas get out. If you’re near DC head to the Capitol and let your voice be heard before it’s too late. I’ll post updates as they come in.