CONGRESSIONAL DEMS STARTING TO PANIC, BUT THEIR HEALTH PLAN COVERS PSYCHIATRY – AT 7:51 A.M. ET:  While our attention has been focused on the oil spill, and the president's low-octane speech about it, the Dems in Congress have been sending a message to Mr. Obama, and it isn't a valentine.  The Washington Times reports:

The Senate on Wednesday rejected a $140 billion taxes and spending package in a resounding defeat for President Obama and Democratic leaders that signaled the era of freewheeling stimulus spending is giving way to greater concern for deficits.

Hours later, chastened Democrats produced a pared-down version they said spent less and found offsetting tax increases to pay for most, though not all, of the new measure, which includes unemployment benefits and aid to states.

"There are fewer dollars involved here, and it is more paid-for," said Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, Montana Democrat, acknowledging the 11 Democrats and one independent who sided with Republicans in blocking his first version. "We heard what those senators were saying and we have adjusted the amendment accordingly."

Republicans said the vote - in which Democrats fell 15 votes shy of the 60 needed to allow for the overspending - marked a new attitude for lawmakers who are beginning to worry about debt and deficits as they prepare to face voters in November. It would have swelled the federal debt by $80 billion.

COMMENT:  The numbers in the Senate are important.  Even if Republicans fall short in their effort to take control of the Senate in November, there are now enough moderate Democrats asserting themselves to probably block most, if not all, crazy liberal stuff.

As for the president, he's getting low marks on his Carteresque speech about the spill, and is clearly no longer seen a a Divine or even a divine presence. 

But he controls foreign policy, and that's the part that should keep our gray hair growing.

June 17,  2010