Think Progress

Rep. Murphy on smear of Graeme Frost.

By Faiz Shakir on Oct 11th, 2007 at 5:01 pm

Rep. Murphy on smear of Graeme Frost.

CNN and the right wing have tried to argue that the Democrats poorly “vetted” the selection of Graeme Frost as the face of the SCHIP program. Speaking on the House floor last night, Rep. Chris Murphy (D-CT) said the Frost family was chosen specifically because their problems are the problems of many lower-income American families:

[The Frost family is] not living in destitute poverty, but they’re playing by the rules, doing everything that we ask them to do, paying their taxes and contributing to society. [...] And so this is the kind of family that we’re talking about. A family that’s done everything we’ve asked. A family that’s getting by, but because their son has an injury that excludes him from most private insurance, he has no other recourse than the SCHIP program, a stop gap solution until the family can try to find some insurance program that will cover them.

Referring to the right-wing smear campaign, Murphy said, “It’s pretty indicative of how low the other side is prepared to go to try to undermine children’s health care.” Watch it:



43 Responses to “Rep. Murphy on smear of Graeme Frost.”

  1. Lefty Patriot says:

    About time the Dems stepped up to bury the cowards and liars of the right.


  2. missmolly says:

    Just watch. Because Murphy made a mistake and referred to Graeme as a “13-year old boy” when in fact he is only 12, the trolls here and the wingnut talking heads will use that to discredit everything Murphy said.

    How has a discussion about health care for kids reached this point? Is it because the right has run out of intelligent points to make?


  3. Veritas says:

    Sounds like it’s official – “War” in Congress! I thought the reichwing fecal smearers were making up fiction about the Frosts. Now we have the proof. Dispicable is the word to describe how Low these thugs will go to win.


  4. Your Conscience says:

    Sadly, no one on the right will acknowledge or explain why the family who wants to pay for insurance is rejected. What would they do? [crickets]

    Their drivel and MM cowardice to defend themselves speaks volumes to their irrationality. They cannot explain their position they can only be afraid of change, afraid of universal healthcare while they compartmentalize that we already have universal healthcare for soldiers.


  5. Your Conscience says:

    MM too COWARD to debate Ezra Klein on SCHIP.

    Bwaaaaaaark, Bwaaaaaaark

    Cut and run chicken little cut and run.

    http://ezraklein.typepad.com/blog/2007/10/speaking-accura.html?cid=86077644#comment-86077644


  6. bob h says:

    Just watch. Because Murphy made a mistake and referred to Graeme as a “13-year old boy” when in fact he is only 12, the trolls here and the wingnut talking heads will use that to discredit everything Murphy said.

    How has a discussion about health care for kids reached this point? Is it because the right has run out of intelligent points to make?

    Comment by missmolly — October 11, 2007 @ 5:07 pm

    theyve always been about gettig itover on the non-wealthy. period.


  7. Buckie Boy says:

    “because their son has an injury that excludes him from most private insurance” yet another reason for national healthcare. How many people do you know that cannot get health insurance because of a pre-existing condition? I know of a couple and it is just sick that they can’t even get insured if they could afford it.

    Why do the Repukians hate children?

    Heck why do they kick puppies and kittens?

    Buck Fush


  8. ucsbclassics53 says:

    I have an idea…if the wingnuts are so suddenly worried about our tax dollars, why not have them go over to Iraq, enlist, and investigate KBR, Blackwater, and all those other bloodsucking corporations that are over there…


  9. ucsbclassics53 says:

    those corporations that (NOT WHO) in Murphy’s words are leeching off the government…


  10. Frosty Cupcake says:

    The poor really should go off and die quietly, thank you. I mean, what did little Graeme Frost ever do for my portfolio?


  11. Shayne says:

    The Frost family has 4 kids. Their annual income is approximate $45,000. And healthcare, even before the accident would come to around $12,000 per year. And that’s just for the insurance not deductibles and copays. And the $12,000 is a very conservative estimate. Find me one family that makes $45,000 that could pay that much money towards health care.


  12. Leftside Annie says:

    Hmmmm. Let me see if I’ve got this straight:

    Our tax dollars used for health care for AMERICAN children = bad, horrible, commiepinko socialism

    Our tax dollars used to buy weapons to kill people – including children = good, patriotic, all-American, freedom-loving

    Huh??

    What in the everloving fluck is wrong with Republicans…??


  13. bilbobaggins says:

    Wow, I didn’t realize that this family did not get on S-Chip until after the accident. That means that was the only insurance they could hope to get because no “for profit” insurance company would insure them after the fact. They would definitely say it was a “pre-existing condition”. So if S-Chip had not been there, they would have been bankrupted very quickly. And, if they had been able to afford a private insurance policy, they probably would have been bankrupted anyway because so many private insurances don’t even come close to covering all expenses of catastrophic injuries. Just look at the number of insured families that have to declare bankruptcy each year because of uncovered medical expenses.

    I am glad the Democrats used this family as their example. Because this family is more indicative of what our problem is today than a child from poverty, who is already covered by Medicaid.


  14. bilbobaggins says:

    How has a discussion about health care for kids reached this point? Is it because the right has run out of intelligent points to make?
    Comment by missmolly

    In order to “run out” of intelligent points, they would have had to have them in the first place. As far as I can see, the Republicans haven’t had any intelligent points in a very long time. Poor Barry Goldwater must roll over in his grave every night watching what his once proud party has become.


  15. Shayne says:

    And bilbobaggins, it was Bush who changed the bankruptcy laws to make it harder for people to get absolved of their debt for medical bills. Something that used to be pretty easy even though it ruined your credit.


  16. tarazan says:

    How about using Terri Schiavo for political reasons…?!!


  17. Wayne says:

    Why do the Repukians hate children?

    Heck why do they kick puppies and kittens?
    Comment by Buckie Boy — October 11, 2007 @ 5:15 pm

    Also why do Republicans Kill/torture frogs with firecrackers and BB guns? (GW Bush did)

    Answer:
    Because they training to be good little sociopaths and serial killers


  18. Frosty Cupcake says:

    I just don’t understand how it is that Americans have been brainwashed into thinking there ought to be profits in health care. “The health care industry”.

    The police are non-profit. Tax payer funded. A public good for the public welfare.

    Same with firefighters.

    But for some reason, health care is a “luxury” that somebody has to profit off of, other than the providers. This makes no sense. How is it we’ve all bought into this lie?


  19. Frosty Cupcake says:

    tarazan: Republicans only care about the brain dead and embryos. That’s it.


  20. koko the talking gorilla says:

    Memo to rightwing noise machine: knock yourselves out, idiots. It only emphasizes how the GOP is out of step with America, and exposes the rightwing noise machine as vicious, petty thugs.

    Oh, and say good-bye to electoral victories in 2008, dumbasses.

    “A majority of Americans say the federal government should guarantee health insurance to every American, especially children, and are willing to pay higher taxes to do it, according to the latest New York Times/CBS News poll.”

    “Eighty-four percent of those polled said they supported expanding the current [CHIP] program…”

    “Only 24 percent said they were satisfied with President Bush’s handling of the health insurance issue, despite his recent initiatives, and 62 percent said the Democrats were more likely to improve the health care system.”

    http://query.nytimes.com/ gst/ fullpage.html?sec=health&res=9e06e7d71631f931a35750c0a9619c8b63


  21. Wayne says:

    Bush who changed the bankruptcy laws to make it harder for people to get absolved of their debt for medical bills.
    Comment by Shayne — October 11, 2007 @ 5:28 pm

    Check the votes by the RubberStampers on that one too.
    Way too many Democrats voted for that travesty as well as the Repukes. Bush only signed it.


  22. DigDug says:

    I just don’t understand how it is that Americans have been brainwashed into thinking there ought to be profits in health care.

    This is a good point. The fact that not only is it a for profit industry, but one that makes staggering amounts of money of us, should be a sign to these bone-heads that something is dreadfully wrong with the system.


  23. bilbobaggins says:

    a stop gap solution until the family can try to find some insurance program that will cover them

    At this point they won’t find any “for profit” health insurance company that will cover them, ever. Since they have two children with long term extensive health problems, no way any health insurance company will cover them, even for an exorbitant premium. So, if this family doesn’t have S-Chip, they are SOL. Not that the Right Wing Loons would care. They would say “too bad, so sad, it’s their own damn fault for allowing those kids to get in that car in the first place”.


  24. Frosty Cupcake says:

    koko: “Only 24 percent said they were satisfied with President Bush’s handling…”

    One in four people polled. Unbelievable.


  25. Frosty Cupcake says:

    “if this family doesn’t have S-Chip, they are SOL”

    It’s called “Compassionate Conservatism”. Such a catchy slogan. Deliberately vague, yet warm and fuzzy sounding.



  26. Wayne says:

    “Only 24 percent said they were satisfied with President Bush’s handling of the health insurance issue
    Comment by koko the talking gorilla — October 11, 2007 @ 5:32 pm

    Well we know 19% of the population suffers from mental illness, so wtf is wrong with the other 5%?


  27. Wayne says:

    It’s called “Compassionate Conservatism”. Such a catchy slogan. Deliberately vague, yet warm and fuzzy sounding.
    Comment by Frosty Cupcake — October 11, 2007 @ 5:37 pm

    In the Bush World:

    truth = lie
    up = down
    black = white
    Compassionate Conservatism = Fsck You


  28. koko the talking gorilla says:

    The Frost family didn’t offend the GOP by favoring SCHIP: many GOP citizens and members of Congress favor SCHIP; for God’s sake, Chuck Grassley is no lefty! It is the White House than stands in the way of SCHIP, and the Frost family’s true offense was embarassing George W. Bush, an unforgivable crime according to the Cult of Bush, and that is why they are being publicy pilloried.


  29. Shayne says:

    The Republicans starting with Reagan decided healthcare should be for profit. But Bush and Cheney have decided everything should be privatised. Blackwater and the other companies like it are making huge profits. Halliburton made huge profits feeding the soldiers in Iraq instead of having soldiers prepare food for other soldiers. And they fed soldiers bad food and water no other soldier would ever do for a huge amount of money. Bushco says government doesn’t work and then they go out of their way to prove it by appointing total incompetents so they can give for profit contracts to their friends.


  30. despiserepublicanvermin says:

    Once again, proof that there is no more despicable specimens of pseudo-humans than the soul-less entities of the republican party…may they all soon burn in hell for their numerous sins against mankind.


  31. Wayne says:

    Comment by Shayne — October 11, 2007 @ 5:56 pm

    Reagan was also behind kicking the mentally ill to the streets flooding the streets with homeless ( more than there were already ) , while claiming there were no Hungry or Homeless in America at the same time ( remember that crock of chit he tried to feed the country?)


  32. stormy says:

    I’m amazed that the right continues it’s assault on a 12 year old.

    Want to be a hit at your next cocktail/office party? “Slam” any of the following: Lawyers, Police, Politicians, Doctors, Insurance (of any kind) or healthcare. You will be innundated with “horror” stories from everyone present. “I didn’t deserve that ticket, Doctors don’t care about anything but getting out to the golf course, Insurance is nothing but a rip-off, Don’t even get me started on what happened to me at the clinic” (merely repeating what I’ve heard. Kind of fun to kick start a party.)

    Want to NEVER be invited to another party? Metaphorically kick a puppy, kitten, religon or child.

    Why does the GOP continue this? They can’t possibly think they will win over anyone. Even at work (mostly faux news watching or non-news (American Idol, Survivor etc) watching folk are saying how sorry they feel for this “little boy and his sister”. “Poor thing”.

    I haven’t heard anyone attack Rush, Malkin, etc, but if they continue I think it will


  33. grover nerdkissed says:

    The Frost family didn’t offend the GOP by favoring SCHIP: many GOP citizens and members of Congress favor SCHIP; for God’s sake, Chuck Grassley is no lefty! It is the White House than stands in the way of SCHIP, and the Frost family’s true offense was embarassing George W. Bush, an unforgivable crime according to the Cult of Bush, and that is why they are being publicy pilloried.

    Comment by koko the talking gorilla — October 11, 2007 @ 5:43 pm

    i wish i could give this comment TEN RECOMMENDATIONS!!!


  34. grover nerdkissed says:

    Why does the GOP continue this? They can’t possibly think they will win over anyone.
    Comment by stormy — October 11, 2007 @ 6:30 pm

    they are not interested in winning anyone over, they are interested in THREATENING PEOPLE INTO KEEPING THEIR MOUTHS SHUT.


  35. Ditch Mitch KY says:

    Greetings from Louisville — home of Mitch McConnell. It’s hard to imagine an action more low-life than smearing the family of a kid who was in a coma for 5 1/2 months. And guess who sent the bogus charges about the Frost family to the media? That would be Mitch McConnell. See the earlier story on thinkprogress.

    When the word got out, the McConnell offices went into damage control mode. No denial and no explanation. We need to keep this story alive on all media and in the Louisville Courier-Journal. Contact the C-J editors at http://www.courier-journal.com.

    Please contact all major media; your local papers; and members of Congress to demand that they cover the story about McConnell and the despicable smear of the Frosts.


  36. TRDaggett says:

    ‘Going low’ is their ‘MO’.


  37. TRDaggett says:

    #18 (Frosty Cupcake), In some sense that’s the entirety of their constituency.


  38. JoeySoCal says:

    I am in rage, and will rage. Piss on these minions of darkness. Piss the truth on all of them, liberally.


  39. hterrya says:

    It’s called “Compassionate Conservatism”. Such a catchy slogan. Deliberately vague, yet warm and fuzzy sounding.
    Comment by Frosty Cupcake — October 11, 2007 @ 5:37 pm

    The slogan used to be “A Thousand Points of Light.” By any other name, it is the same old conservative flim-flam game to prevent our government from DOING anything to “provide for the General Welfare” (TALK a-plenty, e.g., NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND, but no ACTION!).


  40. Perry logan says:

    For Republicans, children are solely for buggering.

    Republican anti-abortion activist Howard Scott Heldreth is a convicted child rapist in Florida.

    Republican County Commissioner David Swartz pleaded guilty to molesting two girls under the age of 11 and was sentenced to 8 years in prison.

    Republican judge Mark Pazuhanich pleaded no contest to fondling a 10-year old girl and was sentenced to 10 years probation.

    Republican anti-abortion activist Nicholas Morency pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography on his computer and offering a bounty to anybody who murders an abortion doctor.

    Republican legislator Edison Misla Aldarondo was sentenced to 10 years in prison for raping his daughter between the ages of 9 and 17.

    Republican Mayor Philip Giordano is serving a 37-year sentence in federal prison for sexually abusing 8- and 10-year old girls.

    Republican campaign consultant Tom Shortridge was sentenced to three years probation for taking nude photographs of a 15-year old girl.
    Republican racist pedophile and United States Senator Strom Thurmond had sex with a 15-year old black girl which produced a child.
    Republican pastor Mike Hintz, whom George W. Bush commended during the 2004 presidential campaign, surrendered to police after admitting to a sexual affair with a female juvenile.
    Republican legislator Peter Dibble pleaded no contest to having an inappropriate relationship with a 13-year-old girl.
    Republican advertising consultant Carey Lee Cramer was charged with molesting his 9-year old step-daughter after including her in an anti-Gore television commercial.
    Republican activist Lawrence E. King, Jr. organized child sex parties at the White House during the 1980s.
    Republican lobbyist Craig J. Spence organized child sex parties at the White House during the 1980s.

    Republican activist Matthew Glavin, who preached family values, was caught masturbating in public and fondling an undercover park ranger Republican anti-abortion activist Neal Horsley admitted to having sex with a mule
    Republican Congressman and family values advocate Edward Schrock resigned from Congress after he was caught seeking sex on adult telephone lines for homosexuals
    Republican Mayor Jim West championed an anti-gay agenda, but was later found to be gay himself
    Republican voter Timothy McVeigh bombed Oklahoma City

    Republican Congressman Donald “Buz” Lukens was found guilty of having sex with a female minor and sentenced to one month in jail.
    Republican fundraiser Richard A. Delgaudio was found guilty of child porn charges and paying two teenage girls to pose for sexual photos.
    Republican activist Mark A. Grethen convicted on six counts of sex crimes involving children.
    Republican activist Randal David Ankeney pleaded guilty to attempted sexual assault on a child.
    Republican Congressman Dan Crane had sex with a female minor working as a congressional page.
    Republican activist and Christian Coalition leader Beverly Russell admitted to an incestuous relationship with his step daughter.
    Republican governor Arnold Schwarzenegger allegedly had sex with a 16 year old girl when he was 28.

    Republican congressman and anti-gay activist Robert Bauman was charged with having sex with a 16-year-old boy he picked up at a gay bar.

    Republican Committee Chairman Jeffrey Patti was arrested for distributing a video clip of a 5-year-old girl being raped.
    Republican activist Marty Glickman (a.k.a. “Republican Marty”), was taken into custody by Florida police on four counts of unlawful sexual activity with an underage girl and one count of delivering the drug LSD.
    Republican legislative aide Howard L. Brooks was charged with molesting a 12-year old boy and possession of child pornography.

    Republican Senate candidate John Hathaway was accused of having sex with his 12-year old baby sitter and withdrew his candidacy after the allegations were reported in the media.
    Republican preacher Stephen White, who demanded a return to traditional values, was sentenced to jail after offering $20 to a 14-year-old boy for permission to perform oral sex on him.
    Republican talk show host Jon Matthews pleaded guilty to exposing his genitals to an 11 year old girl.

    ###
    Republican anti-gay activist Earl “Butch” Kimmerling was sentenced to 40 years in prison for molesting an 8-year old girl after he attempted to stop a gay couple from adopting her.

    Republican Party leader Paul Ingram pleaded guilty to six counts of raping his daughters and served 14 years in federal prison.

    Republican election board official Kevin Coan was sentenced to two years probation for soliciting sex over the internet from a 14-year old girl.

    Republican politician Andrew Buhr was charged with two counts of first degree sodomy with a 13-year old boy.

    Republican politician Keith Westmoreland was arrested on seven felony counts of lewd and lascivious exhibition to girls under the age of 16 (i.e. exposing himself to children).

    Republican anti-abortion activist John Allen Burt was charged with sexual misconduct involving a 15-year old girl.

    Republican County Councilman Keola Childs pleaded guilty to molesting a male child.

    Republican activist John Butler was charged with criminal sexual assault on a teenage girl.

    Republican candidate Richard Gardner admitted to molesting his two daughters.

    Republican Councilman and former Marine Jack with. Gardner was convicted of molesting a 13-year old girl.

    Republican County Commissioner Merrill Robert Barter pleaded guilty to unlawful sexual contact and assault on a teenage boy.

    Republican City Councilman Fred C. Smeltzer, Jr. pleaded no contest to raping a 15 year-old girl and served 6-months in prison.

    Republican activist Parker J. Bena pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography on his home computer and was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison and fined $18,000.

    Republican parole board officer and former Colorado state representative, Larry Jack Schwarz, was fired

    Republican preacher Jimmy Swaggert preached fidelity, but cheated on his wife with a prostitute

    Republican Congressman Bob Livingston was about to vote for impeaching President Clinton for sexual improprieties until it was disclosed he was an adulterer Republican Congressman Henry Hyde denounced President Clinton’s extramarital affair until his own marital infidelities were revealed

    Republican Senator Bob Packwood resigned from Congress after 29 women accused him of sexual harrassment

    Republican strategist and Citadel Military College graduate Robin Vanderwall was convicted in Virginia on five counts of soliciting sex from boys and girls over the internet.

    Republican city councilman Mark Harris, who is described as a “good military man” and “church goer,” was convicted of repeatedly having sex with an 11-year-old girl and sentenced to 12 years in prison.

    Republican businessman Jon Grunseth withdrew his candidacy for Minnesota governor after allegations surfaced that he went swimming in the nude with four underage girls, including his daughter.

    Republican director of the “Young Republican Federation” Nicholas Elizondo molested his 6-year old daughter and was sentenced to six years in prison.


  41. RightOfAttila says:

    On post#36 by Perry Logan: What’s your point? That all Republicans are evil and all Dems are saints? Perhaps I should remind you of a certain Mr. Gerry Studds (democrat from Mass) who was involved in a sex scandal with an underage intern. Foley resigned as he was caught soliciting while your Gerry Studds remained in office and you liberal heads even re-elected him a couple of times even after he confessed to having sexual contact (note, this is not just soliciting but actual sexual contact!) with an underages intern. How do you spell “double standards” again?


  42. RightOfAttila says:

    For post#36 – Here’s a few more …

    Mel Reynolds – http://newsbusters.org/node/8110 – Democrat congressman convicted of 12 charges, including sex with 16-year-old Beverly Heard and asking her to take pornographic photographs of a 15-year old, was indicted on August 21, 1994

    Barney Frank – http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/local/longterm/tours/scandal/gobie2.htm – admitted to hiring a prostitue for sex but is still in govt.

    Gavin Newsom – http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2007/02/an_italian_sex_scandal_please.html – confessed to having sex with his secretary, who was also the wife of his good friend and campaign manager

    James McGreevey – Democrat – New Jersey Governor . Admitted to having a gay affair. Resigned after allegations of sexual harassment, rumors of being blackmailed on top of fundraising investigations and indictments.

    Jesse Jackson – Democrat – Democratic candidate for President. Admitted to having an extramarital affair and fathering a illegitimate child.

    Gary Condit – Democrat – US Democratic Congressman from California. Condit had an affair with an intern. Condit, covered up the affair and lied to police after she went missing. No charges were ever filed against Condit. Her remains were discovered in a Washington DC park..

    Melvin Jay Reynolds – U.S. Representative from Illinois from 1993 to 1995. Convicted on sexual misconduct and obstruction of justice charges and sentenced to five years in prison.

    Frederick Richmond – Democrat – U.S. Representative from New York from 1975 to 1982. Arrested in Washington, D.C., in 1978 for soliciting sex from a minor and from an undercover police officer – pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor. Also – charged with tax evasion, marijuana possession, and improper payments to a federal employee – pleaded guilty.

    Neil Goldschmidt – Democrat – Oregon governor. Admitted to having an illegal sexual relationship with a 14-year-old teenager while he was serving as Mayor of Portland.

    David Giles – Democrat – candidate for U.S. Representative from Washington in 1986 and 1990. Convicted in June 2000 of child rape

    Allan Turner Howe – Democrat – U.S. Representative from Utah from 1975 to 1977. Arrested for soliciting a policewoman posing as a prostitute.

    Joseph Waggonner Jr. – Democrat – U.S. Representative from Louisiana from 1961 to 19 79. Arrested in Washington, D.C. for soliciting a policewoman posing as a prostitute

    Jerry Springer – Democrat – Resigned from Cincinnati City Council in 1974 after admitting to paying a prostitute with a personal check, which was found in a police raid on a massage parlor.



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