Gingrich agrees with DeMint: Health care ‘could be’ Obama’s ‘Waterloo.’
Gingrich agrees with DeMint: Health care ‘could be’ Obama’s ‘Waterloo.’
During a call with right-wing activists on Friday, Sen. Jim DeMint claimed that if Republicans “able to stop” President Obama’s push for health care reform “it will be his Waterloo.” “It will break him,” declared DeMint. At the National Press Club today, RNC Chairman Michael Steele agreed with DeMint, saying, “I think that’s a good way to put it.” On Laura Ingraham’s radio show today, former House speaker Newt Gingrich agreed that it “could be” as well:
GINGRICH: If I were the Obama people, I’d be a little worried. This morning’s Washington Post reported that on health care he’s dropped below 50 percent approval. So, it may be that the more he talks, the more people pay attention, the weaker this bill is going to get. And then he has a profound problem for the rest of his presidency. This could be the bill that drags his whole presidency down and they look back on it and suddenly the whole thing is unraveled.
ARROYO: Yeah, the Waterloo as some in Congress are calling it now.
GINGRICH: Could be.
Listen here:
According to OpenSecrets, DeMint has received $2,917,870 from the health care industry since 2004. During his 2004 re-election campaign, DeMint was the second highest recipient of money from health professionals, trailing only Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC).
Topic Cloud
ArchivesBlog Roll
This is why Obama and the Dems need to say “The hell with the GOP” and pass a comprehensive healthcare reform plan with a simple majority vote in the Senate ………..The GOP is hoping , praying and looking merely for Obama and America to fail , and nothing else.
What a bunch of traitorous losers……………..
July 20th, 2009 at 5:04 pmIt’s pretty funny listening to Gingrich use the Waterloo metaphor. I mean, really; which one more closely resembles Napoleon — Newtie or Obama?
July 20th, 2009 at 5:05 pmThe only way I could see this being Obama’s “Waterloo” is if he fails to deliver on the public option.
But the bottom line is Gingrich and the Republicans are desperately praying that this will end up being a Clinton-eral redux. A very distant hope indeed.
July 20th, 2009 at 5:05 pmYes, General Newt Custer, we hear you.
PEACE
July 20th, 2009 at 5:07 pmThis is pissing me off. WE NEED HEALTH CARE REFORM. The GOP will let the middle class and the poor die in the street as long as they get the support of Big Business. This is un-American. These guys are not patriotic, they are cold hearted aristcrats who could give a sh*t for the common man.
July 20th, 2009 at 5:08 pmShorter GOP: “We’re going to do everything in our power to stop Sotomayor’s inevitable confirmation! PS Obama Waterloo LOL.”
July 20th, 2009 at 5:08 pmWhere is b-cup to tell us that Rush and the Republicans don’t really want the president to fail?
July 20th, 2009 at 5:08 pmNewt Gingrich, another stupid white old man. Shouldn’t he be sent out to pasture? Who cares what he thinks. Americans are past the days of the “Gingrich rule”.
July 20th, 2009 at 5:12 pm‘04 was not DeMint’s re-election to the Senate, it was his first election. However, the health care industry knew from his work in the House that they could count on him to be in their pockets. They placed him in the Senate for this fight.
July 20th, 2009 at 5:12 pmObama should take heed to gingrich. A watered down bill is not what the American People want, need, or expect.
What we are expecting is an administration that listens to the overwhelming majority of the People who want single-payor with guaranteed protections that keep costs down.
A strong bill that does these two things will be celebrated as a victory for Obama, his administration and the Democrat-led Congress.
July 20th, 2009 at 5:12 pmWhat is true for Nick Rahall (D) and the coal industry is justa as appropriate here for DeMint and the insurance industry:
“Government for Sale! …Be the first on your block to buy your own member of the U.S. Senate! …All morals and convictions must go! …No price too low! …Buy your own member of Congress fast before they are all gone! Hurry! Hurry! Hurry! “
July 20th, 2009 at 5:13 pmDeMint and Gingrich are despicable. They claim to have christian values but that’s BS. I wonder why they hate Americans so much that they’re hoping for President Obama to fail! They’ve got zero solutions and remain part of the problem.
July 20th, 2009 at 5:15 pmMouthwatering chants of Fail! Fail! Fail! Fail! Fail! Fail! Fail!
Let’s put it in perspective: Congress needs to choose a bill, preferably the one out of the HELP committee, and get moving on this. Leave the GOP behind – they represent 21% of voters!
July 20th, 2009 at 5:16 pmGuess the most recent repub memo stated: use the words Obama, Waterloo and health care when speaking in a public situation. Any guesses as to who the next yapping repub will be using these terms?
July 20th, 2009 at 5:16 pm“This could be the bill that drags his whole presidency down and they look back on it and suddenly the whole thing is unraveled.”
Yeah, just like it worked for Clinton…
oh, wait, that’s right… after failing on health care right out of the gate, Clinton won re-election and completed his term with the highest approval ratings in generations…
never mind.
July 20th, 2009 at 5:17 pmI would agree that Obama will be a one term president if health care goes down. But, if Obama goes down, then a lot of Blue Dogs are going to go down also. It seems that the Dems have a suicide wish because each time they have had a majority, they end up bickering. The Dems have an issue with being a cohesive group. The Blue Dogs are more worried about their elections but they do not appreciate their seats will not be secure if the Dems lose a lot of seats in 2010. I am happy to see Obama on the offensive for health care but it still will take Congress to get the job done sooner, rather than later.
July 20th, 2009 at 5:21 pmThere is more to all this crap about the health care bill than just republicans stoping it..I was sent a patition last week, one of 50 or so that cross my line of internet sight every day, begging me to sign and requesting we target dem’s that have been reaping the lobbiest payments including John Kerry who was the highest paid…They wanted patition’s signed, call’s made on and on …Do we even have all the info on this damn bill yet or is it going to be like that G. D. medicare 1600 page night mare they forced through on priscription drug’s after ken lay shoved in 200 more page’s late on a friday night…
Let’s see the bill, see who’s for and against on all side’s, how watered down and bad is it going to be…Jeebos…Read all the fact’s and let us get informed before we fight over a meatless bone….Blessings
July 20th, 2009 at 5:21 pmralph the wonder locust says:
oh, wait, that’s right… after failing on health care right out of the gate, Clinton won re-election and completed his term with the highest approval ratings in generations…
Clinton had a good economy but Obama won’t.
July 20th, 2009 at 5:23 pmYeah, just like it worked for Clinton…
oh, wait, that’s right… after failing on health care right out of the gate, Clinton won re-election and completed his term with the highest approval ratings in generations…
never mind.
Great point, ralph. Just who remember who had their walking papers in tow after four years of farcical leadership, and the man with three years left in office who gave him the gratuitous kick out the House door.
July 20th, 2009 at 5:24 pmHello all. I’ve been reading articles and comments here for quite some time. I’m a fan of many commenters here, so I hope my comments will also be an enjoyable contribution.
I consider myself a Christian. I am a white heterosexual male who was born and raised in Texas. I have lived in other states briefly, but mostly in Texas where I still reside and almost entirely in the South. I am a descendant of the first President of Texas (also Senator and Governor), Sam Houston, a Unionist. What’s that saying? Don’t judge a book by its cover, or the devil is in the details, or you will know the tree by the fruit that it bears, or something like that?
I consider myself a social democrat and progressive. I also believe strongly in capitalism when well-regulated, as I want there to be motivation to work harder/smarter and for there to be rich people, just not super-wealthy elites and megalithic international corporations who game the economy and undermine our representative form of government. A loosely formulated meritocracy if you will, with no secret backdoors for secret ‘good-ole boy’ pooh-bah networks, with a limit to the wealth/power one can amass, no businness that can get anywhere near obtaining the largess of being labelled ‘too big to fail’, and more/better social programs for the poor (honest education with access to a job and income to be productive is key), so they don’t remain poor and aren’t exploited, or worse than that, die. I believe that nobody should be deprived of food, water, or shelter to their detriment, and being without these basic essentials does not allow one for the right to life, liberty, or the pursuit of happiness. Same goes for emergency and medical services.
I am a firm believer in civil rights, and an anti-secessionist. I am an anti-authoritarian who despises anarchists and authoritarians alike. I believe that warfare and those who would boldly serve in our military should not be used as a form of social darwinism, and I am against other human weed-out death trap programs for the so-called “poor” and “stupid”. I am against imperialism and wars of aggression. In short, I believe in freedom, equal oppurtunity for all citizens, and a unified democratic republic.
I’m not so much sold on the username I chose, but I chose it in reference to the tornado that is ripping through the state of Texas, twisting and turning the state from red to blue. It’s one heck of a storm, and with all of the lightning and thunder, it’s quite the spectacle. When the storm subsides and the clouds clear out, the sun will shine down on Texas as a state that is blue like the clear sky above. For now though, the storm rages on…
Too much? Oh well. It still doesn’t out-perform the over-the-top authoritarianism, bigotry, treachery, hypocrisy, racism, and inhumane behavior emanating from the GOP. Also, be vigilant for Dixiecrats (hello New Democrat Coalition –
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Democrat_Coalition
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Democrat ).
What’s that word? Neoliberal? Or is that neoconservative? I’m so confused because they sound so similar and support the same policies. More like, neonazi. Stray blue dogs (Dixiecrats) should be sent to the ‘Humane Society’ for rehumanization (figuratively speaking, of course) instead of being elected to represent the American people. I’m so sick of the GOP and the Dixiecrats misrepesenting themselves to get elected, and then misrepresenting the very people they are supposed to be representative of, all while selling out the very country they took an oath to protect and serve. But then again, how else would neonazis get elected if they don’t lie and wear a mask and cloak? Wait, is it neonazi, or just Southern Racists of old, the original Nazi?
The South, if you do decide to rise again, I’m just letting you know that you will be decimated. I can just see it now. A bunch of 50+ year-old white guys along with tobacco-spitting idiotic podunks against the rest of us. And I’m a country boy (with an education).
(And yes Bill, I received your message when you were oh-so-tired and couldn’t stay awake for a sermon about MLK and CIVIL rights on MLK day. It was all of that tiresome campaigning, right? Or you were figuratively saying, “I have a dream,” right? How’s that New Democrat thing working out for you, Bill? How’s Pappy Bush? Sorry I couldn’t respond to your message sooner. I was busy. Hope you get this veiled message in a bottle.)
/rant
Anyways, I’m enthusiastic about what progressives are accomplishing, and I hope for more progress to come. If there is one good thing that came out of the era of Dubya the Decider, it’s that he lit the fire of progressives to cut through all of the lies and become a voice that cannot be ignored.
I wish you all well (trolls too).
P.S. – Not everyone from or in the South is still lost in the nostalgia of the Civil War and bitter because the North won. Not by a long shot. It just seems to be a running theme in the recent politoco-sphere. Don’t let some of those old-timers and other southern bigots fool you, don’t let politicians exploit the fringe as though they are mainstream, don’t let the super-wealthy elite swindle you, and don’t let the miscreants cause you to cower. Peace.
***back to the topic at hand***
How about those South Carolina Republicans?
July 20th, 2009 at 5:27 pmIf I were the private healthcare industry, I would be worried that my main Congressional supporter is a hallucinating baboon.
July 20th, 2009 at 5:28 pmNot trying to hug on DeMint’s nuts or anything, but wouldn’t it be worse if the donations came from the insurance industry, and not health care professionals?
July 20th, 2009 at 5:31 pmWelcome, Texas Twister.
Newt Drago has a lifelong history of biting off more than he can chew, both figuratively and literally. Clinton had him waddling around the ring, and now it’s Obama’s turn.
July 20th, 2009 at 5:32 pmOh, and let me add that Gingrich sucks and is hallucinating here. The Dems tried health care reform when Clinton first came to office. It was shot down, but the Clinton presidency was not dragged down by it.
July 20th, 2009 at 5:33 pmThat’s quite a mouthful you said there, TexasTwister, but welcome to the active side of the community. I look forward to your contributions.
July 20th, 2009 at 5:34 pmWhy should we win the battle for health care?
You all know that it is socialism. Just turn on any broadcast radio/television channel or cable channel.
You all know that it will place a government official between you and your health care. Just look at the print ads and mailings.
You all know that it will lead to untold deaths just like the 20% of Canada’s and the UK’s population that has died because of socialized medicine. Just go down the main street of Toronto and look at row after row of bodies piled like fire wood along the street just like the Republican congressmen told us.
We know that we can trust all of those grass roots organizations protecting us from the Godless Socialists and those Republican and Democratic Blue Doggers who selflessly try to impede the destruction of our country.
THEY ARE RIGHT. THEY WILL BLOCK ANY MEANINGFUL REFORM. WHERE ARE OUR ADS WHERE WE GO AFTER THE ASTRO TURF ORGANIZATIONS OR THE PAID WHORES OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY OR CERTAIN BLUE DOGS ON THE PAYROLL OF THE INSURANCE COMPANIES? WHY IS OBAMA TRYING TO MUZZLE THE PROGRESSIVE GROUPS? WHY DO WE NOT HAVE AN AGGRESSIVE PUBLIC EDUCATION PROGRAM TO PUT AN END TO THE FILTHY PROPAGANDA THAT WE SEE FROM OUR OPPONENTS.
HAS ANY ATTEMPT TO COOPERATE WITH THE REPUBLICANS WORKED? IT SURE HELL GOT US THE KIND OF STIMULUS PROGRAM WE NEEDED. IT SURE AS HELL GOT US THEIR COOPERATION ON REGULATING FINANCIAL MARKETS. NO WONDER WHY WE HAVE LESS THAT 50% SUPPORT WHEN WE STARTED WITH A COMMANDING LEAD ON HEALTH CARE REFORM.
WE WERE LUCKY WHEN OBAMA WON. WOULD WE HAVE WON THE ELECTION HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR THE TANKING OF THE ECONOMY? MCCAIN’S STUPID COMMENT THAT HE COULD NOT REMEMBER THE NUMBER OF HOUSES THAT HE OWNED.
July 20th, 2009 at 5:38 pmThe Newster seems to want health care to fail and then claim victory, along with Demint and others, in killing it. It may launch his presidential run but the irony shouldn’t be lost on even the most partsian of Americans: Vote for the Gingrich/Demint ticket because we killed millions of American by killing healthcare reform. Evidently we are going to see in the next 4 months whether the Dems are the party of “we didn’t stand for something we stood for anything on healthcare”: please re-elect us. Good luck with that slogan because as we are seeing in spades right now the Conservative Democratic Party is now in charge. Joe Lieberman, Ben Nelson, Blanche Lincoln, Ron Wyden et al must be very proud today. The people who supported the 50 state strategy and other “take back our gov’t” messages should feel as left out as Paul Krugman, Joseph Steiglitz and Howard Dean do today.
July 20th, 2009 at 5:39 pmLet the GOoPers screech and let the BlueDogs grumble. The GOoPers can’t stop cloture and the BlueDogs can’t defeat the bill.
July 20th, 2009 at 5:42 pmfrom: billpressshow.com
Health Care: The Public Plan Option
These Democratic Senators have NOT agreed to support it:
1. Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-AR)
2. Senator Tom Carper (D-DE)
3. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA)
4. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR)
5. Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL)
6. Senator Ben Nelson (D-NE)
7. Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA)
8. Senator Kent Conrad (D-ND)
9. Senator Max Baucus (D-MT)
10. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA)
11. Senator Evan Bayh (D-IN)
12. Senator Mark Pryor (D-AR)
13. Senator Joe Lieberman (I-CT)
14. Senator Mark Warner (D-VA)
These names are reported by The Hill here and here
Update: Senator Kay Hagan (D-NC) says she supports a public option.
Update: Senator Jeff Binghaman (D-NM) says he supports a public option.
You can also contact the White House and voice your opinion
July 20th, 2009 at 5:46 pmComments: 202-456-1111
Switchboard: 202-456-1414
Thanks for the welcomes.
Here’s the full stats for the poll that Newt mentions:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/polls/postpoll_072009.html
Notice that the Wapo poll only maxes out to 57% approval for healthcare back in April. This poll from June 21 shows 72% support for healthcare:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/21/health/policy/21poll.html
July 20th, 2009 at 6:00 pmHad Enoughs’ list should speak volumes to those who feel Progressive Dems will have say in the final outcome of the healthcare legislation. Good luck with trying to sway the moderate wing of the Republican Party with such notions of fairness and inclusiveness. These people hear the sound of the wealthy only and could care less if Obama wins or loses because they plan to cash in whether anyone else does or not.
July 20th, 2009 at 6:09 pmTexasTwister, that NYT poll appears to leave out one key demographic:
Children Overwhelmingly Oppose Children’s Healthcare.
July 20th, 2009 at 6:18 pmThanks for the LOL, Ralph. Gotta love The Onion.
July 20th, 2009 at 6:38 pmEven though I am reluctant to defend anything Gingrich has to say, I’d like to point out there’s a significant difference between saying this issue could be President Obama’s Waterloo and wanting it to be so (and doing everything possible to make it happen), like DeMint.
Much in the same way that one Republican might say that Obama’s policies will fail, but Rush Limbaugh goes so far as to say he HOPES Obama fails.
That said, I’m sure Gingrich will probably use the Waterloo reference whenever possible, to suggest Obama’s failing even though he isn’t.
July 20th, 2009 at 6:43 pmAnd the fact that the repubs are willing to submarine healthcare for the purpose of destroying Obama – that is a complementary image ?
July 20th, 2009 at 6:48 pmThe rethug platform is hoping that Obama fails. Now a reasonable person would ask them, well what was your alternative? Why do you think we should trust you anti-American traitors even if he failed? Why would a reasonable person not blame the haters with (R) associated with their names for the failure? Wingnuts are just not very smart and they are looking more stupid all the time.
July 20th, 2009 at 6:54 pmThe republicans are so scared of more control by the govt, that they rather be controlled by the corporations of this country…MAKES NO SENSE AT ALL.
July 20th, 2009 at 8:01 pmWelcome TexasTwister. It’s a great name. One that holds a great deal of force and power.
July 20th, 2009 at 9:17 pmI have never said this on a blog, but I despise that fat, little slob Gingrich so much–he has to be one of the lead hypocrits in Washington……but as far as I am concerned he can take his opinions and shove them up his ample arse.
What a liar he is. I cannot understand why republicans cannot see him for the fraud that he is.
July 20th, 2009 at 9:23 pmI have never said this on a blog, but I despise that fat, little slob Gingrich so much–he has to be one of the lead hypocrits in Washington……but as far as I am concerned he can take his opinions and shove them up his ample arse.
What a liar he is. I cannot understand why republicans cannot see him for the fraud that he is.
I’ve never said that on this site to my knowledge.
July 20th, 2009 at 9:23 pmI like this. All you liberals are sitting here crying about the possibility of not getting your national health care. The republicans don’t care about the little people they just care about big business. If you ever listened to the republicans than you would know just how stupid you are by saying that. They have provided alternatives that would cost the country a hell of a lot less then obama’s national plan. To start with giving small business tax breaks or cuts also dealing with the fruad and abuse that is going on in medicare. along with getting the government out of the health care industry more than what it is. You wnat to know why health care costs so much take a look at how much the government is in it. That is why it is costing so much. If you don’t believe that then show me one government program that isn’t in the hole and operated like crap. It isnt medicare, VA, Social Securty.
July 20th, 2009 at 10:29 pmAnd some one show me where it says that the government is suppose to run banks, auto companies, morgage companies and all of that.
The problem is that you liberals just want one more thing given to you so you don’t have to pay for it. Well here is the bad news, if obama’s health care goes through then you can write off close to half if not half of your paycheck to the government.
Oh and those of you that keep bashing big business, who the hell do you think is providing the jobs.
Outlaw284 says:
You are stupid. An ignorant pustulent seeping herpes sore of stupidity. Morons like you have been brainwashed to think tax cuts are the answer for everything including the common cold. People with critical thinking skills got over that but you are stupid. You just keep spewing the stupid because that is all you consist of. Just STFU. You are far too stupid to ever contribute to this site or anything else. A lemonade stand is to complex for your simple mind. My Goldfish knows more about quantum mechanics than you know about healthcare. Your stupid is to strong it hurts my head so just STFU
July 21st, 2009 at 5:11 amThus far I have read mostly about desperate men doing desperate things. I guess other desperate people must find this appealing, because of the exploding proliferation of Fox TV in waiting rooms. Amazing, how ignorant and how easily misled so many have become.
July 21st, 2009 at 8:18 am