Michael Steele Offers Advice To Obama: ‘You’ve Got The Votes, Mr. President. Pass The Bill!’
Michael Steele Offers Advice To Obama: ‘You’ve Got The Votes, Mr. President. Pass The Bill!’
Yesterday, RNC Chairman Michael Steele attended a roundtable discussion on health care in Little Rock, AR. Mustering as much bravado as he could, Steele dared President Obama and Democrats to pass health care reform through budget reconciliation. “Get it to the floor — up or down, baby,” Steele said as he pounded the desk. “Put it on the table.”
Steele then denied that Republicans have been an obstacle to passing health reform:
Don’t come up in my face talking about, I’m an obstacle, and we’re blocking this process. You got the votes, Mr. President. Pass the bill!
Steele suggested Democrats would be wary of passing the bill because “they know it’s poisonous and they know the American people will not tolerate it.” Watch it:
Steele seems willing to make a political bet that the number of crazed, angry protesters who don’t want to see health care reform passed outnumber those who do. The polling, of course, indicates the American public is overwhelmingly supportive of Obama’s plan.
If Steele is being sincere about his tough talk, then he shouldn’t object if and when Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) decides to push health care through the budget reconciliation process.
Topic Cloud
ArchivesBlog Roll
Steele then denied that Republicans have been an obstacle to passing health reform:
steel:
August 21st, 2009 at 11:27 amDon’t come up in my face talking about, I’m an obstacle, and we’re blocking this process.
For the first time, I think, I agree with something Steele has said. He’s right, the Democrats have the votes. They should just do it.
August 21st, 2009 at 11:30 amSteele: Don’t come up in my face talking about, I’m an obstacle, and we’re blocking this process. You got the votes, Mr. President. Pass the bill!
– - Give that man a lie detector test.
August 21st, 2009 at 11:32 amWhy is Steele even still relevant.
August 21st, 2009 at 11:34 amWell, alrighty then.
August 21st, 2009 at 11:34 amA super majority will be a real problem come re election time ! We wanted single payer , a real public option is the very least we deserve . Listen to the progressive caucus they are the only ones who “get it”.
August 21st, 2009 at 11:35 amGOT DEMOCRACY ?
YES< YES< YES! Pass the dang thing. Get the blue dog Dems, or what ever they want to be called, off their colletive asses and pass it.
August 21st, 2009 at 11:36 amthe republican party reminds me of watching a fish laying on the pier. You know flopping around trying to fine its way back into the water.
Michael your da fish
August 21st, 2009 at 11:37 amcareysub says:
“For the first time, I think, I agree with something Steele has said.”
Oh, I don’t know about that careysub. Remember this little jewel from Mr. Steele:
RNC Chair Steele on his own party: ‘No reason, none, to trust our words or our actions at this point.’
August 21st, 2009 at 11:38 amhttp://thinkprogress.org/2009/02/13/steele-no-reason-trust/
The mice that roar!!
August 21st, 2009 at 11:38 amPass the thing and tweak as we go along. Within a year everyone (including the mice) won’t want to do without it! Just like Medicaid.
Steele seems willing to make a political bet that the number of crazed, angry protesters who don’t want to see health care reform passed outnumber those who do. The polling, of course, indicates the American public is overwhelmingly supportive of Obama’s plan.
That is going to be a bet that he will lose. Once the plan is passed the people who will become insured will far outweigh those who are opposed to health care reform. That represents a lot of votes for the Dems.
August 21st, 2009 at 11:39 amWrong. If they were Republicans, who are well-known for party discipline and marching in lock-step to the orders of their leaders, they would have the votes.
Democrats are a different animal. Part of the cost of a wider coalition (not to mention tolerance for other ideas) is lack of party discipline. So the President doesn’t necessarily have the votes, just because there are sixty Democratic votes in the Senate and a big majority in the House..
August 21st, 2009 at 11:39 amSorry, careysub, I shouldn’t have said “Wrong”. I should have said “I disagree”.
My apologies.
August 21st, 2009 at 11:40 amMeanwhile, Mt. Rushblow is laughing on air about the woman carrying a sign showing Obama as Hitler at Frank’s Town Hall.
Steele & Limbaugh have a lot in common…short on intelligence & acuity, long on words & nonsense & both in love with themselves.
Steele trying to ‘hip’ or hip-hop is pathetic. Mikey, if you have to TRY to be cool, you never will BE cool.
Dipshit.
August 21st, 2009 at 11:44 amSo………if you’re waving the white flag, Mr. Steele, just shut up and wave the flag.
August 21st, 2009 at 11:45 amThe Dems need to butch up and take control of the health care debate.
They have, in their usual timid way, been run roughshod by the take-no-prisoners
repiggies, who have no interest but that of the health insurance oligarchs.
Screw the repiggies, and the screw the teabagger trash.
Let’s get this thing done, and soon. Obama and the Dems will lose any shred of credibility with their base if they captiulate to the noisy minority.
August 21st, 2009 at 11:47 amCan’t believe that I am agreeing with Steele!
Yes, the Dems have 256 in the House. Subtract some 35 Blue Cross Dems and you still have enough to pass the House.
And in the Senate, pass it with an up-or-down vote, 60 votes minus 10 Blue Cross Dems and you still have 50, and then Joe Biden can break the tie!
Thanks are due to Steele for throwing down the gauntlet. Sheesh, I still can’t believe I am saying this!
August 21st, 2009 at 11:48 amRepublicans not obstructing it? That’s got to be a whopper on par with anything I’ve ever heard come out of their misbegotten pie-holes.
August 21st, 2009 at 11:50 ambzb says
August 21st, 2009 at 11:34 am
Why is Steele even still relevant.
_____________________________________________________________
He’s not. He just thinks he is.
His party goes about their business without paying any attention to him.
And we just pay attention to him for the entertainment value.
August 21st, 2009 at 11:52 amSounds like he slipped up and made sense for one sentence.
August 21st, 2009 at 11:53 amYes! Do it and stick it in his face too!
Get on with it people.
So according to the GOP:
1) Democrats shouldn’t pass a health care bill unless they have 85 votes in the senate.
2) Democrats should pass a health care bill with a simple majority vote.
3) A simple majority vote is the NUCLEAR OPTION, and its use is unforgivable.
It’s like rope a dope, minus the roping.
August 21st, 2009 at 11:54 amWhirlaway @17
August 21st, 2009 at 11:57 amApparently your a republican troll too ….
/snark off
Chyron HR says:It’s like rope a dope, minus the roping.
yes thats the problem with out the rope we have to try and round up the dopes and theres plenty of them. With the rope down it looks like the scene in the night of the living dead all those republicans wondering around.
August 21st, 2009 at 11:58 amWe need to get the Senate back to 51 votes being required to pass a bill.
August 21st, 2009 at 12:00 pmRepublican party: 5% super rich, 95% super stupid.
August 21st, 2009 at 12:01 pmThis comment has been voted down. Click to read.
Thanks APAA, I stand corrected.
ralph the wonder llama says:
You’re not actually in disagreement with me, RTWL, I said “they should”, you’re saying “they can’t” (or “maybe they can or maybe they can’t”, since you are not predicting definite failure).
But that is exactly the point that I (and Steele) were really making – the Democrats need to round up a one vote majority in the House and and 50 votes* in the Senate to pass the bill(s). Write off all Republicans (except maybe Olympia Snowe), and most Blue Dogs, then put the screws to any stragglers.
*Cloture is not necessary to pass a bill – there is reconciliation, and there is also dealing with a filibuster the old school way (make them stay in session, stay on the floor, halt all other Senate business, and it will collapse after a few days at most).
August 21st, 2009 at 12:06 pmWiz says:
We need to get the Senate back to 51 votes being required to pass a bill.
What’s the problem your party has 60 seats so why do they need to drop it. They have the seats to pass it.
August 21st, 2009 at 12:07 pmHe is right.
Democrats hesitancy is what causing all this big drag.When Republicans were in charge they did what they wanted , they even blocked many investigations of Bush’s presidency.
THEY NEVER WAITED FOR DEMOCRATS TO JOIN.
And like they say…”He who hesitates is lost”.
Democrats better hurry up or you’ll become losers again.
August 21st, 2009 at 12:07 pmwhirlaway says:
——————————————————————————–
Can’t believe that I am agreeing with Steele!
Yes, the Dems have 256 in the House. Subtract some 35 Blue Cross Dems and you still have enough to pass the House.
And in the Senate, pass it with an up-or-down vote, 60 votes minus 10 Blue Cross Dems and you still have 50, and then Joe Biden can break the tie!
Thanks are due to Steele for throwing down the gauntlet. Sheesh, I still can’t believe I am saying this!
August 21st, 2009 at 12:08 pm……………………………………Just needs to be said again!
But once again the Democrats don’t want to take the blame if it doesn’t work they want to be able to point the finger and blame the Republicans.
LOL Like the Republicans have every taken the blame for all the crap they did wrong.
btw, since when do Republicans take any stock in polls?
August 21st, 2009 at 12:08 pmOutlaw
August 21st, 2009 at 12:09 pmmaybe it’s because the American Public doesn’t have 12 million dollars for the Podestas to represent them as lobbyists ?
outlaw284,
So you can admit to all of us that the Republicans have no interest in reforming our health care system so we are no longer the only nation in the industrialized world that does not guarantee care to all of our citizens.
August 21st, 2009 at 12:09 pm40 Republicans plus 11 Blue dogs gives Conservatives a 51 vote majority.
The absence of Kennedy, Byrd and Dodd give Democrats just 46 votes for healthcare reform.
Don’t hand us any crap about how “we have 60 votes” yet can’t get anything done.
August 21st, 2009 at 12:12 pmCan you identify anything integral coming from the GOP since the Bush Administration? It’s a constant negative — bashing, distorting, scaring, name calling, obstructing, contradicting etc. I am utterly repulsed by the GOP, and this was not the case prior to the Bush Administration. Where have all the good GOP gone? Come out, come out where ever you are. Will there ever be meaningful dialogue coming from the GOP (gross, offensive politics)?
August 21st, 2009 at 12:14 pmMr.Bungle
That is where you are wrong. I have listed things that have been brought to the table by the Republicans for reform and the Democrats don’t want to talk about any of them.
Things that have been listed are getting rid of the laws that keep insurances from going into other states, tort reform, tax credits, and getting the government out of pricing procedures.
August 21st, 2009 at 12:21 pmThe problem is that your Democrats have said no to all of them.
Zimzone says:
Meanwhile, Mt. Rushblow is laughing on air about the woman carrying a sign showing Obama as Hitler at Frank’s Town Hall.
Steele & Limbaugh have a lot in common…short on intelligence & acuity, long on words & nonsense & both in love with themselves.
Steele trying to ‘hip’ or hip-hop is pathetic. Mikey, if you have to TRY to be cool, you never will BE cool.
Dipshit.
His 1930 style of “hip” is so ghetto. He makes me sick.
August 21st, 2009 at 12:22 pmMugsy
August 21st, 2009 at 12:25 pmThat is a cop out. You can’t even get it through the House. Now how many of those Democrats are missing in the House.
You going to try and tell me that they are missing around 100 of them and that is why you can’t get it through the House to.
makete says:
——————————————————————————–
whirlaway says:
——————————————————————————–
Can’t believe that I am agreeing with Steele!
Yes, the Dems have 256 in the House. Subtract some 35 Blue Cross Dems and you still have enough to pass the House.
And in the Senate, pass it with an up-or-down vote, 60 votes minus 10 Blue Cross Dems and you still have 50, and then Joe Biden can break the tie!
Thanks are due to Steele for throwing down the gauntlet. Sheesh, I still can’t believe I am saying this!
August 21st, 2009 at 12:29 pm……………………………………Just needs to be said again!
AND AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN !
Outlaw…
come on – how much for that quad?
you know the relocation trucks will be headed your way soon.
August 21st, 2009 at 12:30 pmWhy is single payer off the table ? Because the American political system is broken !
August 21st, 2009 at 12:30 pmWhich are all easily debunked myths that will not help.
Besides, liar, where is the bill containing these provisions. I’ll tell ya, there aint one cause they the right knows they won’t fly and so you are left with nothing.
August 21st, 2009 at 12:31 pmWhirlaway said,
August 21st, 2009 at 12:33 pmI absolutely love that term to describe the Blue dog Democrats that have committed treason by taking bribe money from insurance compaines.
It’s not and it is damaged but not broken
August 21st, 2009 at 12:34 pmThe Steele tokin speaks………………who cares what this re-puke says, most likely he is just lying his a$$ off about this as he lies about everything else he is spewing at the moment.Did he get Limpballs approval for this message?
August 21st, 2009 at 12:36 pmThere are billions of dollars at stake in the health care reform. The insurance companies are not going to let that money go without a fight which is why they are spending a lot of lobbying dollars. These town hall meetings are only part of a large scale campaign to defeat the health care reform. Campaign contributions are being handed out like candy. If health care gets passed with a true public option, it will be a miracle.
August 21st, 2009 at 12:39 pmOutlaw, What legislation have the re-pukes come up for reform?All they want to do is obstruct, so once we have a complete bill it will pass and folks like will get on the gravy train because you won`t be able to afford private health care ins in 10 years because it will double to about $25,000 out of our pockest alone.People would rather pay higher taxes for health care at or cheaper than private ins guaranteed.
August 21st, 2009 at 12:42 pmCareful what you wish for Poochie.
August 21st, 2009 at 12:44 pmHe’s just blustering his usual falderol.
August 21st, 2009 at 12:44 pmWhen it does pass, via reconciliation, he’s going to be the first one crying and pouting about the failure to reach out, uni-partisan, commie, socialist, nazi mofos.
Wait a minute…. if the Democrats can just go ahead and pass health care, the Republicans can just go a head and shut up.
August 21st, 2009 at 12:47 pmFree Pass Fred ,
How do you feel about indefinite detention ? A war in Pakistan , an expanded war in Afghanistan ? Signing statements ? Permanent occupation of Iraq ? Domestic spying ? 20 000 more troops on American soil ? An expansion of the leagal reasoning for government secrecy ?43 million new customers for big insurance .Moving on without any accountability ? Billions to wallstreet ? The balloning of largest defit in our history to finance ” the free market’s sorting it out ?
ECT .
August 21st, 2009 at 12:47 pmOutlaw284 says:
What’s the problem your party has 60 seats so why do they need to drop it. They have the seats to pass it.
Two of the Senators, including Ted Kennedy, are probably too sick to make it to the floor vote. Ironic, huh? Then there are the handful of Blue-Cross DINO’s. Then there’s the usual (D) method of giving away everything to their opponents and expecting them to play nice no matter how many times they get kicked in the ass whenever they turn their backs on the snakes.
We’ll probably have to eliminate the remaining Republicans in Congress next year in order to get this country fixed, but I’m fine with that too. The GOP is obsolete, and at present is nothing more than an unsightly stain on the political process.
August 21st, 2009 at 12:48 pmLevi the Dungbeetle says:
——————————————————————————–
Whirlaway said,
Blue Cross Dems
I absolutely love that term to describe the Blue dog Democrats that have committed treason by taking bribe money from insurance compaines.
August 21st, 2009 at 12:53 pm…………………..
Does that include the Podestas recieving nearly 12 million dollars to lobby for the insurers ?
Well, mostly I feel that you are out on a limb and you are the sole party with a saw in your hand. Whatcha gonna do?
August 21st, 2009 at 12:55 pmBruce , you mean a one party system will give us more leverage ?
August 21st, 2009 at 12:56 pmThe republicans are finished now it’s time to put the democrats feet to the fire !
Like Fred said he would do after the election was over !
Indefinite detention ? A war in Pakistan , an expanded war in Afghanistan ? Signing statements ? Permanent occupation of Iraq ? Domestic spying ? 20 000 more troops on American soil ? An expansion of the leagal reasoning for government secrecy ?43 million new customers for big insurance .Moving on without any accountability ? Billions to wallstreet ? The balloning of largest defit in our history to finance ” the free market’s sorting it out ?
August 21st, 2009 at 12:59 pm…………………..
Atleast my arguments remain consistent Fred .
Dear Mr. Steele,
As the head of the RNC, I am sure that you have great influence with your Republican colleagues in Congress. You have stated that the Obama-backed healthcare reform bill so be put to a vote, an up-or-down vote. I agree. Therefore, I respectfully ask that you apply some of your influence and convince the Republican members of the Senate to vote for cloture and allow the bill to come to the floor for that straight vote, requiring 51 votes for passage.
Thank you for your concern.
P.S. Will you now please STFU?
August 21st, 2009 at 1:00 pmFred says:
——————————————————————————–
freeman says:
How do you feel about….
Well, mostly I feel that you are out on a limb and you are the sole party with a saw in your hand. Whatcha gonna do?
August 21st, 2009 at 1:02 pm……………………….
Actually there are 60 democrats in the house shaking the tree despite Rahm Emmanuels influence !
That doesn’t translate into rational. mcveigh was consistant.
You’re in good company.
August 21st, 2009 at 1:05 pmThe progressive caucus , remains within the party for the moment . You asked for change ,with luck and a lot of dissent over business as usual we may even get some !!!
August 21st, 2009 at 1:07 pmWhich side are you on ?
Ever heard the definition of crazy Fred ? It is repeating the same behavior over and over while expecting a different result .
August 21st, 2009 at 1:09 pmBut thanx for the insult .
This guy is just plain embarrassing.
August 21st, 2009 at 1:11 pmSen. Baucus, you hearing this!
August 21st, 2009 at 1:15 pmIt’s also defined as those like yourself who can’t adjust to the realities that surround you.
August 21st, 2009 at 1:22 pmDon’t come in my face…
…ok, we won’t.
August 21st, 2009 at 1:32 pmHeadline: Michael Steele Urges Barack Obama to Pass Meaningful Health Care Reform!
I bet that’d move some newspapers…
August 21st, 2009 at 1:47 pmIf the roles were reversed, the Repubs would pass it. And to any complaints they would just smile and say, “Well I just did what you told me to.”
August 21st, 2009 at 3:01 pmSteele is right. Make repugs and blue dogs go on record voting against the public option. The repugs are probably in safe districts but some of the blue dogs are vulnerable. We have to hold Democrats accountable if we don’t get the public option that the majority wants.
August 21st, 2009 at 5:20 pmlast i knew the Dems had control of the “hill”– and yet they can’t pass any thing, i find this very entertaining— that is you can’t even depend on the very ones you voted in. i’m ROTFLMAO. Ya’ll keep up the good work— and we pay good money for entertanment- shoot watching the Dems step on thier own ding dong is free.
One Nation Under God
August 21st, 2009 at 7:01 pmHey!
Looks like Tom came out of his cabin this morning.
August 21st, 2009 at 7:28 pmWhy is it when a black politician is conservative, he is called an Uncle Tom?
That seems very racist and angry.
August 21st, 2009 at 7:38 pmrepugs love talking out of their collective asses. On one hand they crying that we need bipartisanship and and on the same hand they are crying the dems have the vote to pass a bill without the nuts.
teabagger can’t tell the truth ’cause it ain’t in em.
Bipartisanship can only happen if we have two viable parties, we are short one.
August 21st, 2009 at 8:56 pmblclem says:
Why is it when a black politician is conservative, he is called an Uncle Tom?
That seems very racist and angry.
Because with each whipping the white teabagger give steeley damned he’s thanking the whipper and asking for more.
I like to call these folks Uncle Ruckus.
August 21st, 2009 at 9:01 pmblclem says:
Why is it when a black politician is conservative, he is called an Uncle Tom?
That seems very racist and angry.
The phrase refers to a black person who intentionally supports the systematic victimization of black people. It’s merely an accurate characterization of Steele’s stated philosophy.
Example:
Steele defended former Gov. Bob Ehrlich’s decision to hold a $100,000 fundraiser at a country club that did not allow non-white members, saying that the club’s membership’s policies were “not an issue” because “I don’t play golf.”
August 21st, 2009 at 10:02 pmblclem says:
You are a liar. Black republicans arent called Uncle Toms unless they do Uncle Tom things why is it you rightwing morons lie so much?
August 21st, 2009 at 10:30 pmi aint you says:
Thank GOD you aint us. You are an ignorant piece of garbage and a stupid punkass troll. The stupid just flows from you like water from a spigot
August 21st, 2009 at 10:32 pmi aint you says:
last i knew the Dems had control of the “hill”– and yet they can’t pass any thing.
So you are also in favor of getting rid of the rest of the Republicans? OK.
August 21st, 2009 at 11:01 pm“Uncle Tom is a pejorative term for a black person who is perceived by others as behaving in a subservient manner to white authority figures, or as seeking ingratiation with them by way of unnecessary accomodation.”
Wikipedia
August 21st, 2009 at 11:53 pmDo it before the Republinazis change the rules.
August 22nd, 2009 at 11:42 amSteele is 100% correct. But those pesky blue dogs will have none of it. The democraps can’t close the deal. With Caspar Milquetoast, I mean, Obama in charge forget it. If Dick Cheney and Bush had Obama’s majority, I guarantee they would sell their plan. LOL.
August 22nd, 2009 at 3:50 pmkwsventures says:
You are like a broken record that must be what Rush told you to think yesterday and you couldnt wait to vomit it out AS IF it made sense it doesnt. Why are you such an ignorant worthless punkass troll? It must suck to be as stupid as you are.
August 22nd, 2009 at 9:13 pmIn a new Washington Post-ABC News poll, 49 percent of respondents expressed confidence that President Obama “will make the right decisions for the country, down from 60 percent at the 100-day mark in his presidency.” Additionally, 55 percent “see things as pretty seriously on the wrong track, up from 48 percent in April.”
August 23rd, 2009 at 7:28 pmThe trend is not the libs friend.