Grassley: The ‘Only Way To Get A Bipartisan Agreement Is To Defeat A Democratic Proposal On The First Hand’
Grassley: The ‘Only Way To Get A Bipartisan Agreement Is To Defeat A Democratic Proposal On The First Hand’
Over the August recess, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), one of the three Republicans engaged in the “Gang of Six” health care negotiations, has repeatedly made public statements that have created deep doubts about his commitment to reaching a bipartisan deal on health care reform. Just yesterday, the Washington Post’s Ezra Klein reported that Grassley sent out a fundraising letter requesting help in his effort to “defeat ‘Obama-care.’”
Now, Radio Iowa’s O. Kay Henderson reports that on a conference call with Iowa radio reporters today, Grassley suggested that the only way to reach a bipartisan compromise would be to first defeat the current Democratic health care proposals:
Republican Senator Chuck Grassley says there may be only one path Democrats can take to get Republicans to support for health care reform. “There’s a feeling that the only way to get a bipartisan agreement is to defeat a Democratic proposal on the first hand and then the Democrats will come to Republican leadership and then, at that point, they’ll know the only way they’re going to get health care reform is bipartisan,” Grassley says.
In the past month, Grassley has been all over the place whenever he has attempted to describe how a bipartisan deal can be reached. On August 17, Grassley said that he was unwilling to vote for a “good” bill unless it got support from “more than four Republicans.” Days later, he told the Washington Post that “We ought to be focusing on getting 80 votes.” Last week, he said he wouldn’t vote for an “imperfect bill.”
Grassley has also repeatedly changed his “make-or-break issues” for a compromise. On August 19, he told National Review that he needed “no public option, no rationing, no government bureaucrats getting between doctors and patients, and tort reform.” The next day, he expanded the list in an interview with NPR, making it “No public option, no pay-or-play, no things that are going to lead to any rationing of health care, no interference with doctor-patient relationships, and tort reform.” In an interview with the AP yesterday, Grassley said that on instructions from the GOP, he has sought “no public option, no rationing and tort reform.”
The Wonk Room has launched “GrassleyWatch” — an effort to track Grassley’s health care misrepresentations and obstructions. Check it out HERE.
“There’s a feeling that the only way to get a bipartisan agreement is to defeat a Democratic proposal in the first hand and then the Democrats will come to Republican leadership. And then at that point, they’ll know the only way they’re going to get health care reform is bipartisan. But my position has been that if that strategy doesn’t work and the Democrats go ahead and establish a public option, for instance, or a play or pay as a way of putting an 8 percent tax on payrolls for people who don’t offer health insurance — and dozens of other bad things — including leading us to Canadian-style single payer plan, then, if the Democrats are successful in doing that, we’ll be stuck with that plan forever,” Grassley told reporters. “So I’ve been taking to Max Baucus and other Democrats trying to ward off such a role of the dice, and ward off any chance that we’d end up with a government-run, federalized health insurance program like Canada has.”
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Just more traditional republic party double-talk: “bipartisan” means “radical right-wing and those that agree with us”. Well, at least the more that Sen. Assley talks, the more clear it becomes just where he stands — in the pockets of the health lobbyists and insurance companies.
September 1st, 2009 at 3:30 pmwhat a snake in the grASSley
September 1st, 2009 at 3:30 pmThe Party of No. Just doin’ their job…
September 1st, 2009 at 3:33 pmChucky, more than a scary doll with a knife. He’s a Senator with a key Committee seat, one who offers doublespeak. Sad.
September 1st, 2009 at 3:34 pmThe way for Grassley to vote for health care reform is as elusive as the reason we went to war in Iraq.
September 1st, 2009 at 3:34 pmHow much longer will we have to suffer this moron?
September 1st, 2009 at 3:37 pmSo chucky it seems you truly believe that you do not have to worry about any one running for your seat here soon,
But i am thinking this will back fore on you and you will have to be placed out to pasture.
You lie worst then a poorly made hair piece
September 1st, 2009 at 3:40 pmAmazing. These people still haven’t figured out they only have 40 votes in the Senate and aren’t in a position to control anything. Unfortunately, Harry Reid hasn’t figured that out either.
September 1st, 2009 at 3:41 pmAin’t no sunshine when he speaks
It’s not warm when he has his say
Ain’t no sunshine when he speaks
And he always speaks too oft just to get his way
Wonder this time what he’ll say
Wonder if he’ll ever approve
Ain’t no sunshine when he speaks
And the Senate just ain’t no home
Anytime he has to say:
And I no, I no, I no, I no
September 1st, 2009 at 3:43 pmI no, I no, I no, I no
I no, I no, I no, I no
I no, I no, I no, I no
I no, I no, I no, I no
I no, I no, I no, I no
I no, I no
The cure for Chuck Grassley is
http://www.krauseforiowa.com/
Please stop by, look it over, and if so inspired, throw a few dollars at this race. It could change the face of debates in the future if Grassley was out of there.
Help us rid ourselves of this guy, please.
-Wexler
September 1st, 2009 at 3:43 pmWow! I wrote an Op/Ed Saturday pointing out that “the Republican idea of bi-partisanship is concessions, and here Grassly basically comes right out and says that the only way to be “bi-partisan” is to defeat the Democratic plan and force them to renegotiate from THEIR position.
September 1st, 2009 at 3:44 pm“Grassley: The ‘Only Way To Get A Bipartisan Agreement Is To Defeat A Democratic Proposal On The First Hand’”
Assley continues to pass on the Party of No’s same message: Defeat all proposals of Obama and the Demoratic lawmakers regardless what it is. Chucky Assley is true definition of insanity: Doing the same thing over again and expecting a different result. Stay classy, Chucky…
September 1st, 2009 at 3:45 pmShorter Grassley: I am for private profits and public debt.
September 1st, 2009 at 3:47 pmso that’s the GOP’s definition of bipartisan . . . try it yourself and then come groveling if it doesn’t work out because we’ve floated lie after lie and after lie and Americans are pretty ignorant about this subject anyway. Gee, how bi-partisan of you.
September 1st, 2009 at 3:47 pmI guess we’ll really be able to identifty the stupid parts of the United States after the next election cycle and some of these clowns get re-elected.
September 1st, 2009 at 3:47 pmSeptember 1st, 2009 at 3:52 pm
enough with this clown. his negotiation philosophy is simply to deny whatever the other side wants to try to make them grovel. that doesn’t actually work very well in a negotiation.
you know what else doesn’t work? making your first offer your best offer when you know the other side will reject it on principle.
if we’re going to be misquoted, mischaracterized, demagogued and patronized, we need to understand that we have to come into the negotiation with much stronger demands. our starting point in this debate should have been that we will absolutely end all private insurance, insist on a single-payer (payor? ¿peor?) system, and revoke corporations’ right to influence the political process by lobbying. then maybe — maybe — we could have gotten to a robust public option.
i say it’s not too late. we should communicate that if the rethuglicans are going to absolutely oppose any meaningful reform, we’ll go back to the drawing board alright, and craft legislation that will make conservatives absolutely vomit. then we’ll sit back and say we won’t vote for an “imperfect” bill and demagogue the crap out of conservatives.
September 1st, 2009 at 3:52 pm“no public option, no rationing, no government bureaucrats getting between doctors and patients, and tort reform.”
So only private insurance (no option there), no government rationing, but private ins. rationing, only private ins. bureaucrats getting between you and your doctor, and make it harder to sue your provider. Now that’s (R)eform.
Bi-partisan means republican way and reform means strengthening private insurance position. What a croc.
September 1st, 2009 at 4:00 pmGrassley sounds like he is following the GOP line then actually debating. We here from more and more Republicans that they really want to defeat Obama and the Democrats then pass reform. They all believe that their way is the only way things should be done.
September 1st, 2009 at 4:11 pmSo no Bi-partisan bill until he kills the current legislation
September 1st, 2009 at 4:13 pmwhatever it is and then we come crawling back to the Grand Old Obstructionist Party so they can say NO to us again,even though we are asking for Bi-partisanship NOW.Are they trying to rewrite history on this one to?
Bipartisanship is dead and time for reconciliation. The Dems should take off the gloves and play hardball with the Republicans on all legislation.
September 1st, 2009 at 4:15 pmPull the plug on Chuckie, he’s brain dead & ethically bankrupt.
Lying sack of pigshit comes to mind…
September 1st, 2009 at 4:17 pmTRANSLATION:
The only way to get a bipartisan health care bill passed is to get Democrats to sign on to tort reform and tax cuts for the wealthy.
September 1st, 2009 at 4:20 pmIt is clear as a blue sky (at least to me)…that the Republicans have no intention of getting the peoples business done towards the Nations better interests, as a whole. What is painfully clear is this: their intention to crucify this President at any cost.
September 1st, 2009 at 4:22 pmThey are not fooling anyone…except the ill informed, ill educated, and the last dying breed of racist populous.
It is plain to see what their agenda really is…for those that can see through their kindergarten playbook.
They hate the fact that they lost the last election…and to a Afro-American.
“Grassley: The ‘Only Way To Get A Bipartisan Agreement Is To Defeat A Democratic Proposal On The First Hand’”
Back to the old standby…”I don’t think that word means what you think it means”
September 1st, 2009 at 4:27 pmTranslation: The only way we Republicans will vote for anything is if we propose it, we approve it and it benefits us or our corporate masters. Bipartisan means our way or the highway.
September 1st, 2009 at 4:27 pmActually, I think Chuck is truly confused about the spelling. He thinks it means by partisan. The flaw is his ‘partisan’ is in the toilet and America is tired of talking turds.
September 1st, 2009 at 4:28 pmI’m not much for conspiracy theories but I have no more trust for elected officials than they earn. Not much. However, there is a certain wisdom in allowing the GOoPers to rant while Congress is in recess and letting their own rage and frustration work against them.
The Dems can win this thing by simply returning to work calmly and methodically to get this done while simply staring down the raving goons of the far-right.
September 1st, 2009 at 4:28 pmSo basically, if the Democrats in the Congress wave the White Flag and give up, then the Rethugs will sign on to Health Care Reform?
Ain’t gonna happen.
September 1st, 2009 at 4:37 pmGrassley and the Repubs just cannot believe they are not the majority anymore, and it’s THEM that had better work with the majority, or be left in the dust of irrelevence.
Treat these pompous, delusional, SOB’s just like they treated Dems from 1992-2006, our way or the highway.
What goes around, comes around.
September 1st, 2009 at 4:37 pmSometimes, when morons like Grassley speak, I wonder if Mel Brooks secretly writes their shtick to make them look stupid. The GOP has become a nasty little parody of itself.
September 1st, 2009 at 4:46 pmSave Bachmanns wrists…boycott elected astroturf.
September 1st, 2009 at 4:47 pmI’m getting whiplash listening to his statements.
September 1st, 2009 at 5:04 pmsorry assed Tantrum Tosser…
just like the rest of’em.
It’s long past time to treat the party that’s out of power like a party that’s out of power.
Enough WATB coddling.
September 1st, 2009 at 5:23 pmWhy even bother with this lame fcuk grASSley?
Kick the stinking Republic Fascist Party members to the curb.
September 1st, 2009 at 5:45 pmIt would be gratifying if the Dems stick the health care bill so far up the Republican a**es that they have to open their shirt collar to take a dump. Then they would have something to whine about. Ram a few bills through and see how long they can just keep saying no. They should be marginalized in the legislative process until they learn to play right.
September 1st, 2009 at 6:18 pmHe’s the uber-shitweasel.
September 1st, 2009 at 6:29 pmI put this comment up previously and it got stuck in the “Your comment is awaiting moderation.” hole which is never moderated.
Let me spell it out better now.
Here we go:
This idiot just can’t stop being a grA$$H0le.
Does that work for ya TP?
Just fake it up and everything is fine?
September 1st, 2009 at 6:38 pmGrassley and Enzi are against health care reform?This is such a surprise!
September 1st, 2009 at 7:20 pm8%? 8%!?!?!
Right NOW we pay 16% of GDP in health costs. 8% on PAYROLL is CERTAINLY less expensive than 16% GDP!
Right now, between my employer contribution and my own, I spend just under 20% on insurance premiums ALONE!The administration has done a HORRIBLE job in selling this to the public, and, in particular, have not given people ANY IDEA where the money is going to come from.
Every person in this country knows that whatever plan they come up with is not going to be free.
What they are worried about is that employer contributions will cease and the full expense will fall on their shoulders and be realized through either another payroll tax or an increase in other taxes, or EEGADS! a monthly check made out to Uncle Sam, directly from their already tapped bank accounts.
It is time to SELL THIS THING!! Let people know that, just in what their employers contribute each year we could fund the WHOLE SYSTEM!!! The number one country in healthcare spends about 10% GDP per year, and the rest spend about 8%.8% should be Obama’s
September 1st, 2009 at 9:05 pmOOPS!
(my fingers hit enter too quickly)
8% should be Obama’s RALLYING CRY, not something to run away from!
September 1st, 2009 at 9:06 pmGrASSley = I(diot) O(ut) W(alking) A(round).
September 1st, 2009 at 10:42 pmThe only real path to progress is to defeat political chamelons like Grassley at the polls!
September 1st, 2009 at 10:53 pmWordpress eated my comment. I was telling Max Baucus to stop being a played by Grassley. It’s embarrassing.
September 2nd, 2009 at 1:15 am.
Shorter Grassley:
.
September 2nd, 2009 at 2:12 amI am so disgusted by this bastard I went and contributed to the Democrat opponent that will go after his seat. And I never contribute. Damn, the GOP is really working the grassroot movement. It is AGAINST THEM but it IS grassroot.
September 2nd, 2009 at 2:43 amWhat “role” does dice have in this?
September 2nd, 2009 at 12:19 pmI know this website loves to blame Republicans for the problems with the health care issue. But that dog don’t hunt no more. The whole vote rests with the Blue Dog Demos. Their up or down vote on the bill will determine the outcome.
September 2nd, 2009 at 3:32 pmkwsventures says:
Keep beating that horse. Its not moving and it is starting to smell funny. I have destroyed the stupidity of it a dozen times. You are stupid. You are an ignorant punkass troll. Just STFU. You are too stupid to be part of any adult conversation
September 2nd, 2009 at 8:27 pmDon’t expect cable news to facilitate discussions that find common ground. When cable news is not stoking health care controversy, its commentators are ignorantly spreading misinformation. See Maria Bartiromo’s latest gaffe.
http://axisofreason.com/2009/09/02/cnbc’s-bartiromo-cable-news’-creeps-into-ignorance/
September 3rd, 2009 at 12:29 amIt appears that Andrew Sullivan was right about the Republicans health reform strategy:
“What do you want, GOP? A permanent populist culture-war? Or actual solutions to pressing problems? Let us know when you’ve matured enough to answer that question.”
http://axisofreason.com/2009/08/10/republicans-on-health-care-reform-the-thoughtless-and-the-thoughtful/
September 3rd, 2009 at 12:45 amvery thanks for article!
September 4th, 2009 at 10:45 am