Cantor Opens The Door To GOP Rejecting Obama’s Bipartisan Health Care Meeting
Cantor Opens The Door To GOP Rejecting Obama’s Bipartisan Health Care Meeting
In an interview with CBS News’ Katie Couric that aired before the Super Bowl yesterday, President Obama announced “that he would convene a half-day bipartisan health care session at the White House to be televised live this month.” “I want to come back and have a large meeting, Republicans and Democrats, to go through systematically all the best ideas that are out there and move it forward,” said Obama.
The top Republicans in both the House and Senate responded by saying that while they “look forward” to the discussion and”appreciate the opportunity to share ideas with the President,” they believe that the “best way to start on real, bipartisan reform would be to scrap” the health care reform bills that have passed both the House and Senate. The office of another GOP leader, House Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA), suggested that Republicans would not attend the White House meeting unless the Democrats abandoned their proposals:
After going it alone on health care reform for nearly a year, President Obama has decided he wants to bring Republicans into the conversation. Here’s the problem: unless the President and Speaker Pelosi are willing to scrap their government take over and hit the reset button, there’s not much to talk about.
Republicans believe the status quo is unacceptable, but so is any health reform package that spends money we don’t have or raises taxes on small businesses and working families in a recession. To that point, House Republicans have offered the only plan, that will lower health care costs, which is what the President said was the goal at the start of this debate.
The Plum Line’s Greg Sargent writes that Cantor is essentially saying “that the only way Dems can win bipartisan cooperation is to fully embrace the GOP health care plan and nothing more.” Cantor’s stubborn refusal to discuss health care openly with Obama appears to have support in the conservative base. Michelle Malkin wrote today that “Republicans should feel zero obligation to participate in yet another White House health care dog-and-pony show: Just say no.” On Fox News, conservative consultant Andrea Tantaros — who works for a PR firm that represents health care clients — declared that “the only way Republicans should meet with” Obama is if he “is committed to starting over, scrapping that stinker of a bill.” Watch it:
The White House does not intend to start over at the meeting. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius told the Huffington Post’s Sam Stein today that while Obama is willing to “add various elements” to health care legislation suggested by Republican lawmakers, he is “absolutely not” hitting the reset button on the legislative process.
The Wonk Room’s Igor Volsky notes that “at the end of the day, it will be up to the Republicans to meet the Democrats half way” and “if they still insist on starting over, they’re effectively taking themselves out of the process and giving the reins to the Democrats.” After crowing about the need for more transparency in health care negotiations, will Republicans follow through on Cantor’s threat to boycott public, televised discussions with the president that could result in more Republican ideas being incorporated into reform?
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The Republicans can’t be caught on TV trying to defend their positions. It will once again expose their intent to thwart an agenda the people clearly want.
February 8th, 2010 at 4:49 pmDon’t forget you can’t spell Cantor without NO!
February 8th, 2010 at 4:51 pmSooner or later, the holy roller teabaggers are going to force Cantor to choose Jesus or choose electoral ignominy.
The holy rollers are driving the repiggie jalopy.
February 8th, 2010 at 4:52 pmDamn, TP. You’re censoring me for the phrase b**ching and moaning?
This is getting f**king ridiculous.
Almost as f**cking ridiculous as the notion Cantor or the rest of the GOP is interested in finding a bipartisan (or effective) solution to the healthcare crisis.
February 8th, 2010 at 4:53 pmThe Republicans have spent a year avoiding the clarion call to sit at the table at negotiate in good faith. It would be great if Obama can shame them into actually performing the job they are being paid to perform. But, I won’t hold my breath.
February 8th, 2010 at 4:53 pmThe repukes saying no? Gosh, who’d a thunk.
February 8th, 2010 at 4:53 pmCantor Opens The Door To GOP Rejecting Obama’s Bipartisan Health Care Meeting
– - The has NO plans to cut serious spending whatsoever. They love their Medicare, as they screamed at us last year. Do you remember them revolting against Bush’s unfunded, Medicare prescription drug bill, the worst act of fiscal vandalism since the Iraq war? They want much more defense spending. And does anyone think they would ever touch social security? Twist in the wind, Rep. Ryan.
On healthcare costs, any attempt to restrain the massive fiscal burden of the care of people in their last days and hours of their lives – by entirely voluntary attempts to get them to prepare powers of attorney in advance – will be described as death-panels. This new form of Christianity – unlike the vast tradition stretching back to the Middle Ages – believes that even those in a vegetative state should be kept on feeding tubes for ever.
Everything they stand for is about more spending, not less. Remember that none of these people were up in arms when an evangelical president was adding trillions of debt, with not even a gesture at funding any of it. And they want to cut taxes as well.
February 8th, 2010 at 4:54 pmScrew’em and put in a single payer system. Kill the health insurance industry.
February 8th, 2010 at 4:54 pmOnce a chickenhawk always a chickenhawk…….
February 8th, 2010 at 4:54 pmThey are the party of chickenhawks and batshit crazies..
The has NO plans
– - Umm, the GOP has no plans…
February 8th, 2010 at 4:55 pmstill smarting from that last ass-whipping, little eric whinor???
of course they’re going to wuss out – it’s what they do.
February 8th, 2010 at 4:56 pmCantor has been on automatic pilot for lying since the first Bush/Cheney term.
Who can trust anything out of the mouth of that liar?
February 8th, 2010 at 4:57 pmEric..”Our way or the Highway” Cantor
February 8th, 2010 at 5:02 pm…now that’s really wanting working with the other side…
THEY still don’t understand, THEY LOST the election…
WE still don’t understand, WE don’t need THEIR obstructionism that is just stalling for time. I hate saying WE & THEY..here in America.
America is waiting, but for how long?
BTW – CNN is pushing equivalencies of Democrats to Republicans. Even Rick Sanchez is deluded about the total fail of the Republican party.
February 8th, 2010 at 5:02 pmCan’tor is right up there with the most despicable of the GOP losers. I really hate that guy.
February 8th, 2010 at 5:02 pmlivelongandprosper says:
Screw’em and put in a single payer system. Kill the health insurance industry.
Amen, touche, and yea verily. Absolutely, positively, now and forevermore. Just DO IT Dems, ok? Write a two page S.P. bill and reconcile it (that way, even if some idiot southern Rebubbacan Fascist demands the bill be read outloud, you can get it done before wipes his tears away). Change the world for the better while you have the chance.
February 8th, 2010 at 5:03 pmRepublicans have seen Democracy and they have rejected it forcibly. The Republican cannot and will not change.
To me that means they are toast. finished. The MSM will hang onto the Republican as long as they possibly can.
February 8th, 2010 at 5:04 pmThe top Republicans in both the House and Senate responded by saying that while they “look forward” to the discussion and”appreciate the opportunity to share ideas with the President,” no.
Fixed that for ya TP…
February 8th, 2010 at 5:05 pmStop the Presses! The Party of No says No!
Excuse me, Mr President but how many times do you have to hear that?
February 8th, 2010 at 5:10 pmSilly Repukes don’t want to govern, because they can’t.
Step aside water-carriers.
You seem to be best suited at that.
February 8th, 2010 at 5:10 pmThis is a lose lose for the republicans. They can choose to show up and appear to be the obstructionists that they are or they can choose to not show up and then the narrative is all about how they wouldn’t even come to the table.
At best they can appear cooperative but as soon as the cameras go away and they get back to their chamber if they revert to the party of “no” then the President wins.
It’s about time the White House started playing hardball with these guys. The nice approach wasn’t working.
February 8th, 2010 at 5:13 pmI hope Obama keeps doing this – putting them on the spot. Maybe, just maybe, sooner or later people will realize that they want to do NOTHING axcept say NO to everything – scum bags
February 8th, 2010 at 5:14 pmTo that point, House Republicans have offered the only plan, that will lower health care costs, which is what the President said was the goal at the start of this debate.
–
Well sure…if death for thousands of Americans counts as fixing the problem.
In short the GOP’s got shit and they’re throwing it at us.
February 8th, 2010 at 5:17 pmThe GOoPers are vile but they ain’t stupid. After the last time they got shown up on live TV they will never make that mistake again.
February 8th, 2010 at 5:17 pmElucidation, Fact Checking, and Public Shaming all on National TV.
Sounds better to me than Harry Reid Behind Closed Doors.
February 8th, 2010 at 5:18 pmDon’t look now but I think someone just blinked!
February 8th, 2010 at 5:21 pmWhere were the repubs when the bill was being crafted and voted on ?
Oh yeah, they said they needed more time.
They’d give a response in a week. Then after a week, they’d say they needed 2 more weeks.
If **I** can see the pattern, why can’t anyone else ?
February 8th, 2010 at 5:23 pmHow many people have died for lack of healthcare while the repubs have stalled ?
February 8th, 2010 at 5:24 pmHow many months did it take to put together the healthcare bill? Of course the Republican would like to start over. Anything to keep President Obama some getting a win before the elections next Nov.
February 8th, 2010 at 5:25 pmRush Limbaugh also argued for rejecting the meeting today, telling his audience that “this is no time for bipartisanship.”
No shit , fat fu(k ; the American public has decided the Dems should be in control , so it’s time for you and your retarded ilk to shut your stupid mouths ………
February 8th, 2010 at 5:25 pmOf course the Republicans want it scrapped and start over; they have no plans. Obama should hold the conference televised with empty chairs for Republicans. It will speak a lot about the Republicans if they don’t attend. Far worse, would be for them to show up without any plans.
February 8th, 2010 at 5:26 pmpezmiztix says:
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February 8th, 2010 at 5:24 pm
That’s because the overwhelming majority of the American people want a single payer public option , jerkoff ; not the tired (and erroneous and dishonest) Republican “plan” that will do little (if anything at all) , to curb health care costs …………
Pipe down , tool……….
February 8th, 2010 at 5:27 pmpezmiztix says:
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February 8th, 2010 at 5:26 pm
Please list the “overwhelming public support” any Chimpy McFlightsuit and Co plan had before being ramrodded through , jackass …………
February 8th, 2010 at 5:28 pmWhat a bunch of cowards. Hey Repugs! I never thought the ‘Party of Reagan’ would turn into the ‘Party of Wusses’.
February 8th, 2010 at 5:30 pmWell, pezmiztix, since you’re hanging around, why don’t you explain Ryan’s draft of the republican budget plan (that balances the budget in 50 years). I understand that it calls for essentially eradicating Medicare (and privatizing Social Security).
While you’re at it, contrast and compare it to the Medicare cost reductions contained in the Senate HCR bill.
February 8th, 2010 at 5:31 pmMapleStreet says:
How many people have died for lack of healthcare while the repubs have stalled ?
Too many. Every one that’s died should be laid at republican’s door.
February 8th, 2010 at 5:31 pmLimbaugh speaks–the GOP march in unquestioning lockstep to his commands. By now it should be clear that Limbaugh and Palin have no policy smarts so their efforts and intellect should be focused on retard scandals and death panels.
February 8th, 2010 at 5:31 pmthe pez dispenser is spouting squirrel poo pellets again. It thinks that 600 attendees is a massive groundswell of support. And that 2″ is impressive.
February 8th, 2010 at 5:32 pmpezmiztix at 5:24 pm
It’s not if obama decides to go through with this made for tv debate, he is calling the meeting. The question is: Do the chickenshit republicans have the guts to show up?
The way they are waffling and trying to invent excuses to stay home, I’d have to say: No they don’t!
February 8th, 2010 at 5:33 pmCantor: A walking talking version of the thing that comes out the back end of a chicken, that isn’t for breakfast.
February 8th, 2010 at 5:35 pmTHIS is the Repub position on EVERYTHING Obama proposes. They are not interested in any legislation that will not support the status quo and benefit their supporters financial interest (Pharma/Health Insurance/Doctors).
Obama should invite them to the table and if they don’t show, move ahead without them. That’s why we elected him President!
February 8th, 2010 at 5:38 pmall this simpleton has done is sell his health care reform to america……
Two things Wrong with this….President Obama is many things, but Simpleton is not one of them.
And from day one, it is NOT HIS Health care Reform….he has let CONGRESS take the lead and write it…which was probably a Mistake.
So pez…do you think the Health care System
…which cost TWICE as much as any other Developed Country
…Results in Millions of Bankruptcies unlike other countries
…leaves 40 Million Americans Uninsured and countless others Underinsured…
NEEDS FIXING??? And do you Really think TORT REFORM and Purchasing Plans across State Lines will Really Fix it????
February 8th, 2010 at 5:38 pmGOP: “We want bi-partisanship but only if it favors the GOP.”
Hell even John Boehner admitted it.
February 8th, 2010 at 5:40 pmpezmiztix says:
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February 8th, 2010 at 5:37 pm
If the American public was so intuitive , Chimpy McFlightsuit would never have spent 8 seconds in the Oval Office , much less 8 godawful years , dolt ……..
February 8th, 2010 at 5:40 pmCantor “Going it Alone” = NONONONONONONONONONONONONO
February 8th, 2010 at 5:42 pmpez@29, You are so full of sh*t. The Repugs thought the last Q & A would be a cake walk. They showed up with their same old tired talking points and they blew it. Obama blow them away. They underestimated him, yet again. he had no telepromter, no CRIB notes and answered questions on the spot. Spout you drivel somewhere else.
February 8th, 2010 at 5:42 pmI think bipartisanship should be strictly illegal.
February 8th, 2010 at 5:48 pmFuzzy Slippers™ A Solid B+ says:
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The Republicans have already “taken themselves out of the process” and handed the reins to the democrat party, the democrat party which has the White House and both houses of congress, and the democrat party has driven the wagon into the ditch.
February 8th, 2010 at 5:43 pm
Because the American people were all on the Autobahn in Germany driving in Ferraris and Lamborghinis during the horseshit Bush presidency with a GOP majority ?
Not a chance , skid mark ……….
February 8th, 2010 at 5:48 pmIf this isn’t one of those gawdammit I wish I had a trapdoor to drop this jerk through moments, I don’t know what would be.
February 8th, 2010 at 5:50 pmWow. On ‘Hard Ball’ Tweety really laid into Queen Sarah’s speech. He used language like ‘Frightening’ about her rhetoric about Iran. He is also laying into Sen. Shelby’s hold up of Obama’s nominees for pork for his own state. Nice to see Tweety get something right. That whole ‘I forgot he was black’, was a real gaffe.
February 8th, 2010 at 5:52 pmRepost (since pezmiztix hasn’t responsed to my first request) –
Well, pezmiztix, since you’re hanging around, why don’t you explain Ryan’s draft of the republican budget plan (that balances the budget in 50 years). I understand that it calls for essentially eradicating Medicare (and privatizing Social Security).
While you’re at it, contrast and compare it to the Medicare cost reductions contained in the Senate HCR bill.
February 8th, 2010 at 5:53 pmHey, this could be fun. Call their bluff, see what they got, have a great laugh and also show people what they really want….
February 8th, 2010 at 5:53 pmhar5125 (brought to your by The Independent Faction) says:
Don’t forget you can’t spell Cantor without NO!
And you also can’t spell Cantor without “Can rot”.
February 8th, 2010 at 5:55 pmRunning & hiding from any televised discussion– this is the Replicans’ meaning of transparency & honesty. But it isn’t surprising, given the way Obama smacked them down & showed up their total lack of ideas & all their lies during the last televised Q/A session.
February 8th, 2010 at 6:00 pmTo that point, House Republicans have offered the only plan, that will lower health care costs, which is what the President said was the goal at the start of this debate.
Right, I think I heard Rep Bachmann discussing this plan. The plan is to do away with Medicare, Medicade and Social Security. Couple that with tax cuts for the wealthy, tort reform, the scrapping of anti-trust laws et voilà! Oh, you mean you wanted Republicans to solve the problem? Sorry, there just doesn’t appear to be a solution that helps Americans AND guarantees that Big Health keeps it’s treasures. If there were then maybe…maybe the Republican Party might get on board. They aren’t too keen on helping Americans get a leg up, but if it helps the HMOs at the same time…maybe.
February 8th, 2010 at 6:01 pmWhen my beautiful party walked out of the first round of debates, their ammunition to whine was that the door was shut behind them. Please, my beautiful party, don’t take part in these televised debates. You’re the victims here, even when everyone else is bleeding and broke. Television just shows the world how good we get our asses kicked.
February 8th, 2010 at 6:02 pmA working democracy requires opposing parties work in good faith to make things happen (by definition, compromises) – when one party refuses to participate in any functional manner – the system fails to operate
Clearly, the repubs want the system to fail, they want Obama to fail – so “they can win” –
What policy have the repubs enacted in the last 50 years?? open question to any brain working repub – I am listening
February 8th, 2010 at 6:02 pmIsn’t pezmonkey supposed to be working on its “thesis”? Or have I confused that troll with another?
February 8th, 2010 at 6:02 pmWhat phucking ditch? Aside from unemployment, which always lags behind a recession and is beginning to show some signs of improvement as we come out of the worst financial disaster in 80 years, what’s worse today than it was when President Obama took office?
The only “ditch” I see is the sewer that Reicwhiners bury their brains in.
February 8th, 2010 at 6:03 pmThe Republicans have already “taken themselves out of the process” and handed the reins to the democrat party, the democrat party which has the White House and both houses of congress, and the democrat party has driven the wagon into the ditch.
No, all the demlibs have to do is get over the daughter-selling placeholder from Massachussets.
February 8th, 2010 at 6:05 pmPlease explain which of these items equate with running “into a ditch”:
* required interrogators to follow the procedures of the army field manual when questioning prisoners
February 8th, 2010 at 6:05 pm* removed the ban on photographing caskets returning from Iraq
* the Equal Pay for Equal Work bill was passed and enacted in January
* in March, the President signed an act requiring full scientific review of projects which may endanger species of plants or wildlife
* allowing states to set their own stricter fuel efficiency and pollution standards
* the White House has put under federal protection more than two million acres of wilderness, thousands of miles of river and a host of national trails and parks
* Froze the salaries for top White House staff members. This is a largely symbolic act, but might be an important one.
* Signed a detailed executive order to ban torture and inhumane treatment of prisoners.
* Families of fallen soldiers have expenses covered to be on hand when the body arrives at Dover AFB
* The White House and federal government are respecting the Freedom of Information Act
* Phasing out the expensive F-22 war plane and other outdated weapons systems, which weren’t even used or needed in Iraq/Afghanistan
* Ended the previous stop-loss policy that kept soldiers in Iraq/Afghanistan longer than their enlistment date
* New federal funding for science and research labs
* Funds for high-speed, broadband Internet access to K-12 schools
* The public can meet with federal housing insurers to refinance (the new plan can be completed in one day) a mortgage if they are having trouble paying
* The secret detention facilities in Eastern Europe and elsewhere are being closed
* Better body armor is now being provided to our troops
* The missile defense program is being cut by $1.4 billion in 2010
* Restarted the nuclear nonproliferation talks and building back up the nuclear inspection infrastructure/protocols
* Reengaged in the treaties/agreements to protect the Antarctic
* Visited more countries and met with more world leaders than any president in his first six months in office
* Attractive tax write-offs for those who buy hybrid automobiles
* Cash for clunkers program offers vouchers to trade in fuel inefficient, polluting old cars for new cars; stimulated auto sales
* Announced plans to purchase fuel-efficient American-made fleet for the federal government
* Expanded the SCHIP program to cover health care for 4 million more children
* Signed national service legislation; expanded national youth service program
* Instituted a new policy on Cuba, allowing Cuban families to return home to visit loved ones
* Ended the previous policy of not regulating and labeling carbon dioxide emissions
* Expanding vaccination programs
* Immediate and efficient response to the floods in North Dakota and other natural disasters
* Closed offshore tax safe havens
* Ended the previous policy of offering tax benefits to corporations who outsource American jobs; the new policy is to promote in-sourcing to bring jobs back
* Ended the previous practice of protecting credit card companies; in place of it are new consumer protections from credit card industry’s predatory practices
* Lower drug costs for seniors
* Ended the previous practice of forbidding Medicare from negotiating with drug manufacturers for cheaper drugs; the federal government is now realizing hundreds of millions in savings
* Increasing pay and benefits for military personnel
* Improved housing for military personnel
* Increasing student loans
* Established a new cyber security office
* Ended previous policy of awarding no-bid defense contracts
* Students struggling to make college loan payments can have their loans refinanced
* The FDA is now regulating tobacco
* Ended previous policy of cutting the FDA and circumventing FDA rules
* Ended previous practice of having White House aides rewrite scientific and environmental rules, regulations, and reports
* Authorized discussions with North Korea and private mission by Pres. Bill Clinton to secure the release of two Americans held in prisons
* Authorized discussions with Myanmar and mission by Sen. Jim Web to secure the release of an American held captive
* Making more loans available to small businesses
* Appointment of first Latina to the Supreme Court
* Authorized construction/opening of additional health centers to care for veterans
* New Afghan War policy that limits aerial bombing and prioritizes aid, development of infrastructure, diplomacy, and good government practices by Afghans
* Announced the long-term development of a national energy grid with renewable sources and cleaner, efficient energy production
* Paid for redecoration of White House living quarters out of his own pocket
* Held first Seder in White House
* Has put the ball in play for comprehensive immigration reform
Call their bluff
That’s what the republicans are worried about. They have successfully spread disinformation and stunk up the place scurrying around in the dark like a bunch of cockroaches. The last thing they want is for the President to shed the harsh light of reality on them.
It’s now entirely appropriate for this meeting to be held. For months now, republicans have played the “fear card” concerning cuts to Medicare contained in the reform bills. Now, they are toying with the eradication of Medicare entirely as part of their “budget plan”. Which approach is better for the country and its citizens in the long term? That is exactly the kind of debate that needs to happen . . . live . . . on CSPAN . . . and picked up by the mainstream media as one of the central issues.
February 8th, 2010 at 6:05 pmThe Republicans have such a tortured position, I just don’t understand why they aren’t actively called on it:
1) They say everything was negotiated behind closed doors
2) They say that because everything was opaque, no one knows what’s in the bill
3) Then they say that Americans fully understand what’s in the bills
4) Then they say with absolute certainty that their ideas aren’t in the bills
So, what is it? Is is fully open or fully hidden? If their crappy ideas were incorporated in the legislation, can someone point them out? If their ideas were rejected in committee, can someone point it out?
There’s stuff that’s been debated and decided in five committees in Congress. Why won’t someone show how often their crap has been tossed out in earlier stages in the process?
And, last but not least, why won’t someone say that the President is giving the debate the transparency he promised, that Republicans have been screaming for, and the chickens won’t belly up to the bar and participate?
The price of transparency is accountability.
February 8th, 2010 at 6:08 pmLet me guess. This stupid troll is stupid enough to simultaneously hold the contradictory thoughts that:
a. Obama is doing nothing.
and
b. Obama is wrecking everything.
February 8th, 2010 at 6:08 pmP.D. at 5:52 pm
That whole ‘I forgot he was black’, was a real gaffe.
Hartmann was reading an Andy Borowitz article on the air, earlier, where Tweety was watching Avatar and said that for over an hour he forgot that the people were blue!
February 8th, 2010 at 6:09 pmF#$k Bipartisanship. Leave the Repiggies behind and get some shit done. Let the Dems take the credit……that is if they really want it. If not F@#k them to.
February 8th, 2010 at 6:29 pmPresident Obama announced “that he would convene a half-day bipartisan health care session at the White House to be televised live this month.”
I tell ya, the man is a genius.
February 8th, 2010 at 6:38 pmpete, that is the best part of this. They are screaming that he is wrecking everything while they block everything he wants to try. Even Monty Python would have a hard time with this.
“He can’t cook eggs. Since he can’t we won’t give him any eggs to cook. Never mind we burned the last eggs we cooked. Just remember, if he has eggs, he can’t cook them but we can burn them. No, burned eggs are cooked and if you don’t want to eat them, go hungry.”
February 8th, 2010 at 6:50 pmHouse@70, LOL! Touche!
February 8th, 2010 at 6:53 pmThe Republicans have a plan that will insure everyone without costing a dime. Their kind of tort reform will greatly reduce lawsuits and monetary judgements by making it so only really rich people can find lawyers to sue the providers. Across state line health insurance means that without high national standards, which I assume they oppose, some state like Alabama can allow plans that are really cheap until you actually use them, so everyone can afford to buy them. Simple.
Anecdote: A few years ago I worked for a temp agency in San Francisco that advertised having a health plan. Of course they didn’t pay any of the premium, you paid all of it. The premiums were affordable. The benefits? If for example you went in the hospital it paid around $300 a day. You only had to pay the other thousand to fifteen hundred or whatever. This is exactly what we would end up with under the Repubs. (Actually, now I wonder what loophole in California code allowed such a plan! Tne other “benefits” were similar.)
February 8th, 2010 at 7:03 pmThe Republicans are not going to show up for any televised meeting with Obama because of what he did at the Republican luncheon. If they were to show up, Obama would run rings around them. Voters would figure out that they have nothing and that can swing elections.
February 8th, 2010 at 7:14 pmIf only the Dems were smart enough to play this:
Public wants bipartisan cooperation
Obama calls for meeting to cooperate
Rush Limbaugh says, “No.”
Republicans refuse to meet.
Obama sighs and says, “Well, I tried, but the American people can’t wait. Reconciliation it is.”
Dems play this in every venue between now and November.
sigh, a girl can dream.
February 8th, 2010 at 7:21 pmWho says the children ain’t be learnin’? The Republicans got spanked the other day on (mostly) live tv. Their @sees are still sore from being paddled by a black Democratic President. That’s NOT the good kind of spanking in GOP land and they sure aren’t going to let THAT happen again. In the future they’ll be more careful when demanding transparency in gov’t. For now though, absolutely no live tv where the Reps are concerned I mean shit, even FOX viewers allmost got a chance to see that Obama isn’t illiterate, doesn’t need a prompter and doesn’t actually sound like the love child of Hitler and Marx. They may have been able to form their own opinion and FOX will have none of that.
That said, if the Repubs won’t take up the offer for honest debate in front of the Nation the Dem leadership MUST force a true filibuster on HC. If the Reps are afraid of Americans seeing for themselves just how didingenuous they have been in legislating a filibuster will FORCE the issue.
February 8th, 2010 at 7:32 pmWhen the republicans enter the room, scary entrance music should play in the background. That will give them an intimidating edge.
February 8th, 2010 at 7:37 pmThe Republican is a chicken. Be it wars or public debates, the Republican is not present. The Republicans are fake.
Republicans know they will not survive in the light of public discourse. Republicans know they will be exposed as fake politicians.
Republicans are more terrorist than politician. I realize that’s harsh but just take a look. Are they working on policy or on terrifying the population?
February 8th, 2010 at 7:42 pmpags2 says:
The Republicans are not going to show up for any televised meeting with Obama because of what he did at the Republican luncheon. If they were to show up, Obama would run rings around them. Voters would figure out that they have nothing and that can swing elections.
If they don’t show up, those empty seats are going to look pretty conspicuous.
February 8th, 2010 at 7:45 pmExactly what is the GOOPers health care plan???????
February 8th, 2010 at 8:03 pmThe Reichwhiners “vision” for health care would result in Viagra being free and contraceptives being illegal.
The end result of such a policy is too obvious to require elaboration.
February 8th, 2010 at 8:08 pmRE: The second UPDATE -
Uh, duh, GOP-ers. The Democrats may not have a super-majority any more, but they did manage to pass this bill in both houses. Why on earth would this not be the Democrat’s starting point?
Ya’ll get to have your 26 page bopoklet that cal Thomas is so hot over (”It proves that Republicans have a plan” he helpfully said. Yeah, 26 pages to fix America. NEXT).
Anyway, really, ya’ll bring your plan, the Dem’s will bring what they passed. And you bargain.
Chucking the Dem plan, Mr. Cantor, to what – strate from your plan as the starting point? You do know that the Village Voice was joking when they said Republicans Win Senate 41-59, right?
February 8th, 2010 at 8:08 pmchristopher wiwi says:
Exactly what is the GOOPers health care plan???????
This.
February 8th, 2010 at 8:18 pmchristopher wiwi says:
Exactly what is the GOOPers health care plan???????
Notwithstanding whatever ElBruce posted (I didn’t click!), the republican plan is simple: Don’t get sick.
February 8th, 2010 at 8:24 pmCantor and his resluglican cohorts are gutless wonders. When they know they are about to loose it all and sister palin is their only hope in starting out right gun play, their stupidity turns to panic and they coil up in a corner.
resluglicans are losers – all and never separate.
February 8th, 2010 at 8:25 pmCan we finally kill this health care bill?
February 8th, 2010 at 8:27 pmconservative guy says:
Can we finally kill this health care bill?
No. Permission denied.
February 8th, 2010 at 8:28 pmconservative guy says:
Can we finally kill this health care bill?
Let’s kill the health care bill and get back to the killing. May purity reign supreme.
February 8th, 2010 at 8:29 pmkeith reported earlier that the cantor boys would come over to play as long as reconciliation was off the table…
it hurts to say this, but my first thought was, ‘and he’ll probably say ok, i promise, no reconciliation’…
shakes head sadly…
February 8th, 2010 at 9:42 pmWhat is wrong with expanding upon or tweaking bills that passed both houses DEMOCRATICALLY!?
++Smacks Forehead with Desk++
February 8th, 2010 at 9:44 pmto be clear, mr.president, sir, don’t even think about that.
you will have killed it all with a move like that.
STOP GIVING IN.
STOP GIVING IT ALL AWAY.
MAKE IT HAPPEN. WITH RECONCILIATION.
PLEASE.
thank you.
February 8th, 2010 at 9:46 pmFuzzy Slippers™ A Solid B+ says:
This comment has been voted down. Click to read.
The Wonk Room’s Igor Volsky notes that “at the end of the day, it will be up to the Republicans to meet the Democrats half way” and “if they still insist on starting over, they’re effectively taking themselves out of the process and giving the reins to the Democrats.”
Now that’s some FUnny shitte right there Igor.
The Republicans have already “taken themselves out of the process” and handed the reins to the democrat party, the democrat party which has the White House and both houses of congress, and the democrat party has driven the wagon into the ditch.
It’s Democratic Party, you damn Fuzzy…
February 8th, 2010 at 10:03 pmconservative guy says:
Can we finally kill this health care bill?
why because you want to get back to KILLING TEH GAYS?
February 8th, 2010 at 10:17 pmThe dysfunctional brahmin won’t show up.
Look for them to go into total desperation mode. The lies will get bigger, the obfuscations more bold, and the cognitive inflexibility more surreal.
They will make any excuse to avoid another episode of “I’m Obama’s B*tch”. These pussies are, at least, capable of knowing when they’ve met their match.
They whined about being marginalized when they had no ideas to ignore and now they’re afraid to stand in front of the class and be exposed as ill-prepared, intellectual midgets.
I can’t get enough of the squirming.
February 8th, 2010 at 10:28 pmThe GOP has long called for a televised bipartisan discussion on the health care reform legislation, claiming that they would cease their obstructionistic tactics if such a public forum took place.
Obama has just called their bluff.
Obama to Congressional GOP: “So what exactly are you proposing with respect to health care reform?”
Their reply: “Proposing? Nothing. It is not the role of the Republican Party to propose any viable solutions to the problems facing the nation. Our job is simply to oppose any and every proposal emanating from the White House.”
February 9th, 2010 at 12:07 amConservaTROLL
Finally will you just kill yourself you ignorant punkass troll?
February 9th, 2010 at 1:21 amRepublicans have a love affair with pre-conditions. Bush set down pre-conditions for not invading Iraq; Saddam had to let the weapons inspectors in with full access. Well, Saddam met those pre-conditions and Bush still invaded Iraq. Since trust is an issue with the word of Republicans Obama surely must reject those pre-conditions and set the proper tone accordingly. Since the Republicans have never presented a proposal to CBO to audit any talk about a Republican plan must wait for the CBO audit (talk about a lack of transparency).
February 9th, 2010 at 2:29 amThis has been a long debate.
Where were these voices when we were going into Iraq.
1)-War in Iraq.
2)-Health Care Reform.
One; We will never heal from.
Two; Had an opportunity to heal many.
We never had a debate about going into Iraq.
Over the long debate about a 1/4 Billion dollars spent to kill this from the Lobbyist, and who will make out best? You bet that the message in November will be how the Republicans are looking out for the Voters best interest with this huge “War Chest”.
“War Chest”? Sad day when when the Republicans support a strike against Iran..Again, With little debate it would be Something we will never heal from.
February 9th, 2010 at 4:44 amI want Alan Grayson to host a bipartisan meeting about health care. Now there’s a Democrat…
My Only God is Rahm
February 9th, 2010 at 5:43 amWhat do the repugs think this is? A Date? You take your tired obstructionist asses to the meeting then discuss what to do for our nation.
They need to get their NO asses in the meeting and do some damn work.
February 9th, 2010 at 8:28 amHAHAHAHA
repugs’ asses are still stinging after that royal asswhipping and they have no intentions of being confronted on their obvious lies again. We all know that.
HAHAHAHAA
OUCH!
The repugs or more than done, they are none. Don’t come the table we won’t know the difference. HAHAHAHAHA
repugs will continue to embrace stupid and I want them to.
How can a club of bs find their way? oh me oh my.
February 9th, 2010 at 9:32 amMParrot
My GOD you are stupid. You managed to shove a whole bunch of stupidity into all those talking points you were brainwashed with. Pity. You are so stupid you dont even GET how pathetic you are
February 9th, 2010 at 9:32 amMParrot
Spew all the propaganda and ignorance that Rush TOLD you to think you brainless pile of dogshit. Things are not true becaue you WISH they were. How soon you forget the EPIC buttkicking you soulless morons got just over a year ago. Your delucional fantasies do NOT constitute reality. FOAD. You are a liar and a moron
February 9th, 2010 at 9:47 amMParrot
Look we all know how stupid you are. We know you think your fantasies become true because you spew them out like a form of ignorance diarrhea. Win an election then get back to us till then STFU loser
February 9th, 2010 at 10:02 amThis is a public space so the words that come to mind, I would not use here. The thought that these ‘do nothing’ thugs who contributed to our being in this mess in the first place, have the unmittigated gall to tell the President what to do, or they won’t show up, boils my blood. Let them all go to hell early. Let the American people see them at last for what they really are. How childish: ‘my way or no way.’ As I said, go to hell early.
February 9th, 2010 at 10:23 amMparrot
State elections say only that the state preferred the winning candidate and say NOTHING about the national mood. You guys also LOST a race in New York in a district Republicans had held for about a hundred years. Ya got nothin. You are wishing and hoping and spewing and you are a moron
February 9th, 2010 at 10:51 amBut if the dems meet them half way, that’s just more compromise, watering down a weak bill even more. They need to just step back to either single payer or extend medicare – let’s get into the 21st century with the rest of the world.
February 9th, 2010 at 11:33 ammgparrish says:
The One and Done is losing. YOU’RE LOSING.
The government take over of health care is in the toilet.
Face it Socialist losers progressives, your agenda is dead, The sleeping giant has awoken. It’s our turn now.
Move out of your mother’s basement and get a job, education, or a skilled trade. Stop expecting others to pay your way through life you parasitic sock cuckers.
Hope and Change is what you should see in the mirror, stop suckling at the breast of government.
Your turn? So more people can die and the CEOs of the health insurers can make even more profit? You value profit over life, conservatives do not deserve to be called pro-life. The only sock cucker parasites are the corporations that destroy life in the name of making more profit, and use you as their pawns. Stop sucking at the teat of these soulless corporations and then perhaps you can broaden your mind, you CORPORATE TOOL.
February 9th, 2010 at 1:24 pmmgparrish (brought to you by Tea Party Patriots) says:
Eugene Debs sponsered by the Church of the presumptious assumption says:
——————————————————————————–
MParrot
I just pointing out 3 elections we just recently won you fool. Are you blind, deaf,and dumb? Anyway, how’s that health care reform working out for you?
Win an election then get back to us till then STFU loser
February 9th, 2010 at 1:25 pmSTFU yourself…you useless Fuzzy…
pete, that is the best part of this. They are screaming that he is wrecking everything while they block everything he wants to try. Even Monty Python would have a hard time with this.
February 13th, 2010 at 7:21 am“He can’t cook eggs. Since he can’t we won’t give him any eggs to cook. Never mind we burned the last eggs we cooked. Just remember, if he has eggs, he can’t cook them but we can burn them. No, burned eggs are cooked and if you don’t want to eat them, go hungry.