Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

GOP senator signals fading hopes on health care
AP ^ | August 29, 2009 | JIM KUHNHENN (AP)

Posted on 08/29/2009 7:49:32 AM PDT by Jet Jaguar

Edited on 08/29/2009 8:17:19 AM PDT by Admin Moderator. [history]

A leading GOP negotiator on health care struck a further blow to fading chances of a bipartisan compromise by saying Democratic proposals would restrict medical choices and make the country's "finances sicker without saving you money."

The criticism from Sen. Michael Enzi, R-Wyo., echoed that of many opponents of the Democratic plans under consideration in Congress. But Enzi's judgment was especially noteworthy because he is one of only three Republicans who have been willing to consider a bipartisan bill in the Senate.


(Excerpt) Read more at google.com ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Crime/Corruption; Front Page News; News/Current Events; US: Wyoming
KEYWORDS: 111th; bhohealthcare; enzi; healthcare; obamacare
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-5051-87 next last

1 posted on 08/29/2009 7:49:32 AM PDT by Jet Jaguar
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Jet Jaguar

If the GOP tries to put the mustard on this crap sandwich, they can eat it.


2 posted on 08/29/2009 7:52:19 AM PDT by GVnana (Sarah for America)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Jet Jaguar
I think it will get rammed through. Even a modified bill will make the healthcare system “a little bit pregnant”.
3 posted on 08/29/2009 7:52:27 AM PDT by ClearCase_guy (Play the Race Card -- lose the game.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Jet Jaguar
NONE NADA NOTHING...NO government involvement with health care...NO HEALTH CARE BILL LITE...NO COMPROMISE..!!! stop the post turtle NOW!!!
4 posted on 08/29/2009 7:53:01 AM PDT by Doogle (USAF.68-73..8th TFW Ubon Thailand..never store a threat you should have eliminated))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Jet Jaguar

Leftists have to plant this flag at all costs.


5 posted on 08/29/2009 7:53:50 AM PDT by TADSLOS (Proud FR Mobster)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Doogle

Right. Just say NO.


6 posted on 08/29/2009 7:54:30 AM PDT by elizabethgrace (Obama's Deficit Projections Assume That He & Congress Will Stop Spending)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Jet Jaguar

Call your elected and tell them to Shred the whole bill....there is no part that merits discussion - just shred the whole bill.


7 posted on 08/29/2009 8:01:49 AM PDT by yoe (Obama, America's first Communist ruler.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: TADSLOS
You're correct. This is the hill they're willing to die on. It's interesting to see the difference between Liberal Dems and the GOP. The Libs are willing to draw the line in the sand and back it up.

One danger for the Libs is the way the bill is structured.The taxes start on the day the bill is signed, but the benefit changes are pushed out to 2013. That means two elections where the GOP can point to higher taxes and no appreciable improvement. That's to be taken advantag of.

8 posted on 08/29/2009 8:02:39 AM PDT by xkaydet65
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Jet Jaguar

I actually like my health care and my insurance...What’s the problem.


9 posted on 08/29/2009 8:02:52 AM PDT by areukiddingme1 (areukiddingme1 is a synonym for a Retired U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer and tired of liberal BS.))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Jet Jaguar

More lies from the Associated Press:

“He is one of only three Republicans who have been willing to consider a bipartisan bill in the Senate”

There are many Republicans who would consider a bipartisan bill in the Senate, if it were truly bipartisan . . . not a matter of signing on to the liberal Democrats’ bill.


10 posted on 08/29/2009 8:03:32 AM PDT by steven33442
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Jet Jaguar

These RINO senators don’t realize yet that they are consorting WITH THE ENEMIES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

Or, maybe they do...


11 posted on 08/29/2009 8:06:00 AM PDT by Peter W. Kessler (Dirt is for racing... asphalt is for getting there.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Jet Jaguar

And I have heard that even if a ‘mild’ form of the bill passes the Senate, it will go back to committee in the House and they can re-insert anything they want.

Is that correct?

If it is correct that’s why the whole thing has to go.


12 posted on 08/29/2009 8:06:56 AM PDT by squarebarb
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Peter W. Kessler

These “ENEMIES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” were elected by your fellow Americans, your next-door neighbors. Get over it.


13 posted on 08/29/2009 8:07:02 AM PDT by steven33442
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: areukiddingme1
I actually like my health care and my insurance...What’s the problem.

As I understand it, 80% of Americans pretty much agree with you. But 20% disagree.

As I understand it, our Republic is now considered a Democracy, where the majority rules. So, if 20% of the population wants socialized medicine, the other 80% of the population has to suck it up and cast aside the health care system that they like.

Welcome to Obama's World.

14 posted on 08/29/2009 8:08:08 AM PDT by ClearCase_guy (Play the Race Card -- lose the game.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: Jet Jaguar
Enzi is nothing but a f&*%^n RACIST!!! :-)
15 posted on 08/29/2009 8:09:33 AM PDT by 101voodoo (OBAMA- THE OPIATE FOR THE DUMB ASSES)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: elizabethgrace

Snowe signaled she’s going to do something... she may vote for the crap sandwich... to protect folks who are currently happy with their insurance from future problems “that they don’t know about”.

She thinks she’s smarter than the rest of us. She thinks like a Democrat and needs to be ejected from the party. She can be an independent from this point on if she wants to. It doesn’t help to have her confusing our message in the minds of the voters.


16 posted on 08/29/2009 8:10:01 AM PDT by o2bfree (This president is giving me a headache!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: ClearCase_guy

“the other 80% of the population has to suck it up”

And pay for the other 20%...I believe that is closeer to the truth — Agree.


17 posted on 08/29/2009 8:10:07 AM PDT by areukiddingme1 (areukiddingme1 is a synonym for a Retired U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer and tired of liberal BS.))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: xkaydet65
The taxes start on the day the bill is signed, but the benefit changes are pushed out to 2013. That means two elections where the GOP can point to higher taxes and no appreciable improvement. That's to be taken advantag of.

Once the bill is in place it will not be eliminated. The Pubs won't have a veto proof majority. Also, with Acorn helping with the 2010 census and 0 already saying they will count "all" people redistricting will favor Rats.

IOW, if it passes the Pubs may gain seats, even get majorities, but it will be short lived. The country will be transformed into the "European socialist model" the left loves.

18 posted on 08/29/2009 8:13:24 AM PDT by wmfights (If you want change support SenateConservatives.com)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: Jet Jaguar
Dr. Conrad Murray is the type of “doctor” who would continue to practice medicine under Obamacare. Others would find it unethical, but Michael Jackson's doctor would have no problem with that.
19 posted on 08/29/2009 8:14:53 AM PDT by LOC1
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: o2bfree

Yes, I read that somewhere last night about Snowe. I guess congress will be at it right after Labor Day. Gotta get the bill passed while the memory of Ted Kennedy is still fresh in the “dims” minds.


20 posted on 08/29/2009 8:15:15 AM PDT by spiderfern
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: Jet Jaguar
If a the camel ever gets it's nose under the tent it will start to stink a little.

If he ever gets IN the tent, you can be assured the sh!t will stink to high heaven!

21 posted on 08/29/2009 8:20:52 AM PDT by unixfox (The 13th Amendment Abolished Slavery, The 16th Amendment Reinstated It !)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: steven33442
Americans, your next-door neighbors. Get over it.

I never liked my neighbors much anyway. If they are mingling with the enemy then I guess that makes me theirs.

22 posted on 08/29/2009 8:22:34 AM PDT by unixfox (The 13th Amendment Abolished Slavery, The 16th Amendment Reinstated It !)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: o2bfree

Have any people actually met Sen Snowe?

she seems dumber than a doornail and just a political opportunist savant. It is hard to picture how she had the brain capacity to walk and chew gum.


23 posted on 08/29/2009 8:24:30 AM PDT by longtermmemmory (VOTE! http://www.senate.gov and http://www.house.gov)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: longtermmemmory

forgot to add:

Senator Snowe puts the stupid in Stupid Party.


24 posted on 08/29/2009 8:25:06 AM PDT by longtermmemmory (VOTE! http://www.senate.gov and http://www.house.gov)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 23 | View Replies]

To: Jet Jaguar
KILL THE BILL
25 posted on 08/29/2009 8:25:32 AM PDT by Recovering_Democrat
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: steven33442

Bi-partisanship in the “age of Obama” means Repubs must accept all of the dems’ terms, and any disagreement, even the slightest, will be instantly labeled “partisan” by the MSM/DNC/WH. I go back to the 2008 campaign where Obama lied on a daily basis about his “clear record” of reaching across and working with the other side. He has absolutely no record of bi-partisanship whatsoever, yest another 2008 Obama lie never reported by the hapless and lovestruck MSM.


26 posted on 08/29/2009 8:27:27 AM PDT by moose2004 (Stand up, speak out and stop Obamacare and GE)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: unixfox

It has always been my opinion that the American people weren’t voting for Barack Obama but were voting vehemently against George W. Bush. Bush will go down in history as a lousy president.


27 posted on 08/29/2009 8:29:08 AM PDT by steven33442
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]

To: o2bfree

Those northeast “Republicans” always break with the party on the important issues. I agree with you. The GOP would be better served if those senators would put an “I” behind their names, so that the democrat legislation couldn’t be called “bipartisan.”


28 posted on 08/29/2009 8:29:22 AM PDT by elizabethgrace (Obama's Deficit Projections Assume That He & Congress Will Stop Spending)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: moose2004

too bad mccain has no viable opposition.

A mccain primary ouster would send a clear anti-rino message.


29 posted on 08/29/2009 8:30:18 AM PDT by longtermmemmory (VOTE! http://www.senate.gov and http://www.house.gov)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: elizabethgrace

McCain puts an (M) behind his name thinking it means maverick.

for McCain the (M) stands for moron.

ANY capitulation is a loss for america.


30 posted on 08/29/2009 8:31:29 AM PDT by longtermmemmory (VOTE! http://www.senate.gov and http://www.house.gov)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 28 | View Replies]

oh joy, yet another GWBush derangement troll.


31 posted on 08/29/2009 8:34:11 AM PDT by longtermmemmory (VOTE! http://www.senate.gov and http://www.house.gov)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 27 | View Replies]

To: steven33442

No, I will not “get over it,” nor will most of the members of Free Republic, nor will anyone who has ever attended a town hall meeting, or anyone who intends to attend the 9/12 March in D.C.

We have been “getting over it” for far, far too long, my friend. (Reference to John McCain intentional)


32 posted on 08/29/2009 8:36:38 AM PDT by Peter W. Kessler (Dirt is for racing... asphalt is for getting there.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: Peter W. Kessler

I must defend Enzi here...I think he needs to be given credit for his voting record..he is one of the most conservative Senators on the hill...look at his record...he doesn’t deserve to be called a RINO just because he wanted a compromise that involved tort reform...in committee he engineered over 300 amendments to take out all of the provisions in this bill that we hate..he has voted against all of the crap when others wouldn’t..he does not deserve to be placed in Snowe’s category


33 posted on 08/29/2009 8:40:40 AM PDT by Benjamin Harrison
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: Jet Jaguar
GOP senator signals fading hopes on health care

Yet another grossly-biased headline from AP...

Exactly whose "hopes" are fading? Apparently it's the hopes of the AP writers (that the DemocratsCommunists in Congress will be able to turn this country into a socialist hell) that are fading.

It certainly is not my hope that is fading - rather, along with many millions of Americans, my hope (that the abomination of the health care "reform" that is currently on the table will go down to defeat) is increasing and I find this development to be somewhat encouraging...

34 posted on 08/29/2009 8:45:21 AM PDT by Zeppo (Save the cheerleader, save the world...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Jet Jaguar
Here is an e-mail I sent to the RNC:

"Once again, RINOs are calling for bipartisan compromise on the socialising of health. This always means the RINOs bend over for the Demonrats and the country takes it up the wazoo. The Republicans have a bad habit of showing no courage to confront what is wrong with our government, nor the ability or will to listen to the people of this country. I have to assume they don't won't to do so.

Since I know that this will never be read by anyone who actually gives a hoot, I patiently await your form letter that has nothing to do with what I wrote."


They met my expectations with the same form reply I've always gotten:

"Thank you for contacting the Republican National Committee. We certainly appreciated your email, and will include your thoughts in our report to the Chairman. Please do not hesitate to contact us in the future with any of your thoughts, opinions or observations."

This is verbatum of every reply from the RNC. There is an implied last paragraph to the form letter:

We don't care what you think, actually, but if it makes you feel better, we encourage you to contact us. Or, you can go pound sand, we don't care.
35 posted on 08/29/2009 8:48:29 AM PDT by Free_SJersey (Liberty can promote equality- manditory equality will kill liberty. CONSTITUTION FIRST!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: spiderfern
Snowe has also said she will not support the current bills because the doctor/patient relationships are dismantled. Snowe always plays the fence but with the other moderates bailing such as Conrad, Enzi, and Grassley then she will hide out and figure out which way the wind is blowing . Hit her office hard with calls !
The GOP needs to run a tough opponent against Baucus who is very very weak in MT right now ! The former Female GOP Governor would clean his clock.
36 posted on 08/29/2009 8:50:45 AM PDT by ncalburt (Read all about)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies]

To: Benjamin Harrison

“... he is one of only three Republicans who have been willing to consider a bipartisan bill in the Senate.”

If this is true, he is on the wrong side of the issue, regardless of his stance on other issues.


37 posted on 08/29/2009 8:51:33 AM PDT by Peter W. Kessler (Dirt is for racing... asphalt is for getting there.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 33 | View Replies]

To: Jet Jaguar

The Dems don’t need a bipartisan compromise except to have Reps share in the disastrous consequences when Obamacare fails and adds to the financial woes of an already bankrupt country. The Reps should distance themselves from this monstrosity. They don’t have the votes to stop it.


38 posted on 08/29/2009 8:53:14 AM PDT by kabar
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Zeppo
Exactly , the AP is a branch of the Obama WH state media operation and they don't even bother to hide it. You should read the comments about the AP and Yahoo leftist news on the Yahoo comments section. People have really awoken and they trash both the AP and Yahoo Leftists news on a daily basis there.
39 posted on 08/29/2009 8:53:59 AM PDT by ncalburt (Read all about)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 34 | View Replies]

To: wmfights
The country will be transformed into the "European socialist model" the left loves.

I think the Dems may be thinking Euro Socialist, but Obama and co. are thinking South American/Spanish socialist with Obama as the Caudillo. His models are Franco, Peron (both) Castro, Chavez.

40 posted on 08/29/2009 8:54:34 AM PDT by xkaydet65
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: steven33442

Let me get this straight...Are you saying that W was a lousy president?


41 posted on 08/29/2009 8:56:34 AM PDT by areukiddingme1 (areukiddingme1 is a synonym for a Retired U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer and tired of liberal BS.))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 27 | View Replies]

To: steven33442
There are many Republicans who would consider a bipartisan bill in the Senate, if it were truly bipartisan . . . not a matter of signing on to the liberal Democrats’ bill.

You say that as if it is something to be proud of. We need no health care bill, we need NO government run insurance program, no mater how "bi-partisan" it is. Any Republican who votes for socialized medicine in any form would be voting for an unconstitutional program. No to health care run by the government, yes, to tort reform, yes to competition for Health insurers across state lines. The latter two should be separate bills and not "health care reform!".

42 posted on 08/29/2009 8:57:50 AM PDT by calex59
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: steven33442
There are many Republicans who would consider a bipartisan bill in the Senate, if it were truly bipartisan . . . not a matter of signing on to the liberal Democrats’ bill.

You say that as if it is something to be proud of. We need no health care bill, we need NO government run insurance program, no mater how "bi-partisan" it is. Any Republican who votes for socialized medicine in any form would be voting for an unconstitutional program. No to health care run by the government, yes, to tort reform, yes to competition for Health insurers across state lines. The latter two should be separate bills and not "health care reform!".

43 posted on 08/29/2009 8:58:08 AM PDT by calex59
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: Peter W. Kessler

I understand your point that..but he knows there is Dem majority..the best he can do is force them to vote for a bill that has none of the bad stuff in it. He wants to a have a bill that costs nothing, strips the public option, allows for free market choices and forces tort reform..but to do it..he will have to sneak it in under the democrats lust for control..like a Trojan horse inside of their ugly Trojan Horse..Mike has a 96 % approval from the ACU..that is the same as Coburn...and that is saying alot


44 posted on 08/29/2009 8:58:41 AM PDT by Benjamin Harrison
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 37 | View Replies]

To: xkaydet65
I think the Dems may be thinking Euro Socialist, but Obama and co. are thinking South American/Spanish socialist with Obama as the Caudillo.

If that happens it will be very short lived. No matter what our military will always defend the constitution, not the office holder.

45 posted on 08/29/2009 8:58:51 AM PDT by wmfights (If you want change support SenateConservatives.com)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 40 | View Replies]

To: longtermmemmory

Simcox is running against him in the primary. Frankly any Rep who runs against him in the primary is viable. McCain was the only top tier candidate of either party who failed to win his/her home state in the primary with 50% or more of the vote. McCain is in trouble in the Rep party. If a J D Hayworth or some other AZ Rep in the House ran against him, McCain would lose in the primary.


46 posted on 08/29/2009 8:59:32 AM PDT by kabar
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: Peter W. Kessler

Get over the fact that George W. Bush’s incompetence handed the Presidency to Obama, nothing that Obama said or did during the campaign.

The American people were looking for any excuse to vote Republican last year and then the stock market crashed along with many of GWB big spending programs and his refusal to pay for the Iraq war or to manage it properly.


47 posted on 08/29/2009 9:10:29 AM PDT by steven33442
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 32 | View Replies]

To: steven33442; All; St. Louis Conservative; Islander7; Allegra; USMCPOP; StarCMC; Grimmy; ...

Are your eyes brown...Because you are so full of S$#@!

Do you really believe that George W. Bush and Dick Cheney ever did one thing to compromise the security of this nation? Seriously, do you believe that?

The simple fact of the matter is the left promised free pie with no responsibility to the sheeple (go back and look at the record voter turnouts of low income districts) — Remember Joe the Plumber, “that is socialism,” spreading wealth around...Were you paying attention. The right could not win that election because all we had to offer was taking responsibility for yourself...The left was handing out other peoples money...

Are you paying attention now to what is going on with reductions in defense spending and investigating the CIA...and the constant drum beat that America is the problem...Did George Bush ever apologize for America being a great nation...Are you paying attention.

What we have right now in the WH is the problem...Do your homework!!!!


48 posted on 08/29/2009 9:36:15 AM PDT by areukiddingme1 (areukiddingme1 is a synonym for a Retired U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer and tired of liberal BS.))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 47 | View Replies]

To: areukiddingme1

I notice how you deliberately avoided every point I made in my original posting. I guess that is your idea of debate.


49 posted on 08/29/2009 9:37:58 AM PDT by steven33442
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 48 | View Replies]

To: steven33442

Are you Ash?


50 posted on 08/29/2009 9:38:12 AM PDT by Peter W. Kessler (Dirt is for racing... asphalt is for getting there.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 47 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-5051-87 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson