Posted on 02/08/2010 10:48:43 AM PST by La Lydia
Republicans say they have no idea yet who will be invited to join President Obama later this month to discuss health care reform but they have plenty of ideas if Obama is sincere about wanting to work together.
"When you learn about it in a press event you have the suspicion it's going to be nothing more than a press event," said Sage Eastman, communications director for Rep. Dave Camp, R-Mich., who wrote the Republican alternative to the Democratic bill.
"We're optimistic that this is a chance for the president to say to the American people that we've heard you. We're going to start over, we're going to scrap this bill and we're going to lower health care premiums for all Americans," Eastman told FoxNews.com...
Alexa Marrero, spokeswoman for Rep. John Kline of Minnesota, the top Republican on the House Education and Labor Committee, one of the three committees with jurisdiction over health care, said Republicans are willing to come "with a blank piece of paper" to write a bill.
"You're not going to see Republicans coming in with a flat set of items without any room for discussion," Marrero said.
But one question emerging is whether Democrats would be willing to approach reform in a step-by-step fashion rather than in one large reform measure. Eastman said the first priority should be lowering premiums to enable more people to purchase health care. He added that Republicans will probably want Medicare expenses to be restored and tax increases for businesses removed from any proposals.
"You don't have to spend a trillion dollars to lower health care costs," he said.
Marrero said Republicans are nowhere near the 80-percent agreement that Democratic lawmakers kicked around last year to suggest the health care bill was close to bipartisan...
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
RINO suckers. Obama will use them to cover his own ass and then throw them under the bus like he did his grandma.
Anybody who trusts this communist is a fool.
Vichy Republicans...
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find only things evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelogus
GPOP being sucker Punched by Rahm.
Stupid people we need to replace with conservatives, who will not compromise on anything not in the Constitution.
Where in the hell is healthcare in it, RINOs?
Please be aware their are MANY SHEP SMITH’s at FOX NEWS and especially at Fox Leftist RADIO News hour
“When you learn about it in a press event you have the suspicion it’s going to be nothing more than a press event,”
—Quote of the day.
I fear the stupidity of the Stupid Party as much as anyone. But the proper response to this challenge by Obama is not just to say no. It’s to string him along, make him look stupid, and THEN say no.
If the dems took even ONE step toward the right they’d have their bill. You know - you KNOW - at least one of Snowe, Collins, McCain, Graham etc...are just DYING to be the “voice of reason” that “saved the health industry”. One step to the right would give those RINO’s the cover they are looking for.
Lets hope Obama’s ego keeps things as contentious as they are. It’s the only hope we have of the RINO’s staying strong.
These Republicans should write a book on how to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. They have a chance to record an historical landslide this November. What in the he** are they thinking!!!!!!!
Where is Juan McCain and Lindsay Graham-nesty? Hey repubs - don’t be suckers.
If they go to the table, they are Teabag Targets
Fox is 15% or more owned by Saudis aka Obama’s bosses.
A couple of observations. This story was done, for the most part, talking to staff not the elected officials, and the staff of not particularly high profile Republicans at that. They were probably the only ones available, given our weather here. Any Republican that goes along with this is going to find himself looking for a job come next December. Also, I have never thought of Wendell Goler as a Leftie in any way shape or form. He always seems like a straight shooter, right down the center. I suspect this is just the usual Fox attempt to throw gas on a fire and see what happens. It apparently ignited you.
Idiots.
****”You don’t have to spend a trillion dollars to lower health care costs,” he said.*****
Weeelllll...it’s other peoples’ money - which you don’t have..so it’s kinda hard to spend it. Oh - that’s right - you just confiscate it from the idiots and their children and grandchildren. Sorry. I forgot the Marxist’s MO.
That seems to be an understatement.
There is a direct contradiction on Newsmax to this article.
http://newsmax.com/Headline/US-Obama-Health-Care/2010/02/08/id/349266
Yup. The part that got me was about not going in there with any do-or-die issues. Several d-o-d issues come to my mind, such as tort reform, portability, cost containment. And the best line was, “You don’t have to spend a trillion dollars to save money.” Only in DC would someone make that bizarre statement with a straight face.
That is my impression, too.
My worry: Obama can simply ask EXACTLY what republicans want, then put it in a bill daring republicans to vote against it. The bill will have one of those subsections that get “added later” and the trap is set. Oppose it and the MSM will have a field day, support it and Obama wins.
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.