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Democrat on Obamacare: ‘We Will Own This Problem Forever.’
National Review ^ | 10-28-2013 | Jim Geraghty

Posted on 10/28/2013 11:22:18 AM PDT by smoothsailing

October 28, 2013

Democrat on Obamacare: ‘We Will Own This Problem Forever.’

Jim Geraghty

Ron Fournier, of National Journal, formerly of the Associated Press:

“Dem Party is F****d.” That was the subject line of an email sent to me Sunday by a senior Democratic consultant with strong ties to the White House and Capitol Hill. The body of the email contained a link to this Los Angeles Times story about Obamacare “sticker shock” . . .

The Democratic consultant said none of this is news to him, but he wonders why Obama wasn’t honest with Americans. He predicted surprise and outrage over higher costs and lesser coverage. “We will own this problem forever,” the Democrat wrote.

From that Democrat’s lips to God and the American electorate’s ears.

But it’s not as if the Democrats aren’t experts in blame-shifting.

I suspect that if there is no miraculous solution to the woes of Obamacare, and the issue is a liability heading into November 2014, Democrats will attempt the shameless maneuver of insisting the problems with Obamacare — both the web site and the policy — are the fault of Republicans and that handy perennial scapegoat, health insurance companies. Picture television commercials like this:

“Obamacare was supposed to help expand care for everyone. But Republicans and the big insurance companies stood in the way, and now millions are losing coverage because of their obstructionism. We need someone to stand up to the powerful interests in Washington so that all of us get the care we need! Vote for [insert name of Democrat incumbent or challenger here]

We’ve already seen the “blame Republicans” spin from Howard Dean, Juan Williams, and a few others.

Dean’s assessment claims the problem is that HHS had to build a “one size fits all” web site, and that the problem could have been alleviated by “regional” web sites, but that’s just flat wrong. The site isn’t having a problem differentiating requests from different states. The biggest problems are A) problems with users putting in data and B) getting the right data to the IRS and insurance companies. Remember, the amount of traffic wasn’t an issue; the day of its debut, the website crashed shortly after midnight as several thousand people tried to use it.

Nor is the problem with the site the fact that more Republican governors didn’t create their own sites. The state sites are having similar problems:

When enrollment opened Oct. 1 in California, a tool designed to help consumers search for doctors wasn’t working. Early last week, Covered California officials said the search tool was up and running. But, within hours, those using it found a slew of problems. Covered California, which runs the state exchange, took it offline again to make some fixes. “I had an opthamologist [sic] friend listed as speaking Farsi, Russian and Spanish, and he doesn’t speak any of those languages,” says Dr. Richard Thorp, president of the California Medical Association, which represents about 37,000 doctors statewide. Perhaps even more awkward, data loaded into the site contained errors that linked doctors to the wrong specialty. For instance, Thorp says, a gynecologist friend of his was listed as an ophthalmologist. — Stephanie O’Neill, KPCC, Southern California Public Radio, Los Angeles

Oregon’s new health insurance exchange may not be able to start processing applications on its new website until early next month. CoverOregon chief Rocky King said the backup plan is to start processing applications by hand. “I believe we’ll be up and running way in time for people to get coverage by Dec. 15th,” he said. “That said, we also have contingency plans that we’ve put in place that we’ll be able to accept paper applications and paper enrollment. And we’re starting that process this week.” — Kristian Foden-Vencil, Oregon Public Broadcasting, Portland, Ore.

Some are performing worse than the federal site:

Officials claim that HawaiiHealthConnector.com, the online Obamacare exchange designed to provide individuals and small businesses with information about health care plans, federal subsidies and tax credits, is now fully operational. But that wasn’t the case yesterday for some who tried to log on.

The website went live Oct. 1 after a great deal of media hype, but for two weeks, the exchange had no information on the 95 health insurance plans it would eventually offer, including pricing.

There was no “Republican obstructionism” in California, Oregon, or Hawaii. But that won’t stop Democrats from claiming that in the year ahead.


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Extended News; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: 113th; aca; bhohealthcare; miserablefailure
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1 posted on 10/28/2013 11:22:18 AM PDT by smoothsailing
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To: smoothsailing

As you should...


2 posted on 10/28/2013 11:24:18 AM PDT by 5thGenTexan
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To: smoothsailing

Dems, you OWN this mess.


3 posted on 10/28/2013 11:24:37 AM PDT by Biggirl (“Go, do not be afraid, and serve”-Pope Francis)
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To: smoothsailing

As DummycRATs should.


4 posted on 10/28/2013 11:24:47 AM PDT by SandRat (Duty - Honor - Country! What else needs said?)
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To: smoothsailing

Exactly. And guess who angry Americans will remember trying to stop it? Ted Cruz.


5 posted on 10/28/2013 11:25:12 AM PDT by Phillyred
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To: smoothsailing

I’m not sure they will own it. The GOPe is still keeping its powder dry, for that one day when they will finally stand up and hang this turkey around Obama’s neck. That day will never come. Who, exactly, will make Democrats own it?


6 posted on 10/28/2013 11:26:39 AM PDT by cdcdawg (Be seeing you...)
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To: smoothsailing
Great pic...

Similarly, just found this one... makes sense:


7 posted on 10/28/2013 11:26:49 AM PDT by C210N (When people fear government there is tyranny; when government fears people there is liberty)
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To: smoothsailing

Heard a friend of a coworker (Lib) complain about her health insurance bill going up. Was going to say something, but figured a nice long chuckle inside was sufficient.


8 posted on 10/28/2013 11:27:42 AM PDT by petercooper
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To: smoothsailing

Dems wanted single payer, now their idiot supporters are going to have to deal with the disaster which is Obamacare..let them choke on it


9 posted on 10/28/2013 11:28:42 AM PDT by Sarah Barracuda
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To: smoothsailing

Perfect image for this fine mess. Let the screaming begin.
He’s right, you know, the DIM party is F****d! Let me count the ways.


10 posted on 10/28/2013 11:28:47 AM PDT by lee martell
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To: C210N

LOL! :o)


11 posted on 10/28/2013 11:28:53 AM PDT by smoothsailing
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To: smoothsailing

Only until the next election when the ABCNNBCBSDNC ‘reminds’ everyone that the Republicans and the Evil Tea Party did it all..............


12 posted on 10/28/2013 11:28:55 AM PDT by Red Badger (The only way to defeat liberalism is to give them everything they want......then pick up the pieces.)
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To: smoothsailing
The Democratic consultant said none of this is news to him, but he wonders why Obama wasn’t honest with Americans.

Seriously? The biggest liar of modern times is in the White House and this schlep wonders why 0bama isn't being truthful?

13 posted on 10/28/2013 11:30:13 AM PDT by Colonel_Flagg (Some people meet their heroes. I raised mine. Go Army.)
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To: smoothsailing
but he wonders why Obama wasn’t honest with Americans

The entire thing that is Obama is one HUMUNGOUS Lie.

We know Obama is a liar. But I do believe that leftists who actually believe that he has always been straight with them are going to be really surprised when they figure out that everything that comes out of his mouth is lies.

They will become the most indignant when they finally realize it.

14 posted on 10/28/2013 11:30:32 AM PDT by Slyfox (Satan's goal is to rub out the image of God he sees in the face of every human.)
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To: Phillyred
And guess who angry Americans will remember trying to stop it? Ted Cruz.

Not the GOP "moderates", the GOP Tea Party conservatives!

15 posted on 10/28/2013 11:30:49 AM PDT by wmfights
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To: smoothsailing
The Democratic consultant said none of this is news to him, but he wonders why Obama wasn’t honest with Americans. He predicted surprise and outrage over higher costs and lesser coverage. “We will own this problem forever,” the Democrat wrote.

and ...the reforms that I'm proposing would not apply to those here illegally .... no federal dollars will be used to fund abortions ....


16 posted on 10/28/2013 11:31:26 AM PDT by Servant of the Cross (the Truth will set you free)
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To: smoothsailing

Or until he goes under the bus. I’d start listening for revving engines about now...


17 posted on 10/28/2013 11:32:48 AM PDT by bigbob (The best way to get a bad law repealed is to enforce it strictly. Abraham Lincoln)
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To: cdcdawg
Who, exactly, will make Democrats own it?

You will, and so will I. And so will everyone else who gives a damn about the future of the USA.

18 posted on 10/28/2013 11:33:47 AM PDT by smoothsailing
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To: smoothsailing
From that Democrat’s lips to God and the American electorate’s ears.

The dumbed-down American electorate is too busy watching sports, TV, porn, and likes all their free stuff from various government agencies too much to ever change.

IMHO, its leftism as far as the eye can see into the future, courtesy the Free Sh!* Army, leftist teachers, and the leftist media.

19 posted on 10/28/2013 11:34:47 AM PDT by bkopto (Obama and Biden are merely symptoms of a more profound, systemic disease in American body politic.)
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To: smoothsailing; All
We had to roll out our website on time because Republicans wanted it delayed.
It doesn't work because Republicans rooted for ACA to fail.
They kept trying to repeal it.
I can't be fired by congress.
I don't work for the people I work for President Obama and he won the election.
Pay more for your health insurance because you trusted us you suckers.

19½ posted on 10/28/2013 2:35:18 PM by Kathleen Sebelius (Who said it would be affordable?)
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To: Kathleen Sebelius

How did you get in here?


20 posted on 10/28/2013 11:37:13 AM PDT by sickoflibs (To GOP : Any path to US Citizenship IS putting them ahead in line. Stop lying about your position)
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