Gene Robinson: Republicans "Behaving Badly"

The Washington Post ^ | September 9, 2009; 9:45 PM ET | Eugene Robinson

[Senator Goldwater]

One of President Obama’s goals in his speech Wednesday night – unacknowledged, perhaps, but central – must have been to make the intransigient Republican opposition to health-care reform look rude, petty, disingenuous, counterproductive and fundamentally dishonest. My verdict: Mission accomplished, thanks to lots of Republican help.

Obama pointed out how Republicans such as Sens. Orrin Hatch, John McCain and Charles Grassley supported earlier reform measures that expanded health coverage and care. He dealt with all the canards that opponents have thrown in the path of reform. No, it’s not a government takeover of health care. No, it’s not going to break the bank. No, there aren't going to be death panels.

But it’s no surprise that Obama’s speech was eloquent, well-constructed, logically compelling and full of facts and figures. As hard as it would be for any politician to deliver a memorable speech on a subject as wonkish as health care, Obama managed to do so with grace. The real impact was emotional, not informational, and it came at two key moments.

The first came as he was systematically addressing the misrepresentations Republicans have been spreading. When Obama said his planned reforms would not apply to illegal immigrants, a voice on the Republican side of the aisle yelled, “You lie!” The juxtaposition could only benefit Obama: a calm and reasonable president vs. a rabid-sounding critic.

[Senator Goldwater]

The second key moment was when Obama pulled out the heavy artillery, rhetorically speaking, and invoked the late Sen. Edward Kennedy. As Obama spoke of the letter Kennedy had sent him and framed the moral issue that health-care reform has always presented, viewers could see the emotion on the faces of Kennedy’s longtime colleagues in the Senate – not just Democrats like Vice President Biden, but also Republicans such as Hatch and McCain. Cameras lingered on Kennedy's widow, Vicki, and his two sons. Their faces showed both grief and pride, and reminded us that health care -- the great issue of Ted Kennedy's career -- is not just an issue of cost but one of conviction.

Obama was further helped by House Minority Whip Eric Cantor, who was seen fingering his BlackBerry during the speech, and by the Republicans who waved copies of their so-called reform bill. Americans, I believe, expect their leaders to act like mature adults. Tonight, the president did – and his opponents didn’t.

Update: It was Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) who yelled "You lie!"

[Senator Goldwater]

Wilson got his point across.

[GraceCoolidge]

The first came as he was systematically addressing the misrepresentations Republicans have been spreading. When Obama said his planned reforms would not apply to illegal immigrants, a voice on the Republican side of the aisle yelled, “You lie!”

Oh, now I get it. When Obama calls you a liar, he is "systematically addressing the misrepresentations," but when you turn around and call him a liar... well, that's just wrong.

[dragonblustar]

For a moment, I thought this article was from the gay Gene.

[stormer]

“Obama was further helped by House Minority Whip Eric Cantor, who was seen fingering his BlackBerry during the speech, and by the Republicans who waved copies of their so-called reform bill. Americans, I believe, expect their leaders to act like mature adults. Tonight, the president did – and his opponents didn’t.”

Bears repeating.

[taxcontrol]

Notice that everyone is talking about Wilson and NOT the speech.

[TXBlair]

Congratulations to Mr. Robinson on farting out another brilliant piece.

*rolls eyes*

[maine-iac7]

could only benefit Obama: a calm and reasonable president vs. a rabid-sounding critic.

no bias there -

[FlingWingFlyer]

Shut up Eugene! I never heard you once whine like this when your side “behaved badly” during the 8 years of President Bush. Why don’t you go get a REAL job? You really suck at what you’re doing now.

[usaproud]

Once again .... Obama didn’t

[chris_bdba]

It is our job tomorrow to point out that he was speaking truth to power!

[BlessingsofLiberty]

Republicans “Behaving Badly”

Yeah, right...LOL

Anyways, A cheer went up in my house for Rep. Wilson...we had already been screaming “liar” at the TV.

[frogjerk]

Someone send this jerk this link:

Flashback... Democrats "BOO" Bush during SOTU address.

[dalereed]

The one thing obama deserves isn’t respect, it’s being arrested as an illegal alien and deported to Kenya!!

[frogjerk]

Notice that everyone is talking about Wilson and NOT the speech.

[Rembrandt]

An article by Eugene Robinson? One has to wonder if he has already filled the order of Fanny May for another shipment of packed fudge. Does he really have time to write an article? What’s the scoop, Rev?

[Uncle Miltie]

See tagline.

[perfect_rovian_storm]

I wasn’t aware that they had identified a gay gene yet.

[Attention Surplus Disorder]

Go suck an egg, Eugene.

[perfect_rovian_storm]

Why? Because you enjoy the repetition of idiocy?