Posted on 12/07/2009 4:56:34 PM PST by Clintonfatigued
It’s relatively new fundraising and political turf for Republicans. Unlike other well-educated and traditionally profitable professions, such as trial law, physicians comparatively are not as politically involved, according to several GOP Members and candidates.
“It is a good fundraising base, and I do think right now with the health care issues in the Congress and the Senate that doctors are more open than normal to contributing to political candidates,” said heart surgeon Larry Bucshon (R), who is challenging Rep. Brad Ellsworth (D-Ind.). “Doctors, in general, don’t give a lot of money to candidates.”
There are 16 doctors in the House and Senate spanning several medical fields, the vast majority of whom are Republicans. However, more than a dozen doctors have declared their candidacies for Congress already this cycle — and the vast majority of them are Republicans running for the House.
Rep. Charles Boustany (R-La.), a heart surgeon for 20 years until he came to Congress, said many doctors find the GOP message appealing because they are small-business owners.
“Doctors are small-business owners and, in addition to taking care of patients, understand human needs at a very basic level,” Boustany said. “And so, they are really very much in touch with the human condition and they also understand small-business needs.”
Boustany said he has advised GOP candidates this cycle, such as state Sen. Andy Harris, an anesthesiologist running for a second time in Maryland’s 1st district against freshman Rep. Frank Kratovil (D); state Sen. Joe Heck, an emergency room doctor who is challenging Rep. Dina Titus (D-Nev.); and Bucshon.
Boustany said doctors often make great candidates because they have “a range of contacts in our districts that transcend socioeconomic backgrounds.” More importantly, he said doctors are trusted in the community.
(Excerpt) Read more at rollcall.com ...
This is one of the GOP’s better ideas. I think it has potential, given the public’s concern about government health care.
Aren’t there enough gynecologists on the Democrat side ?
Professional or “amateur”?
The Demonrats have the abortionists all sewed up.
Dunno. A lot of the "R" docs I've seen in office seem to be closet socialists / wealth re-distributors--a consequence of their profession. (Comfortable with charging the rich / insured more to cover the costs of treating the deadbeat / uninsured patient)
Just another indicator of docs abandoning the profession?
RINOs.
Some are RINOS, some aren’t. Just like lawyers and businessmen and every other profession.
Of course. I'm only saying that the docs I've encountered (with the possible exception of Ron Paul) who go into politics are more often closet socialists than not. Naturally, I haven't met every doctor politician.
I get it.
A lying RINO doctor ran for the Senate here in Illinois in 08.
Tom Coburn is a good one. So is Rep. Charles Boustany of Louisiana who I hope runs for the Senate in 2014.
And Reps Paul Broun and Phil Gingrey of Georgia.
Thanks for the updates! I really must remember to keep a more open mind...
YW
I’ve had some bad experiences with the medical profession that make me view them as no better than lawyers.
We should run more barbers, they seem okay. ;)
Giggle.
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.