Posted on 03/20/2010 3:12:22 PM PDT by jazusamo
As Democrats frantically tried to cobble together votes to pass their sweeping health care reform legislation Saturday, House Republicans began a victory lap of sorts.
First, in a meeting of the House Republican Conference, the GOP’s leadership rallied the troops with flourishing rhetoric about regaining the majority in the fall.
“I don’t know, quite frankly, whether victory will come on the third Sunday in March or on the first Tuesday in November, but victory will come,” House Republican Conference leader Mike Pence of Indiana told Republicans Saturday afternoon.
And when they emerged from the room to speak to the media and a crush of video cameras, House Republican leaders were met by a boisterous crowd of citizens screaming “kill the bill” and nodding in unison to their promises to continue the fight to derail the legislation.
Saturday’s schedule gives an idea of how confident Republicans are feeling. Republicans opened up their closed conference meeting to television cameras and reporters, GOP lawmakers were hosting telephone town halls in Democratic swing districts and Republicans were whipping undecided Democrats to vote against the legislation they’ve been wrangling over for more than a year.
This all comes after a week where House Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio gave a series of interviews expressing confidence that Republicans could take back the House in November.
“There are more activities going on than you would see in a normal campaign,” Boehner told reporters.
Boehner, who helped orchestrate the 1994 GOP takeover of the House, was somewhat of a rock star Saturday. He ditched his black SUV for a trip back from the Cannon House Office building to the Capitol, crossing Independence Avenue on foot to waves of cheers. He posed for a photo – the unfortunate gentleman’s camera was full – and even kissed a woman on a motorized scooter.
Perhaps the most stunning – and unscripted – moment for Republicans came when they emerged from their conference meeting to a stakeout point that’s typically filled with a handful of Capitol Hill reporters. Roughly 100 citizens gathered in the Cannon rotunda – held back by Capitol Police officers – cheering the GOP’s leadership.
The rhetoric was hardly new – Republicans rehashed many of the same lines they’ve been using for about a year. But judging by the crowd’s response, it seemed as if the party’s leadership had spontaneously topped Shakespeare.
“It’s important that they understand that its not the president’s House, that it’s not the speaker’s House, that it’s the people’s House, and this weekend House Republicans will stand with the American people and do everything in our power to defend their freedom and bring about health care reform that gives them more freedom and not more government,” Pence said to cheers.
Even Rep. Paul Ryan, the wonky top Republican on the Budget committee, got his moment.
“They don’t now have the votes for it and I sure hope they won’t,” he said.
They struck a populist tone, much to the delight of the crowd. Boehner said he was trying to coax House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) to force her members to go to the floor and before "God, their countrymen and their constituents," and unveil how they would vote.
“I thank all of the Americans that have come here to join us in this fight – the fight is nearing an end, but if we continue to work hard and listen to the American people, we can defeat this bill,” House Minority Leader Eric Cantor of Virginia said.
Perhaps he was feeling the energy from the crowd, but less than an hour after he told his conference that they couldn’t stop the bill, even calling Sunday Armegeddon, Boehner had a new message for the crowd gathered in the Cannon Rotunda.
“This health care bill would ruin our country,” he said. “It’s time to stop it.”
One person in the crowd responded, “That’s right.”
To all of you - don't gloat just quit yet. However, if it stands to fail I can't wait to hear RUSH on Monday.
Why do people post this crap from Politico? Unless there’s something newsworthy in it, I really see no benefit to anyone..... except the Marxist hacks at Politico.
Get over it. Quit blaming Bush for everything, and start working for the future.
Oh, you’re going to be a big help, I see. /s
Never in my life have I so looked forward to an election.
If this bill fails, Boehner could be the most popular man in America.
Will be know as the “big Boehner”
I meant to add — please keep calling, faxing, tormenting your libdimtard representatives.
FOX @ 7PM says counting leaners Pelosi has 217. I think dropping Deem and Pass is an indication that Pelosi and Hoyer genuinely believe they have the votes. For whatever reason I think Obama’s arrival at Capitol Hill today scared some Dems into a yes vote.There may be enough yes votes to allow a few Dems to vote no to keep their chnces at reelection.
I’ve been thinking about Ryan also. Glad he’s young. He will go far. Might make a nice running mate for Sarah Palin.
I second that....everyone that had the courage and the GUTS to go to DC and stand up for America and what we believe....a BIG THANK YOU. I am proud to call you all neighbors.
REMAIN VIGILANT.....keep calling your Reps. Don’t let up until MONDAY.
If this bill Pass's, Boehner could be the most popular fail in America.
You are so right. And if we are blessed enough/lucky enough that this monster goes down in flames, those same Republicans better not think that just because they have an ‘R’ by their name, they are going to be automatically ‘swept’ into office in November. Some of these same Republicans are gung ho for marxist/socialist ideas such as amnesty, national id cards etc. We will be watching.
I posted this crap from Politico to show the bias of this reporter. If you’re not interested in reading it that’s your business but don’t feel you have to go out of your way to act as a thread police Moderator.
When immigration comes up....the 2nd wave of protesters will need to show up.
Bump to that and thanks!
Amen. I wish Bush had defended himself more but that’s over.
Obama has managed to reach the low level of popularity Bush only achieved after 7 years of being bashed and lied about by the press.
Obama has done it in one year with a press covering up for him at every turn.
Favor 204
Lean Favor 0
Oppose 206
Lean Oppose 10
Unknown 11
Last Updated: 5:54 pm ET, 3/20/09
Where is Rove this weekend? I want to see him at his little erase board crunching numbers.
Kudos to Paul Ryan(wonky? WTH?), John Boehner, Mike Pence, Michele Bachmann, John Kyl and all the other Pubbies who are standing up for America right now.
Have you ever noticed how much better looking our side is?
Conspicuously absent: McCain, Romney, Lindsay Gramnesty. Where are they: shooting the bull at the local pub?
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