Posted on 12/22/2002 5:30:04 AM PST by GailA
Frist, healthcare are on rise Expertise is better fit with Bush, GOP
By Ronald Brownstein Los Angeles Times December 22, 2002
WASHINGTON - The emergence of Tennessee Republican Bill Frist as the incoming Senate majority leader marks another milestone in President Bush's efforts to reshape the face of the Republican Party.
Although the White House insisted it did not engineer Frist's rise, or the fall of Mississippi Sen. Trent Lott after making racially insensitive comments, one of Frist's principal assets in his sudden ascent was the widespread sense among Republicans that Bush preferred him for the job over Lott.
Frist, whose selection is expected to be finalized Monday, will align the image of Senate Republicans more closely with the White House because he is a better political fit with Bush than Lott.
Like Bush, Frist is conservative on most issues. But while Lott rarely ventured beyond a conventional conservative skepticism toward government, Frist is more in tune with Bush's idea of a reforming conservatism that looks to increase reliance on the private market to achieve social goals, but generally doesn't demonize government.
The change might be most vivid in health care, likely to be a major focus in the coming Congress and the 2004 presidential race. Over the past few years, Frist has been a leader in developing a conservative health care agenda, which has included proposals to use tax credits to cover the uninsured and a plan to fundamentally restructure Medicare.
With the White House embracing those ideas, Frist's rise is likely to give that agenda a new push. As a result, some Republicans think Frist could help the party close the historic Democratic advantage on health care issues much the way Bush's education initiatives - such as the education reform law of 2001 - have narrowed the gap between the parties on that front.
For Democrats, Frist presents a challenge much like House Speaker Rep. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.), the mild-mannered insider who succeeded former speaker Newt Gingrich, and Bush himself: All present largely conservative policies in a moderate tone much more acceptable to swing voters than the harder-edged voices who dominated the GOP in the immediate aftermath of their 1994 congressional takeover.
(Excerpt) Read more at gomemphis.com ...
Good, so then you and I both agree that Frist has not been charged with or plead guilty to any crime.
Thanks
Public opinion is fickle and easily manipulated. A constant of public opinion during that period, however, was opposition to the "deficit" (remember Perot's popularity?). This was the GOP's hidden strength but it frittered it away needlessly.
Had the GOP scored a victory on the deficit front, it would have been rewarded by the time the dust had settled in 1996. Unfortunatly, the end result of the cave in was that the GOP lost all around. It failed to force concessions from Clinton *and* it was perceived as obstructionist. As a result, it was aimless in 1996 and we are still paying the price today!
In short, had the GOP been willing to bear the short-term political costs in 1995, it would have reaped a longer term victory in 1996. It chose, however, to squander and wate its majority instead of using it.
Another is the fact that in regard to the size and power of government, Lott will appear to be a avid protector of the Constitution when placed along side Frist.
Senator Frist is likely to bring social spending to a new high. He will effectively take many of the Rat issues and mold them into the republican party.
I do not necessarily see this as a good thing. It will will help to win elections, but it will not help control a government that is growing faster than it's food supply.
Something will have to give way.
Correct, it is incomplete...he supported fetal stem cell research on already existing lines. I applaude the support of FSTR, and disgree with limitations, but that only applied to federal $. I would like to see a lot of research....without government money at all.
"low-life anti-conservative attack dogs "
It's hilarious how YOU feel entitled to judge just whom is conservative. Someone elect you God lately, Dave? They have doctors who take care of that, perhaps your employer will even pay. I understand that the Pentagon has excellent health bennies for its employees.
"jealous of the success of conservatives like me in publishing principled editorials in furtherance of the GOP congressional majority. "
Don't bust me up with your so-called "success", there, Mr. Trump. And you've done NOTHING for the congressional majority the GOP has, save to rip at it at every turn. Oh, I forgot, that's to "save" it, right? Of course, by getting it kicked out of office, it will OF COURSE get stronger.
"Just keep sticking your head in the sand and ignoring reality, Fristbot. Maybe one day you and your anti-GOP RINO friends will get a life. Seems doubtful though...
Sigh. I guess we've now gone from delusions of grandeur to childhood regression. However, you'd probably be far more comfortable around schoolchildren than actual THINKERS. Good to see that you've learned no grammmar and sentence structure, though. AND that you STILL lead with your emotions.
You really need help, Dave. Seriously, we're all worried about you.
You sure you are not a clintonite??
Your figures seem a tad high, never the less, remember the saga of old George and his ratings??? Lot of people did'nt get over that one for awhile.
The polls back in 95 showed that the majority or people were taking Clinton's side in the budget battle as the R's were getting battered every day in the press. That was the thanks the R's were getting for making a serious attempt to downsize government.
We both agree that there was an R cave-in. However, I blame the electorate for the R cave-in of 95 -- you blame the R politicians.
Anyway, the same circumstances are now unfolding in 2003. Similar to 1996, the Clinton slime machine wants to elect a Clinton president in 2004. Check this latest "poll". It says the following;
"Americans by a huge margin, 62 percent to 34 percent, say it's more important for the government to provide needed services than to cut taxes."
Here we go again -- why should an R politician care about downsizing government in the face of these kinds of polls?
Partial innocense -- what? Why don't you just come out and say Frist is guilty or innocent of your charges?
Free...Dont read things into what I post. Get up to speed on HCA.
Good, so then you and I both agree that Frist has not been charged with or plead guilty to any crime.
You sure you are not a clintonite??
All I've said is that Frist has not been charged or convicted of a crime. On the other hand, observe above how you twist and turn -- like a real Rat. You can't even honestly say that Frist has committed a crime. Instead, you insinuate that he has committed a crime, but you won't come straight out and say so.
Which means of course, if we are to believe that all the whinners on here are Republicans, the entire 5 percent that don't support him are all on Free Republic. Of course we all know better than to believe any of these people are Republican or conservatives.
No one but Democrats call the President Shrub. What's the matter not satisfied with bashing him on DU????
Oh that's easy to answer. Let me do it for him. NO, NO, voted for Gore, yes, and yes. How's that???
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.