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Top Romney Advisor all in for Obamacare Implementation
scottfactor.com ^ | 07/10/2012 | Gina Miller

Posted on 07/10/2012 4:32:51 AM PDT by scottfactor

Again it comes to this: voting for the “lesser of two evils.” This is assuming, of course, that Mitt “Stealth Leftist” Romney wins the Republican nomination for President. I had decided that I was through voting for the less evil candidate, but then I know that our elections may be heavily compromised at this point, as the Left gets its voter-fraud-voting-machine-hacking down to an Argonne National Laboratory science.

However, since the horrendous John “Quisling” Roberts Supreme Court decision to uphold the clearly unconstitutional “Obamacare” monster, I have decided to go ahead and vote for the Republican nominee, no matter who he is, even the liberal Mitt Romney.

Mitt Romney keeps saying that on Day One in office, he will move to repeal Obamacare. He also adds what I do not want to hear—“replace.” “Repeal and replace.” I am sick of hearing that from “our side.” Do not tell me you are going to “replace” something that should never have been in the first place! Just kill it! Put it out of our misery!

Do I even believe Romney’s promise, as it is? This is not a brand new story, though it was new to me yesterday, so it may be new to others. The top aide to Romney’s transition team for the White House is a fellow Mormon, former Utah Governor, former head of the Environmental Protection Agency and Health and Human Services Secretary under President George W. Bush. While he is an amazingly accomplished man, and apparently very talented and driven, former Governor Mike Leavitt is also a supporter of the states implementing Obamacare “exchanges.” Yes, that’s right. And, the reason he supports it likely has everything to do with the fact that Leavitt owns Leavitt Partners, a health care consultancy firm based in Utah.

On June 3rd, the Politico’s Jonathan Martin and Alexander Burns had a fairly glowing write-up about Leavitt (which should tell us something right there). The piece made it quite clear that Leavitt is a moderate, a pragmatist, and not necessarily as conservative as actual conservatives would like to see in the Romney administration, especially when it comes to his position on the wretched Obamacare legislation.

From the Politico piece,

Leavitt has said some relatively positive things about certain elements of Obama’s health reform law, suggesting earlier this year that “Obamacare” empowers the HHS secretary “to do certain things that are clearly aimed at trying to move us in the right direction.”

[Leavitt’s longtime chief aide, Rich] McKeown, who still works with Leavitt at his Utah-based health care consultancy, acknowledged that the former governor does not want to undo one key part of the controversial legislation.

“We believe that the exchanges are the solution to small business insurance market and that’s gotten us sideways with some conservatives,” he said.

The exchanges are not only a matter of principle for Leavitt — they’re also a cash cow.

The size of his firm, Leavitt Partners, doubled in the year after the bill was signed as they won contracts to help states set up the exchanges funded by the legislation.

“There is a group [of states] that feels as though they don’t want to be associated with the Affordable Care Act,” Leavitt told POLITICO in 2011. “Privately, though, it’s clear that several of those are planning behind the scenes, because they don’t want to have a federal exchange.” The law is written so that those states that don’t create their own exchanges by 2014 may be pushed into a federal exchange.

This angers the right, however.

“These Exchanges … are the government bureaucracies that will make health insurance more expensive, induce employers to drop coverage, entrench Obamacare, and dole out hundreds billions of debt-financed government subsidies to insurance companies,” fumed the libertarian-leaning Cato Institute.

So, Leavitt, who stands to make a great deal more money from the implementation of Obamacare than from its repeal, is the one guy Romney chooses to set up a Romney administration, if Romney wins the White House. Could there be more of a conflict of interests than this—that is—if Romney is serious about repealing the hellish, anti-American, anti-freedom Obamacare dictate?

When this story broke, there was some conservative backlash which led to the Romney campaign issuing a statement that was reported by the Daily Caller,

… Team Romney was quick to dismiss those worries. Reached for comment, Romney spokesman Lenny Alcivar said: “Unlike President Obama, voters can rest assured that a Romney Administration will put America back on track. That starts with repealing Obamacare, starting Day One. Make no mistake, the only person who will make policy decisions under a Romney Administration is Mitt Romney.”

Oh, well that makes me feel all better! This man, Leavitt, could end up being Romney’s chief of staff (according to rumors), and we are supposed to believe his money-powered desire to have the states implement Obamacare exchanges will in no way affect Romney’s stated desire to repeal that detestable law? I am in full support of Mike Leavitt making a successful living, but the thought that someone with such a potent interest in keeping Obamacare alive could end up in one of the highest positions in a Romney administration is quite disturbing.


TOPICS: Government; Politics; Society
KEYWORDS: healthcare; honestromney; obamacare; realromney; romney; romney4deathpanels; romney4obamacare
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To: xzins; Jim Robinson
C'mon, Gina, aren't you tired of the old game that when election season shows up that you have to lie about the blemishes on your candidate, pretend you don't see them, claim that he won every debate, blah, blah, blah? You know darned well that the sentiment that you've gotta support one GOP-E guy because another GOP-E guy messed you over is illogical. Saying what you see is freeing. In many ways, that is freedom. I see a lifelong liberal supported by a left-leaning party that's perfectly content to use conservatives in their quest to one-up the other left party. The truth is that there's only one party...with 2 heads. I'm in favor of "off with the heads" on all of them. But, back to the original comment, there's no way I believe you don't see what was being said. In fact, I think you feel it in your gut. Break free! Join us. Rebellion is brewing!

It is understandable that you keep missing my meaning here, because I doubt you have read any of my other columns, and I'm wondering what Jim Robinson has to do with this.

In no way am I saying "vote for this GOP guy because that one messed us over." I don't consider John Roberts to be anything other than a turncoat, and I don't consider Romney to be anything other than a liberal, but I consider Obama to be a deadly poison for our country. First thing--Obama must go, period. Then we can do our best to get rid of the two-headed hydra, Dem-Repub monster.

Now is not the time for a "protest vote," because there are not enough of us who would do it. That's what I meant when I said that after Roberts' awful decision, I decided to again vote for the lesser of two evils--NO, I DON'T LIKE IT, but I will do it.

41 posted on 07/10/2012 10:03:41 AM PDT by WXRGina (Further up and further in!)
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To: mike_9958
I think there is alot in the article that makes Romney look like Obama-lite. The phrase above doesn’t do that ? And there are lots of them. And I’m not taking shots you as much as the comments that these types articles seem to fuel. It seems some conservatives still rather have Obama than a Republican nominee, and I’m not sure they are “conservatives”.

Romney is a liberal. Obama is deadly for America. Not liking Romney in no way means we would "still rather have Obama..." That's certainly not the case. As I said, this column is to inform people about Mike Leavitt. I do not think people reading this are stupid enough to read it and say, "I guess I have to stay at home or vote for Obama."

42 posted on 07/10/2012 10:23:29 AM PDT by WXRGina (Further up and further in!)
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To: Finny

“dope”

Oh joy another name caller.... come on - this is FR, the standard is a bit higher - use your words. Libs call folks names.

If you have a good reason for wanting Obama to be in office for four more years just explain yourself.... don’t call me names.


43 posted on 07/10/2012 10:31:02 AM PDT by mike_9958
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To: P-Marlowe; Iscool; xzins; Jim Robinson; Diogenesis

Marlowe -

If the “rebellion” at the convention is successful I will vote for that nominee. If it is not successful I will still vote for the Republican nominee.

This isn’t rocket science.

You are only predicting Romney’s behavior with a Republican congress, but you know what Obama and his policies will bring regardless of the congress.

The fact that Romney isn’t Obama is a good enough reason for me....


44 posted on 07/10/2012 12:24:56 PM PDT by mike_9958
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To: Diogenesis

Well you’re a bit late.

The time for anti-Romney campaigning was mostly before he actually won the primary.

There’s still some room for anti-Romney campaigning (until) he picks his running mate. So enjoy...


45 posted on 07/10/2012 12:29:12 PM PDT by Cringing Negativism Network (America doesn't need any new laws. America needs freedom!)
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To: mike_9958
You have two choices, one is Obama. If you do not vote against him by voting the Republican nominee you have been essentially been disenfranchised - congrats go to the Obama team, the media elite, and all their little minions.

You guys tried to sucker people in with that line for McCain...It didn't work...And now you are trying it again...Guess you guys don't learn...

Conservatives have no power to change the liberal Republican Party...If Romney gets in, we're stuck with a liberal, anti-American globalist, anti-Tea Party, One World Gov't Republican, again...

You guys blew it last time...You all could have lived with a politician that would have been acceptable to a voting majority but no, you tried to force McCain on those that opposed the Democrats and the status quo...

Romney won't win, even if I vote for him...You guys need to get off the dead horse, it ain't goin' nowhere...

46 posted on 07/10/2012 12:50:16 PM PDT by Iscool (You mess with me, you mess with the WHOLE trailerpark...)
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To: mike_9958

Stop trying to make people do math! Do you have ANY idea how complicated that is with two options to pick from? You guys is mean!


47 posted on 07/10/2012 12:57:00 PM PDT by Hegewisch Dupa
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To: mike_9958; Iscool; xzins; Jim Robinson; Diogenesis; Finny
If the “rebellion” at the convention is successful I will vote for that nominee. If it is not successful I will still vote for the Republican nominee.

Then you are part of the establishment and you are not a part of the rebellion. The Establishment must be taught that there is a large segment of the GOP who will no longer sit by and watch the GOP turn into a lighter version of the socialist democrat party.

You have signaled that you are on board with Romney only because he is not Obama. You are the kind of voter that the GOP-E was counting on when they threw all their cards on the table for Romney. They knew they could count on people like you being squishy and cowering in fear at the threat of another 4 years of Obama, so they conspired together to give us the most liberal former governor in the history of the United States as the standard bearer for the GOP.

Romney basically got about 30-40% of the votes in the GOP Primaries and caucuses, but because nearly all the primaries were "OPEN" primaries, a large portion of the votes that Romney got were cross over votes from democrats (who really didn't even have a primary) and liberal brainwashed independents who couldn't make up their minds about any candidate and were sold on the lies that Romney was the best candidate to take on Obama.

So go cower in the corner. The GOP-E is pleased to know that you are not going to rebel against their concerted joint war on liberty. As for me, I will do something that Romney has never done in his life. I will stand for something. I will take the risk that my rebellion might make my life a little more uncomfortable for a season.

The Rebellion is on. I know we can't count on you. Who can we count on?

48 posted on 07/10/2012 1:21:22 PM PDT by P-Marlowe
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To: WXRGina

“I do not think people reading this are stupid enough to read it and say, “I guess I have to stay at home or vote for Obama.””

Probably not one article but the drumbeat of negativity is what will generally do it.... its the fatigue and general feeling relayed by the comments against the presumptive Republican nominee. The troops needed to energized against Obama now.


49 posted on 07/10/2012 1:29:43 PM PDT by mike_9958
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To: P-Marlowe; Iscool; xzins; Jim Robinson; Diogenesis; Finny

“Then you are part of the establishment and you are not a part of the rebellion.”

Oh darn... and I so much wanted to be part of your rebellion. Are you really over 12 ?

Come on Marlowe, join a Tea Party with me... in numbers we can start moving the system in a course that will change the world.... you sound pretty energetic.

The Republican party has move to left - but last I saw it still takes a majority to make a dent in the system. So if we push to the right (instead of taking our toys and going home) we can move the establishment - we are the right side of the establishment.


50 posted on 07/10/2012 1:46:47 PM PDT by mike_9958
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To: mike_9958

I’m sorry, Mike, but I only know how to tell it like it is, as best I can. I am a realist, and am no cheerleader for something I don’t believe.

This column is a piece of information, and while I don’t like Romney one bit (as is apparent in this piece), I will likely vote for him anyway, if he’s the nominee.


51 posted on 07/10/2012 1:47:31 PM PDT by WXRGina (Further up and further in!)
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To: scottfactor; Syncro; onyx

Conservatives, even tea party conservatives are lining up to vote for a baby murdering, homosexualist, gun-grabbing, liberal judge appointing, commie health care pushing, big government leftist Republican then crying about the Republican appointed Chief Justice trashing our constitution? But, by God, they say we have to vote for the Republican liberal judge appointing, baby killing, big government socialist statist to keep the Democrat liberal judge appointing, baby killing, big government socialist statist out of office.

Something seriously wrong with this picture. The GOP-e has a lot of people totally bamboozled. They set out to destroy the tea party which was a major threat to their statist agenda, and, by golly, looks like they are succeeding. As a poster told me yesterday, enjoy your stay in the gulags.

May your Republican chains rest lightly.


52 posted on 07/10/2012 1:52:03 PM PDT by Jim Robinson (Resistance to tyrants is obedience to God!!)
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To: logitech

Convoluted Conversation PING!


53 posted on 07/10/2012 1:53:03 PM PDT by WXRGina (Further up and further in!)
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To: Jim Robinson
May your Republican chains rest lightly.

If only the "elite" would actually let We the People choose a conservative to run for President, but they will not.

I can't stand the thought of "having" to vote for Romney or split the ticket by voting third party, but what can we do?

What is the answer when we are getting the shaft in our election process? I can't believe that Romney is legitimately getting the majority of "our side's" votes. I believe the fix is in and has been for quite a while now. Chains, indeed.

54 posted on 07/10/2012 2:01:56 PM PDT by WXRGina (Further up and further in!)
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To: WXRGina
If only the "elite" would actually let We the People choose a conservative to run for President, but they will not.

Think outside the box. Think outside the Republican Party. If you detest Romney as much as you say you do, surely you've thought of this. Vote conservatives everywhere but do not let the "R" be your be-all and end-all. That kind of thinking is what helped get us into this mess.

Sooner or later this fight is going to have to happen. Some of us have determined that the fight should start sooner rather than later.

There are some here for whom conservatism does not end at the ballot box. It doesn't mean you support Obama, as ABOs claim. It does mean, however, that you don't think a statist, regardless of his party, is the right choice to lead the free world.

55 posted on 07/10/2012 2:07:45 PM PDT by Colonel_Flagg (Conservatism is not a matter of convenience.)
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To: WXRGina

I hear ya....

But I see first hand the regulations that this administration is piling on us, and it really hurts.

This administration has got to go and the only that is going happen is if the head gets lopped off.... (meaning Obama is voted out).

We need folks on the same page here... when the rubber meets the road.


56 posted on 07/10/2012 2:11:53 PM PDT by mike_9958
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To: Colonel_Flagg
Think outside the box. Think outside the Republican Party. If you detest Romney as much as you say you do, surely you've thought of this. Vote conservatives everywhere but do not let the "R" be your be-all and end-all. That kind of thinking is what helped get us into this mess. Sooner or later this fight is going to have to happen. Some of us have determined that the fight should start sooner rather than later. There are some here for whom conservatism does not end at the ballot box. It doesn't mean you support Obama, as ABOs claim. It does mean, however, that you don't think a statist, regardless of his party, is the right choice to lead the free world.

The "R" has not been my end-all be-all, and I would vote for a true conservative any day. They are a rare breed--true conservatives that will actually run for higher office.

A true conservative third party has long been my wish, but how do we get it past the blockade of the Monster Dem/Repub/Media Washington Machine?

57 posted on 07/10/2012 2:17:34 PM PDT by WXRGina (Further up and further in!)
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To: WXRGina; mike_9958; Jim Robinson; xzins; Iscool; Diogenesis; Finny
A true conservative third party has long been my wish, but how do we get it past the blockade of the Monster Dem/Repub/Media Washington Machine?

You must teach them that if they foist "a baby murdering, homosexualist, gun-grabbing, liberal judge appointing, commie health care pushing, big government leftist Republican" upon us, that we will take a stand and let him fail.

When the Republican elite push us into a corner when the only choice is between a "a baby murdering, homosexualist, gun-grabbing, liberal judge appointing, commie health care pushing, big government leftist REPUBLICAN" and a "a baby murdering, homosexualist, gun-grabbing, liberal judge appointing, commie health care pushing, big government leftist DEMOCRAT" the GOP-E must be taught that they cannot count on us Conservatives to pull the lever for the "R". Until they know we are as serious as a heart attack on this issue, they will continue down the road they are on now.

Are you going to follow them down that road or are you going to take a stand today?

There is still time to send a message before the convention. We can call upon the Republican Party and the Tea Party and all other concerned conservatives to demand that Romney withdraw his name from the nomination.

That's a good place to start, don't you think? Isn't that better than giving Romney our unconditional support merely because he isn't Obama?

The war is on. Which side are you on?

58 posted on 07/10/2012 2:28:38 PM PDT by P-Marlowe
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To: P-Marlowe

If a hundred million of us would do this... wow! Then, we might get somewhere.


59 posted on 07/10/2012 2:31:12 PM PDT by WXRGina (Further up and further in!)
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To: WXRGina

Well, please allow me put it to you this way: your post on scottfactor, and your posting on this website, are an excellent start.

Tea Partiers and conservatives are by nature intelligent people. We think for ourselves and we don’t use traditional methods of communication unless it suits us. The Tea Party is a grass roots movement and I have no reason to believe that through hard work, we can’t form the basis for a political party that would draw both conservative Republicans and conservative Democrats (yes, I believe they still exist) who are disenchanted that their party left them as ours left us).

The people will speak. But Romney simply perpetuates GOP-E control of the party machine. So, we have to go outside the box.


60 posted on 07/10/2012 2:35:07 PM PDT by Colonel_Flagg (Conservatism is not a matter of convenience.)
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