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Alexander: Dems face 'political wipeout' if they push 'act of political arrogance'
The Hill ^ | March 14, 2010 | Walter Alarkon

Posted on 03/14/2010 10:45:12 AM PDT by jazusamo

Senate Republican Conference Chairman Lamar Alexander (Tenn.) said Democrats face a "political wipeout" if they pass the healthcare bill.

"I think it's a political kamikaze mission to insist on this," Alexander said on CBS' "Face the Nation" Sunday.

Alexander said passage of the bill would be "an act of political arrogance" that Americans haven't seen since Watergate. He predicted "an instant spontaneous campaign to repeal" the bill and that its passage would "change the leadership in this country."

Republicans on several Sunday talk shows said the healthcare bill will be a major issue in the congressional elections this November. They pointed to polls showing more Americans against the bill than for it. According to the Pollster.com average of surveys, 48 percent oppose the bill while 44 percent support it.

"If they pass this thing, I think they lose the House of Representatives this fall," said Karl Rove, the former adviser to President George W. Bush, on Fox.

"I think we have a chance at winning Republican control of the House," Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) said on CNN. "It's a steep climb but it's doable."

Democrats and the Obama administration said the healthcare bill, which will expand coverage to 31 million Americans and block insurance companies from refusing to cover people with pre-existing conditions, is needed to rein in skyrocketing healthcare costs.

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said lawmakers who back the bill will pass it because it's the right policy, not out of political considerations.

"We've got to get a hold of this problem; we've got to do something about the spending," he said on CBS' Face the Nation.

On CNN, White House senior adviser David Axelrod criticized Republicans for saying Democrats would take a beating in midterm elections if they force the bill through.

"Mitch McConnell, John Boehner have been generous in giving advice to Democrats about how careless this vote is," Axelrod said wryly.

The independent Congressional Budget Office predicts the bill would cost nearly $900 billion but would be fully paid for and cut deficits by more than $100 billion over the next decade.

Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) said the bill was necessary to rein in insurance premiums and health insurers' unpopular practices. She attacked the group representing insurers, America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), for "carpet-bombing" the Democratic healthcare proposals with critical television advertisements.

AHIP President Karen Ignagni called Democratic attacks on insurers a "vilification campaign" that distracts from ways to reduce costs.

Ignagni argued that soaring premiums are being driven not by insurance policies but by the underlying cost of healthcare and a bad economy causing people to drop coverage, which increases costs for others.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Front Page News; Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: Tennessee
KEYWORDS: 111th; 2010; 2010midterms; bho44; congress; democrats; elections; healthcare; liberalfascism; obama; obamacare; pelosi; socialisthealthcare; socializedmedicine; socializedmediine
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1 posted on 03/14/2010 10:45:12 AM PDT by jazusamo
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To: jazusamo

How about “the Republic faces extinction”?


2 posted on 03/14/2010 10:49:12 AM PDT by Dogbert41
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To: jazusamo

Unfortunately, I believe the Dems are more than willing to be lemmings and commit political suicide ... individually and even as a Party ... for the current President (more so than any other in the past) and to move America to their favored dream.

It is said to realize, hope more Americans wake-up ad see it, that it is Party over Country for a vast majority of our elected officials today.


3 posted on 03/14/2010 10:50:15 AM PDT by K-oneTexas (I'm not a judge and there ain't enough of me to be a jury. (Zell Miller, A National Party No More))
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To: jazusamo
Can you imagine the pressure the few Dems in the House are under, who can make the difference between the passing or failure of this bill? Obama and Pelosi are blatantly going against the will of the people.

There is a good article in the WSJ talking about some of the key provisions of the bill.

The Cost-Control Illusion. Breaking down the ObamaCare claims (WSJ)

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2470277/posts

“ObamaCare’s real cost-control plan boils down to this: First subsidize coverage so much that costs explode, raise taxes as much as possible to pay for it, and when that isn't enough, hand power to an unelected committee to limit treatment and control prices by government order. This is what Democrats are voting for.”

4 posted on 03/14/2010 10:52:32 AM PDT by SmartInsight
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To: K-oneTexas

Sadly you may be right. Zer0 seems not too concerned about being a one term president but it was surprising to me when San Fran Nan told House Dems to fall on their sword for the RAT passage of this abomination.


5 posted on 03/14/2010 10:54:03 AM PDT by jazusamo (But there really is no free lunch, except in the world of political rhetoric,.: Thomas Sowell)
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To: jazusamo

The Members of the Dumocrat Party should be asking themselves if they want to be members of a Party that DEMANDS all member goosestep to the edits of ONE Leader?


6 posted on 03/14/2010 10:54:21 AM PDT by Marty62 (former Marty60)
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To: SmartInsight

Yep, Pelosi has pulled out all the stops. Thanks for the link.


7 posted on 03/14/2010 10:56:53 AM PDT by jazusamo (But there really is no free lunch, except in the world of political rhetoric,.: Thomas Sowell)
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To: jazusamo

Her action (words) were a shocker. I can not ever remember any politician being so blunt ‘in public’ and before the media in the past. I think before it was kept behind closed doors in smoke filled rooms.


8 posted on 03/14/2010 10:57:00 AM PDT by K-oneTexas (I'm not a judge and there ain't enough of me to be a jury. (Zell Miller, A National Party No More))
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To: jazusamo
I can't think of any legislation that was forced on Americans like this health care and other marxist agenda items. FDR's laws had support from a people who did not yet know the folly of Kenyesian economics. We are getting Kenyan economics, and we don't want it. And it is clear we don't want it and they are saying, tough, we are going to do it anyway, even if it costs us our seats. "It will be the last election we ever lose" is probably what they are telling their politicians.

The closest I can come up with is the post-Civil War legislation and amendments that were forced on a defeated South. Those were supported in the North, though, so it's not a good analogy. Nothing has ever been shoved down the throats of Americans, and, God help these Marxists, nothing ever will be.

9 posted on 03/14/2010 11:09:12 AM PDT by Defiant (We are in a battle to the death between Karl and George. I will stand and fight for George.)
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To: K-oneTexas

If all the Republicans do is say the cost is the problem or paying to Kill the innocent unborn with tax payer money they will lose the argument because figures dont lie but liars can figure and the democrats still insist tax payer money is not going to be used for abortion and the press wil always come down with the Communist liars . The republicans shoiuld have zeroed in on the Provisions they can quote right from the Bill,such as the RACIAL quotas that are going to be imposed on all Health care training institutions,The dozens of Boards and commissions that will be created ,the Death Panels,where all of Obamas Czars none of which has undergone scrutiny or Confirmation,will be able to arbitrarily change Programs to their left wing ways WITHOUT ANY Congressional review. That is more power than Congress has,these czars answer to no one but Obama.
This is not Health Care Reform this is a Coup de tat.


10 posted on 03/14/2010 11:10:21 AM PDT by ballplayer
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To: ballplayer

Agree. But Nancy saying, “we need to pass it to see what we have” ... unfortunately blows more more to ‘help’ the voter and citizen not look at it too closely or even scrutinize it.

Till it’s too late!


11 posted on 03/14/2010 11:12:32 AM PDT by K-oneTexas (I'm not a judge and there ain't enough of me to be a jury. (Zell Miller, A National Party No More))
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To: jazusamo; ExTexasRedhead

First they came for the Unborn...granny & gramps your next.

Defeat Obamacare call list: List now contains the new MAYBES culled from FR posts.

KEEP THE CALLS UP! DC OFFICE LOCAL OFFICE

Code Red” - House Target List on Health Care

The National Republican Congressional Committee has published a target list on health care. In addition to continuing to contact the five Tennessee Democrat Congressmen, you can go http://www.votervoice.net/link/clickthrough/ext/94697.aspx to contact some of these targets. Much of the talk following Obama’s announcement has focused on how to defeat this second bill through reconciliation, but that is misleading because the first step to defeating Obamacare is not by concentrating on defeating the “fixer” bill but by defeating the Senate bill in the House when it goes to the floor for an up-or-down vote on Thursday, March 18th.

Rep. Lincoln Davis 202-225-6831 Columbia office: 931-490-8699
Rep. Jim Cooper 202-225-4311 Nashville office: 615-736-5295
Rep. Bart Gordon 202-225-4231 Murfreesboro office: 615-896-1986
John Tanner (202) 225-4714, Union City, (731) 885-7070, Jackson Phone: (731) 423-4848, Millington (901) 873-5690 TN (MAYBE)
Rep. Steve Cohen 202-225-3265 Memphis office: 901-544-4131
Harry Mitchell (202) 225-2190 (480) 946-2411 AZ 5th District
Gabrielle Giffords (202) 225-2542 (520) 881-3588 AZ 8th District
Ann Kirkpatrick (202) 225-2315 (928) 226-6914 AZ 1st District
Jerry McNerney (202) 225-1947 925-833-0643 CA 11th District
John Salazar 202-225-4761 970-245-7107 CO 3rd District
Jim Himes (202) 225-5541 (866) 453-0028 CT 4th District
Alan Grayson (202) 225-2176 (407) 841-1757 FL 8th District
Bill Foster (202) 225-2976 630-406-1114 IL 14th District
Baron Hill 202 225 5315 812 288 3999 IN 9th District
Mark Schauer (202) 225-6276 (517) 780-9075 MI 7th District
Gary Peters (202) 225-5802 (248) 273-4227 MI 9th District
Dina Titus (202) 225-3252 702-256-DINA (3462) NV 3rd District
Carol Shea-Porter (202) 225-5456 (603) 743-4813 NH 1st District
Tim Bishop (202) 225-3826 (631) 696-6500 NY 1st District
John Hall (202) 225-5441 (845) 225-3641 x49371 NY 19th District
Bill Owens (202) 225-4611 (315) 782-3150 NY 23rd District
James Matheson Toll-Free Number 1 (877) 677-9743 (202) 225-3011Mike Arcuri (202)225-3665 (315)793-8146 NY 24th District
Dan Maffei (202) 225-3701 (315) 423-5657 NY 25th District
Earl Pomeroy (202) 225-2611 (701) 224-0355 ND At-Large District
Steven Driehaus (202) 225-2216 (513) 684-2723 OH 1st District
Mary Jo Kilroy (202) 225-2015 (614) 294-2196 OH 15th District
Zach Space (202) 225-6265 (330) 364-4300 OH 18th District
Kathy Dahlkemper (202) 225-5406 (814) 456-2038 PA 3rd District
Patrick Murphy (202) 225-4276 (215) 826-1963 PA 8th District
Christopher Carney (202) 225-3731 (570) 585-9988 PA 10th District
Paul Kanjorski (202) 225-6511 (570) 825-2200 PA 11th District
John Spratt (202) 225-5501 (803)327-1114 SC 5th District
Tom Perriello (202) 225-4711 (276) 656-2291 VA 5th District
Alan Mollohan (202) 225-4172 (304) 623-4422 WVA 1st District
Nick Rahall (202) 225-3452 (304) 252-5000 WVA 3rd District
Steve Kagen (202) 225-5665 (920) 437-1954 WI 8th District
Bart Stupak (202) 225 4735 MI (MAYBE)
Brian Baird (202) 225-3536, Vancouver, (360) 695-6292. Olympia, (360) 352-9768, (MAYBE)
senator mark begich (202) 224-3004 toll free. (877) 501 - 6275 just became a MAYBE
Jason Altmire 202-225-2565, Aliquippa, 724-378-0928,
Natrona Heights, 724-226-1304 (MAYBE)

On the Bubble (Major developments from the “yes” and “no” columns in the House)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2467046/posts

Congressional Dems on Twitter
http://www.arrghpaine.com/congressional-dems-on-twitter

And here are toll-free numbers we can use to call any Senators or Reps.

At the first number below you must wait through a tape recording urging you to tell your Rep or Senator to vote “yes” for the health care bill. Just hang on and when the recording is over, you will get the Capitol operator. Just ask for your Rep or Senator’s office. Then you will either talk to an aid or have the chance to leave a message for him/her to vote NO on the health care bill.

When you use the second number and the Capitol operator comes on, just ask for your Rep or Senator’s office. Every time I use this number I get the Rep or Senator’s answer machine, so it may be set up that way all the time...to go to their answer machine. Either way you can leave a message to vote NO on the health care bill!

We need to use these toll free numbers that have been set up for the health care/ BO supporters and illegals to use! After all they are FREE!
1-800-828-0498
1-866-220-0044


12 posted on 03/14/2010 11:12:34 AM PDT by GailA (obamacare paid for by cuts & taxes on most vulnerable Veterans, disabled,seniors & retired Military)
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To: jazusamo; ExTexasRedhead

NOV is also a time to take out some RINOS and put in true Conservative Republicans.


13 posted on 03/14/2010 11:13:45 AM PDT by GailA (obamacare paid for by cuts & taxes on most vulnerable Veterans, disabled,seniors & retired Military)
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To: jazusamo

It is indeed a “kamikaze” mission and Mark Steyn did a brilliant job of explaining why Obama and the Dems are willing to die (temporarily they are betting) for this obomination called ObamaCare.

Because passing it means ever-lasting power (at least for the rest of our lifetime and our children’s lifetimes) for the left in America.

Like herpes, once we’ve got Obamacare, we’ll never get rid of it.

This is a Mark Steyn must read!

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/health-237719-care-government.html


14 posted on 03/14/2010 11:19:13 AM PDT by Painesright
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To: jazusamo
The independent Congressional Budget Office predicts the bill would cost nearly $900 billion but would be fully paid for and cut deficits by more than $100 billion over the next decade.

Liar! If I cooked my books like that I would be arrested! Seven years of 'health care' paid for in ten years! You start paying taxes as soon as it passes but you won't see the benefits for AT LEAST three more years!

And wait until seniors see their Health Advantage (prescription drugs) benefits disappear (as if that is ever going to happen). They will have to raise taxes AGAIN to cover that.

Gibbs, you liar, you damn liar!

15 posted on 03/14/2010 11:19:43 AM PDT by kcvl
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To: Painesright

Thanks, Mark Steyn is a great thinker.


16 posted on 03/14/2010 11:22:24 AM PDT by jazusamo (But there really is no free lunch, except in the world of political rhetoric,.: Thomas Sowell)
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To: kcvl

Absolutely, big time LIAR!

The costs on this if passed will double, triple and quadruple as has every socialist program has in the past. Not only that, it will eventually turn into socialized medicine and ruin the care we have now.


17 posted on 03/14/2010 11:27:41 AM PDT by jazusamo (But there really is no free lunch, except in the world of political rhetoric,.: Thomas Sowell)
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To: jazusamo
Send this John Adams quotation to your Congressmen and Senators, along with the question:

"Do you save the President, or do you save "the People's" liberty?"

"Found in: John Adams, The Works of John Adams, vol. 4 (Novanglus, Thoughts on Government, Defence of the Constitution) - NO. III. - paragraph 144

"Obsta principiis (translation: resist the beginnings), nip the shoots of arbitrary power in the bud, is the only maxim which can ever preserve the liberties of any people. When the people give way, their deceivers, betrayers, and destroyers press upon them so fast, that there is no resisting afterwards. The nature of the encroachment upon the American constitution is such, as to grow every day more and more encroaching. Like a cancer, it eats faster and faster every hour. The revenue creates pensioners, and the pensioners urge for more revenue. The people grow less steady, spirited, and virtuous, the seekers more numerous and more corrupt, and every day increases the circles of their dependents and expectants, until virtue, integrity, public spirit, simplicity, and frugality, become the objects of ridicule and scorn, and vanity, luxury, foppery, selfishness, meanness, and downright venality swallow up the whole society."

John Adams words castigate the "arbitrary power" holders in Washington today who have gained their offices by promises to "redistribute" the earnings of hard-working citizens, thereby encouraging dependency among the citizenry, and a certain path to tyranny by those who hold the reins of power in government.

18 posted on 03/14/2010 11:30:13 AM PDT by loveliberty2
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To: K-oneTexas

There were some callers on a Philly talk show who were tip-toeing around Patrick Murphy because he’s a vet. I don’t think that’s a get-out-of-jail free card. If he’s willing to oppose the people, the voters, to implement socialism, if he’s willing to bring this country ot its knees with all the new taxes and cuts in the worst economy in history, then I don’t see him as a patriot no matter what’s in his past.


19 posted on 03/14/2010 11:42:45 AM PDT by Kenny
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To: K-oneTexas

In 1998, people thought that impeaching Bill Clinton was political suicide, but nearly all Republicans did their Constitutional duty. In 2000, no one even cared how the impeachment vote went. Maybe the ‘Rats think the same result would come from passing this monstrosity. If so, they miss one point. Voters had little at stake personally with regard to the Clinton impeachment, but a huge amount at stake in this case.


20 posted on 03/14/2010 11:44:59 AM PDT by Clintonfatigued (Liberal sacred cows make great hamburger)
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