Posted on 09/27/2013 4:37:13 PM PDT by Jim Robinson
Earlier today, the United States Senate voted to fund Obamacare.
There were 25 Republicans who betrayed their principles and voted for cloture, giving Democrats the power to implement this terrible law.
This is a disappointing loss, but the bill now goes back to the House where Republicans must hold their ground and refuse to fund Obamacare.
Here are the 25 Senate Republicans who voted to allow Harry Reid (D-NV) and the Democrats to fund Obamacare today:
Alexander, Lamar (R-TN) Ayotte, Kelly (R-NH) Barrasso, John (R-WY) Blunt, Roy (R-MO) Boozman, John (R-AR) Burr, Richard (R-NC) Chambliss, Saxby (R-GA) Chiesa, Jeff (R-NJ) Coats, Dan (R-IN) Coburn, Tom (R-OK) Cochran, Thad (R-MS) Collins, Susan (R-ME) Corker, Bob (R-TN) Cornyn, John (R-TX) Graham, Lindsey (R-SC) Hoeven, John (R-ND) Isakson, Johnny (R-GA) Johanns, Mike (R-NE) Johnson, Ron (R-WI) Kirk, Mark (R-IL) McCain, John (R-AZ) McConnell, Mitch (R-KY) Murkowski, Lisa (R-AK) Thune, John (R-SD) Wicker, Roger (R-MS)
LEADING THE SURRENDER
There were a lot of people who worked against us in this fight, but nobody worked harder to fund Obamacare in the Senate thanMitch McConnell (R-KY), the Republican Leader.
Mitch McConnell pressured several Republicans to withdraw their names from the letter pledging to oppose Obamacare funding, he falsely accused conservatives of supporting a government shutdown, and he actively encouraged Republicans to support cloture this week so the Democrats could fund Obamacare.
If Mitch McConnell had not opposed this effort, there is no question that we would have won the vote today. He showed that he has clout in Washington. Unfortunately, he used it to hurt millions of American families.
SENATE CONSERVATIVES
We want to thank U.S. Senators Mike Lee (R-UT) and Ted Cruz (R-TX) for their extraordinary courage.
Most Republicans promise to stand up for conservative principles during the campaign, but then let us down after they're elected.
Mike Lee and Ted Cruz are different. They deliver.
VIDEO: Watch Ted Cruz's Epic Stand
These two men endured relentless attacks from all sides. The criticisms from the Democrats and the mainstream media were harsh, but the most personal attacks came from members of their own party.
We need more principled leaders like Mike Lee and Ted Cruz because Washington won't change without a fight.
We are extremely grateful to have them in the Senate defending liberty and we will continue to do everything we can to support them.
The ballot box is no longer in working order.
I will never vote for Ayotte again, and I told her that today.
However, you have to realize that the only realistic replacements for Ayotte and Collins are out-and-out communists.
And what, pray tell, are these “special interest groups”? Empty rhetoric.
No, he is plainly talking about EXTREMISTS that have fooled the Tea Party into believing that a shutdown would work. Sadly, Senator Cruz is one of them.
The Republican Party is going through a revolution right now. Desperate for “adult” leadership. Senator Cruz is willing to “play to the people” and put on a nice show. Strong on rhetoric but unfounded in reality of how things really work (a shame because he is a likeable fellow)...Rand Paul is another example of a “showman.”
Problem is that the GOP needs balanced “Statesmen” not rhetorical firebrands. The Dems stopped having statesmen years ago.....it is time for the GOP to produce some. Senator Cruz and Senator Paul are not remotely “Statesmen.” Their rhetoric, at the end of the day, is as empty as Mr. Obama’s. They talk grandiose, but what they say will not happen....ever.
While I sympathize with the fiscal concerns of the Tea Party....I recognize that many of them are just plain wackadodo extremists (anarchists)...the same as Paul’s followers are wackadodo libertarians (also anarchists). The country cannot be properly lead by extremists. We need fully balanced conservatives.
‘EXTREMISTS’ are not what is generally understood by ‘special interest groups’. As I said, empty, unsupported rhetoric. Read this:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3072174/posts
So what is the Coburn plan to defund Obamacare? Wait until 2014? 2016? 2020? When will the battle be joined?
Obamacare is a 3 1/2 year old train wreck. How long should we plan on waiting for the GOP to engage the Obama on it? Obama sold a false bill of goods to the American people and the GOP refuses to hold him to account for it.
If I wanted Obamacare funded I would vote for Democrats. Republicans were not sent to DC to fund obamacare. Is that clear?
These Senators voted for cloture—and then they voted against Dirty Harry’s bill that stripped Democare . Barasso is also a good, conservative Senator I want to know who voted for the legislation.
“If I wanted Obamacare funded I would vote for Democrats. Republicans were not sent to DC to fund obamacare. Is that clear?”
This IS NOT about funding Obamacare...at least with Senator Coburn. It is about NOT defunding everything in a futile attempt to defund Obamacare....and to not obtain that goal...and in the meantime...hurt everyone.
I am NOT for funding Obamacare...but I am NOT for shutting down the gov. I consider not funding the gov to be the greater evil.
Also, Senator Coburn was NOT elected to “defund” Obamacare. He represents Oklahomans...not every person calling themselves a Republican. Now IF your particular House member or Senators specifically won their last election based upon a mandate to stop Obamacare...regardless of the damage inflicted....THEN for that person(s) you can get all bent out of shape and vote them out in the next election. Otherwise, quite frankly, what you think is irrelevant to Senator Coburn. YOU DON’T ELECT EVERY SENATOR AND CONGRESSMAN. So, stop the nonsense about how “you don’t elect” someone....because YOU do not have any such say. This is a Republic...it State/Congresional district elects ITS congressmen NOT YOU.
While I “desire” that all Republicans vote conservatively....I cannot demand they all do because I cannot vote everywhere....that is how our Republic works. I cannot stand the “liberal” Senators (Republicans) that the State of Maine elects....but I do not have a say in it because I am NOT a resident of that state.
So, stow the nonsense you just spouted....it is unconstitutional. Grow up and start living in the real world. To change things, you must change minds. You will not accomplish it by EXTREME methods that hurt good people. Shutting done the government will not stop Obamacare....but it will hurt everyone.
“As I said, empty, unsupported rhetoric. Read this:”
It is pure sophistry. More extremist...my way or the highway nonsense that wins nothing, but hurts many. Senator Colburn is right.
I like Senator Cruz, but think he needs to grow up and give up drama...then he can do some real good. Senator Paul is already a lost cause. It would be better for the country if he left politics.
I disagree. Educating the public, which is glued to MSNBC and Dancing with the Stars, is not sophistry. How else can the opponents of Obamacare reach the citizens of this country, when faced with 24/7 MSM and Obama bully pulpit propaganda.
Name calling like a Dem. You never answered my question, what is the Coburn plan?
The real nonsene is GOP voting for cloture and then claiming they were not funding obamacare. That was a bit of buffonery that will be in the history books.
This absolutely was about funding obamacare and the GOP preemptively surrendering the obamacare funding battle. Why did the great senator Coburn have time to go on MSNBC but no time to insist his party leader engage Reid and Obama on the issue?
Why is McConnell is sending letters to assistant cabinet secretaries instead of the White House? Why does the leadership refuse to engage Obama and hold him to account?
We have a moment of great clarity inside the beltway. Obama and the Dems told a pack of lies to get the obamacare passed. Now the bill is due. A lot of people are being hurt. The GOP has a moral obligation to engage the Dems on behalf of those Americans using every tool available to them. They chose not to do that. History will damn them for their cowardice.
People are dying while you fiddle. Defund it NOW. Who made you God?
No Republican voted for Obammiecare, why should any of them vote to fund it?
Lead, follow, or get out of the way, coward. The titanic failure has sunk everyone.
They had enough votes to stop cloture in the second vote, but for the first vote they hid behind Dingy’s SKIRT. They had the votes to defund it. They are cowards. Their defenders are cowards.
Thune was one for me.
You are not the only one surprised. I can’t wait to hear the explanation. I hammered on Senator Johnson, not realizing I was about to be snookered by the so called Republican. There should be two more names on the list, both of whom chose NOT to vote, one of them a traitor from UT. I felt really bad last year when Orrin Hatch managed to squeak away with a win against a primary challenger who should have won. Hatch had already proven to be a RINO and should have been gone before he caused more damage. Too late now. I don’t remember who the other not voter was but deserves to be on the primary list.
I suggest that John Thune has just bought himself a primary. This, after last week undermining the only conservative candidate for Senator Johnson’s seat by openly supporting a proven RINO and father of Obama care, Real ID, Common Core and a one hundred and twenty seven million dollar budget busting deficit upon leaving office in SD, former governor Mike Rounds.
“People are dying while you fiddle. Defund it NOW. Who made you God?”
That is hyperbole in the extreme. Calm down, take a few deep breaths, and get a grasp on realty. And please be rational.
Obamacare is bad because it is socializing medicine - another step down a wrong path. It will hurt the economy, and it will hurt the quality of medical care. However, it is not currently “killing” anyone.
Shutting down the federal government WILL NOT make Obamacare go away. The POTUS has too big an ego to ever let go. Until we have solid (large) unwaivering majorities in both the Senate and House....we cannot get rid of it...we can at best mitigate its damage. However, if we in engage in foolish gestures (shutting down the gov.) that will just piss off the public and hurt our credibility...we won’t even be able to do that.
We DO NOT have a united Republican Party, and you Tea Party types with your scorched earth extremism are not doing anything to correct that....you are just helping more crazed Democrats to be elected...or more liberal Republicans.
You have to win the public, and that cannot always be done quickly. Mr. Obama was on the ropes over his failed foreign policy and making us look like fools at the hands of Putin. Now GOP extremists have thrown him a life line by insisting on a foolish course of action on an issue we have repeatedly been beaten over...repeatedly. We cannot win Mr. Obama being emasculated if we act a bigger fool than him. Shutting down the Fed. is not how you solve anything.
We need to keep pushing and insisting on cuts to the size of the fed (and NOT DoD!) agencies. We might be able to get these, but we won’t - at this time - stop Obamacare in a way that is clearly obvious...Mr. Obama’s ego won’t allow that...and the Democrats won’t let him be tarnished.
We MUST be wise in how we do things. I think Tom Coburn has the right idea. At least on this issue.
By the way...by what morale authority do you have to say, “who made you God.” It is a terrible missuse of the phrase and an affront to the Lord.
Personally, I thing God is more concerned about the repeal of DADT...open homosexuality in the military....homosexual marriage in states....than He is about Obamacare. Show some outrage about things that have real significant potential to do long term morale damage to this country than economic (moral damage is far worse..and what God cares about). That is one reason I have problems with Tea Party types. Many (not all) are only “fiscal” conservatives. Being well off financially is useless if you have to live in a moral sewer. It chills me to my bones when I hear that many are fiscally conservative but morally/socially moderate. That tells me that folks priorities are totally jacked up.
“Lead, follow, or get out of the way, coward.”
Look you worthless poltroon. I have spent 40 years in or around the military and understand fully what that saying means. You and your ilk are NOT leading....except to further failure. Your types need to “get out of the way” and let adults lead. Senator Cruz, I like him, but he is NOT an adult yet. He needs to grow up a bit and gain some seasoning. Spend less time grandstanding to appeal to extremists, spend less time acting, spend more time listening and learning. Then he may someday be a great leader. Not now.
All the best old friend
The 25 will continue with muddying up the truth. Already there websites are claiming they vote AGAINST 0bamacare.
This weekend they will ride in their limos, attend DC cocktail parties, laugh and joke with the media about how stupid conservatives are...our opinions are not even worth commenting on.
We have watched this for years now and for the most part have been polite and respectful because thats our core nature.
Conservatives are solid and decent folks...no question about it. It’s our inner strength. Most really dont enjoy the type of confrontation that needs to be exhibited. While we can enjoy discussions with our peers our opinions fall on deaf ears outside our “circle”.
I dont know what will work to regain the upper hand but being right doesnt mean we will win.
Having said that, watching Cruz/Lee and other like minds in Congress, bypass the MSM and actually score points with the public in large. This is working and working well. The inner circle of this group is very savvy and has turned the average conservative voter into a solid voting block. A force to be reckoned with!
Many have tried and tried but for one reason or another we just couldnt connect to the masses but this small group of conservatives are making a huge impact. Watch them, learn and join with them. We have been waiting a looooong time to have our voices heard and the time has now arrived.
The actions over the last couple of weeks by conservatives has shaken the hell out of the elites....they still feel they can control events but they are getting slapped down by their arrogant attitudes. They dont have the confidence anymore...you can see it.
We have been handed a win/win now. Congressional elites/0bamacare. Time to turn the tables on them!
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.