Barbara Boxer defends Raul Ruiz for siding with GOP in shutdown vote

[mitchtv]

She says Dems won't penalize freshman's vote of conscience
http://www.mydesert.com/article/20131003/NEWS03/310030004/barbara-boxer-defends-raul-ruiz-obamacare-shutdown
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer, a Rancho Mirage Democrat and mentor to Rep. Raul Ruiz, defended the freshman Democrat on Thursday for backing a GOP spending bill that would’ve delayed a central provision of the Democrats’ health care reform.

Monday’s vote angered many of Ruiz’s supporters in the Coachella Valley, particularly because the Palm Desert Democrat had made health care a central theme to his 2012 campaign
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I am one of many, who stood by him during the vile campaign against him by Mary Bono, thinking we had a real Dem.Thanks a lot Dr. Ruiz

[antiquie]

1. If the DemPols won't punish him

then I hope the good people of the Coachella Valley do at their first opportunity.
And another black mark for Senator Boxer for her defense of his conscience.

[mitchtv]

2. dilemma

I didn't think he was a bluedog,and we tossed the repuke out, so we can't toss him just yet without a great challenger, a good scare is in order

[antiquie]

4. Well, I thought his vote came out of the blue...

and I don't see where he mentions his conscience in his several statements.
Considering the redness of the valley, I agree you can't toss him yet, just watch him close for more surprises.

[Skeeter Barnes]

3. Punish him for what? Being willing to delay the individual mandate to buy insurance for a year?

What's wrong with that? The White House already delayed consumer protections like the out of pocket cap and employer mandate for a year so why not delay the individual mandate as well? It's only fair.

Rep. Raul Ruiz on Wednesday tried to quell Democratic uproar over his vote for a Republican plan to delay a key provision of the federal health care law in a bargain to keep the government running.

I'm trying to see what the problem with is with that. Would it piss off the insurance company lobbyists? Is that what we're supposed to be upset about here?

[antiquie]

5. ~

[Skeeter Barnes]

6. Like I said, punish him for what?

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

7. Enjoy your time here.

[Skeeter Barnes]

8. I'd like to know if I just don't understand this issue. Please explain if I have this wrong.

[Merlot]

10. Delaying the individual mandate would put a stake through the ACA

I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt since I didn't understand that fact either. But it's really easy to research.

[pothos]

14. uhhhh

ok...

[OnionPatch]

9. He's my congressman, too, and I was not happy at all.

I was glad he won over Bono, of course. From what I saw, he seemed like he would be fairly progressive. But I'm hoping he gets a challenge from the left (or just one with a spine) after that vote.

[progdog]

11. Ruiz is a wimp.

He's my congressman as well. He was interviewed last night on the local news. When asked if he would vote for a clean bill he said he couldn't answer the question because one hadn't been presented yet. Huh? Then he said he was just trying to be pragmatic. So disappointed in this guy. Sent him an angry email.

[mitchtv]

12. saw that

we are planning to give him a bad primary experience.

[progdog]

13. You will get my support

He has got to be a dino. Other than Howard Dean, ask yourself why a doctor leaves his profession to become a politician.

[antiquie]

15. This just in: Calif. Congressman Aids Sick Passenger on Flight

California congressman relied on his medical background to aid a woman who suffered a medical emergency during a flight to Dallas.

KCBS-TV reports ( http://politi.co/1aevjL5 ) Rep. Raul Ruiz, who worked as an emergency room physician, was one of two doctors on board who helped stabilize the sick passenger before the plane made an emergency landing in Raleigh, N.C., on Thursday.

Texas Congressman Pete Gallego was also on the American Airlines flight from Washington, D.C. He tweeted Thursday that it was "impressive" to see Ruiz in action. Gallego said Ruiz "saves lives" and he hopes he's on all his flights home.

Ruiz is a Democrat who represents California's 36th Congressional District, which covers much of the Coachella Valley including Palm Springs.

No more at http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/calif-congressman-aids-sick-passenger-flight-20672471