Obama payback for 0 Republican House votes for Stimulus = Health Care enacted thru Reconciliation!

[Pirate Smile]

0 Republican votes for Stimulus in House = Health Care enacted through Reconciliation

Why bother trying for Bipartisanship when Republicans aren't interested.

Obama Repeatedly Reminds House GOP Of Their Zero Stimulus Votes

In a meeting with House Republicans at the White House Thursday, President Obama reminded the minority that the last time he reached out to them, they reacted with zero votes -- twice -- for his stimulus package. And then he reminded them again. And again. And again.

-snip-
Obama also offered payback for that goose egg. A major overhaul of the health care system, he told the Republican leadership, would be done using a legislative process known as reconciliation, meaning that the GOP won't be able to filibuster it.
Congress has until October 15 to pass health care or student lending reform under the normal process. If it doesn't, reconciliation can be used to eliminate the 60-vote requirement.

Democratic aides said that Obama made clear to the GOP leadership that he would continue to work in a bipartisan way, but that they didn't have veto power over health care policy. GOP aides, however, said that Obama was pretty clear that reconciliation would be used. "From what was told me, it sounded more like he would almost definitely use reconciliation for healthcare. I don't think he hedged much," said one.

Another GOP aide said that Obama and House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) had a back-and-forth about the zero votes. Obama argued that House Republicans had made a "strategic decision" to oppose the stimulus, while Boehner countered that Obama hadn't accepted House Republican input on the bill.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) pushed back against the decision to use reconciliation. "As he told the President during a meeting at the White House on Thursday, Senator McConnell and his colleagues want to be part of the solution to reforming our country's health care system and expects the majority party to include Republicans in that process. Sen. McConnell wants a bipartisan solution," said McConnell spokesman Don Stewart.

"Fast-tracking a major legislative overhaul such as health care reform or a new national energy tax without the benefit of a full and transparent debate does a disservice to the American people," said McConnell in a statement. "And it would make it absolutely clear they intend to carry out their plans on a purely partisan basis."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/04/24/obama-repeatedly-reminded_n_191207.html

[polichick]

1. So there, you Rethug buttheads!

[The Magistrate]

2. That Is The Right Move, Ma'am!

"Beware the wrath of a quiet man."

[AtomicKitten]

3. That's the way to move this country forward. n/t

[FrenchieCat]

4. They the Republicans "didn't have veto power over health care policy."

That's what I'm talking about!

[northernlights]

5. I'm trying to wade through the whole excerpt

but I keep getting stuck at something that looks like this:

And Boehner said, "WAAAAAAH!!!! WAAAAAAH!!!! WAAAAAHHH!"

And the McConnell added, "WAAAAAH!!!!!WAAAAAH!!! NO FAIR!!!! WAAAAAAHHH!!!!"

And I have this overwhelming urge to dial 911 for the WAAAAmbulance. :shrug:

[pleah]

6. I wonder if old boner turned the water works on for Obama?

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[nichomachus]

7. Great video -- 100 Days of No

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18NSjDI6ILk

[PopSixSquish]

8. To Quote Rahm Emanuel

"Republicans and others have made a mistake: He has an open hand, but it’s a very firm handshake.”

And now McConnell and Boehner et al are about to feel the back of his hand...sucks to be you fellas...

[tblue37]

9. Well, Republicans, it has long been evident that *some* group

"intend(s) to carry out their plans on a purely partisan basis," and that would be you guys, the party of NO.

[tex-wyo-dem]

10. What do the rethugs expect when they...

Act like spoiled, petulant children who have no interest in governing (which almost always includes compromise). Obama gave them a chance and they blew it with flying colors!

[Pirate Smile]

11. They thought there would be no payback. Ha.

:rofl:

[indepat]

12. Zero votes show 'pukes are nothing about bipartisanship and all about obstruction

:P

[Arkana]

13. As would serve them right.

Those fuckers scream for bipartisanship, but they refuse to cooperate on anything. This is their reward--I hope they enjoy it.

[spanone]

14. mcconnell wants a 'bipartisan healthcare bill' B U L L S H I T

fuck the republics

[mucifer]

15. well at least their states didn't accept the stimulus money.... Oh wait!

[Phx_Dem]

16. I know I shouldn't, but I love payback. Especially Republican payback.

Reconcillation would never have happened if Republicans had been even remotely resonable, instead of obstructing everything in sight.

ROLF. Fuck you, Republicans, and your entire ignorant, hatemongering and divisive party.
:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

Thank you, President Obama. Enough is enough!
:patriot:

[high density]

17. Repukes had no issue in acting on a "partisan basis" a few years ago

Not to mention the stimulus vote.

[ClarkUSA]

18. While McConnell was whining about bipartisanship, he was filibustering Sebelius' Cabinet nomination.

So credit goes to President Obama for doing the right thing, again.

[Cha]

19. This is fascinating! All the time,

energy, and maneuvering that's gone into this. Did the repukes have a clue this was coming when they were under their rocks and in their corner Screaming "NO"?

[yardwork]

20. Good.

[Jakes Progress]

21. He has the popularity to do it.

And better now than two years from now.

Pay no attention to those tiny voices on the AM dial. They mean nothing.

[blueclown]

22. Obama's best move yet.

IMO, if he can get the ball moving on substantial health care reform, he'll be one of the greats.

[Hekate]

23. ... happy dance, happy dance ...

:bounce:


Hekate

[ZombieHorde]

24. Sweet. nt