A roundup of reactions of Obama’s Kabuki Theatre yesterday here.
Not that any minds were changed. Obama kept trying to strike a pose for the cameras as Serious Contemplator — stroking his chin, pursing lips, scribbling notes, picking his nose — but he came off as thin-skinned, peevish and dismissive. The Left’s fallback line now seems to be it was never about you Rethuglicans anyway.
Unless I’m misreading that, Obama is saying that unless Republicans support comprehensive reform as Obama and Dems have defined it — dealing with the problem of 30 million uninsured and, by extension, seriously tackling the preexisting condition problem — they will almost certainly move forward with reconciliation. [...]To clarify, this was a call to Dems, perhaps more than anyone else, that the time has come for them to stiffen their spines and move forward with reconciliation, which Republicans, and even some nonpartisan observers, have repeatedly characterized as akin to marching off a cliff.
Obama and the Democrats continued to obfuscate and outright lie about what is in that 2700 page monstrosity of a government takeover of healthcare. Obama was alarmed that the Republicans even had the audicity to even bring the thing to the summit and refer to it. How dare they actually show and read from the bill! Harry Reid acting like the startled virgin over Republicans wanting to remove reconciliation from the table – “We have never used that word!!” Botox Nancy lying about federal funding of abortion in the bill.
Republican Paul Ryan was masterful on outlining the facts of the bill in a straight forward, honest manner. He even gave a thumbnail but accurate description of how the CBO marks up the bills. Obama’s reaction was “talk to the hand”, he didn’t let Ryan respond then turned it over to a Dem who immediately attacked Ryan with the incredible accusation that Ryan was attacking the credibility of the CBO.
Now being a Democrat means you don’t even have to wait a day to invent what your opponents say, now you can do it with them sitting right there in the room with you.
The Republicans were well-prepared and used their 110 minutes to present facts, pose questions (who should be making decisions on your healthcare? You or Washington?) and show they do have a plan that Obama and the Dems have bloviated didn’t exist. The 119 minutes of Obama and 114 minutes of Dems demonstrated their condescension towards American citizens (Obama on reconciliation “The people don’t understand or care about procedures”) and contempt for anyone, including peers, who oppose their dogma.
That’s what it boils down to. Obama and the Democrats don’t care what Americans want. They don’t even care if they last through the next election cycle as long as they can accomplish the takeover of 1/6 of the American economy. Their dogma is worth their political suicide.
Comment by Merovign on 2/26 @ 8:14 am #
I’m girding myself to go Galt on this one. Telling everyone I can to be prepared to say “no” to the takeover.
If half the people who oppose this actually say no, it can’t possibly survive, though it will sure be messy in dying.
Comment by Joe on 2/26 @ 8:22 am #
They could still pass some sort of monstrocity of a bill, but let’s hope they set their cause back yesterday. My impression was they actually lost ground.
Comment by Joe on 2/26 @ 8:32 am #
What Obama does not get is that a lot of Congressional Democrat Party Members know that he will not be around forever and that if they own this mess they will not be forgiven.
Comment by Joe on 2/26 @ 8:36 am #
The only way this passes is with GOP support, without it the Dems will balk.
Comment by Pablo on 2/26 @ 8:38 am #
They don’t have the votes in the House, and if the Senate tries reconciliation they’re inviting an electoral bloodbath over a bill they still can’t pass.
Nice job of butching up there, Baracky. Now pull your pants up.
Comment by Carin on 2/26 @ 8:43 am #
The idiotic dumbed-down-speak offered by the Dems on the half I watched … honestly, this is frightening.
Comment by happyfeet on 2/26 @ 8:46 am #
Whoever had the good sense to make sure Mr. Ryan was there is maybe not as stupid as I thought they were.
Maybe.
Pingback by Jules Crittenden » “It’s Over” on 2/26 @ 8:52 am #
[...] Protein Wisdom: Lemmings to the left, please. “Full speed off the cliff.” [...]
Comment by JD on 2/26 @ 8:59 am #
Someone noted yesterday that if they had the votes, none of this would be going on, and they would just pass it.
Comment by Frontman on 2/26 @ 9:15 am #
JD, that also goes to the point of whether this whole dog and pony show is a sop to the base. Now they can point and screech “obstructionist” at the opponents. But given how very many are opposed, those cries will fall on deaf ears and elicit mostly a “whatevs”. If reconciliation fails, I fear that many will forget all about the efforts at election time.
Comment by JHo on 2/26 @ 9:22 am #
Yet away they go, “ramming it through”. Ask any leftist blogger about the veracity of that principle: Government is a service provider, you damnable Republicans; get out of the way!
Except that government is already an octopus with a million tentacles. Passing this piece of shit would be icing the already existing collective.
It’s too late. Those tentacles are everywhere and the market is anything but under the control of individual choice. The whole federal government/money boys house-of-cards is artificial. Our lives and property are largely at their disposal. It’s progressive.
But I think O did a very foolish thing with this little soirée to statism: He had virtually no potential upside and every chance the Republicans would blow a hole in the thing, which they did by merely citing popular sentiment. The Dems and he looked downright ill prepared and foolish, adding to that sentiment. Watch poll numbers tank again.
So what if O knew that this bill could very well be a doomed ship? Surely Capital Hill must watch polls and hear voter sentiment 24/7…and we know they do because they’re rats jumping the sinking Dem ship already, months before the ‘10 elections. If this is the case, then the internal pressure on them and on O produced this get together, and that means they aren’t running jack but had no choice but to try a last-ditch resurrection of this latest component of the running statist takeover that’s been Washington DC for decades.
If so – if they are at least smart enough to know they’d better show up and at least talk about this thing before the nation, and I think they are – then they are truly SCREWED. Because they just agreed to play a game publicly that they had little hope of winning. That says something.
If, on the other hand, they didn’t see this coming, then we are truly led by brazen thieves. Which brings us back to the status quo. I don’t think we have much more than an inkling of how corrupt and manipulated the whole mess really is.
Comment by happyfeet on 2/26 @ 9:30 am #
there was no lack of the pointing and screeching before really… but maybe a good read of this gayness is as an indication of our la cage a faux little president man’s limitless devotion to narrative drag
Comment by LBascom on 2/26 @ 9:31 am #
I don’t know guy’s. I was pretty much against the whole Obamacare thing, but when I heard about that poor woman having to wear her dead sisters teeth, well, it made me question my own humanity, the legitimacy of the GOP, and the nation.
I mean, we can’t let our people slide behind Britain in the area of oral ickyness, and I’m afraid it may indeed be our lack of subservience to the government in matters of personal heath and hygiene that is ushering in this national shame.
I fail to see how “the Nance” hasn’t persuaded you with her terrible and heartbreaking tale told so elegantly. That you all remain unmoved by this fearsome fable has me rethinking everything I thought I knew about you, and I am considering not only throwing my full support behind the noble and just cause of forcing compassion through government control of your very bodily functions, I may thrust my tongue in your direction as I do it.
It’s what our new masters would want…
Comment by Joe on 2/26 @ 9:33 am #
The danger is they do have votes, but rather than listen to Rahm (who is arguing for some Reform lite cock slap that would cause a lot of damage, set a precedent, and which would pass) they are going for the full dirty Sanchez. The Rahm plan is actually more dangerous because it kills you in little bites.
Comment by Mr. W on 2/26 @ 9:56 am #
Obama’s “Death Stare”: The face that launched a thousand Democrat concession speeches.
Comment by SenatorMark4 on 2/26 @ 10:06 am #
Does anyone really believe that the Progressive Caucus won’t try to bribe and twist a few arms to make this happen? Please. No democrat blinked at the idea of starting taxes now to pay from some benefits four years from Tuesday. We are in real danger of having our country teleported to Greece.
Comment by cranky-d on 2/26 @ 10:09 am #
If the cult of personality surrounding our little president man becomes more unraveled because of yesterday’s sideshow, then it wasn’t a total waste.
Comment by Mr. W on 2/26 @ 10:09 am #
Those whom the Gods would destroy they first make mad.
Comment by McGehee on 2/26 @ 10:28 am #
Can anyone say whether The Minus-20’s current Rasmussen numbers take this debacle into account?
Comment by Pablo on 2/26 @ 10:30 am #
Does this thing have dental, btw? I did not know that.
Comment by Americaneocon on 2/26 @ 10:35 am #
American Power tracked-back with, ‘Blair House Reject: No Deal at Health Summit’.
Comment by Carin on 2/26 @ 10:35 am #
Heh, I get email from Barack and friends:
Three lies in the very first sentence. Un-fucking-believable.
Comment by Pablo on 2/26 @ 10:35 am #
The Progressives hate this piece of shit almost as much as we do, though for different reasons. See Liardogfake.
The House machinations look to be enormously entertaining, what with the Stupak contingent and the hardcore proggs they’re going to have to placate. I don’t think they can do it.
Pingback by 2-26-2010 | Drive Time Happy Hour on 2/26 @ 11:07 am #
[...] Full speed off the cliff [...]
Comment by Curmudgeon on 2/26 @ 11:16 am #
I don’t know guy’s. I was pretty much against the whole Obamacare thing, but when I heard about that poor woman having to wear her dead sisters teeth, well, it made me question my own humanity, the legitimacy of the GOP, and the nation.
Recycling: It’s good for the body, it’s good for the soul.
Comment by Makewi on 2/26 @ 11:30 am #
The Progressives hate this piece of shit almost as much as we do
True, but from my readings most seem inclined to get this POS passed and then “fix it” later.
Pingback by Right-Wing Links (February 26, 2010) on 2/26 @ 11:59 am #
[...] Full speed off the cliff [...]
Comment by Mr. W on 2/26 @ 12:01 pm #
I sure hope they keep this up until the midterms. There will be more Whigs in office than Democrats.
Comment by sdferr on 2/26 @ 12:11 pm #
While maintaining opposition to the Democrat idiocy in pursuit of totalitarian health care imposition cannot be put aside, the Republicans would do well to begin turning the nation’s attention toward more pressing matters and policies fit to them. There are many more important issues we need to address: the distractions of Obama and company’s foolishness ought not be allowed to take up all the oxygen in the country’s political discourse.
Comment by The Lost Dog on 2/26 @ 12:20 pm #
Ya know, I try and I try.
But that little arrogant fuck makes my skin crawl.
I guess I’m going to jail now.
STUPID! STUPID! STUPID!
It really sucks to have a pre-progg education. Otherwise, I would be as happy as a pig in shit….
WOW! What a mouth I have, eh?
Comment by JHo on 2/26 @ 12:26 pm #
You should write them, sdferr.
Comment by Matt on 2/26 @ 12:52 pm #
There is a clear right to “teeth” in the Constitution.
Comment by John Bradley on 2/26 @ 12:55 pm #
“We hold these tooths to be self-evident, …”
Comment by JD on 2/26 @ 1:06 pm #
I thought recycling was a good thing? Why do they keep trying to confuzzle me?
Comment by DarthRove on 2/26 @ 1:11 pm #
Best caption I saw to the Obama Death Stare picture (but I forget where I saw it…)
“Why isn’t Ryan’s trachea crushing? I’m sure I’m doing this force choke thing right…”
Comment by Makewi on 2/26 @ 1:25 pm #
OT – 4-0 US Hockey over Finland nearing end of 1st period. Go Team USA!
Comment by Makewi on 2/26 @ 1:29 pm #
Wow – 6-0 now.
Comment by BJTex on 2/26 @ 1:31 pm #
This is a bleg for translation skills.
Tunku Varadarajan over at The Daily Beast wonders what Obama was thinking in having the summit (best line, “He also showed that he’s a tedious clock-Nazi, …”)
His last paragraph completely confuzzles me.
Seriously? What? Translation, please!
Comment by Darleen on 2/26 @ 1:38 pm #
What? Translation, please!
I want my Free Healthcare!!
Comment by BJTex on 2/26 @ 1:49 pm #
But! But! But! Darleen! He says that “…he’s not keen on health care reform …” and yet he wants Barry and company to “hammer the thing through” so that he can get his “Leninist” thang on because … “There’s honesty in that, and dignity. And the other side respects you more, too.” ?!?!?!
room … spinning …
Comment by Makewi on 2/26 @ 1:50 pm #
Translation, please!
Majority rule with minority protection is for suckas!
Comment by BJTex on 2/26 @ 1:53 pm #
I mean … Is it just me or does that last paragraph look like the bastard child of a tryst between cognitive dissonance and Norm Crosby?
Comment by JD on 2/26 @ 2:14 pm #
I think he means that he is not keen on reform because it is not oppressively socialist enough.
Comment by JD on 2/26 @ 2:22 pm #
USA ! USA ! USA ! USA !
Comment by steph on 2/26 @ 2:24 pm #
More like the bastard child of a tryst between Joy Behar and Professor Irwin Corey
Comment by Mikey NTH on 2/26 @ 2:30 pm #
#38 BJ:
Comment by Mikey NTH on 2/26 @ 2:35 pm #
#38 BJ:
Whoops on #46! No, the ‘do it like Lenin’ line caught my eye also. What – kill every one who opposes you? If that is your plan, Varadarajan, (nice to telegraph it, BTW) then get ready for it to be rammed back the same way.
The Daily Beast let that slip out? Then they are rank with panic.
Comment by geoffb on 2/26 @ 2:47 pm #
I see a boot stamping on a wingnut face, forever, and they love us all the more for it.
Comment by guinsPen on 2/26 @ 3:03 pm #
6-0
Niice.
Comment by Danger on 2/26 @ 3:33 pm #
WOW! What a mouth I have, eh?
Well I’d say you applied a measured and proportional response there Old Dog, Well done!
Comment by Danger on 2/26 @ 3:35 pm #
oops forgot these ” “
Comment by alppuccino on 2/26 @ 3:53 pm #
I’m using the the corpse-dentures story to scare my kids into flossing twice a day.
So, win-win.
Comment by happyfeet on 2/26 @ 4:03 pm #
COM-BAT is teh future
Comment by Danger on 2/26 @ 4:13 pm #
Hey Feets,
There is a Mitch Daniels for president thread over at Hot Air.
Now’s your chance to show off your happy side ;)
Comment by steph on 2/26 @ 5:51 pm #
I (heart) Cheryl Bernard. Is that weird?
Comment by happyfeet on 2/26 @ 5:55 pm #
thank you! it’s been a stupid busy friday but I will go see
Comment by JD on 2/26 @ 6:06 pm #
I heart Cheryl Bernard’s …. eyes ;-)
Comment by newrouter on 2/26 @ 6:24 pm #
link
dowdist
link
Comment by guinsPen on 2/26 @ 6:50 pm #
Full speed off the cliff
On your marx. Get set. Willie!
Comment by newrouter on 2/26 @ 6:54 pm #
prog speak for marxism
Comment by newrouter on 2/26 @ 6:56 pm #
hey tr talk to soros stodge baracky
Comment by Darleen on 2/26 @ 6:58 pm #
the dishonesty of Gerson is breathtaking.
Comment by newrouter on 2/26 @ 7:21 pm #
link
Comment by newrouter on 2/26 @ 7:24 pm #
barbra sounds off
link
Comment by Pablo on 2/26 @ 7:28 pm #
George Bush should be pleased to hear that now that he’s done SHREDDING THE CONSTITUTION!!!!
Oh, and did you notice that our Democrat Congress just extended the Patriot Act? Shhh….
Comment by newrouter on 2/26 @ 7:28 pm #
link
Comment by Pablo on 2/26 @ 7:29 pm #
House, that is. Whatevs.
Comment by newrouter on 2/26 @ 7:33 pm #
link for real
Comment by Merovign on 2/26 @ 9:58 pm #
“Tunku Varadarajan over at The Daily Beast wonders what Obama was thinking in having the summit (best line, “He also showed that he’s a tedious clock-Nazi, …”)”
Ironic, for a guy who’s always late.
Comment by Stan25 on 2/27 @ 7:58 am #
When this mess is all over and there is going to be huge puddles of blood on the floor, who is going to come and clean it all up? It will be the people of the United States that fought this monstrosity from day one. Maybe this fiasco will finally tell the pols in the Beltway that our opinions are to be heeded and what they do can lead to being fired. 2010 will be the year that the pols will get a massive dose of reality and they won’t like what they see. Especially the ones that are going to be sent down the road kicking cans.
Comment by B Moe on 2/27 @ 8:21 am #
Andy McCarthy has an interesting, and scary thought at NRO,
Are we facing political suicide bombers?
Comment by newrouter on 2/27 @ 8:39 am #
healthcare akbar ***boom***
Comment by geoffb on 2/27 @ 9:14 am #
With nukes strapped to their bodies and the
guaranteepromise of a life as angels ruling an earthly heaven ringing in their minds as they make a final attempt to immanentize the eschaton.Comment by B Moe on 2/27 @ 9:19 am #
And by “angels” I am assuming you mean “extremely well compensated lobbyists and consultants”, Geoff?
Comment by geoffb on 2/27 @ 9:26 am #
Oh, noes. That is the short pre-angel state. They fully expect to rule forever once the two year interregnum of 2010-2012 passes.
Comment by Tdog on 2/27 @ 9:32 am #
Good read, please share:
http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/02/obamas_socialism.html
Comment by Mikey NTH on 2/27 @ 11:41 am #
#58 Newrouter:
Do not forget the context of when TR was speaking. I do not think there was even workers’ compensation insurance.
In 1852, after numerous boiler and engine accidents, the USA created the US Steamboat Inspection Service to inspect and certify civilian craft carrying cargo and passengers for hire. It was a necessary intrusion by the government into the market, I think. Do not take TR out of his time on these matters. He was president over a hundred years ago, after all, and was dealing with the circumstances of his time, not ours.
Comment by geoffb on 2/27 @ 12:45 pm #
Another angle being played in the attempt to remake America into the Democrat/Progressive/Socialist ideal.
BTW. TR was a man of his time. Progressive-ism was new, the way to cure the ills seen as happening in the industrial revolution. It’s evil side showed up over the course of time. Now 103 years and over 100 million murdered souls later those who still push this vision are vile and evil themselves, pig ignorant of history, or both.
Comment by newrouter on 2/27 @ 1:23 pm #
link
Comment by Danger on 2/27 @ 4:27 pm #
Dr Coburn brings the bedside manner and prescribes some Anti-Obamacare:
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2010/02/weekly-remarks-tom-coburn-president-obama.html
FTA:
“Republicans in Congress have a different vision for reform. We have put forward several proposals that lay out a common sense step-by-step path to reform. Our solutions are patient-centered, not government-centered. We believe in expanding options, not government; increasing access, not taxes; and reducing costs, not quality. Most importantly, we believe that no one has the right to step between you and your doctor.”
Oh, and Hot Air has the video if you prefer the movie version.
Send the good Senator some love at his website for fighting the good fight when you get a chance 8-)
Comment by leigh on 2/27 @ 11:36 pm #
We love Dr Coburn here in flatland.