Yesterday, an open mic caught President Obama saying a few things about his GOP rivals in Congress that I would imagine he didn’t want the public to hear. While maybe not as rhetorically hot as Schumer’s opening telephone, or the TV reporters in Anchorage willing to make up dirt on Joe Miller,, or Rahm Emanuel’s Inauguration photo, or even Reagan’s “We being bombing in five minutes” statement, this is sure to create a bit of a stir.
Apparently referring to GOP members of the House:
I said, ‘You want to repeal health care? Go at it. We’ll have that debate. You’re not going to be able to do that by nickel-and-diming me in the budget. You think we’re stupid?’” the President reportedly said. (Source: Yahoo News)
Mr. President, I don’t think there are many folks on either side of the aisle that thinks you are stupid. Do we think you are out of touch and over your head? Yes would be the answer to that question. This heath care bill was passed using procedures normally reserved for spending bills and against the wishes of the American people.
And commenting about GOP attempts to attach defunding Planned Parenthood to the 2011 budget:
“Put it a separate bill,” the President said he told House Speaker John Boehner and his staff. “We’ll call it up. And if you think you can overturn my veto, try it. But don’t try to sneak this through.” (Source: Yahoo News)
I think the House GOP will be willing to have a go at this. But he is right about the veto override. There are probably not enough votes to do that, especially in the Senate, but we need to get him on record vetoing a bill supported by the American people. While the issue of abortion is divided, leaning a little towards overturning Roe v. Wade, I think you’ll find even some who support abortion don’t want the federal government involved with paying for it. Just a guess, but I think this would cover a lot of Libertarians and Independents. Many Libertarians don’t want Roe v. Wade overturned because it is government intrusion, but they also are very much opposed to the feds paying for it. You make choices in your life; you should be the one to pay for those choices, not the taxpayer.
He had this to say about Congressman Paul Ryan and his budget plans:
“When Paul Ryan says his priority is to make sure, he’s just being an American’s accountant … this is the same guy that voted for two wars that were unpaid for, voted for the Bush tax cuts that were unpaid for, voted for the prescription drug bill that cost as much as my health care bill—but wasn’t paid for,” Obama reportedly said. (Source: Yahoo News)
Serious neglect here. He doesn’t bother to mention that voting to go to war in Iraq and Afghanistan were bi-partisan efforts, as was the prescription drug bill. Many democrats that vote against the prescription drug did so because they felt it didn’t go far enough. And shall we talk about an unfunded war? He authorizes the bombing of Libya, without first discussing that matter with Congress. Congress funds these efforts and he went to war without the fund necessary to cover the costs. So, Mr. President, before you start throwing stones, please make sure you are not living in a glass house yourself.
But I will conclude that really is no smoking gun here. He was caught in a moment of what he thinks might be clarity. The GOP is giving him fits right now because they have blunted his efforts to continue to expand government. It is natural that he is going to push back a little. But I certainly don't think this is bulletin board material for the GOP.
No comments:
Post a Comment