Romney on Health Care Mandate: ‘It’s Not Worth Getting Angry About’
by Dan RiehlDemocrats already know one issue upon which they have potential GOP nominee, Mitt Romney at a severe disadvantage, as Paul Begala points out: RomneyCare versus ObamaCare.
After 19 debates Mitt still doesn’t have a straight answer. Rick Santorum skillfully dissected Romney on the topic. If Romney is the GOP nominee, you can be sure Barack Obama will do the same.
Appearing to have been stuck in, you’re angry mode, a tactic Romney is deploying to target Newt Gingrich, it was all he seemed to have as a fall back when very effectively pressed on the subject by Rick Santorum in last night’s debate.
“We cannot give the issue of healthcare away in this election,” Santorum declared, striking a resonance with conservatives everywhere.
Based upon various Twitter accounts, conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh picked up on the topic this morning, stressing the importance of the exchange between Santorum and Romney. Liberal blogs and outlets such as Talking Points Memo and the Huffington Post are picking up on it with video, as is The Hill, among others.
The Weekly Standard also took notice. ObamaCare played a big part in fueling Tea Party anger with the Obama administration. Along with conservatives coming away with the impression Romney doesn’t share their anger over state run health care–fairly, or not–any Romney and GOP criticism of ObamaCare can now be met with an ad quoting Romney as saying it isn’t something to get angry about.
That’s bound to undermine existing and new Republican attacks on what continues to be a sore subject on the Right, especially among conservatives and Tea Party members. From the Weekly Standard:
Moments later, as the discussion over Romneycare and Obamacare continued, Romney rebuked Santorum, saying, First of all, it’s not worth getting angry about.
The exchange offered a stark reminder of one inescapable set of facts:
President Obama spent the bulk of his first 15 months in office ramming his signature legislation down the throats of the American people. Yet, as his State of the Union Address made clear, he’d rather not bring it up. So if Republicans are going to have a mandate to repeal this unprecedented threat to liberty and fiscal solvency, they will have to bring it up — or, rather, their nominee will have to bring it up. And he will have to know why he opposes it — not merely that he does.
Immediate post-debate reaction last night seemed to favor Santorum as the winner of the overall debate. What’s less clear is how badly Mitt Romney may have hurt himself by highlighting what many view as a critical weakness of his in pursuing the GOP nomination.
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54 Comments
Yes, it is.
I am not remotely interested in anyone in Government dictating anything to me pertaining to healthcare.
"First of all, it’s not worth getting angry about"
Dude has no idea how angry we are.
Do not kid yourselves, Romney is being pushed on us because he will refuse to put a stop to Obamacare. Gingrich is a threat to the establishment and must be supported.
Hell yes it is, I live in MA and I can no longer afford health insurance and survive. I was paying the penalty and any medical costs, but after last night I'll just pay the penalty and stick the ER with the bill. Thanks Mitt! You JerK!!!!
I guess I'll send emails to the other three campaigns offering to fly me to the next debate and ask Mitt the gotcha question of the century.
Does not have a clue.
Sometimes, I get so friggen mad, I just sit and vibrate.
Of course, Romney has no good answer. He already sold his soul to MA liberals a long time. It is beyond me for him to claim he is conservative when all he did in MA was ketowing with liberals. He cannot win south with that kind of credential. No principle, just another empty suit.
Commands from the Ruling Class Republican Establishment (with help from our pals: the d-cRAT socialists and their stooges/puppets in the socialist media):
There is nothing wrong with your mind. Do not attempt to think for yourself. We are controlling the information provided for the Republican primaries. If we wish to destroy a conservative, we will bring up the volume of attacks. If we wish to support a RINO, we will tune it to a pleasant sound. We will control the horizontal. We will control the vertical. We can roll the image of a conservative, make it flutter. We can change the focus of a conservative to a soft blur or sharpen it to crystal clarity for an establishment RINO. For the remainder of the primary season, sit quietly and we will control all that you see and hear. We repeat: there is nothing wrong with your mind. You are about to participate in a great adventure – the approval of the RINO that we establishment clowns have selected to win the nomination. You are about to experience the awe and mystery which reaches from the inner mind to… ANOTHER RULING-CLASS ESTABLISHMENT CANDIDATE LOSER.
(FYI: each and every Ruling Class Establishment Repub candidate, like RINO romney(care), has LOST the general election: mccain, dole, george h.w. bush, ford….)
If Romney gets in ObamaCare is going no where.
When the voters finally wake up, they will discover that rino Romney, Kerry/Kennedy clone, is just an elitist, progressive posing as a conservative. There are two conservatives in the debates – Santorum, social conservative, and Gingrich, financial conservative.
I am mad as hell !
Who else can the south vote for? It's a choice, not a referendum. It's going to either be Romney or Obama.
So four more years.
His advisor, Norm Colman just told us as much…
You dittoheads haven't had an original though in 20 years. They can't expect you to start now.
This is my take on what Romney will do with Obama care- take it to the next level…
Nationalized Romney Care= Obamacare on Steroids.
If you're obese, Smoking, old, or any combination of the three, you may be writen off. Romney has said nothing to make us think he has reconciled his thinking on socialized medicine…
Romney is such a stiff shirt that he wouldn't dare do anything but tow the establishment line. Royalty shall never veer from the royal path.
Blah!
We don't need Royalty to lead.
Even if he gets in it's going no where. It's the law of the land and you need 60 votes in the senate to repeal it.
Either of them would be a disaster for the American people.
Bless yer heart- there's not too many of these debates left. The Newt SuperPac out here in CA is putting all kind of ads on our talk radio. They'd definatly be interest to hear from you and your neighbors. Maybe they can develope a viral video interviewing your fellow statesmen inside the shape of MA, while it slowly washes down a drain…
Romney can not get elected.
Liked the Outer Limits reference. Nicely done.
And every 'original' thoughts you progressive idiots have had has only led to debt and misery for the general populace and lining the pockets of your progressive ideological friends.
project much?
Nothing like the contiinuing disaster that liberals have inflicted upon us. Another 4 years of this? Only someone with a room temp IQ would want 4 more years of this….
In a nutshell…America…he just informed you how he thinks about this Obamacare…and how serious he is going to be to get rid of it!
That is why we need a 'real' conservative and not a 'pretender' like NWO Romney or CFR Gingrich…or the old crazy man…"Pot" Paul…we need Rick Santorum!
Let us get behind him and support him and encourage him to go on in spite of the outcome in Florida…because the one left standing at the end…will be our President…and it will be Rick Santorum!
I declare today a MONEY BOMB for Rick…we gave…how about you?
https://transaxt.com/Donate/PTWALC/RickSantorumfo...
You have to wonder what IS worth getting angry about.
Wow, this may be his Dukakis in a tank moment. Anyone here who had any doubt that he would NOT repeal Obamacare should fgeel absolutely certain now.
As governor of Massachusetts, Mitt Romneys number one achievement was the most socialistic health care plan in the country.
He absolutely lied to America last night saying he would repeal Obamacare. For crying out loud, he created Obamacare… it's called Romneycare.
McCain:
Let's send Newt to the moon and,…..
Mitt to the White House.
I would rather send you back to Hanoi,…..
along side your FAT airhead daughter.
You are solely to blame for our country,…….
having to endure this Marxist administration.
Let's wait and see in the coming months whether or not the Supremes justify the mandate in obamascare. Romney's plan is state-mandated as opposed to the president's which is federally mandated.
With all the lies and vitriol being slung in a coordinated attack against Newt, why is Romney getting, until last night, the virtual mainstream republican-pundit "reach-around" concerning his RomneyCare debacle? Santorum so-far, has been the only candidate with the guts to go after Romney and it was applause worthy! Romney was apparently at a loss for words that seemed to render the "verbal octopus" momentarily speechless… If RomneyCare requires a mandate to be implemented, just as ObamaCare does, it's disingenuous to not admit it's unworkable and a burden on the economy and ultimately an expensive fraud!!!
Romney is toast on healthcare. With albatrosses of this size hanging around Romney's neck, talk about whether he or Gingrich has the most "baggage" is pretty much academic. The significant difference I see is that Gingrich seems able and willing to robustly and directly confront his issues while Romney tends to equivocate and downplay.
Is there ANYONE who does NOT believe that Romney is a Marxist?
His stance on the mandate is 100% pure Marxism and Totalitarianism.
Why would he repeal Obamacare? He is proud of Obama for running with his greatest accomplishment to the finish line – national slavery.
Hard to argue
As most of you know, I live in California and write extensively about the stupidity of California's marxist legislature. But I do take pause when people try to use the federal government to set local public policy.
Let's be honest, Romneycare is not Obamacare. Romneycare uses private insurance companies as "choice", whereas Obamacare is about a "single payer". Single payer is code words for ASO = Alternative Service Organization. ASOs are essentially networks of Medicaid type clinics. Obama and his SEIU fellow travellers know that 76% of all Canadian healthcare workers are unionized and only 16% of U.S. healthcare workers are unionized. Consolidating healthcare workers into clinics with a single payer, guarantees a spectacularly huge increase in unionizations.
Romneycare is not my idea of good local public policy, but it was voters in Massecusetts voters idea of good public policy.
I believe Romneycare will defeat Romney in an election against Obama. This is why the MSM likes Romney for a candidate. I wish Florida would go for Santorum. This would give him a chance and would lock out all RNC establishment RINO candidates and Newt, who manages to anger everyone.
Chriss: As a voter, I must have been asleep when we had a "chance" to vote for this socialist bill. Boy am I mad for allowing this to get past me. +JMJ+
Not only did Romney push his Romneycare down out throats, but, when the so-called supreme court made a new law allowing homosexuals to get "married"; he just dragged his feet before he took any action. Part of the blame can go to his so-called Attorney General (sorry, I can't remember his name as he was so useless, in fact, I can't think of any of our AG's that were or are normal). In case any of you haven't heard: Barney Frank (one of the main criminals in our collapse) is going to get "married"; I can just imagine all of the bridesmaids: all of his partners. Very sick world that we live in. LET US STOP OBAMANISN NOW & but please let us not jump into Romneyism.
But there is but onwe answer if Obama should ask Mitt what he apposes about Obama Care is simply that it is unconstitutional. If Obama presses him more by suggesting that he himself promoted and got a simular bill in his state, so why was he so andament in opposing Obama care. Mit simply has to say I was wrong and I admit it. Then he should ask Obama, Why don't you also admit that your bill is even more injurious than the one I erroniously supported.
How Gingrich, Romney, & Obama All Promote Big Government: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embed...
Mitt Romney Keeps Defending the Individual Mandate: http://spectator.org/blog/2011/12/28/mitt-romney-....
The Romney Con Exposed: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embed... http://inflation.us/videos.html
Rush Limbaugh: Romney Is Not Mr. Conservative! http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embed...
Why Did A Former Romney Campaigner Defect to Another Candidate? http://www.revolutionpac.com/2012/01/former-romne...
Study: On Spending Cuts, Most GOP Candidates Light On Details; Who Isn't?: http://dailycaller.com/2011/12/30/study-on-spendi.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSVi45vfA6o
Another great place for information on the candidates is The Conservative Scorecard, which is an easy-to-read description on the strength of the candidates on key conservative positions. The ratings are based on their prior statements and positions over their political careers. It can be found here: http://www.conservativescorecard.com/
Newt Gingrich? Really? http://www.newswithviews.com/baldwin/baldwin685.h...
Newt Gingrich: Serial Hypocrisy? http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embed...
Gingrich would be worse than Obama on Foreign Policy: http://dailycaller.com/2011/12/28/gingrich-would-....
National Debt Grew by $1 Trillion When Gingrich was Speaker of the House: From Treasury Direct.gov:
· In 1994, the year before Gingrich become Speaker the National Debt was $4, 693 trillion
· In 1995, the year he become speaker the debt was $4,974 trillion
· In 1996 the debt was $ 5,225 trillion
· In 1997 the debt was $5,413 trillion
· In 1998– the last year of his speakership– the debt was $5,526 trillion
Gingrich Supported Goldwater? Newt Helped Reagan End the Cold War? Said Newt Gingrich in the Tampa Debate: “I went to a Goldwater organizing session in 1964. I met with Ronald Reagan for the first time in 1974. I worked with Jack Kemp, and Art Laffer and others to develop supply side economics in the late ’70s. I helped Governor Reagan become President Reagan. I helped pass the Reagan economic program and worked with the National Security Council on issues including the collapse of the Soviet Empire…” Said Gingrich before: On Reagan’s decision to meet with Mikhail Gorbachev, Salon’s Glenn Greenwald notes: “Newt Gingrich… denounced President Reagan’s rapprochement with Gorbachev in 1985 as potentially “the most dangerous summit for the West since Adolf Hitler met with Chamberlain in 1938 at Munich.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embed...
Shockingly Massive Evidence That Newt Gingrich is Far From Being A Conservative! http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embed... http://www.nationalreview.com/campaign-spot/28924... http://web.archive.org/web/20060822061158/http:/w... http://www.ronpaul2012.com/2012/01/22/newt-gingri... http://www.ronpaul2012.com/2012/01/22/newt-gingri... http://www.ronpaul2012.com/2012/01/24/newt-gingri...
Gingrich Condemned How Reagan Ended the Cold War: Newt says he helped Reagan defeat the Soviet Union. Was that before or after he said this? Reports BBC: In 1985… Mr. Gingrich referred to a meeting between Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev as “the most dangerous summit for the West since Adolf Hitler met with Chamberlain in 1938 at Munich”. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-1336672...
WHAT???? Bizarre!!!! Why Did The Nephew of Rick Santorum Endorse Another GOP Candidate & Call Santorum His "Big Government Uncle Rick"? http://dailycaller.com/2012/01/03/the-trouble-wit....
Who Is Rick Santorum? http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=48620
National Right To Work Asks: Is Rick Santorum Really A Union Stooge? http://www.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeedpolitics/is-rick-...
Club For Growth FACT CHECK Confirms Santorum A “Big-Government Conservative”! http://www.clubforgrowth.org/news/?subsec=7&i... http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embed...
Fraud & Betrayal From Another Shocking Big Government Pretend Conservative Hypocrite Exposed: http://www.redstate.com/erick/2012/01/06/what-a-b.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embed... http://www.redstate.com/erick/2012/01/04/this-won...
Liberal Rick Santorum & How He Supported Controversial, Big Government, Anti-Gun, Pro-Abortion Candidates & Helped Pass ObamaCare: http://www.newsmax.com/InsideCover/Santorum-Haunt.... http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/06/rick-san... http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/05/santorum.... http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/01/rand-pa... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Gwwmm-cQxU&fe.... http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/01/02/r... http://www.ronpaul2012.com/2012/01/02/santorums-l.... http://www.mediaite.com/tv/bill-oreilly-grills-ri... http://dailycaller.com/2012/01/07/santorum-isnt-a...
Santorum Supported Individual Healthcare Mandate (From Pennsylvania’s The Morning Callnewspaper, May 2, 1994): “Santorum and Watkins would require individuals to buy health insurance rather than forcing employers to pay for employee benefits.”
Now Santorum Even Flip-Flops On "Audit The Fed"! http://www.revolutionpac.com/2012/01/santorum-fli...
How Gingrich, Romney, & Obama All Promote Big Government: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embed...
Ever notice that Romney talks a lot like Obama? Stutters, repeats himself and always seems to be looking for a teleprompter. He's just a Republican version of Obama. BEWARE! I'm thinking Santorum/Paul ticket?
BOMBSHELL: Here's a tape of Newt Gingrich endorsing Obamacare. See: http://www.sodahead.com/united-states/bombshell-h...
BOMBSHELL: Here's a tape of Newt Gingrich endorsing Obamacare. See: http://www.sodahead.com/united-states/bombshell-h...
BOMBSHELL: Here's a tape of Newt Gingrich endorsing Obamacare. See: http://www.sodahead.com/united-states/bombshell-h...
BOMBSHELL: Here's a tape of Newt Gingrich endorsing Obamacare. See: http://www.sodahead.com/united-states/bombshell-h...
BOMBSHELL: Here's a tape of Newt Gingrich endorsing Obamacare. See: http://www.sodahead.com/united-states/bombshell-h...
BOMBSHELL: Here's a tape of Newt Gingrich endorsing Obamacare. See: http://www.sodahead.com/united-states/bombshell-h...
Romney is closer to being a Conservative than is Gingrich.
BOMBSHELL: Here's a tape of Newt Gingrich endorsing Obamacare. See: http://www.sodahead.com/united-states/bombshell-h...
BOMBSHELL: Here's a tape of Newt Gingrich endorsing Obamacare. See: http://www.sodahead.com/united-states/bombshell-h...
BOMBSHELL: Here's a tape of Newt Gingrich endorsing Obamacare. See: http://www.sodahead.com/united-states/bombshell-h...
BOMBSHELL: Here's a tape of Newt Gingrich endorsing Obamacare. See: http://www.sodahead.com/united-states/bombshell-h...
BOMBSHELL: Here's a tape of Newt Gingrich endorsing Obamacare. See: http://www.sodahead.com/united-states/bombshell-h...
BOMBSHELL: Here's a tape of Newt Gingrich endorsing Obamacare. See: http://www.sodahead.com/united-states/bombshell-h...
????? Romney is actually closer to being a Conservative than is Gingrich.
BOMBSHELL: Here's a tape of Newt Gingrich endorsing Obamacare. See: http://www.sodahead.com/united-states/bombshell-h...
BOMBSHELL: Here's a tape of Newt Gingrich endorsing Obamacare. See: http://www.sodahead.com/united-states/bombshell-h...
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