Hatch: Don’t Believe Republicans Will Support Obamacare
EmailABC News’ Rick Klein reports: The boldfaced GOP names being rolled out as supporters of President Obama’s health care reform efforts aren’t changing many minds among their counterparts on Capitol Hill. On ABCNews.com’s “Top Line” today, Sen. Orrin Hatch, a leading Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, told us that he expects the support offered recently by Republicans such as Bill Frist, Tommy Thompson, and Arnold Schwarzenegger will evaporate as the final bill comes into view. “I know that [Frist] believes that it should not be exactly the way the Democrats are coming up with it, and I don’t believe these other Republicans are going to be for it when they see the final bill that’s being written in the back rooms right now,” Hatch, R-Utah, told us. “But the Democrats do have the votes. They have 60 votes in the Senate, they’ve got a super-majority over in the House, and they can pass almost anything they want. But they’re going to have to live with what they do.” Though the version of the bill set to be approved by the Finance Committee does not include a “public option” that would compete with private insurers, Hatch said it’s important for Republicans to realize that draft won’t represent the final version of the bill. “The final bill’s being written right now in the White House, in dark rooms up here in the Capitol . . . and it’s being written by partisan Democrats,” he said. “And we’re just going to have to see how it turns out in the end. But that’s what’s really going to happen here.” Hatch also attacked Democratic plans to cut Medicare as part of efforts to limit the program’s cost: “Medicare is facing $38 trillion in unfunded liability, so we’re going to take another half trillion dollars out of there? That’s nuts — that’s just nuts.” On Afghanistan, he applauded Gen. Stanley McChrystal for advocating an Afghanistan policy that isn’t particularly popular in Democratic circles, and criticized the president for not making up his mind more quickly. “I think we want straightforward language on what needs to be done over there, and McChrystal I think is just saying ‘Look, if you’re gonna put our young men and women at risk over here, we’ve got to have the right type of equipment, we’ve gotta have the right type of forces, we’ve got to have more support from back in the country, and it’s just a matter of fact,’ ” Hatch said. “And it just seems like it’s taking a long time to make a decision that really ought to have been made a while back. And we’re putting — every day we’re putting a lot of these young people at risk, and we saw what happened last week.” Click HERE to see the interview with Sen. Orrin Hatch. Also today, we chatted with Republican strategist Kevin Madden, who said the administration’s handling of the Afghanistan debate is showing some presidential growing pains. “What we’re seeing right now is a sort of snapshot of just how inexperienced this president is when it comes to managing a chain of command,” Madden said. We also got Madden’s take on Rep. Mike Castle’s Senate bid in Delaware, the latest in the health care debate, and Levi Johnston’s latest star turn in … a pistachio ad. Watch the discussion with Kevin Madden HERE.
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Why are the Dems blocking legislation to block congressional bills from being posted on line prior to votes? Is there a reason?
Posted by: jamescbuilder | October 6, 2009, 2:46 pm 2:46 pm
republican = small minds
Posted by: tired of no | October 6, 2009, 3:04 pm 3:04 pm
Liberal = No Mind
Posted by: DJ | October 6, 2009, 3:32 pm 3:32 pm
I don’t think it is going to fly, either.
Posted by: Rick McDaniel | October 6, 2009, 3:37 pm 3:37 pm
President Obama has to fire McCrystal and replace him with someone like Shinseki. After all, the Bush-wad went through how many generals before he landed on one who would carry his lies? If McCrystal can’t follow orders he needs to go. Betraeus should go too.
Posted by: Mangalore | October 6, 2009, 4:03 pm 4:03 pm
“Why are the Dems blocking legislation to block congressional bills from being posted on line prior to votes?” – The Baucus bill has been posted. The other health committee bills have been online for months. I am not a Democrat, but it seems to me that a lot of the Republicans are more interested in scoring points in some kind of political game rather than getting folks affordable, quality healthcare. Thank goodness that a few (Dole, Frist, Arnold) are finally speaking up.
Posted by: Mark from atlanta | October 6, 2009, 5:03 pm 5:03 pm
Right senator, we should be rushed into the war again.
Posted by: cc | October 6, 2009, 5:27 pm 5:27 pm
Mangalore –”President Obama has to fire McCrystal and replace him with someone like Shinseki. After all, Bush went through how many generals before he landed on one who would carry his lies? If McCrystal can’t follow orders he needs to go. Betraeus should go too.”—–
Spoken like a true nut job who doesn’t have a clue… Just for the record, cloaking a lie in viceral passion does not make it any less of a lie…
Posted by: arkie vet | October 6, 2009, 5:57 pm 5:57 pm
Mark from Atlanta -”The Baucus bill has been posted. The other health committee bills have been online for months. I am not a Democrat, but it seems to me that a lot of the Republicans are more interested in scoring points in some kind of political game rather than getting folks affordable, quality healthcare. Thank goodness that a few (Dole, Frist, Arnold) are finally speaking up.”—
___________
the Baucas bill was posted pre mark-up. that does not mean its the legislation that will be voted on. Didn’t Obama say bills would be posted? Where’s the transparency?
Its not a matter of Republicans blocking a good bill to score points..Its a matter of Republicans trying to stop a horrible bill from passing in the name of affordable health care..
Reid and Pelosci ( and Obama I am sure) are not the least bit interested in tranparency OR providing the people with quality affordable health care.. They are interested in a one payer system that will dilute the quality of healthcare care, but provide massive power and control to the government.. NO THANK YOU !!!!
Posted by: arkie vet | October 6, 2009, 6:03 pm 6:03 pm
Hatch(et) Man! Give America a break. Shut up! We are sick of you and your other Republicraps of the Do Nothing Party! Give us “single payer” now or get ready to move home. Stop the War! Bring the troops home from every country now.
Posted by: john copeland | October 6, 2009, 6:33 pm 6:33 pm
What else is new, Orrin? Shut your Hatch. We already know, whatever it is, you’re against it. Go back to Utah and be a Mor(m)on.
Posted by: JL | October 6, 2009, 6:50 pm 6:50 pm
Of course not, Dumi-crats. Afford it. Then we’ll talk. What makes you think that anyone, in their right mind, would “borrow” $10T to pay for health care you can’t afford in the first place?
Posted by: WhatChange? | October 6, 2009, 7:43 pm 7:43 pm
Do the Dems need Orin Hatch and the GOP if the majority of governors get on board with Healthcare, there is New York, California and what about Maine suing Anthem — it’s about time Healthcare was passed with or without the GOP senators!!
They are not balancing budgets in their states and actually if everyone walks to that line just how will they vote if they are up for re-election??
Posted by: paulet | October 6, 2009, 7:47 pm 7:47 pm
Wow, a millionaire telling the little people what they need. Endearing. Let them eat cake….
Posted by: bea | October 6, 2009, 8:32 pm 8:32 pm
These 3 comments were true over 200 hundred yesrs ago and are still today.
The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not.
I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them…
My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government. THOMAS JEFFERSON
We need a brave politician today to fight off all of the Liberals and their suicidal spending.
Posted by: paul roth | October 7, 2009, 1:22 am 1:22 am
Oh and let’s not forget that most Democrats in Congress will not be affected by the tax increases we taxpayers will be burdened with, as they somehow don’t pay their taxes.
Posted by: bailedout2 | October 7, 2009, 1:37 am 1:37 am
Can you say, “bait and switch” ? Deception is more evil and sinister than just being wrong on a subject. How many drafts and bills are you guys going to write that are thousands of pages long and written in lawyer gibberish language that nobody really knows what it means?
I’m sure the judges and lawyers will tell us what really means. We should all be scared of this shell game congress is playing. Kill the bill,which ever form or number they give it until it is written in a language most tax payers can understand and understand the consequences.
Posted by: greg | October 7, 2009, 1:45 am 1:45 am
The Democrats need to forget about the GOP… they’ve lost the INDEPENDENTS, and WE are the reason they have a majority in both houses of the Congress and their MORON sitting in the Oval Office.
Come November 2, 2010, THAT party is FINISHED!!
Posted by: Namako_H3 | October 7, 2009, 1:50 am 1:50 am
The only solution is Ron Paul and the “Fair tax”. Nothing less will suffice.
Small Government = More Freedom while More Government = Less freedom. Go ahead liberals teach me that I’m wrong.
Posted by: WhatChange? | October 7, 2009, 9:02 am 9:02 am
john copeland: why so defensive? Still trying to make your messiah seem invincible? obama’s a failure!!! Biggest failure to EVER be sworn in!!! And your “Bring the troops home” idiology is so worn out. I am a veteran, I have served and am battle scarred! I salute those still serving out there and guarantee majority know this must be done and would tell you that to your pumpous liberal face! If we pull out they are going to come here!!! What of that dont you understand? You are a fool!!! They will never stop till we are all DEAD!!! So go back to your playstation and dance in your little fairy land! Let we the brave do our job!!! And -Paulette- Uhm… all states budgets are passed except for PA, it’s governor is Democrat, rendel!!! Check Mate!!!
Posted by: Fabiansbass | October 7, 2009, 11:20 am 11:20 am
“President Obama has to fire McCrystal and replace him with someone like Shinseki. After all, the Bush-wad went through how many generals before he landed on one who would carry his lies? If McCrystal can’t follow orders he needs to go. Betraeus should go too.”
Mangalore – this president needs to listen to his commanders and what they are proposing. He has no experience in running anything And while he tries to figure it out we have young patriots dying over there. He needs to get his stuff together and act like a commander in chief.
Posted by: mj | October 7, 2009, 12:39 pm 12:39 pm
The Republicans won’t support any plan Obama comes up with. They would rather play mind and word games with their nose stuck in the air scared to death someone besides the wealthy will get some help from Obama’s healthcare plan.They want to keep Millions of Americans without healthcare so they can get back into the Whitehouse and do what they always do which is absolutely nothing. Some of you are so ready for the republicans to get back in office and my question is why? They didn’t do anything when they were in there before. What makes some of you think they will do something different and just curious, who will some of you hollier than thou vote for as a republican.
Posted by: vanessa penney | October 7, 2009, 1:18 pm 1:18 pm
Republicans will always place politics ahead of the good of the American people. They did it when they were in power and you can be damned sure that they will continue now that they were swept out of power. The problem is that they come to the table with nothing but ugly partisan rhetoric – no alternative, not even a suggestion of an alternative; just “NO”.
Posted by: DaveM | October 7, 2009, 1:32 pm 1:32 pm
Have you noticed the “civility gap” in these blog sites. People on the extreme right, like many posters here, not only lack civility and respect, but actually border on hatred. Are these ridiculous topics worth wasting perfectly good energy on hatred? Is that what your mother taught you? Is that what your church taught you?
Posted by: DaveM | October 7, 2009, 1:40 pm 1:40 pm
One question for you Mr. Hatch(Orrin). Why do do YOU think that Medicare is facing a “$38 Trillion” liability? It coudn’t be because of the Republicans back in “03 when they expanded the prescription drug benefit (with the pharmaceutical industry being the only beneficiary) and then denying the government the Right to negotiate pricing? My hope is that more and more voters get educated so that two faced hyprocrits like you and your fellow “conservatives” don’t get elected anymore.
Posted by: CND FOX | October 7, 2009, 2:17 pm 2:17 pm
To Dave M. You are correct in saying there is a lack of “civilty” on most blogs. But let me educate you on one thing. If you blog on truly conservative sites you will not only witness a lack of civilty..you find that namecalling, mislabeling, fear mongering and total negativity are completely in vogue. It is not so much hatred – as it is ignorance. And the problem with that type of mind set that exists there is that unfortunately all they ever have done in their life is liten to what grandparents and/or parents or their small minded “church” community has told (not taught) them. They just never have learned to think for themselves and have evidently given up on continually learning new things in their lives through questioning and/or education.
Posted by: CND FOX | October 7, 2009, 2:36 pm 2:36 pm