Senate's #2 Republican: No GOP Support for Reform

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I think Sen. Jon Kyl ® of Arizona, the second highest ranking Republican in the Senate, said something really important this morning.

The Senate Republican whip, speaking to reporters on a conference call from his home state of Arizona, said that even if the Democrats do away with a government-run insurance option, the GOP most likely won't support the bill that's being written in the Senate.

"I think it's safe to say that there are a huge number of big issues that people have," Kyl said, referring to Republican senators. "There is no way that Republicans are going to support a trillion-dollar-plus bill."

Asked if he'd support a bill if it were deficit neutral, Kyl said Dems may find a way to pass reform without adding to the debt, "but that doesn't mean the Republicans will support it." Asked if he could tolerate a nonprofit insurance cooperative instead of a public option, Kyl added that a co-op is "a step towards government-run health care in this country." The Senate Minority Whip added that "almost all Republicans" are likely to oppose reform, even if it's the result of a bipartisan compromise.

So, bipartisan talks just officially died, right? There's no real ambiguity here -- a member of the Senate GOP leadership announced, publicly and on the record, that Republicans are going to oppose health care reform, no matter how many concessions Democrats make.

This strikes me as a very important development. For months, the Senate process has been slowed, stalled, and delayed while talks continued in search of a "bipartisan compromise." The goal -- embraced by Dems on both ends of Pennsylvania Avenie -- has been to try to find a package that members of both parties could embrace. Those negotiations continue, though the leading Republican in the talks said yesterday that he'll vote against his own compromise if his party isn't on board with reform.

And Jon Kyl just explained that the GOP is going to oppose reform.

By any reasonable measure, Kyl's remarks should be the death knell of bipartisan negotiations. The left has been saying for months, "No matter what, Republicans are going to oppose the final bill." And this morning, Kyl effectively said the left is correct.

Then, logically, there's simply no need for bipartisan talks. Short of Mitch McConnell hanging a banner outside his door reading, "Please stop trying to reach out to us," I don't think it can get any clearer.

Will Senate Democrats get the message?

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

If Republicans don't want it, the bill will die. All those Democratic Senators elected from mostly-Republican states will have to listen to their constituents.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

If Republicans don't want it, the bill will die. All those Democratic Senators elected from mostly-Republican states will have to listen to their constituents.

The GOP knows that any Reform bill that passes will be looked upon as a major victory for the Obama Administration and that's why they never were serious about real reform. IMO, I think a lot of them are cow towing to the anti-immigration crowd who see any reform as benefiting the millions of illegal immigrants in this country.

[My Name Is Nobody 3]

If Republicans don't want it, the bill will die. All those Democratic Senators elected from mostly-Republican states will have to listen to their constituents.

A vast majority of control in both houses and the WH and still cannot push a bill thru.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

If Republicans don't want it, the bill will die. All those Democratic Senators elected from mostly-Republican states will have to listen to their constituents.

The GOP knows that any Reform bill that passes will be looked upon as a major victory for the Obama Administration and that's why they never were serious about real reform. IMO, I think a lot of them are cow towing to the anti-immigration crowd who see any reform as benefiting the millions of illegal immigrants in this country.

Not just illegals, but all those uninsured people of color in the inner cities. They suck, we hate them, we oppose anything they want! Fuсk 'em!

[one...two...tree 2,762]

If Republicans don't want it, the bill will die. All those Democratic Senators elected from mostly-Republican states will have to listen to their constituents.

A vast majority of control in both houses and the WH and still cannot push a bill thru.

A vast majority would be filibuster proof. Right now, all it takes is for the Republicans in the Senate to say they are going to filibuster, without actually having to stay locked in on the bill without bringing it to a vote. But don't get too giddy about it, as the Democrats can get around this. We will get some kind of reform passed or Obama can kiss his chances of a second term goodbye.

[My Name Is Nobody 3]

If Republicans don't want it, the bill will die. All those Democratic Senators elected from mostly-Republican states will have to listen to their constituents.

A vast majority of control in both houses and the WH and still cannot push a bill thru.

A vast majority would be filibuster proof. Right now, all it takes is for the Republicans in the Senate to say they are going to filibuster, without actually having to stay locked in on the bill without bringing it to a vote. But don't get too giddy about it, as the Democrats can get around this. We will get some kind of reform passed or Obama can kiss his chances of a second term goodbye.

Actually Im hoping they try and ram something thru. Im ready to sit back and watch the carnage with my favourite adult beverage.

They always say when Libs aquire power they dont know how to handle it. They cant lead they always over reach then implode.. I think it is starting. Pull up a chair and join in. Its going to be fun

[one...two...tree 2,762]

If Republicans don't want it, the bill will die. All those Democratic Senators elected from mostly-Republican states will have to listen to their constituents.

A vast majority of control in both houses and the WH and still cannot push a bill thru.

A vast majority would be filibuster proof. Right now, all it takes is for the Republicans in the Senate to say they are going to filibuster, without actually having to stay locked in on the bill without bringing it to a vote. But don't get too giddy about it, as the Democrats can get around this. We will get some kind of reform passed or Obama can kiss his chances of a second term goodbye.

Actually Im hoping they try and ram something thru. Im ready to sit back and watch the carnage with my favourite adult beverage.

They always say when Libs aquire power they dont know how to handle it. They cant lead they always over reach then implode.. I think it is starting. Pull up a chair and join in. Its going to be fun

You are hoping they'll do what exactly? You thought it humorous that they were taking their time to try and do this through bipartisanship, then you say you are hoping for them to ram it through. Let me ask you - if you were an adviser for the Democrats in the Senate, what would you tell them they should be doing (with the assumption that you are really on their side)?

[My Name Is Nobody 3]

If Republicans don't want it, the bill will die. All those Democratic Senators elected from mostly-Republican states will have to listen to their constituents.

A vast majority of control in both houses and the WH and still cannot push a bill thru.

A vast majority would be filibuster proof. Right now, all it takes is for the Republicans in the Senate to say they are going to filibuster, without actually having to stay locked in on the bill without bringing it to a vote. But don't get too giddy about it, as the Democrats can get around this. We will get some kind of reform passed or Obama can kiss his chances of a second term goodbye.

Actually Im hoping they try and ram something thru. Im ready to sit back and watch the carnage with my favourite adult beverage.

They always say when Libs aquire power they dont know how to handle it. They cant lead they always over reach then implode.. I think it is starting. Pull up a chair and join in. Its going to be fun

You are hoping they'll do what exactly? You thought it humorous that they were taking their time to try and do this through bipartisanship, then you say you are hoping for them to ram it through. Let me ask you - if you were an adviser for the Democrats in the Senate, what would you tell them they should be doing (with the assumption that you are really on their side)?

In all honesty, I think they need to be distancing themselves from the Obama Administration on this issue. It is going to be political suicide for many politicians. They will be in a free fall just like his approval ratings.

They have to sit back and let the dust settle then possibly regroup for the good of all.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

If Republicans don't want it, the bill will die. All those Democratic Senators elected from mostly-Republican states will have to listen to their constituents.

A vast majority of control in both houses and the WH and still cannot push a bill thru.

A vast majority would be filibuster proof. Right now, all it takes is for the Republicans in the Senate to say they are going to filibuster, without actually having to stay locked in on the bill without bringing it to a vote. But don't get too giddy about it, as the Democrats can get around this. We will get some kind of reform passed or Obama can kiss his chances of a second term goodbye.

Actually Im hoping they try and ram something thru. Im ready to sit back and watch the carnage with my favourite adult beverage.

They always say when Libs aquire power they dont know how to handle it. They cant lead they always over reach then implode.. I think it is starting. Pull up a chair and join in. Its going to be fun

You are hoping they'll do what exactly? You thought it humorous that they were taking their time to try and do this through bipartisanship, then you say you are hoping for them to ram it through. Let me ask you - if you were an adviser for the Democrats in the Senate, what would you tell them they should be doing (with the assumption that you are really on their side)?

In all honesty, I think they need to be distancing themselves from the Obama Administration on this issue. It is going to be political suicide for many politicians. They will be in a free fall just like his approval ratings.

They have to sit back and let the dust settle then possibly regroup for the good of all.

Health care reform should not be on the Congressional Democrat's agenda? What should be on their agenda right now?

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Health care reform should not be on the Congressional Democrat's agenda? What should be on their agenda right now?

The most productive members of our society are being squeezed dry by high rates of taxation.

Helping them should be on the top of the agenda.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Health care reform should not be on the Congressional Democrat's agenda? What should be on their agenda right now?

The most productive members of our society are being squeezed dry by high rates of taxation.

Helping them should be on the top of the agenda.

Bush's failed domestic policies like his huge tax cuts for the wealthy were why the Democrats regained control of the WH and both Houses.

Edited August 18, 2009 by Col. 'Bat' Guano

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Health care reform should not be on the Congressional Democrat's agenda? What should be on their agenda right now?

The most productive members of our society are being squeezed dry by high rates of taxation.

Helping them should be on the top of the agenda.

Bush's failed domestic policies like his huge tax cuts for the wealthy were why the Democrats regained control of the WH and both Houses.

No, Obama won because ACORN cheated.

To the contrary, the tax cuts made America happy.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

The Dems were out-maneuvered by the minority party which played for time to get their propaganda machine up and running. Now that it is up and running, the Dems can't get control of the debate and can't get their message out effectively. They failed. Some measure will pass but it won't be the measure that's needed.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

The Dems were out-maneuvered by the minority party which played for time to get their propaganda machine up and running. Now that it is up and running, the Dems can't get control of the debate and can't get their message out effectively. They failed. Some measure will pass but it won't be the measure that's needed.

Republicans are better people. Of course they won. They're not unemployed, shiftless losers like Democrats are. Heck, Democrats couldn't even show up at town halls because their welfare lines were too long and the soup kitchen was too crowded.

Look at it this way. Unlike in November 2008, the best man won.