Paper: Democrats exploiting Kennedy's death.

Danno · August 28, 2009

Democrats exploiting Kennedy's death.

Tim Reid in Washington

Democrats were accused of exploiting the death of Senator Edward Kennedy yesterday after immediately trying to use his name to revive President Obama’s flagging attempt to overhaul the US healthcare system.

Within hours of Mr Kennedy’s death on Wednesday leading Democrats were trying to turn it into a rallying point for healthcare reform — something that he had called the “cause of my life” — and suggested that any legislation should carry his name.

“[it was] the passion of his life,” David Obey, the Democratic chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, said. “Above all else, he would want us to redouble our efforts to achieve it.”

Robert Byrd, the senior Senate Democrat, called for the passage of healthcare legislation that would bear Mr Kennedy’s name, and Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of the House, said: “Ted Kennedy’s dream of quality healthcare for all Americans will be made real this year because of his leadership and his inspiration.”

Their comments came as mourners gathered at the Kennedy compound in Cape Cod for a private Mass commemorating the senator, who died of brain cancer.

He will be buried tomorrow evening close to his assassinated brothers, President John F. Kennedy and Robert Kennedy, in Arlington National Cemetery, across the Potomac river from Washington.

Attempts to use the emotion of the moment to revitalise hopes of healthcare legislation quickly ran up against the harsh political realities of Washington and the immediate practical impact that Mr Kennedy was perhaps the only politician on Capitol Hill who could have forged a bipartisan compromise.

His death, and the news that a special election to fill his seat will not take place until January, also means that Mr Obama will be without a 60th majority Senate vote in the critical weeks ahead, when the fate of his healthcare plan will probably be decided.

Republicans were happy to praise Mr Kennedy but none appeared ready to embrace the healthcare reform plans to honour the memory of the political giant.

Three Republican senators who were close to Mr Kennedy — John McCain, Orrin Hatch and Judd Gregg — said that healthcare legislation would be much closer to passage if Mr Kennedy had been able to be involved in negotiations in recent months, when he was fighting the brain cancer that eventually killed him. “I think we may have made progress on this issue if he had been there,” Mr McCain said.

“He had this unique capability to sit people down at a table together and really negotiate, which means concessions. And so, he not only will be missed, but he has been missed.”

Mr Hatch said: “We would have worked it out on a bipartisan basis.”

Ed Feulner, the president of the conservative Heritage Foundation, chastised Democrats for invoking Mr Kennedy in their push for healthcare reform.

He said: “It is wrong and tactless to use Senator Kennedy’s death, or anyone’s, simply to advance a particular policy agenda. This is a time for genuine tribute, not crass politics.”

Rush Limbaugh, the conservative radio talk-show host, said: “The Left is exploiting him, his death and his legacy, and they are going to do it, as predicted, to push healthcare through.”

Liberal pressure groups joined the calls for a drive on healthcare after Mr Kennedy’s death. MoveOn.org called on its supporters to “recommit ourselves to achieving the thing that mattered most” to the senator.

Mr Obama, who is on holiday in Martha’s Vineyard, made no reference to healthcare in his tributes to Mr Kennedy on Wednesday. Yet he and his aides will be acutely aware that the senator’s death could help them in solving one of the thorniest problems in the healthcare debate: the splits within the Democratic Party.

Mr Obama not only faces opposition from Republicans but many moderate Democrats who are skittish about voting for a government-run health system, something that the powerful liberal caucus in the House insists has to be included.

The split has complicated Mr Obama’s attempt to get a Bill through Congress. Yet Mr Kennedy’s death might persuade the factions within the party to put their differences aside and unify behind some sort of healthcare legislation. <snip>

Pinocchio Liberal · August 28, 2009

They love him so much, he aint been in the ground two hours and theyre already interpreting what he meant. Nothin better than putting words in a dead mans mouth!

natty bumppo · August 28, 2009

what took them so long? :unsure:

jundp · August 28, 2009

Kennedy did want healthcare reform.

He also did more for human rights and social justice in this country than many others in politics.

I don't think exploitation is the right word.

spookyturtle · August 28, 2009

It is for Danno.

Pinocchio Liberal · August 28, 2009

Reading instructions of how to install a strap-on?

What about what he did for Mary jo?

spookyturtle · August 28, 2009

Tell us about it, oh wise one.

natty bumppo · August 28, 2009

wiki ... ever here of it?

spookyturtle · August 28, 2009

I'd rather get my info from the original sources. I'm from MA and I'm sure I've read more about it than any of you experts here.

peejay · August 28, 2009

Along with the Teddy shrine in your living room too. Somebody had to keep electing this joke to the senate all these years,

Pinocchio Liberal · August 28, 2009

On how to suck? Why dont you head on over to the ??????????????????????????

It seems pretty clear to me that the Democrats have entered a new phase in amorality. Let's go back in history and remember some names:

Elliott Spitzer (adultery, relations with a prostitute, alleged misappropriations of funds)

Bill Clinton (adultery of both his marriage and the Englis language - do you recall the definititon of "is?")

Barney Frank (allowed his love-boy-toy to operate a male protitution biz from his residence)

Joe Biden (plagiarist)

Gary Hart (adultery and rank stupidity)

Robert Kennedy (allegations of adultery - with his brother's mistress!)

Ted Kennedy (alleged manslaughter - Mary Jo Kapekne)

John Kennedy (alleged but well-known affairs with many)

spookyturtle · August 28, 2009

Are you really Danno?

luckytxn · August 28, 2009

Whoop de doo. They are politicians after all.

spookyturtle · August 28, 2009

Ain't that the truth.

Pinocchio Liberal · August 28, 2009

Very NICE! :thumbs:

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Paper: Democrats exploiting Kennedy's death.

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