They have been opposing the President since the inception of his administration. They have used every scare tactic in the book, and with the aid of the media and its glutton for drama, have turned even the most idiotic utterances into wasteful preoccupation. It has been obstructionism, obstructionism and obstructionism, and, according to the Associated Press, the GOP is set to triple the record for filibusters.
This is the difficult environment in which President Obama must operate, an entire political party committed to, not simply promoting a political ideology, but to make every effort possible to break, and bring him to ruin. This is such an effort that it has for the most part eclipsed all other concerns, be they those of the weak, the poor, the sick, or children.
As Senator Tom Harkin of Iowa, has said:
Republicans have filibustered legislation to provide low-income energy assistance, efforts to strengthen the Consumer Product Safety Commission to ensure our children are not exposed to unsafe toys, and efforts to ensure that women are guaranteed equal pay for equal work.
Regardless of the issue it is of little importance, for as Jim DeMint has stated in reference to the healthcare reform bill:
If we’re able to stop Obama on this it will be his Waterloo. It will break him.
But they are starting to regret this.
Today I listened to the President, as he visited Virginia’s George Mason University and made an impassioned plea for the passing of the healthcare legislation. Suddenly, I recalled what his lead pollster, Joel Beneson, had said:
When it comes to health care and insurance, once reform passes, the tangible benefits Americans will realize will trump the fear-mongering rhetoric opponents are stoking today.
I believe Mr. Beneson will be proven correct, because during the President’s rousing rally I suddenly began to ask myself a few important questions: Did I just hear the crowd applaud enthusiastically at the President’s declaration of ending disqualifications based upon a pre-existing condition? I certainly did. Did I just hear them cheer when he told them that the bill would put an end to lifetime limits on coverage? It was loud and clear. And did I hear them scream when he told them that the plan will allow young adults to stay on their parent's insurance plan until age 26? It was resoundingly approved.
They are starting to regret this.
The Republicans have walked out on a ledge and are watching helplessly as it is being sawed off from behind them. They have no alternative but to put up a brave front and hope that they will prevail in the end, but as the historical resonance of this bill, which will represent a start in the overhaul of the American Healthcare system, is heard with increasing clarity, they will face the prospect of shame because of their disgraceful behavior.
We have seen this story before, through the achievement of Social Security, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and Medicare. It is a familiar tale which illustrates that, just like time and tide, the winds of change waits for no one.
They are starting to regret this.
Last evening on MSNBC’s Ed Schultz show, former President Bush’s economic speechwriter, David Frum, made an amazingly frank and revelatory statement concerning his party and the passing of the healthcare bill:
It‘s critical for everybody, and not just the President. It‘s critical for us on the Republican side, too. If this thing passes, there is going to be an accountability moment on the Republican side. We had a choice; do we negotiate and try to get some of our values in the bill? Or do we go for total defeat of the President and bet everything on that? I was one of those who said negotiate. That advice was rejected. We went for total defeat of the President. If he prevails, it is going to be a shutout of Republican views in one of the most important pieces of legislation ever passed in the United States.
They are starting to regret this.
Update:
Thanks all for all the spirited comments. Even if, as some believe, most Republicans aren't politically smart enough to be visited by feelings of regret for obstructing this historic legislation, and, in so doing, lose even more supporters in the future. Based on David Frum's comments it is clear that some discomfort is setting in and I LOVE IT!
Now despite their swagger it is up to Democrats to remind the public over and over that this legislation passed without a single, a single, Republican vote. We CANNOT allow the Republicans or the media to spin this historic moment.
Tom Harkin:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/...
Joel Beneson
http://209.157.64.200/...
Ed Schultz show transcript with David Frum:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/...
AP/Daily Beast:
http://www.thedailybeast.com/...
Video of President Obama at GMU
http://www.ireport.com/...