Looks like the Republicans once again will reject President Obama's attempts to work out a bipartisan compromise on healthcare. But I think this time the American people will see clearly that the Republicans are the Party of "No" who destroyed our economy and now won't help rebuild it. Here's House Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-Va.), speaking to a conference of wingnuts and racists [redundant], embracing "No":
"What we will do in encountering this president is, number one, ask the question why in the world would he support a bill like those that have come out of the Senate and the House.
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"We will say no," to his bill, he added, "because that's what the American people want."
HuffPo
Hari Sevugan, a spokesperson for the DNC, issued a statement responding to Cantor:
"While Eric Cantor and his Republican colleagues have for months repeatedly charged that the President is shutting them out of the process, today's comments clearly demonstrate that Republicans are interested only in politicizing the debate and have no intention in working together on reform that makes health care more stable and affordable.
"We hope other Republican Congressional leaders will rebuke and disavow Mr. Cantor's comments and pledge to work in a truly bipartisan manner. The American people deserve no less."
Quoted on Washington Monthly, Steve Benen
Meanwhile, in other non-breaking news, Indiana Rep. Mike Pence, who I believe is No. 3 in the House Republican Caucus, embraces the party of No!
"Some folks like to call us the 'Party of No,' Pence said during his speech before the Conservative Political Action Conference. "Well, I say 'No' is way underrated here in Washington, D.C. Sometimes 'No' is just what this town needs to hear."
cnn: Pence embraces 'No'
After Feb. 25, I think most Americans will understand that it is Republicans who seek to obstruct any recovery in this nation for their own political purposes.
(I am adding the following to all my diaries until Feb. 24)
Please help make calls for healthcare on February 24. Our own nyceve and slinkerwink have mobilized an unprecedented coalition of the largest progressive organizations in the nation, including MoveOn, HCAN, DFA, Progressive Congress and SEIU--with others expected to join imminently.
On February 24th, the day before the Presidential Healthcare Summit, we will deliver to Washington DC, a scream they will never, ever forget.
1,000,000 VOICES FOR HEALTHCARE REFORM: A VIRTUAL MARCH ON WASHINGTON
We'll do this via calls, faxes, Tweets, Facebook, emails, telegrams, balloon drops and carrier pigeons. Whatever. It. Takes.
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On the morning of Wednesday, February 24th, either slinkerwink or I [nyceve] will post a diary, which we will ask you to please keep alive and on the rec list all day and into the evening.
We'll ask you to sign in on Daily Kos, once you do that, you'll be seamlessly directed to MoveOn.
On the MoveOn 1,000,000 Voices Virtual March on Washington web site, which will go live early in the morning of February 24th, you'll be able to use their incredible tools to contact Congress and the Senate and to take the action of your choice--call, email, fax or write.
MoveOn, HCAN, SEIU join us for massive Feb. 24th 1,000,000 Voices for HCR mobilization
Disclosure:
The funds donated to the Progressive Congress Action Fund, a 501(c)4 non-profit organization headed by Darcy Burner, will be used to advocate on behalf of the progressive agenda, to advance progressive legislation, and may include payments to individuals engaged in fund raising.
Passing a decent health insurance reform bill will answer the Party of No!
Update I: President Obama in Nevada today:
"It is vital for our economy to change how health care works in this country," Obama said Friday at a town hall meeting in a high-school gym here. "Don't let the American people go another year, another 10 years, another 20 years without health insurance reform in this country."
Obama Challenges GOP On Health Care, Boosts Reid