It's so sweet of the Senate Republican leader to have the Democrats' best electoral interests at heart!
The Senate Republican leader, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, warned Democrats on Tuesday that Republicans will use the issue of health care to bludgeon them in the November mid-term elections if Democrats succeed in passing a comprehensive overhaul.
"It will be the issue in every race in America," Mr. McConnell said at a news conference in the Capitol.... His comments reflected growing Republican concern over President Obama's resolve to secure passage of a comprehensive health care measure, which would be viewed as big Democratic achievement.
Gee! I guess that means if health care doesn't pass, that McConnell and his gang will give Democrats a pass this November, with Republican candidates dropping out of key contested races all across the country? That would be swell!
Benen:
Indeed, in the bigger picture, I get the sense GOP leaders are actually getting a little panicky about this. After 100 years of talking about health care reform, Democrats may actually deliver. After seven presidents tried to get this done, President Obama may be the one to cross the finish line. For all the GOP bravado, some Republicans might actually realize that the reform bill, if given a fair hearing, is likely to be pretty popular with the public.
So, we're left with foolish threats like the ones we heard from McConnell this morning.
Indeed. Health care reform will be an issue this election. The only question is whether Democrats can run on its accomplishment, or its failure. It's not too hard to see which one will play better to voters.
Otherwise, Republicans would be begging Democrats for an up-or-down vote on the reform efforts, rather than trying to delay, obstruct, and defeat.
