Video: Pawlenty accuses Obama of “scamming” people on health care
posted at 12:58 pm on July 24, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
Consider this Tim Pawlenty’s entree into the 2012 sweepstakes. Freed of having to walk a fine line in Minnesota, Pawlenty has aggressively attacked not just Barack Obama’s health-care plan, but also the Massachusetts plan installed during Mitt Romney’s tenure as governor. Pawlenty notes that costs have tripled in Massachusetts, but saves the big guns for Obama:
“This whole health care proposal by president Obama is really quite a joke on a number of levels,” Pawlenty told Neil Cavuto. “I think he is scamming the American people. Even if you believe that it is only going to tax people over $1 million, what is known to happen is that is only going to cover about 25% of the total cost. the rest will be paid for by saving waste, fraud, and abuse. If you believe that, then I’ve got some January tee time in northern Minnesota.” …
He also took a shot at the Massachusetts model.
“The cost of that thing has nearly tripled in just 36 months and they’re looking for an additional federal bailout,” he said. “It has not been successful in containing costs.”
Minnesotans know that Pawlenty has some toughness hiding behind that Sam’s Club Republican persona. He’d be a dark horse for 2012, but don’t count him out, especially if he continues to hit Obama hard.
Update: Rick Perry goes 10th Amendment on ObamaCare (via the comments):
Gov. Rick Perry, raising the specter of a showdown with the Obama administration, suggested Thursday that he would consider invoking states’ rights protections under the 10th Amendment to resist the president’s healthcare plan, which he said would be “disastrous” for Texas.
Interviewed by conservative talk show host Mark Davis of Dallas’ WBAP/820 AM, Perry said his first hope is that Congress will defeat the plan, which both Perry and Davis described as “Obama Care.” But should it pass, Perry predicted that Texas and a “number” of states might resist the federal health mandate.
“I think you’ll hear states and governors standing up and saying ‘no’ to this type of encroachment on the states with their healthcare,” Perry said. “So my hope is that we never have to have that stand-up. But I’m certainly willing and ready for the fight if this administration continues to try to force their very expansive government philosophy down our collective throats.”
That sounds like it would be a fascinating political story, if it gets that far. I’m hoping that we can stop ObamaCare from happening first.
Blowback
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Mullet!
TimTebowSavesAmerica on July 24, 2009 at 12:59 PM
This is who I’m backing currently for 2012.
/no one cares who I’m backing currently, btw
Abby Adams on July 24, 2009 at 1:00 PM
Ugh. I just can’t get excited about the prospect of a Pawlenty ticket. VP maybe, but not at the top. Is it too much to ask that the GOP get a nominee I’m actually really excited about? How long has it been since that happened? (Not counting Palin…just the top of the ticket.)
changer1701 on July 24, 2009 at 1:01 PM
How did that guy get elected in MN without a pink boa or putting on diapers as an dult an acting like a baby?
Mit will be low on my list for primary boting given his role in MitCare.
WashJeff on July 24, 2009 at 1:01 PM
Whatever. As I read the news today, socialized health care is coming tomorrow or early next week.
Rational Thought on July 24, 2009 at 1:02 PM
Saracuda and Pawlentypike!
Limerick on July 24, 2009 at 1:02 PM
Open season on Obama.
Jindal, Pawlenty, GOP in Congress on Obamacare.
Palin and GOP in Congress on energy.
Romney and GOP in Congress on the economy.
The Cheneys and Hoekstra on National Security.
Cambridge police department on race.
“Fire at will. Fire at will.”
BuckeyeSam on July 24, 2009 at 1:02 PM
Alls I know is he better have a chastity belt that only his wife holds to key to, ’cause I’m not sure if I can stand a repeat of the Sanford stimulus to Sanford getting stimulated brouhaha with my bemulleted governor.
Nice Romney jab, though.
Siobhan on July 24, 2009 at 1:02 PM
Surely you’ll do a post on Texas/Perry flipping the 10th Amendment bird to Obama. Listed on drudge. I’ve always thought that if there was ever going to be a second American revolution, it would start in Texas over state’s rights.
Meric1837 on July 24, 2009 at 1:02 PM
Ed, you keep bringing Pawlenty up as a 2012 contender. I am sorry, but when even HotAir commenters mock him, he would have a hard time getting any traction in a GOP Primary.
Norwegian on July 24, 2009 at 1:04 PM
Fred Thompson is scheduled to rip health care reform on today’s Cavuto. Crank up the DVR.
Pawlenty is telling it straight. If only more had the brass to do the same.
HoustonRight on July 24, 2009 at 1:05 PM
Dark horse? You’re selling him short, Ed — he’s easily in the top tier of candidates.
LastRick on July 24, 2009 at 1:05 PM
A major R really gotta hit him hard on his hatred of Drs…do we want to live in a system where the commander says the Drs are scammers?
r keller on July 24, 2009 at 1:05 PM
Actually, I’m kind of happy to hear that someone other than me likes this guy. That “unallotment” stunt he pulled to kill government spending programs via budget shortfalls was fantastic.
Caiwyn on July 24, 2009 at 1:06 PM
Pawlenty/Boehner!
tee hee hee!
lorien1973 on July 24, 2009 at 1:06 PM
I hate to bust your bubble but he’s a politician, and he only does this if he knows he can have an “out”. That out is the Texas legislature. They’ve banded together to overrule him on the stimulus and the budget, it’s not unfathomable that they’d overrule him on health care as well.
Siobhan on July 24, 2009 at 1:06 PM
I saw that. Finally a GOP guy criticizing Mitt’s asinine health care. Thumbs up for T-Paw!
Still Palin is my choice for 2012!
jencab on July 24, 2009 at 1:06 PM
Meanwhile the Whitehouse states that it “Never had any plans for an August signing ceremony for the health care bill.”
Lets hope they find they can’t make plans for any other month either.
Lily on July 24, 2009 at 1:06 PM
The Minnesota voters like him cuz he’s super spiffy? Is this the same electorate that gave the nation Al Franken??
That’s enough for me to be skeptical.
Darksean on July 24, 2009 at 1:06 PM
I’m Tim Pawlenty and I approved this message.
Jeezis, Ed.
BigD on July 24, 2009 at 1:07 PM
Texas may reject Obamacare: Perry raises possibility of states’ rights showdown with White House over healthcare.
http://www.star-telegram.com/804/story/1504240.html
“AUSTIN — Gov. Rick Perry, raising the specter of a showdown with the Obama administration, suggested Thursday that he would consider invoking states’ rights protections under the 10th Amendment to resist the president’s healthcare plan, which he said would be “disastrous” for Texas.”
Lady Texan on July 24, 2009 at 1:07 PM
T-Paw still has a lot of work left to do in Minnesota. He pulled a great end run on the DFL in the most recent legislative session and they will be gunning for him all next year.
Mr. D on July 24, 2009 at 1:07 PM
Yesterday, Obama was in Cleveland. The Cleveland Plain Dealer called it the Obama Health Care Shuffle.
JiangxiDad on July 24, 2009 at 1:08 PM
Pressure is building down here. I was against succession not that long ago. Hoping to fix our great country. Now, I am throwing my support whole heartedly into leaving the mess that’s being made.
HoustonRight on July 24, 2009 at 1:08 PM
Yes! Yes! more of this!
Good Job Pawlenty!
portlandon on July 24, 2009 at 1:08 PM
Hell freezes over: Unknown costs fuel fear of health plan
Comments at DU…..Priceless……They are starting to eat their own.
Comment #1
Comment #2
Comment #3
I strongly agree with Comment #2.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on July 24, 2009 at 1:09 PM
Teh Fred! on Cavuto today. FYI.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on July 24, 2009 at 1:10 PM
Now THAT’s what I’m talking about.
Go Rick Perry.
Daggett on July 24, 2009 at 1:10 PM
Pawlenty/Boehner!
tee hee hee!
lorien1973 on July 24, 2009 at 1:06 PM
Lolilololool
Pawlenty of boehner round these parts
blatantblue on July 24, 2009 at 1:10 PM
Go for it. 3 years is Pawlenty of time to build your case.
(Couldn’t help it. Sorry.)
cs89 on July 24, 2009 at 1:11 PM
Obama is a joke. A bad joke. No, a sick joke.
faraway on July 24, 2009 at 1:14 PM
the pawlenty/boehner would do great with the womens vote, I surmise
blatantblue on July 24, 2009 at 1:14 PM
Proves again, think health care is expensive now? Wait till its free.
Speakup on July 24, 2009 at 1:14 PM
Ed squats-out another steaming campaign ad for Tim “Toughness” Pawlenty; Shocka!
How much $ did he pay you for this one?
TMK on July 24, 2009 at 1:15 PM
If you believe that, then I’ve got some January tee time in northern Minnesota.”
closetgop on July 24, 2009 at 1:15 PM
Check out section 1223 of house health bill. It encourages euthenasia
ConservativePartyNow on July 24, 2009 at 1:16 PM
But only in Red states.
faraway on July 24, 2009 at 1:16 PM
6-50,
12-45,
18-40,
24-35,
30-30,
36-20,
42-10,
48-0
Just predicting Obama’s approval rating at the end of every six months of his administration.
fogw on July 24, 2009 at 1:16 PM
For you Texans, I keep reading tweets about something going on at Texas Tribune–some kind of lefty “public service” start-up. A lib NYU prof. is writing about it happily, and a conserv. philos. in CA is saying that TX is being targeted for a lefty turnover. Both point to this paper as being involved.
“If you’re not keeping an eye on the amazing hires @TexasTribune is making, you’re missing a symptom of the coming left-wing play for Texas.”
http://twitter.com/TexasTribune
JiangxiDad on July 24, 2009 at 1:17 PM
Maybe if they wear paper bags over their heads.
Siobhan on July 24, 2009 at 1:17 PM
DiFi a Dino. Now I’ve heard everything! Well, I would if I hear Babs Boxer praise anything military related…
JamesLee on July 24, 2009 at 1:17 PM
What do you expect Ed to do? Here we have one of the more bandied-about names for 2012 straight out attacking Obama and his health care plan. Should he not cover it?
We have plenty of Mitt posts, Palin posts, etc. So why not a Pawlenty post? I can’t even remember the last one he wrote.
Abby Adams on July 24, 2009 at 1:18 PM
Why does Tim Pawlenty have to be such a racist?
/sarc off
thebadoutlaw on July 24, 2009 at 1:18 PM
Amen. Conservatives and Republicans finally seem to have found their footing. It’s really time to start moving. Don’t over-expose by yelling too much (keep giving Obama room to screw things up all by himself) but let people know we’ve got a better plan.
Thunderstorm129 on July 24, 2009 at 1:18 PM
Refreshing! We want to secede too…….we’d have to leave Warren Buffet and Omaha to the Iowans though. Pretty sure if we made it through Kansas it would be smooth sailing. My Big 12 brethren, may we come along?? We won’t bring Ben, I promise!
Cornhusker on July 24, 2009 at 1:19 PM
Salvo!
CynicalOptimist on July 24, 2009 at 1:20 PM
Take the red pill. Its cheaper.
Lily on July 24, 2009 at 1:20 PM
Can’t believe that one was missed a couple days ago.
WashJeff on July 24, 2009 at 1:20 PM
Duh. DNC chair and part-time Governor of Virginia Tim Kaine has already said he sees Texas as being “the next Virginia.” (i.e. a normally safe Red state with the demographics to turn blue in a hurry)
I don’t buy it, but it could jusy be a ploy to get Republicans to spend time/money in an otherwise safe state.
Abby Adams on July 24, 2009 at 1:20 PM
Justice Department investigation or IRS audit in 5…4…3…2…1…
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on July 24, 2009 at 1:21 PM
It will be at thier own peril. We have pockets of leftist activity especially here in Houston and in Austin. However, to many proud rednecks (endearing usage) to let much of a foothold take place.
HoustonRight on July 24, 2009 at 1:22 PM
Your point is well taken, but here there’s a difference. It’s not just politics, it’s finance. ObamaCare would create new unfunded mandates that would have to be absorbed in the states budgets. It wouldn’t be just Perry fighting it, several states would jump on board.
Meric1837 on July 24, 2009 at 1:23 PM
Time for some ethics investigations of Pawlenty.
WashJeff on July 24, 2009 at 1:24 PM
Locked, loaded, and ready to rock ‘n’ roll.
TinMan13 on July 24, 2009 at 1:24 PM
Al Franken just filled his diaper. Is a change of diapers covered by the best plan evah?
seven on July 24, 2009 at 1:25 PM
TPaw looks like Barry Manilow crooning at the piano bar in that photo. Good rip on Romneycare, however.
Romney needs to fire back on TPaw’s gorebal warming idiocy. RINO food-fight.
james23 on July 24, 2009 at 1:26 PM
With Rahm blackmailing Nancy about something (what does he have on her?!?!) to force a floor vote, the best we can hope for is a military coup at this point. I doubt that’ll happen.
SouthernGent on July 24, 2009 at 1:26 PM
Ed, we’re going to have to talk about your T-Paw obsession </humor>.
steveegg on July 24, 2009 at 1:28 PM
I’m willing to give T Paw another look — especially since he criticized MittCare. A true conservative has a healthy skepticism of government and lacks the reflex to intervene in every private sector issue. For ten years the GOP has been dominated by politicians whose interpretation of conservatism is less expensive government programs than their Democrat counterparts propose and Romney strikes me as just another fix-it RINO.
Terrie on July 24, 2009 at 1:28 PM
31% of a healthcare dollar is administrative overhead. It is not direct labor or supplies.
There is no math on the planet that shows how providers will fill out more reports, call decision makers in expensive cube farms and do more paperwork and reduce administrative overhead. Even our current welfare system has massive state and fed overhead. Regulations of this history making magnitude will create a crushing government footprint.
seven on July 24, 2009 at 1:29 PM
Yes, but I was surprised at the 55/45 result for McCain vs. Obama in ’08 in Texas.
JiangxiDad on July 24, 2009 at 1:29 PM
I’m sure a lot of people on both the right and left would dismiss Gov. Perry’s statement but he would be absolutely within his Constitutional rights to tell Obama to stuff it up his arse. The Constitution is clear about the distribution of powers and a federal health care takeover is not one of the enumerated powers.
Someone in TX please refer Perry to this AZ initiative
O/T – Border Patrol agent shot and killed in San Diego. Where will Obama be on this? Will he even mention it?
DerKrieger on July 24, 2009 at 1:29 PM
I agree. If we could start a movement that would get the states back in charge or thier own policy and the federal government out of it then by all means charge ahead.
Unfortunately, I have not seen states be able to agree on many issues. I hope I’m wrong but I would rather attempt Perry’s strategy first.
HoustonRight on July 24, 2009 at 1:30 PM
Hey!!!!
Don’t leave me here in Iowa all alone…I wanna come to
husker3000 on July 24, 2009 at 1:31 PM
Just say no to any potential candidate from the state that gave us Senator Al Franken and Governor Jesse Ventura. Here’s a suggestion for you, Ed–move to Michigan.
Percy_Peabody on July 24, 2009 at 1:31 PM
Texas is booming (or not collapsing) CA IS collapsing and Obama and the Lefties in Congress, many from CA, want the country to be more like CA. WTH?
DerKrieger on July 24, 2009 at 1:32 PM
It’s only a matter of time before red state governors team-up to challenge federal authority. Nice.
JiangxiDad on July 24, 2009 at 1:33 PM
So, the GOP governors are our cavalry?
myrenovations on July 24, 2009 at 1:33 PM
the pawlenty/boehner would do great with the womens vote, I surmise
blatantblue on July 24, 2009 at 1:14 PM
What a sexist thing to say…
ladyingray on July 24, 2009 at 1:33 PM
The federal government already owns more than half of the health care in this country. I say let them prove they can reduce costs on their half before they ruin health care for the rest of us.
tommuck on July 24, 2009 at 1:33 PM
Me too! Bambi carried Houston, Austin, San Antonio, and many parts of the valley. You can guess the demographics.
HoustonRight on July 24, 2009 at 1:34 PM
You didn’t tell us the agent’s race, so how can we know if he’s guilty or not in O’s mind?
(Sad for the death of the man.)
JiangxiDad on July 24, 2009 at 1:34 PM
The Border Patrol agent acted stupidly for defending the border.
WashJeff on July 24, 2009 at 1:35 PM
He may have gotten steamrolled by the red carpet being rolled out by Ahnuld.
DerKrieger on July 24, 2009 at 1:37 PM
Although I’m currently not a T-Paw supporter, I do like it that every time he speaks about this, he also takes a swipe at the disaster that is RomneyCare.
yogi41 on July 24, 2009 at 1:37 PM
fogw on July 24, 2009 at 1:16 PM
unfortunately I think the lowest he will get 25-30%. don’t forget 40% of people actually did vote to re-elect Jimmy Carter.
gsherin on July 24, 2009 at 1:38 PM
Pawlenty has been a great Guv!!! I like him a lot. I would rather have Pawlenty than Romney. I’m scared, however, who we are going to get in 2010 as Pawlenty isn’t running again…ahhh! Minnesota voters scare me.
deidre on July 24, 2009 at 1:38 PM
Haven’t Sen. Ensign and Gov. Soulmate already started the party of Pawlenty/Boehner?
myrenovations on July 24, 2009 at 1:39 PM
Actually, I’m getting more of a Rupert Holmes/If You Like Pina Coladas vibe from T Paw.
Terrie on July 24, 2009 at 1:40 PM
97% of blacks still support Obama. He definitely has a floor to his disapproval rating.
DerKrieger on July 24, 2009 at 1:40 PM
Good for him. Don’t you just love the 9th and 10th Amendments? They protect the People–you and I, not just the States. I hope he follows through. This Bill of O’s steps blatantly on so many Constitutionally protected individual rights that it’s too hard to list them. One of the most obvious is the mandatory counseling.
jeanie on July 24, 2009 at 1:41 PM
guy passed over as VP candidate in favor of palin speaks out against the president: what could go wrong?
update: governor who promised secession because of stimulus now begs obama for loan, invokes 10th amendment.
sesquipedalian on July 24, 2009 at 1:42 PM
Percy_Peabody on July 24, 2009 at 1:31 PM
Michigan? Are you nuts?
cs89 on July 24, 2009 at 1:42 PM
“Let me be perfectly clear……The Border Patrol agent acted stupidly”- Obama
portlandon on July 24, 2009 at 1:43 PM
Second look at Pawlenty.
YES!!!
petefrt on July 24, 2009 at 1:44 PM
You forgot the caps -
SECOND LOOK AT PAWLENTY!
steveegg on July 24, 2009 at 1:46 PM
I think the race card Barackfire will remind people that blacks make up roughly 12-13% of the pop.
JiangxiDad on July 24, 2009 at 1:47 PM
Wood you quit bateing Lorien like that please? :|
Patrick S on July 24, 2009 at 1:50 PM
So, the GOP should not run any other member of the GOP besides Palin because they were all passed over for McCain’s VP?
myrenovations on July 24, 2009 at 1:51 PM
The black demographic is going to be for him no matter what. This is part of the DC demographic who cheerfully and knowingly votes in crooks, stalkers and womanizers(in this case the same man)again and again. In general,as a voting population, they have not yet been universally able to reach beyond group think into individual determination. Stereotyping? Yes, I suppose so. Will it make it better if I point out that there are some exceptions? Probably not. But if obama can do it , so can I. Anyway, where this was headed is to point out that it’s no use worrying about them as it’s something we can’t change.
jeanie on July 24, 2009 at 1:56 PM
Pawlenty should not have talked about Mass. Health care & Obamacare in his scamming meme. Pawlenty should have cited British or Canadian care instead as the examples. Everyone knows that Mitt did this to Masscare but if Pawlenty thinks that putting Mitt down will raise Pawlenty’s numbers, he is about to experience a backlash from Romneybots. Any departure from Reagan’s 11th commandment is a considered an eff up. Now Romney will be obligated to return fire on Pawlenty. Pawlenty screwed up like McCain did in his global warming hoax talk. Why don’t these guys think ahead before they make a public statement. We are more than three years out from the next RNC nomination and already the fireworks between the contenders. Bad form Pawlenty. You are going to regret your statements. All we need now is the Huckster weigh in on this and the perpetual circle jerk can commence.
Americannodash on July 24, 2009 at 2:04 PM
as proud as I am at the independant spirit of my home state, this isn’t all that far fetched. Austin is rather liberal and the major urban centers like Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio are not unlike urban centers everywhere. Bad schools, high poverty, and heavy support for the welfare state and the votes that it purchases.
Perry doesn’t get as much flack as I would have expected as he was essentially handed the keys to the governorship when GWB went to Washington in 2000, after serving as Bush’s Lt. Governor. SO….
Unfortunately, Texas is hardly a unified conservative haven. We have a few moonbats but a large number of other democrat constituencies. And of course, we are under constant invasion by illegal immigrants.
don’t mean to sound like a pessemist but that’s how I see it in alot of ways.
Texas74 on July 24, 2009 at 2:07 PM
Please see my comment @ Abby Adams on July 24, 2009 at 1:20 PM
Abby Adams on July 24, 2009 at 2:09 PM
Pawlenty bet 100 and Rick Perry upped him 1000, come on Sarah jump in there.
Oh I know you can’t as an outgoing Governor. Well its OK to fold for now but I really look forward to your bet next week.
Get em Cuda, get all those D.C. grifters and mainstream media whores!
dhunter on July 24, 2009 at 2:10 PM
Hit him hard. Paint him as the anti-American commie he is.
Grafted on July 24, 2009 at 2:11 PM
“Excitement” isn’t on my list of criteria. Mine are:
Plain-speaking
Articulate
Experienced
In touch with average America
hawksruleva on July 24, 2009 at 2:25 PM
Yes. A loan. Paid back with no strings attached. Not a grant which puts the state on the hook after year two.
HoustonRight on July 24, 2009 at 2:29 PM
Tim, tell us more about that mileage tax…I’m intrigued.
Dr. ZhivBlago on July 24, 2009 at 2:33 PM
Is Pawlenty an Elvis impersonator on the side? Eerie.
JohnBissell on July 24, 2009 at 2:35 PM
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