Video: Boehner’s “gamechanging” message on ObamaCare
posted at 3:17 pm on October 31, 2009 by Allahpundit
An interesting clip, not because it’s an actual “gamechanger” but because of what it suggests about Palin’s relationship with the party these days. This is the vid she went out of her way to hype yesterday on Facebook, in really effusive terms too:
Mark my words – tomorrow is the game changer! Tune in to hear common sense solutions that bury the false accusations that conscientious members of Congress have no solutions to meet America’s health care challenges.
If you’re like me, shaking your head wondering why all the miscommunication between Washington and the American people who have been saying, “Please hear what we’re saying about our desire for health care reform,” then tomorrow will be a refreshing time of clarity for all.
All Americans, and especially colleagues of House Republican Leader John Boehner: please listen to tomorrow’s weekly GOP national address. Rep. Boehner will highlight a common sense alternative to Speaker Pelosi’s 1,990-page government takeover of health care. I urge you to watch for it. For a preview, go to: http://HealthCare.GOP.gov
You’ll hear solutions. You’ll hear of real choices based on America’s proven free-market principles. You’ll know once and for all what the GOP and Independents have been saying all along about alternatives to another big government take over. After tomorrow, you’ll know that accusations against the GOP and Independents for not providing solutions are false. Those claims are bogus. There are alternatives. Tune in to Rep. Boehner’s address tomorrow to hear them.
I look forward to the game changer!
Here’s the clip; judge for yourselves. It’s perfectly fine as a brief summary of GOP alternatives to ObamaCare, and Byron York’s right that focusing on the size of Pelosi’s bill is a nice way to illustrate the growth in federal bureaucracy, but it ain’t changing any games. So why the big buzz from Sarahcuda? Because: Her endorsement of Hoffman, which acted as a benediction for grassroots activism against the GOP nominee, probably pissed off the House Republican leadership something awful. Once the tide turned and Scozzafava started to collapse, she could afford to be magnanimous and make a conciliatory gesture. Voila: A communique to her hundreds of thousands of supporters to watch Boehner’s address today, proving that she can be a good soldier for the party too. It’ll be interesting going forward to see if further “outsider” gestures are quickly followed by little favors like this to the GOP, just to keep the peace.
Blowback
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This woman is brilliant.
Underestimate her at your peril.
SHe ain’t no tina fey….
battleoflepanto1571 on October 31, 2009 at 3:19 PM
Mark her words. The Sarasiah has spoken. As it is written, so shall it be done.
keep the change on October 31, 2009 at 3:20 PM
ONce again, The Cuda emerges victorious.
UltimateBob on October 31, 2009 at 3:21 PM
I hope it was something like that, because this sure as hell wasn’t any sort of game changer. It was Boehner’s usual half-ass attempt at a point.
calabrese on October 31, 2009 at 3:22 PM
This must be the first time that the words “John Boehner” and “game changer” have been used together. My guess is it will also be the last.
Mark1971 on October 31, 2009 at 3:22 PM
Interesting theory. Only one caveat comes to mind, though. If this was such a gesture as suggested, why use capital to label it a ‘game-changer’? Once she’s done that, she’s invested in it having an effect, rather then just drawing attention to the message.
Spirit of 1776 on October 31, 2009 at 3:23 PM
The stick first,…and then the carrot. That is the most effective tactic. Tough love. I keep thinking about all those political corpses littering the Alaskan landscape.
a capella on October 31, 2009 at 3:23 PM
It is something to see the way that Palin has turned the GOP establishment on it’s ear in such a short period of time.
God Bless Her and Go Sara, Go!
JoeinTX on October 31, 2009 at 3:24 PM
Which version is Newt supporting?
artist on October 31, 2009 at 3:24 PM
I watched this address earlier today because Palin’s facebook message drew my attention to it.I did appreciate the summary and the links to all the Republican bills that have been introduced, but…
Frankly, I was expecting more,..more, uuhh,…MORE.
LEBA on October 31, 2009 at 3:24 PM
AP, I think thats good analysis. If true it would say that the third party stuff is not going to happen and that she is very calculating. I find that sexy!
Amadeus on October 31, 2009 at 3:25 PM
fixed
jp on October 31, 2009 at 3:25 PM
I agree that it’s likely a magnanimous conciliatory gesture, but why do I get the feeling that it displeases you AP?
It shows me that she’s much more politically savvy than she’s given credit for by her many detractors.
IrishEi on October 31, 2009 at 3:26 PM
Eh. It is what it is and isn’t that bad.
Just make sure you keep including the size of the bill in the shots with you at all times.
And emphasize the past statements/videos Democrats like John Conyers who admit that not only that they haven’t read it and don’t care, but that even when they do read it they can’t understand it.
Good Lt on October 31, 2009 at 3:26 PM
Gerald Ford called to say that Palin is unelectable.
mankai on October 31, 2009 at 3:26 PM
A good solid message. If you are AP, you are looking at this way too closely. The average person doesn’t grasp the layers of nuance that AP is always blabbing about. Much better to have a simple, direct message that focuses on obvious reforms that would be easy to implement. That’s why this is a good message, and while maybe not a game changer, a solid extra base hit.
If we don’t reach people with the message, it doesn’t matter. But one sure way to fail is to be constantly mired in Beta Male self doubt.
JeffB. on October 31, 2009 at 3:28 PM
Answered your own question.
Amadeus on October 31, 2009 at 3:29 PM
Here’s my real question:
Why wasn’t Boehner’s message a “game changer?” Why does the House GOP caucus suck so badly? I’m reminded of when Boehner came out with some kind of “alternative GOP budget” to challenge Pelosi, yet Boehner’s alleged budget had absolutely no numbers in it and was like 15 pages long.
That kind of cheap, empty-suited hackery is one of the key reasons the GOP got thrown out in 2006 and 2008.
It should not be that effing hard to put together a serious health care bill that tracks the GOP’s priorities and conservative ideology and that presents a serious competing vision to the Democrats. You have to give the American people a meaningful choice. If the “choice” is “Do we want a government takeover or do we want nothing” (which is the choice now), there are a number of Americans who might choose the takeover on the false assumption that the status quo really is that bad. But if you give people a meaningful choice, “ObamaCare” and the Democrats would be dead in the water.
Grow some stones, GOP.
Outlander on October 31, 2009 at 3:30 PM
Now Boehner is sending Palin kisses on Twitter.
ctmom on October 31, 2009 at 3:30 PM
Had she not used those words, who would have paid attention? When Sarah gets behind a candidate or espouses an idea or agenda we usually take notice.
fourdeucer on October 31, 2009 at 3:31 PM
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ.
Sorry, I fell asleep half way through…..
We need a better messenger.
HornetSting on October 31, 2009 at 3:31 PM
After reading The Cuda stating this would be a game changer and then watching the video, all I can think is this hurts Sarah’s credibility. Or the Republican leadership… Maybe I need to start giving her more credit.
Maxpower on October 31, 2009 at 3:31 PM
P.S. This is off-topic, but, why has AP stopped posting to Twitter? I hope Meggie Mac did not scare him away by scorning him so publicly.
Outlander on October 31, 2009 at 3:32 PM
I’m also puzzled as to why she would call this a “game-changer” if not for giving the GOP establishment a lifeline with conservatives.
Or she must have some kind of detail as to what this plan has or was she involved?
cubachi on October 31, 2009 at 3:32 PM
Because it doesn’t use much capital, I think. She’s already proved that people are willing to listen to her in the health-care context per the uproar over her “death panels” comment, and she’s now riding high from having led the way in endorsing Hoffman over Scozzafava. (See, e.g., the Robert George piece that’s currently in Headlines.) All politicians are entitled to hype their party’s policy offerings. I don’t think anyone will hold this against her.
Allahpundit on October 31, 2009 at 3:32 PM
The game changer is making fans and detractors tune in to something they normally wouldn’t and hopefully ending the “party of no”, “republicans don’t have any solutions” and other memes that democrats have been pushing. There’s nothing new except for additional awareness. Putting the helpful illustration of how large the bill is doesn’t hurt either.
sf_conservative on October 31, 2009 at 3:33 PM
Is Allah becoming a cultist?
Falz on October 31, 2009 at 3:33 PM
AP,
YOU may not think this is a game changer but the link to this video is already being forwarded through emails. I already recieved it from a friend who , while you may be shocked, has never heard of hot air and rarely goes on blogs.
-
When She speaks, People Listen.
-
Boehner’s “gamechanging” message on ObamaCare IS CLEAR, On message, And what ALL OF US WANT!!
Indian Outlaw on October 31, 2009 at 3:33 PM
This forces the media to admit, “The Republicans have a Plan.”
Indian Outlaw on October 31, 2009 at 3:37 PM
Allahpundit on October 31, 2009 at 3:32 PM
These moments are rare, I agree completely.
Amadeus on October 31, 2009 at 3:40 PM
If anyone should lose political capital over her support or hype it should be the Republicans for falling short.
fourdeucer on October 31, 2009 at 3:41 PM
stupid post… are you not bizarro Michelle, existing only to generate comments at this site?
PhilipJames on October 31, 2009 at 3:41 PM
infomercial saying the same things they’ve been saying. I would be more impressed if the GOP leadership in congress can keep the RINOs in line.
mizflame98 on October 31, 2009 at 3:43 PM
Fair analysis AP. But it will be a game changer if it better can brake through that there’s a conservative reform package as alternative.
the_nile on October 31, 2009 at 3:43 PM
Poor Sarah . I hope she can cash in before this whole thing falls around her .
borntoraisehogs on October 31, 2009 at 3:44 PM
Political discourse is what you make of it. As a famous loser once said, “after the war, no one will ask whether the winner’s propaganda was completely factual.”
IF the GOP can break through to the public mind – not to all us political junkies here at HA – with easily doable, totally unscary and cheap alternatives AND Pelosicare’s support collapses in the wake of Tuesday’s results and other countermaneuvers – THEN we have a changed game.
This kind of statement for her Palinship should also be seen as egging on and reinforcing the will of the political leadership – to get them to believe they CAN turn the elephant over.
CK MacLeod on October 31, 2009 at 3:44 PM
Sarasiah says this is a game changer speech. Let’s see if that’s true. I suspect nothing will change. Poll numbers will not move significantly against obamacare as a result of this speech. We’ll see in a few days.
keep the change on October 31, 2009 at 3:44 PM
I think the assessment regarding Palin vs Mitt is accurate, but that’s a long view assuming both are competing against each for the nomination.
In the short term, if she says [tomorrow] is a game-changer, and the game doesn’t change, doesn’t that fuel her nay-sayers to feed a ‘Palin has minimal impact on the political spectrum’ narrative? I certainly can see pundits using “mark my words” as a “read my lips” running joke/mockery.
Maybe you are right, but it seems to me that over-hyping the party would be poor political calculus as it would destroy her rogue status if hype didn’t materialize. Her’s is a statement that appears to me that 1) She expects results or 2) She’s over-confident. I’m skeptical of the second, but don’t see any probabilities of changes from this Beohner message.
Spirit of 1776 on October 31, 2009 at 3:45 PM
What if Sarah Palin became the “bridge” to consolidate power between the Tea Party movement and the few good conservatives remaining in the Baathist Ayatollah ranks of the GOP?
Boehner is a party leader – but I don’t think he endorsed The Scozz because he wanted to. He did it because it’s his job as a leader of the party.
I really think there is a role for Boehner in the new Conservative Republican Party. I think that Sarah Palin does too.
Sarah Palin isn’t trying to create a third party (yet). What’s she trying to do is to help us mold the GOP back into the party of Reagan.
Doing that – doesn’t mean that we throw good guys like Boehner out on their ears – even though they are technically in the ranks of the Ayatollahs.
You will see a lot of this with Sarah – she’s building a coalition of power that will take back the GOP and burn the David Frums in this party at the stake while the rest of us roast marshmallows on their fires.
HondaV65 on October 31, 2009 at 3:45 PM
The trouble with that is the GOP leadership is controlled bu RINOs.
thomasaur on October 31, 2009 at 3:45 PM
yep. good analysis. Plus, she’s the only cheerleader the GOP has, and she serves as a counterweight to those Pelosi lies that the GOP has no plan.
John the Libertarian on October 31, 2009 at 3:46 PM
What , before hyperinflation?
the_nile on October 31, 2009 at 3:47 PM
The poll numbers are already against Obamacare.
HondaV65 on October 31, 2009 at 3:48 PM
At this point it is all blah blah blah. Quite frankly I am sick of hearing all of them. Every day its another smoke blowing session and I’m kinda suffering a little discomfort. The Americna people have spoken, we don’t want nor do we need this right now. So STFU and take care of what needs to be taken caare of. The economy, unemployment, and national security. We have bigger fish to fry than health care.
Uggggg I want to pull my hair out. These people make me crazy.
VOTE OUT STUPIDITY IN 2010!
milwife88 on October 31, 2009 at 3:49 PM
I think Palin was asked by Boehner to hype this…
ninjapirate on October 31, 2009 at 3:50 PM
I for one think it was (if intentional) a good move to wait until the huge Dem plan was published. If Boehner really has an understandable plan with details that makes sense in less than 150 pages, the contrast alone could be a significant selling point.
horatio on October 31, 2009 at 3:51 PM
She’s learning. Still has a bit to learn, but she’s well on schedule.
joe_doufu on October 31, 2009 at 3:51 PM
If that’s true, then why did she call this a game changer?
keep the change on October 31, 2009 at 3:51 PM
Maybe I’m just gun shy.
If I wanted to destroy her, that’s what I would do: mock her with ‘mark my words‘. Though that would be difficult to make stick if no HC bill gets passes.
Spirit of 1776 on October 31, 2009 at 3:54 PM
Exactly.
I can’t think of a single point where Palin and Boehner are ideological rivals. They are like minded Conservatives.
And – if Palin wanted to take back the party for Conservatism … who would she ally with in the ranks of those who already have power within it?
Not Mike Steele.
Not Ayatollah John Cornyn or Mitch McConnel.
John Boehner and Jim DeMint. Mike Pence, Michelle Bachman, and others.
What this whole affair tells me – is not so much about Sarah Palin and her political savvy – but it tells me that Boehner’s coming on to our team.
HondaV65 on October 31, 2009 at 3:54 PM
I agree, talking about healthcare reform is a democrat/RINO issue. America already has the big health care system in teh world. Reforming that is for Marxists to talk about.
The polls show that this is not the issue that most Americans are interested in right now. By getting involved, the GOP is just playing on their turf. They need to be hammering away at the economy. It’s the economy stupid. Let the RINOs talk about healthcare reform.
keep the change on October 31, 2009 at 3:54 PM
Is it just me or does it seem that Democrat House members are fatter than Republicans?
Not that it is on topic for this post or anything, but whenever I see a Democrat on video, their chins are flapping around all over the place. Republicans seem to be in better physical condition.
crosspatch on October 31, 2009 at 3:55 PM
Too much tea leaf reading here. I doubt that Sarah and her advisors sit around and try to dream up the perfect phrase to communicate some secret code that will set conservatives on fire. She gave a name to the ridiculous “end of life” committees and it was accurate. She endorsed the candidate she believes in. She sees an alternative to the mind numbing crap in ObamaCare and wants other people to see it.
Sometimes, politics can be uncomplicated.
Catherine Wilkinson on October 31, 2009 at 3:55 PM
Boehner should have let her give the speech. It would have been much more effective.
yogi41 on October 31, 2009 at 3:56 PM
It’s not v. gamechangey. But this is a worthy party platform for next year for anyone who says, what would you do?
Scranton on October 31, 2009 at 3:56 PM
I don’t know – ask her.
Even though OCare is not supported in the polls – it’s still got a lot of steam for passage by a Democratic Congress that is tone deaf to voters. Perhaps the “game changer” was supposed to be increasing the volume so that the Dems would hear the opposition and steer away?
I still don’t think OCare will pass. I think this whole thing is a Train Wreck for the Dems. In fact – I’m fairly certain of it.
HondaV65 on October 31, 2009 at 3:58 PM
You defeat your own argument.
She wrote death panels as ‘death panels’, so it’s clear she was using language metaphorically, which is to say, she chose a precise tool of language. She used a scalpel and it accomplished the work of a sledgehammer.
Spirit of 1776 on October 31, 2009 at 3:58 PM
Palin is not a third-party prospect or romancer. Not in her. She’s that rare figure: a conformist reformer. Such people are admirable, for their work requires greater skills, discipline and loyalty than the angry outsider.
She believes in the Republian Party and wants it to succeed. But she’s not blinkered as to the challenges; she understands this will take politically hard and soft strategies, art and craft, will and guile.
There is no reason Boehner’s message could not be a game changer, except perhaps for the tonelessness of the messenger. It was a concise and persuasive delineation of conservative solutions that will work, and a direct response to the Democrats and their slander about “do-nothing” Republicans.
rrpjr on October 31, 2009 at 3:58 PM
I think Allahpundit is reading this all wrong… Palin did not hype this to get in good with the people in DC…
Here’s what the plan was…
1. I think the republicans are hopeful to win all the major races this off year election…
2. They want to tout alternatives to this monstrosity…
3. They asked palin to tout…
4. And Boehner comes up with this… I haven’t even watched the video but I’m not going to bother…
ninjapirate on October 31, 2009 at 3:59 PM
I saw that. Boehner will probably be one of the first to endorse Palin 2012.
JetBoy’s head is exploding
Norwegian on October 31, 2009 at 4:00 PM
I like the analogy about playing chess with a monkey. You get checkmate and the monkey eats the king. We are playing chess with monkeys and we should not forget it.
In a sane rational universe this stuff would fly.
Mojave Mark on October 31, 2009 at 4:02 PM
You’ve got that backwards. The GOP is learning.
The angry american public and Palin is their teacher.
katy on October 31, 2009 at 4:03 PM
Okay, this wasn’t really the “game changer” that my wife and I were hoping for, but…
Whatever her poll numbers might be, Mrs. Palin is giving many conservative women (like my wife and several of her friends) who have never been interested in politics before, an introduction to the sport.
She provides for them an image that they can identify with and she has the ability to write and speak in a way that they can relate to.
So maybe the announcement wasn’t big news for those of us who check on these things every day, but it could very well be the first time many more “casual” observers have heard it laid out quite that directly. If Mrs. Palin can direct her Conservo-Hottie minions toward it, more power to her.
29Victor on October 31, 2009 at 4:04 PM
Game changer means exactly that. Unless she doesn’t know what “game changer” means, or just said it to hype the speech. The polls will not move significantly against obamacare as a result of this speech, which is what would need to happen for this speech to actually be a “game changer”. The next few days will confirm that the polls have not changed significantly either way.
Health care reform is not a conservative issue. Only radicals would want to reform the best health care system in the world. But offer the people something for free, and half of them will gladly take it. It’s pretty hard to change that game.
keep the change on October 31, 2009 at 4:05 PM
portability and tort reform are conservative issues
John the Libertarian on October 31, 2009 at 4:05 PM
Either Boehner was ill prepared to make that little speech, or he’s a crappy public speaker.
jaime on October 31, 2009 at 4:06 PM
For the opposition this was hitting the reset button to refocus the debate.It was also to lend Sarahs microphone to the party because the msm took it away a long time ago and gave it to schumer,reid and pelosi.Sarah definitely gave them an opening how effectively they use it is their problem.Maybe over the next couple of days they will be able to give it a little boost as well.
tim c on October 31, 2009 at 4:07 PM
It’s a win/win for her. The chances of any of these GOP ideas actually being discussed is non-existent. The chances of them being enacted even smaller. She tosses the GOP a bone so they get heard… GOP wins. None of these ideas get a sideway glance from anyone on the left and ‘cuda gets to say, “if they’d only listened and tried…” ‘cuda isn’t hurt at all.
The only way she could take a ding is if, somehow, parts of this plan didn’t work she would have to eat crow. This was a great play.
Still, Sarah Palin’s no Liz Cheney.
realityunwound on October 31, 2009 at 4:10 PM
The Sarahcuda strikes again.
I’m beginning to feel sorry for Levi.
Oops.
I’m over it!
karl9000 on October 31, 2009 at 4:10 PM
Yes
realityunwound on October 31, 2009 at 4:11 PM
That’s an excellent point that hadn’t occurred to me. Makes me just a bit more hopeful.
IrishEi on October 31, 2009 at 4:11 PM
So rather than Sarah actually believing in this health care message – Allah wants us to believe that the GOP is mad at Sarah for helping a conservative candidate and she is only doing this to ‘get back in the good graces’ of the party.
BS. The party is probably thrilled to see Sarahcuda get a conservative candidate to come from out of nowhere and is drooling at the possibilities it represents.
Sarah does not need to come grovelling back to the GOP. She is the GOP. Who did Mittens endorse? Nobody. He lukewarmed it once again.
Much more likely the GOP has realized her leadership position and is asking her to promote their health care message – and that is a game-changer.
Mr Purple on October 31, 2009 at 4:11 PM
I still don’t see your point. I really don’t think the polls can shift that much because it appears to me that most people have made up their minds and oppose this thing.
Maybe the “game changer” isn’t even in the polls. Maybe it’s within the ranks of Congress itself – which is where the only “game change” can happen when it’s controlled by a Deaf Democratic Party.
Maybe Boehner gave the Blue Dogs and opening to oppose O’Care.
Not everything is in the polls.
HondaV65 on October 31, 2009 at 4:13 PM
The Cuda strikes from deep down in the weeds.
Metro on October 31, 2009 at 4:15 PM
The answer should be simple. Did more people hear Rep. Boehner’s remarks? Was is the first time said people even had a clue to the “cures” that Republicans have suggested? I don’t know if it can be measured. I noted that Rep. Michele Bachmann is requesting that people meet her at the Capitol Building on Thursday to walk the halls of Congress. It will be interesting to see how many people can take advantage of the invitation.
Cindy Munford on October 31, 2009 at 4:15 PM
Huck weighs in with a late Hoffman endorsement. Nice timing there, Huck.
Once again a Republican ‘leader’ was on the sidelines unwilling to risk an endorsement either way for fear of offending somebody.
Mr Purple on October 31, 2009 at 4:15 PM
I hope Sarah didn’t squander too much of her rarefied political capital on Boehner’s tepid message.
The gamechanger hyperbole would have been better reserved for the truly gamechanging, like Doug Hoffman’s upcoming NY-23 victory or something down the road that really hurts Ocommie.
The powerful soundbite “gamechanger” now is used goods.
Yephora on October 31, 2009 at 4:17 PM
someone above said the numbers are against Obamacare. But I saw a poll this week that showed people wanted the public option (do they even know what the hell that is???).
Nancy Pelosi does not give one sh*t what we want. I guarantee you that if she wants it, the Dems in Congress will vote for it.
we have to keep calling them. the “death panels” are still in this bill. the language not criminalizing fed. funding of abortions is still in it. the tax implications are huge.
tell your friends.
kelley in virginia on October 31, 2009 at 4:19 PM
I noticed in the clip that Barney Fwank couldn’t use his gavel nor Nancy Pelosi couldn’t interrupt to shut Boehner up….
What’s this country coming to?
Seven Percent Solution on October 31, 2009 at 4:19 PM
Agreed. Like many of us, she agrees with the Republican platform, if not the so-called Republicans tasked with carrying that platform out.
Also, the media, whether it wants to or not, hangs on her little Facebook posts, if only to find something to bash her with. By bringing attention to Boehner’s speech, she might get interest in it from outside the usual circles. I don’t really care that she called it a “game-changer,” I just want as many people out there to get involved in stopping this thing as possible. If an over-exaggeration makes someone listen and re-think things, then good!
XWing5 on October 31, 2009 at 4:21 PM
How many people out there, who do not read conservative blogs, know that the Republicans even have a plan other than just say no to Obamacare?
aikidoka on October 31, 2009 at 4:21 PM
So if she catches grief for it not being a game changer, can`t she just say they explained something different to her. After explaining her side would that not allow her to offer a plan of her own as the media might jump all over this. They would have to report on it then, as they have been ignoring her FB posts far as I can tell after the “”Death Panels”.
bluemarlin on October 31, 2009 at 4:22 PM
Not many, I keep a list of the links on my computer at work to send to the all the ones that tell me there is not an alternative, I stay fairly busy.
bluemarlin on October 31, 2009 at 4:24 PM
Blah. Not real reform.
Healthcare.Cato.Org
iamse7en on October 31, 2009 at 4:26 PM
Exactly Cindy. The Great Dispeller of Myths™ has been going around the country and on T.V. spreading the lie that “Republicans don’t bring anything to the table,” that we not only don’t have a plan, but we don’t even have any ideas, that the GOP is the “Party of No.”
We all knew that that was a dirty bald-faced lie, now maybe a few more people will too.
29Victor on October 31, 2009 at 4:28 PM
Any push back from the standard media talking points can’t be bad.
Cindy Munford on October 31, 2009 at 4:32 PM
All Sarah Palin managed to accomplish with this ‘game changer’ nonsense was to further damage the credibility of both herself and the GOP. Palin for her staggering lack of judgment in this severely misplaced hype, and Boehner for once again having so little to actually show in the way of accomplishment on the issue.
-Cnation
Cnation on October 31, 2009 at 4:34 PM
I agree, calling it a game-changer is a slight mistake – not so much because she’ll lose any real political capital, but because once people see this what she means by “game changer”, they’ll be less likely to pay attention when there is a real game-changer. So she risks becoming the politician who cried “game-changer”.
Seriously, though, as mistakes go its almost infinitesimally minor.
The great thing about this is it isn’t just reaching out to the party, it is rewarding them for advancing conservative principles. If you only punish republicans when they do something bad, you likely cause a bloody civil war between RINOs and conservatives that only helps the democrats. If you also reward the party when they do something good, it sends the message that they don’t have to oppose the base.
RINO in Name Only on October 31, 2009 at 4:34 PM
I must say I’m starting to warm up to Sarah…a little.
terryannonline on October 31, 2009 at 4:37 PM
I think Rep. Boehner made solid and sensible points, and I agree that all the reforms he suggested are crucial.
Perhaps his message doesn’t seem very exciting (and thus game-changing) when compared to the Democrats’ promise of Free! Magical! Healthcare!, but practical, feasible, real-life solutions are usually less interesting than fantasy solutions.
SheofTwoMinds on October 31, 2009 at 4:48 PM
I agree. It is not like politicians don’t exaggerate somewhat.
terryannonline on October 31, 2009 at 4:49 PM
Did you even go to healthcare.gop.gov to see what he “has to show”?
SheofTwoMinds on October 31, 2009 at 4:54 PM
Who is this drunk orange person and who is he talking to?
simplesimon on October 31, 2009 at 4:55 PM
That is not the only measure. If Boehner can get people’s attention and wrap their heads around a Republican plan, and Palin directing eyeballs his way can help, then that is significant.
We aleady have significant opposition to Obamacare – what we need now is for those opposed to rally around an alternative plan.
Missy on October 31, 2009 at 4:56 PM
Where’s all them thar folks that call Palin stupid, eh?
Warner Todd Huston on October 31, 2009 at 4:56 PM
I think her angle was to get a post on Boehner’s speech here on HA…heh, it worked.
d1carter on October 31, 2009 at 4:57 PM
This is my take.
Palin is siding with her Party when she thinks it’s doing the right thing.
Palin will oppose her Party when it’s on the wrong side of the fence.
Proof: Her Alaskan records.
TheAlamos on October 31, 2009 at 4:57 PM
Why didn’t I think of that? When you’re right, you’re right.
Boehner, despite the wisdom of his message, is not really very charismatic enough. He needs Sarah’s support to drumbeat his speech. [It's actually my second time within months to listen carefully to Boehner's speech.]
TheAlamos on October 31, 2009 at 5:02 PM
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