Axelrod: Left “insane” for wanting to kill the bill
posted at 3:00 pm on December 17, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
How serious is the split in the Democratic Party over the ObamaCare compromise that leaves progressives without a fig leaf? Howard Dean has gone on national TV for three days in a row demanding that his allies in the Democratic Party defeat the bill and force Barack Obama and the White House to start over from scratch. Joe Scarborough managed to get both Dean and David Axelrod on his show today to get both sides of the (Democratic) story. First, Axelrod says the Left would be “insane” to kill ObamaCare now:
Trying to stave off a sudden fusillade from the left, White House senior adviser David Axelrod said Thursday that Howard Dean’s criticisms of health-care reform are “predicated on a bunch of erroneous conclusions” and that for progressives to torpedo the legislation “would be a tragic, tragic outcome.”“To defeat a bill that will bend the curve on this inexorable rise in health-care costs is insane,” Axelrod said on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.” “I don’t think that you want this moment to pass. It will not come back.” …
Axelrod, responding on MSNBC, said: “I have a lot of respect for Governor Dean but he got on the phone with Nancy-Ann DeParle, our point person on the health care issue, went through point by point. She explained why he was wrong. And he simply didn’t want to hear that critique. I saw his piece in The Post this morning, and it is predicated on a bunch of erroneous conclusions.”
Former DNC chair Dean, unperturbed by accusations of either the insanity or intransigence, insisted that he remains a loyal — if unenthusiastic — Democrat (via The College Politico):
Look, every politician says this, and I hesitate to do it because they all say it, but sometimes the country is more important than either party. I’m going to support President Obama when he runs for re-election — not vigorously. I’m going to vote for him. [Laughter from Scarborough] I am, I am.
Peggy Noonan observed that the White House has managed a trifecta on ObamaCare by alienating the Right, the Center, and now the Left. Dean won’t be the only one who has lost his enthusiasm for Obama by 2012.
Blowback
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We can neither bare our faults, nor the remedies for them.
lorien1973 on December 17, 2009 at 3:03 PM
Pot, call Kettle a duck… and black!
singlemalt_18 on December 17, 2009 at 3:03 PM
Triple-Trifecta-Bamma!
But you get a B+, kid!
RushBaby on December 17, 2009 at 3:04 PM
The wheels on this presidency took barely a year to come flying off. Even quicker than I thought it would.
The implosion would be fun to watch if the consequences weren’t so serious.
Youngs98 on December 17, 2009 at 3:04 PM
The bill won’t, and if we’re lucky, the moment won’t either.
ladyingray on December 17, 2009 at 3:04 PM
There. That’s a more accurate headline.
UltimateBob on December 17, 2009 at 3:04 PM
What kind of a name is Axelrod, anyway?
just curious..
bridgetown on December 17, 2009 at 3:05 PM
Are we in B- territory yet?
gophergirl on December 17, 2009 at 3:05 PM
Bills should never be written before voted upon. – Democrats
lorien1973 on December 17, 2009 at 3:05 PM
I saw a “boy” at the end of that.
lorien1973 on December 17, 2009 at 3:05 PM
I love blue on blue action…but this case goes far beyond simple disagreement. This could turn into an all-out civil war within the Dem party. It’s gonna take a whole lotta promises to a lot of people if The One and his healthcare allies want to pass this thing with the least amount of battle wounds to it.
Cripes, I would almost think that even one as arrogant as Obama can see the blatant writing on the wall concerning Obamacare…He’s just in such a dang hurry to push it through.
And no matter what one thinks on the issue, this is one that simply cannot and should not be rushed.
JetBoy on December 17, 2009 at 3:06 PM
Axlerod can’t tell the left, “Hey, don’t worry. This will lead to single payer. Trust us.” Although that is what he is trying to say without saying it.
Pants on fire Administration.
Ordinary1 on December 17, 2009 at 3:06 PM
I think the left is making the same mistake American voters made during the last elections: they are believing the Democrat leadership (Reid/Pelosi/Obama/Axelrod etc). They are assuming that this legislation will end the single-payer/public option plan because that is what the leadership is saying. But that’s not true. this is just the thin edge of the wedge. Certianly, the plan is that, once they get this in place, to move toward Nirvanah, ie single-payer.
Blaise on December 17, 2009 at 3:06 PM
I thought it was the conservatives who were going to destroy our party by demanding purity?
The ass party (democrats) are doing a great job of self destructing without help, now that we’re actually doing something (ie: forcing them to read the bill) that last bit of pressure will be all that is needed to finalize the crack up.
Now that the left has discovered that all Obama promises, even to them, have an expiration date, we are going to see his approval fall to it’s floor. Which I think is around 30, made of those whom the kool aid won’t ever wear off and the black population which will give him 90% support even if they witnessed him murder someone live on TV.
wildcat84 on December 17, 2009 at 3:07 PM
Only sometimes?
So Dean would usually put his party ahead of his country? Well at least he’s being honest in his disdain for the USA
rbj on December 17, 2009 at 3:07 PM
Schadenfreude on December 17, 2009 at 3:07 PM
Axelrod looks like a little bit more benevolent Adolf.
Schadenfreude on December 17, 2009 at 3:08 PM
Whew, I thought this was going to be another Avatar review.
WashJeff on December 17, 2009 at 3:08 PM
All this fuss over 2,000 blank pages…
(to be filled in later)
Seven Percent Solution on December 17, 2009 at 3:09 PM
I think it means “douchenozzle” in some language.
UltimateBob on December 17, 2009 at 3:09 PM
The Right wants to kill this bill.
The Center Wants this bill to die.
The independents want it gone.
Freaking Screamer Dean wants it dead.
The Purple People Beaters want it to disappear.
And here’s the white house standing all alone… wondering why no one likes them anymore.
WTF is going on today?
Chaz706 on December 17, 2009 at 3:10 PM
For this, Haward Dean deserves credit. I never thought I’d be able to say it, but it is true (even if his drivers are the wrong ones, public health care).
Schadenfreude on December 17, 2009 at 3:11 PM
No, Obama gets a “solid” B+, of course.
(well, he actually scored a perfect “F-” with 0.0% but when you factor in bonus points for slavery, decades of segregation and eternal racism, he gets his B+)
wildcat84 on December 17, 2009 at 3:11 PM
Failure to pass a bill means disaster for the liberal apparatchiks but is good news for everyone else.
pedestrian on December 17, 2009 at 3:11 PM
Now will the GOP realize that the “Tea Party” is on its right?
C-----------D-----------R-------------T------------A
Communism Democrats Republicans Tea Party Anarchy
WashJeff on December 17, 2009 at 3:12 PM
I call this more then a trifecta. Imagine all those people who are NOT political, and who do NOT vote and hate or love this bill.
Besides… lately everyone I see talling about this is a sycophant. It annoys me to no end. I miss common sense.
upinak on December 17, 2009 at 3:12 PM
Great summation. Yesterday’s Coburn action is what will go in history as the pivotal moment. Many factors came together. I feel optimistic today, cautiously.
Schadenfreude on December 17, 2009 at 3:12 PM
Hmm….The bloom is off the rose and what’s coming out of congress doesn’t smell like roses either.
James Moriarty on December 17, 2009 at 3:12 PM
It looks like I might get my Christmas present after all with what is going on today. Getting this bill killed is all I want for Christmas.
L
letget on December 17, 2009 at 3:13 PM
But Nancy passed her bill already?
pedestrian on December 17, 2009 at 3:13 PM
Dean to Axelrod: Taste my nightstick.
LibTired on December 17, 2009 at 3:14 PM
Herding cats with their fur on fire.
bloviator on December 17, 2009 at 3:14 PM
Pot calls kettle black? Or, are the administration and the left projecting insanity at each other?
BottomLine5 on December 17, 2009 at 3:14 PM
Naw. More like Dr. Phil.
Lanceman on December 17, 2009 at 3:14 PM
Austrian to be exact.
Knucklehead on December 17, 2009 at 3:15 PM
A year ago this guy was a campaign manager, now he’s an unelected official helping to run the country into a forever in debt future.
Kissmygrits on December 17, 2009 at 3:16 PM
FTFY, pal
LibTired on December 17, 2009 at 3:16 PM
That pretty much means absolutely nobody likes this craptastic piece of legislation.
Yet, Obambi has convinced Reid to do a kamakazi run and take half the Senate with him.
Pass the popcorn, baby!
BacaDog on December 17, 2009 at 3:16 PM
Utopia is a b!tch.
mankai on December 17, 2009 at 3:18 PM
Yeah, they are trying to thread the needle and speak in code as much as possible. A few of them come right out and say it. Harkin, for one, with his starter home analogy.
stldave on December 17, 2009 at 3:18 PM
Solid Barry+
As it all fails they will all start pointing fingers in one direction:
Barry O.
Lack of leadership, lack of ideas and lack of hope & change.
(Would love to hear Michelle giving Barry heck on all this. “What are you doing sitting here, Barry? Quit spendin´ your time with Oprah and get you doin´ some hopen`and changen`
B+??? Barry, you never got a B+ in college so where you think you got it in you to get a B+ now?”)
albill on December 17, 2009 at 3:18 PM
The insanity is owned by the Democrats;
The “Health Bill” hasn’t even been reviewed by the complete Congress!
Cybergeezer on December 17, 2009 at 3:18 PM
The liberal axle is broken.
Schadenfreude on December 17, 2009 at 3:19 PM
Thhhhhank you! Brain fart on my part!
WashJeff on December 17, 2009 at 3:19 PM
Did any of you listen to Rush today? Be careful. Dean may be playing right into Obama’s hands – making Obama look moderate on what he wants to achieve.
DO NOT cheer this yet.
HadithHarry on December 17, 2009 at 3:20 PM
All good, except, and most importantly, McConnell offers no alternative.
Schadenfreude on December 17, 2009 at 3:20 PM
Off topic, on Drudge. GAO To Probe Acorn.
Start buying lots of popcorn. This could get interesting, especially if ACORN tries to hide records.
BottomLine5 on December 17, 2009 at 3:21 PM
Hey Axelrod you might want to tell your boss to take a bow on this one too.
fourdeucer on December 17, 2009 at 3:21 PM
Premise Check!
Count to 10 on December 17, 2009 at 3:22 PM
The Left has been insane in the membrane for quite some time now. It took Axelrod this long to notice?!!!
pilamaye on December 17, 2009 at 3:23 PM
Axelrod: Left “insane”.
for wanting to kill the billClaypigeon on December 17, 2009 at 3:25 PM
Axelrod: Left “insane”
I believe that says it all.
Juno77 on December 17, 2009 at 3:26 PM
The White House doesn’t know how to triangulate so instead they ended up isolating….themselves.
t.ferg on December 17, 2009 at 3:26 PM
And how is it that Howard Dean only uses half his lips when he’s talkin’?
Lanceman on December 17, 2009 at 3:27 PM
There appears to be a lot of “buyers remorse” right now. Just wait until next fall’s elections.
The results will probably be “all Bush’s fault!”
GarandFan on December 17, 2009 at 3:28 PM
Thing is, except for taxes and fees going up like crazy, the first of the draconian medical effects on all but rationed Medicare recipients has been purposefully postponed until 2013…safely after the election.
marybel on December 17, 2009 at 3:28 PM
This is Dean saying “where’s my piece of power and money”.
the_nile on December 17, 2009 at 3:28 PM
The implosion of the Democrat Party is a good thing. Gridlock is pretty much a best-case scenario for the country right now.
The implosion of the economy won’t be quite as wonderful. But what’s done is done. For right now, don’t hesitate one bit to revel in what’s going on — it’s a step in the right direction.
logis on December 17, 2009 at 3:29 PM
Pay now , free lunch later? Hard sell.
the_nile on December 17, 2009 at 3:29 PM
This little bit of misinformation is driving me crazy. The filthy lying coward in the White House said the same thing yesterday and the simple truth is that this is not a point in time where, if healthcare reform is defeated, will never occur again. It just doesn’t work like that.
highhopes on December 17, 2009 at 3:31 PM
That’s not the issue; Why hide the proposed legislation at all? And why rush through this HISTORICALLY COSTLY legislation without full disclosure and debate? This action is against all proper Rules of Order, and un-Constitutional.
YOU HAVE NO ARGUMENT FOR THIS.
Cybergeezer on December 17, 2009 at 3:31 PM
Is he saying “we” would be insane or is he denying that he and Obama are not part of the left? I think that the left is insane without qualifications myself.
orlandocajun on December 17, 2009 at 3:32 PM
As Levin Says: “AxeHoleRod
5u93rm4n on December 17, 2009 at 3:33 PM
This bill is possibly the worst thing the government could craft apart from single payer itself. It’s the marriage of big government and big business, with the average guy on the street getting sandwiched between them (and not one of those Chris Dodd waitress sandwiches either).
It will raise taxes, raise premiums and raise the deficit.
In an effort to scrape together 60 votes they’ve managed to piss off just about everyone and are producing one of the biggest piles of sh!t to ever come out of Washington. Great job, Mr. President.
BadgerHawk on December 17, 2009 at 3:33 PM
Axelrod knows that the window of opportunity to pass this thing is closing up tighter than Pelosi’s forehead skin.
GnuBreed on December 17, 2009 at 3:34 PM
Just like the Afghanistan pander, puttin in troops before surrendering, Pinnochio has pissed off all.
The Only Reason For This Bill Is Obamas’ Legacy
For EVERYONE else it sucks!
Went to Copenhagen, gave a speech….. lost the Olympics!
Called the Senate to the W.H. ….. Lost HealthScare I Hope!
More speeches Pinnochio!
More Parodies Sat. Night Live!
dhunter on December 17, 2009 at 3:34 PM
From Barone yesterday:
WashJeff on December 17, 2009 at 3:34 PM
Awww. Dr. Frankenstien is not happy when his mo nster turns on him and not everyone else.
These lefties and White House people aren’t even good enough to be labeled “incompetant”. Dumb as a box of hair is closer
Niteowl45 on December 17, 2009 at 3:34 PM
Austrian perhaps?
MarkTheGreat on December 17, 2009 at 3:34 PM
Uhhh, okay hold on…. are we grading on a curve on this test, or can we drop the lowest score of this midterm because I .. I… I might wanna go to law school or work for a non profit someday…so I could realy use that B+…
/obamster off.
ted c on December 17, 2009 at 3:35 PM
I rarely listen to Joe in the morning. But for some reason I turned it on this morning and after hearing Joe and his lefty guests, I told my wife that the Left were going to start eating their young by sundown. 5 minutes later Joe mentions that Axelrod is going to call in. When Ed said that “the Republicans stand on principle, why doesn’t the Left do that?”… I smiled, put my feet up, and thought to myself, It’s over. There will be no obamacare bill today.
Awwwww, that’s a shame. Now the REAL fun begins. Nancy in campaign mode. Popcorn in 5, 4, 3, 2….
JeffinOrlando on December 17, 2009 at 3:35 PM
You know its a great day when Axlegrease states that Howard “just doesn’t want to listen” About time the idiot left gets a dose of its own. Now the idiots know how Americans feel.
royzer on December 17, 2009 at 3:38 PM
Not in my wildest dreams could I have imagined Barack Hussein Obama pissing off this many peolple this quickly.
I hope he was better at community orgaqnizing because right now he just looks like an impotent boob.
ORconservative on December 17, 2009 at 3:38 PM
the only individuals that approve of the Healthcare are the those that will get more power and money from it’s passing–elected Democrats in washington, the White House and their corrupt cronies in the private sector
Niteowl45 on December 17, 2009 at 3:38 PM
Yea. If everyone knew it. Ask the average guy on the street and you’ll get a blank stare.
BacaDog on December 17, 2009 at 3:39 PM
The Senators are wheeling and dealing right now.
Know what that means? It means the Democrats are afraid the Republicans try another tactic to slow this pos down.
Lieberman currently on the floor speaking about his amendment. He should have to read it himself. OMG, like watching grass grow in the winter. The only politician who spoke as slowly as this was AlGore.
ConservativeTony on December 17, 2009 at 3:40 PM
Oh, and by the way……….
Congress and most labor unions are still exempt from this piece of crap.
BacaDog on December 17, 2009 at 3:40 PM
Just commenting on the state of the office of the President in General. Having a weak President of the United States internally and externally (and everyone knowing it, accepting it, and taking advantage of it) is going to create some very rough times for this world over the next few years.
Youngs98 on December 17, 2009 at 3:40 PM
Is he conducting an impromptu filibuster?
MarkTheGreat on December 17, 2009 at 3:41 PM
Heartache!
phineas on December 17, 2009 at 3:42 PM
I think the Pinnochio Presidente is finding out its a lot easier to Organize a bunch of idiots who just want free stuff than it is to organize them and the people payin the bill.
A lot of Congress Critters and Senate scumbags will be payin the bill in 11 months!
dhunter on December 17, 2009 at 3:42 PM
Obama’s legacy has already been written.
He will be remembered for gross ineptitude, being the worst statesman ever (for his many foreign gaffes), and for turning a recession into the slowest and shallowest economic recovery in history.
Basically he will be remembered as Jimmy Carter on steroids.
wildcat84 on December 17, 2009 at 3:42 PM
Good point, this is so costly there are going to be few that are unscathed.
ORconservative on December 17, 2009 at 3:43 PM
Rockefeller’s on the floor right now offering an amendment to strengthen the medical advisory board (MAB), (the same folks that made themselves look like idiots a few weeks ago when they said mammograms wern’t necessary until you’re 50, or dead). Ut oh, Leiberman’s joining Rockefeller to put this power in the MAB hands to also preserve the Medicare Trust Fund.
Palin’s warning about death panels appear to be coming to fruition.
Rovin on December 17, 2009 at 3:43 PM
He hasn’t pissed off the blacks. 90% will vote to re-elect. Sad, but true.
Lanceman on December 17, 2009 at 3:44 PM
Basically what Zero is discovering is that while slogans and catchy chants work like Jedi mind powers on people who refuse to leave the blighted city of Chicago (ie: the weak minded) they are pretty much useless when it comes to governing.
wildcat84 on December 17, 2009 at 3:44 PM
Ok, here is my take on this. The dems are in a full on panic.
Public opposition to this is at an all time high and growing by the day. Phone lines have been burned up, inboxes are overflowing, and protesters are rallying in numbers to large to count.
I believe that the unions are backing away because of the medicare buy in not in the bill. This is vital to the unions due to the fact that most if not all of them pay for their retirees insurance until they are old enough to qualify for medicare. Allowing people ages 55-64 to buy into medicare saves the unions millions per year if not billions.
We are coming up on the mid terms and everyone who is up for re-election is paying attention to the public outcry. Maybe not so much in the verbal sense but trust me, they hear us and are watching the bullets fly over the bow of the ship so to speek. They are scared and are doing what they can to CYA. ie:reading the amendment out loud.
The dems are scared for the same reasons and it seem to me that the only ones who are for the full on public option are the ones not “worried” about re-election via a false sense of security. Long term congress critters know that all they have to do is stroke their constituants and boom, re-elected. What they don’t realise is that no amount of stroking will erase what they are attempting to do.
This is going to be a make or break bill. My hope is that it dies a very quick death. That would be the perfect Christmas gift to the American people.
milwife88 on December 17, 2009 at 3:45 PM
Coke *splash*
Thanks!…..you owe me a new keyboard!
try again later on December 17, 2009 at 3:47 PM
And, in my humble opinion, the fact that this will happen is evidence of RAAAAAACISM! amongst that group.
Unless 0bama completely changes course like Clinton did in 1995 he isn’t going to achieve even ONE positive thing in his single term in office, and the ONLY reason they will be voting for him is the color of his skin, not the content of his character or the substance of his accomplishments.
This is why we desperately need school choice so those people won’t be condemned to perpetual ignorance by the government schools for yet another generation.
wildcat84 on December 17, 2009 at 3:47 PM
That’s what he gets for having a base that is such a bunch of morons they can’t figure out what he is trying to say.
The more he kicks their shins under the table saying “iksnay on the the upidsay we have inglepayersay overedcsay” the more they look around saying “we aren’t Dr.s we don’t speak Latin not even PIG Latin and you’re not giving us what we want WHAAAAAA”
Lily on December 17, 2009 at 3:48 PM
How does one go about amending a bill that no-ones read?
AxeHole Rod is right about the insanity!
Before any vote I demand that a REPUBLICAN demand a reading of the full bill, that no-one has seen, yet alone read!
Any Republican that does not demand a full reading should be VOTED OUT OF OFFICE!
They could have term limits for Repubs in their and God knows what else!
dhunter on December 17, 2009 at 3:48 PM
The new, er, refashioned definition of insanity is Barry ‘Oprogressivism. The irony is neither Axel nor Howie “the scream” Dean will be entitled to get the mental health treatment they so desperately need if any version of this healthcare monstrosity is passed.
anXdem on December 17, 2009 at 3:50 PM
McConnell has already committed to doing that. They are going to force them to read the whole bill, which could take weeks.
wildcat84 on December 17, 2009 at 3:50 PM
POS Democrats.
Watching the proceedings and every time a Democrat wants additional time, he is immediately given it without question. When a Republican asks for more time, there is an immediate objection and a discussion ensues.
SOB Franken doesn’t even belong in the Senate and he’s going to tell another Senator he can’t have an additional minute?
ConservativeTony on December 17, 2009 at 3:51 PM
That’s why it’s sad. The filthocrats have forced an entire people into poverty and ignorance through social programs.
I see more and more emerging from the stupor, but not enough to make a difference amongst their own people. Some day, they’ll just be Americans instead of Afro-Americans. Just too bad I won’t live to see that day.
Lanceman on December 17, 2009 at 3:51 PM
*Sigh–this has been the best two days since election day! I almost feel like buying a lottery ticket!
lovingmyUSA on December 17, 2009 at 3:52 PM
The One’s and the Dem’s collapse is going to be one for the ages.
Richard Romano on December 17, 2009 at 3:53 PM
If nothing else, the Obama administration proves that the far left is not where this country stands. In the final analysis, conservative Dems, independents, and moderate GOPers just ain’t going to join them.
Conservatives, contrary to popular belief, are far more flexible than liberals.
BuckeyeSam on December 17, 2009 at 3:54 PM
Also due to the fact that most union pension funds are entirely inadequate to fund the retirements of their workers. Thus the Auto payoff to the auto unions!
The funds have been stolen, were inadequately funded to begin with and/or have taken a direct hit as have all investments and the Union wants Community Organizer to bail them out lest the rank and file hang em from the nearest lamppost!
dhunter on December 17, 2009 at 3:54 PM
I like blue on blue action more than girl on girl action :)
deepinthought on December 17, 2009 at 3:54 PM
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