Brilliant Dem midterm strategy emerges: We’ll run on ObamaCare
posted at 4:54 pm on December 21, 2009 by Allahpundit
That’s half the strategy. The other half is … to blame Bush. Put them together and I’d say they’re firmly into stage one of Kubler-Ross right now.
Every fiber of my eeyorish being rebels against this feeling, but I can’t help it: I’m starting to feel optimistic about the House flipping next year. Good lord.
White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel has been telling Democrats a win on the health issue will reverse the slide in public opinion, just as passage of another controversial proposal, the North American Free Trade Agreement, lifted President Bill Clinton in the polls…
“The reality, I think, will trump poll numbers in the dead of winter as this debate is going on,” White House senior adviser David Axelrod said Sunday on ABC’s “This Week.”…
“If Democrats want to run on this, then we invite them to go ahead and do so. The Obama-Pelosi agenda continues to feed into the emerging 2010 narrative that this is a Congress that spends too much, taxes too much and borrows too much,” Ken Spain, communications director of the National Republican Congressional Committee, said Sunday…
The Democratic leadership is particularly relying on a health victory as other domestic priorities struggle. The failure of the United Nations climate summit to reach a binding accord could cripple Mr. Obama’s chances of securing legislation to limit greenhouse-gas emissions, even after many House Democrats took a politically painful vote for legislation to cap carbon emissions.
Yes, a burdensome new cap-and-trade bill would have been quite the formidable weapon with skepticism about global warming surging in poll after poll. In fairness, CNN’s new numbers do show a modest bounce for the bill since the start of the month as the Dems creep closer to passage, but that’s from just 36 percent approval to 42 while the disapproval curve in the poll of polls remains unbent. Even if Ben Smith’s sources are right and there’s some short-term relief for Obama, what’s the big takeaway from the bill next year for the 85 percent of voters who already have insurance? There’s no public option to sweeten the pot, and no one seriously believes that the bill will reduce costs over time. The only thing the average chump gets from it is the satisfaction of watching lefties call The One a corporate sellout and a promise that if you cancel your policy, you might go to prison. For Republicans, that deal is eeyore-proof.










Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
Comment pages: « Previous 1 2
I hear ya…but like I’ve said in previous threads, the msm will pull in those folks who don’t follow this everyday and make them think the (D)s are the best thing since sliced bread…hopefully, they are waking up or begin to as soon as they go to their next MD appt or next medicare letter in the mail…
cmsinaz on December 21, 2009 at 5:48 PM
OMG. You are on to something here. Does anyone remember the marshmallow fluff brand?
It defines Obama. Marshmallow Fluff is who he/it is. Big, fluffy, sweet promises of. Air.
Run with it. And, Rush? If you use this, you better credit me. Obama = Marshmallow Fluff Cakes. For Everyone. For Free!
Heh.
Key West Reader on December 21, 2009 at 5:48 PM
One of the Dems talking points today was 28% wanted Medicare initially and now 100% love it. They really think we’ll swoon over this debacle. We just haven’t seen the light yet.
conservative pilgrim on December 21, 2009 at 5:49 PM
You know what Forrest Gump’s mother always said “Stupid is as stupid does”.
Hellrider on December 21, 2009 at 5:49 PM
Golly, I sure can’t wait to hear the distaste of the union address this January. Delicious whoppers for everyone.
GnuBreed on December 21, 2009 at 5:50 PM
RNC better go full board on this….no meely mouthing with the (D)s…
cmsinaz on December 21, 2009 at 5:50 PM
Obama knows that his party has absolute control of every parasitic slug in this country . . . unfortunately, for the rest of us that accounts for about half the population. The question is, what can the GOP offer thee free loaders and nanny state lovers?
rplat on December 21, 2009 at 5:51 PM
Legalize it!!!
Firefly_76 on December 21, 2009 at 5:52 PM
Did you forget about Sotomayer?
I’d like to be optimistic, but without tough leadership from the Republicans, I don’t see it happening.
The day that BO stepped on the Dem convention stage was the day that everyone should have been doing their research. That’s when it started.
After that there were no surprises. Dem Congress. A willing, leftist media and a black, Marxist candidate. No questions asked. Done deal. Hillary was toast as was McCain. Then there was the financial meltdown and that tricky business of letting Lehman Bros go BK at the right time. Ask Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan.
Perfect set up.
Cody1991 on December 21, 2009 at 5:54 PM
Might work.
rplat on December 21, 2009 at 5:54 PM
No. No delicious Whoppers for you.
All of the Delicious Whoppers (lies) are reserved for ….
(cue the harps and angelic songs of praise)
Obama.
Key West Reader on December 21, 2009 at 5:55 PM
They can’t separate the actual legislation from their rhetoric.
They say ‘saves Medicare’. They do that by cutting payments to doctors and hospital.
They say ‘expands coverage to millions that don’t have it’. They don’t say the expansion comes from cuts to Medicare, increased taxes, and increased burden on states with unfunded Medicaid mandates.
If they run on it they’ll fail dramatically. The people who are ‘for’ the bill are only ‘for’ it for Obama. The people against the bill are against the bill because of what’s in the bill. If they run on this legislation they passed during Christmas in a snowstorm that shut down the rest of DC, they’ll lose dramatically.
This whitehouse and congress has a tin ear to constituent requests.
ThackerAgency on December 21, 2009 at 5:55 PM
After that slap-in-the-face video the brilliant GOP Senators put out over the weekend (the one telling us to get off the couch and do something) and rumors floating around today that the GOP may cave so they can go home, I agree 100%. Let’s start over with the entire Congress.
conservative pilgrim on December 21, 2009 at 5:56 PM
Reid said that 1 person dies every ten minutes for lack of insurance. ALL repubs should hit the local and national airwaves and hold every senator responsible for the millions of deaths caused by their bill for not enacting it till 2014.
Repubs have got to stop bringing knives to gun fights.
lilium on December 21, 2009 at 5:57 PM
I’m in. Down here it sorta hides with all the other flowers of beauty. Why not just legalize it, fer cryin’ out loud.
Example: If smoking a joint in traffic was ‘mandatory’, there would be no traffic jams. And, even if there were traffic jams, we’d all just get out of our cars and have a great time.
Marijuana should not be legalized. It should be mandatory.
Key West Reader on December 21, 2009 at 5:57 PM
People won’t get this gist of what the Democrats have done to us until they start doing their taxes and realize the the tax “break” they got is taxable income and the promise of no new taxes (“not one dime”) is yet another lie. They’ll realize when they start having to pay more for their employer provided health care and start having employers pay less into their retirement funds. They’ll realize when employers start mandating that they take unpaid furlough days and the layoffs and hiring freezes get bigger. Of course they will blame Bush but when you’re facing all of these “changes” as I am, starting in January, no one will believe it’s a result of a previous administration’s policies. They’ll know exactly where it came from. And when states realize that some senators were compensated for their votes and others were not? All hell is going to break loose.
scalleywag on December 21, 2009 at 5:58 PM
Correction to Reid’s statement. One person’s Job Dies for every second that this hideous abomanation is up for “debatatation”… “Debatataion” is a new thang come from Michelle’s 24th staffer.
Key West Reader on December 21, 2009 at 6:00 PM
Rahm tells lots of people lots of things. Most of which are lies.
As RR said about liberals “… they know so much that isn’t so.”
tarpon on December 21, 2009 at 6:01 PM
Nor do they specify what is in their assumptions that will surely dissolve and crumble like a sand castle during a typhoon. Barring a miracle, I’d say the probability of failure is near 1.00.
rplat on December 21, 2009 at 6:01 PM
The short version is one word: Bribery.
Key West Reader on December 21, 2009 at 6:02 PM
It’s going to be difficult for the Dems to walk back from 12% unemployment and failed Porkulus, never mind ObammyCare.
bloviator on December 21, 2009 at 6:02 PM
WITH THE STATE RUN MEDIA
http://radioequalizer.blogspot.com/2009/12/msnbc-libtalker-morning-joe-team-takes.html
The White House could actually pick up seats (remember they’ll be getting 20 million new Illegal immigrant votes after the McCain-Reid Amnesty bill gets passed in the Spring) in November 2010!!!
And don’t forget the ACORN CENSUS that even Judd Gregg wouldn’t touch.
Folks 10th Amendment showdown is coming…..
PappyD61 on December 21, 2009 at 6:02 PM
“Did you forget about Sotomayer?
I’d like to be optimistic, but without tough leadership from the Republicans, I don’t see it happening.”
Cody1991 on December 21, 2009 at 5:54 PM
I certainly DIDN’T forget…and please don’t YOU forget that Sotomayer is one Liberal who replaced another Liberal. The Court is still a Conservative, 5-4 Court. It’s the NEXT SCOTUS appointment that the fraud will make that changes everything.
GoldenEagle4444 on December 21, 2009 at 6:04 PM
Its’ darkest just before dawn!
Ha, my signed copy of Goin Rogue arrived today!
The very day the Fascists passed their HealthScare scam!
This will forever be in my memory as I take the battle to the halfwit, too bit losers, who would subject this country to their Fascist dreams.
To the corruptocrat pols and the lazy ass, pants around their knees, dope smokin, quart drinkin, professional baby makers with their hands out for another mans riches,
I am comin for ya, all you whiney ass liberals who think you have a right to my hard earned dollars I’m gonna do my best to make your miserable lives more so!
Goin Rogue with Sarah!
dhunter on December 21, 2009 at 6:04 PM
Thuggery and Chicago politics, that’s what I call it. But yea, in a word…you’re right. I’ve been around for a lot of administrations and this one is the most despicable I’ve seen. I’m looking at different places to live.
scalleywag on December 21, 2009 at 6:05 PM
I’m more and more convinced that therein lies the answer to the question of “why would the Dems commit political suicide and push this through when they know it’ll cost them the next election?”
Because they have a plan to ensure that it won’t, perhaps.
Midas on December 21, 2009 at 6:06 PM
Gives a whole new meaning to the term “Fluffernutters“!
(for those of you not from Massachusetts/New England, a Fluffernutter is a sandwich consisting of peanut butter and Marshmallow Fluff between 2 slices of white bread)
racecar05 on December 21, 2009 at 6:08 PM
Yes, they’ll certainly try every crooked, slimy illegal scheme they can conjure up. Everyone must accept the fact that we are dealing with unscrupulous, ruthless gangsters, cheats and liars. People had better steel up because this is going to be long tough fight.
rplat on December 21, 2009 at 6:08 PM
And who is next to resign?
Cody1991 on December 21, 2009 at 6:10 PM
They’re hoping the voters won’t notice the new taxes in the bill or the end of private property?
joeindc44 on December 21, 2009 at 6:11 PM
Here’s a little piece to cheer everyone up:
http://www.tenthamendmentcenter.com/2009/12/21/health-care-nullification-things-have-just-gotten-underway/
Firefly_76 on December 21, 2009 at 6:12 PM
My gut instinct is to NEVER take what Rahm says, seriously, or with any credibility. This is possibly something he told the hold backs, to get their votes, and they were just DUMB enough to believe it. Notice how this comes from Rahm, and Axelrod, but not from Pelosi, or Reid?
I don’t buy it.
On the other hand…what’s not to love about this freakin crap of a bill? I mean…married people are going to get hammered. And if you dare to make over 59 thousand a year, you get hammered again. According to Michelle Bachman who was on Hannity today, it could reach over $5,000 a year, for health care for a middle class family? I think I’d rather take the prison sentence. No way can I afford that.
Never trust Democrats. They will lie, and we will die.
capejasmine on December 21, 2009 at 6:13 PM
Ginsburg. She will be replaced with another lib.
Cody1991 on December 21, 2009 at 6:14 PM
The liberals are in stage one, and the voters are in stage two, of Elisabeth Kübler-Ross.
Schadenfreude on December 21, 2009 at 6:15 PM
They’ll pass this bill, then amnesty 20 million illegals to insure a permanent voting majority. Then cap and trade and then they’ll outlaw dissent.
I predict they will pay little or no price, politically. The attention span of most Americans is about 2 days. I cannot believe people haven’t gone to the streets. I guess the old saying is true; there has never been a revolution when peoples bellies are full.
Good bye America, hello amerika.
How very sad.
mountainmanbob on December 21, 2009 at 6:17 PM
I know I’ll be needing drugs if there isn’t a major turnover in the midterms.
2009 was a bad year to quit drinking.
tru2tx on December 21, 2009 at 6:17 PM
We need to nationalize the race and target our efforts and resources at specific senators and house members. I’ve come around to Mark Levin’s view of this. We must concentrate our efforts and resources. I nominate Congressman Baron “blue dog” Baron Hill. He lives in a traditionally red state and a big coal state but has voted in favor of cap and trade and obviously obamacare yet portrays himself as fiscally conservative. Complete with a rolling debt meter on his web site. The guy is a fraud.
R Square on December 21, 2009 at 6:18 PM
The time for “strategery” for 2010 will come soon enough. Personally, I’m more concerned right now about trying to stop this abortion of legislation from ever getting to the filthy lying coward’s desk for signature. Let Nebraska pay its fair share of Medicare even though their Senator ranks below a common street whore.
highhopes on December 21, 2009 at 6:20 PM
Well, Mayo Clinic hates this plan…
deidre on December 21, 2009 at 6:22 PM
So the early battle lines get drawn; I just hope most of those states are connected so that supplies and reinforcements can easily be moved between the fronts.
Bishop on December 21, 2009 at 6:25 PM
The Democrats will claim that the plan is so bad, because Republicans didn’t participate.
They will make that claim with a straight face.
The media will run with it.
The middle third of voters in the country will believe it.
THE HEALTHCARE BILL IS REPUBLICAN’S FAULT!
Count on it.
justltl on December 21, 2009 at 6:32 PM
The Dems are at least partially correct — the populace can grasp the “social marketplace” concept better than they can grasp the “small government” mantra of many conservatives.
Small government is the result of properly designed individually driven social marketplaces that also provide compassionate services for those of limited means — small government by itself is a conservative LOSER with the general population. Putting small government in front of the conservative parade is like putting the cart before the horse… Worse yet, the PRESSSident and Obamacrats will put forth the small government vision of a cart with the horse facing the cart — leaving the front end of the conservative parade being the back end of the horse…
This confusion and weak marketing conservative ‘small government’ mantra is much of the reason the nation is in the situation it is in. Conservatives have not spent any significant collective effort to define how they want to define and develop individually driven social marketplaces. Once developed, they need to step forth and aggressively teach the moderates in the GOP and populace as a whole about the conservative social marketplace vision.
drfredc on December 21, 2009 at 6:32 PM
I think the ‘troops’ will need some more Obama art too, to keep them going.
Firefly_76 on December 21, 2009 at 6:35 PM
And as the polls close on election night, cameras focus on a senior Democratic Congressional Committee campaign strategist as he slowly removes his Mission Impossible rubber mask to reveal…
Karl Rove!
Stephen Macklin on December 21, 2009 at 6:38 PM
The GOP’s counter strategy will be, “we can make Obamacare more user friendly”.
Fletch54 on December 21, 2009 at 6:44 PM
@EliLake Mazel Tov to the Senate for passing the GOP midterm electoral advantage act.
Some pretty good tweets about Obamacare via the Washington Examiner:
I thought cash for clunkers and cash for caulkers were bad, but cash for cloture takes the cake!
For decades, Al Franken has tried to tickle your funny bone. Now, having failed, he wants to control it. And the rest of your body.
highhopes on December 21, 2009 at 6:50 PM
There’s a very good analysis of the Constitutionality issue at http://www.heritage.org/research/legalissues/lm0049.cfm. The points appear valid and difficult to mount an argument against.
I can only hope that these points can be affirmed by SCOTUS sometime between now and the 2010 elections. What kind of chances would aomeone who voted to impose an unconstitutional mandate have next November?
LooseCannon on December 21, 2009 at 6:50 PM
Speaking of tax surprises, I understand that the “cash-for-clunkers” amounts are considered taxable income. There are going to be a lot of people who have to come up with cash at tax time who will still be incensed about that come November, too.
LooseCannon on December 21, 2009 at 7:05 PM
The lines are drawn indeed. Today the first day of winter, the day hell(DC) froze over, the day the fascists staged their boldest takeover yet, the day Sarahs’ book arrived …signed!
I Vow:
to make miserable Dems and takers lives more miserable in the following ways:
1.)Report no more income and pay no more taxes than I have to.
2.)Purchase and work for cash where possible!
3.)Give only to conservative causes and churches!
4.)Buy NO UNION products where possible, Ford or foreign!
5.)When I set a price for my products set a higher one for dems and takers than conservatives!
6.) Ridicule the bastreds at every opportunity.
7.) Participate even more through emails, editorials, blogs and events!
8.) Stay physically fit, mentally alert for any opportunity to support consevatives and hinder liberals and the takers.
The battle lines are drawn I, for one, will be fightin like never before!
Liberty or …
dhunter on December 21, 2009 at 7:47 PM
Not really a “bump”, more like a regression to the mean- CNN’s last poll had been the outlier, with the highest disapproval of any poll, so if that one was a little skewed, it was natural that the next would be more in line with the other polls.
Jon0815 on December 21, 2009 at 7:59 PM
Unprecedented!
tom on December 21, 2009 at 8:27 PM
Maybe you guys can steal the old Wendys commercial, ” Where’s the beef ” as we will be paying for the new and wonderful health care program that won’t start for another 4 years. I know, You folks were so bright when you were a child that your father called you sun.
What I call you starts with son. Can you fill in the dots?
Its how I feel and its from the heart you honorable simpletons.
bluegrass on December 21, 2009 at 8:30 PM
And all the kings hoodlums
And all the kings union men
Couldn’t put Dumpty back together again!!!!!
bluegrass on December 21, 2009 at 8:33 PM
just as passage of another controversial proposal, the North American Free Trade Agreement, lifted President Bill Clinton in the polls…
What a crock! Passing NAFTA did NOT lift Bubba’s poll numbers! NAFTA passed in ’93, and began the next year…the year that the Dems were tossed out of Congress on their rears.
BJ’s numbers didn’t start coming back up until the government shutdown in 1995. Saying that his poll numbers rising after NAFTA’s passage must mean that NAFTA was the reason is like saying that his poll numbers rising after the Titanic sinking was a result of the sinking. It’s a logical fallacy called “post hoc, ergo propter hoc”, and one would think that any sentient being in politics would know better.
crushliberalism on December 22, 2009 at 7:35 AM
Comment pages: « Previous 1 2