Clinton to Dems: Hey, my bad on that ObamaCare advice
posted at 9:30 am on September 20, 2010 by Ed Morrissey
Over a year ago, Bill Clinton offered Democrats at the Netroots Nation a Nancy Pelosi take on their political prospects by advising them to pass ObamaCare and see all the popularity that would be in it. Now, facing a potentially historic meltdown, Bill Clinton has another message for Democrats — my bad (via RightNework):
Former president Bill Clinton, a champion of healthcare reform, admitted on Sunday that he made the wrong prediction about the popularity of President Obama’s healthcare bill.
Initially, Clinton had predicted that the polls in favor of Democrats would be boosted as soon as the legislation was signed into law. Instead, Clinton said on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” his prediction was wrong for two reasons.
“First of all, the benefits of the bill are spread out of three or four years. It takes a long time to implement. And secondly, there has been an enormous and highly effective attack on it,” he said.
It’s not just the highly effective attack on it. It’s also because people didn’t want a government takeover of health care in 2010 any more than they wanted it in 1993. It’s hard to understand why Democrats took Bill Clinton’s advice seriously in the first place. After all, Clinton himself didn’t take it at the time; he dropped HillaryCare and moved back to the center, and won his next election because of it.
Furthermore, Clinton’s wrong about the benefits not arriving for the next three or four years. The White House front-loaded the benefits that people liked most about the bill so that they would take effect before the midterms. The geniuses in the Obama administration didn’t consider the fact that insurers would have to increase premiums as the mandates took effect, though, so we’ve also been treated to a preview of just how ObamaCare will bend the cost curve upward rather than downward.
People don’t like ObamaCare because they know that creating another massive government entitlement program is the wrong prescription for America. The only people who thought of it as a cure rather than a symptom of Beltway Syndrome were those already at Stage Four of the disease on Capitol Hill.
Blowback
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I don’t know about anyone else, but since Obamacare was passed, my health care premiums have gone up over $2,000 and my copays have doubled and prescription drug costs have gone up. Obamacare sucks big time.
bloggless on September 20, 2010 at 9:34 AM
We the people are the cure and we have some strong medicine ready for the addicts in D.C.
Mojave Mark on September 20, 2010 at 9:35 AM
Not just before the midterms, but many insurers send out the next year’s premuim hikes in late September and October so everything can be processed before the end of the year.
A few weeks later is the election, and the rate hike is fresh in people’s minds.
Wethal on September 20, 2010 at 9:35 AM
Back when Clinton was giving the advice, I had the sense that he was smirking when he told them to pass the bill.
myrenovations on September 20, 2010 at 9:36 AM
I listened to this exchange. Watch the “hand” actions of Clinton. It’s all about “baffle them with bullsh….” Also note he never mentions who these successful nations are that are able to deliver better healthcare than the US while spending considerably less.
texabama on September 20, 2010 at 9:36 AM
Clinton rarely does things without a reason. Considering how he was “handled” by Obama in the primaries I can’t help but think his support had an agenda behind it.
Hillary/Powell 2012!! (they have both actually been to Russia) /sarc
Bradky on September 20, 2010 at 9:36 AM
Leftist activist in Delaware: Chris Coons harassed me due to my political activism
“It’s often said that this is Joe Biden’s seat,” Coons said. “It’s not. It’s Delaware’s seat.”
We cannot let Joe Biden’s seat fall into ultraconservative hands
ninjapirate on September 20, 2010 at 9:36 AM
Mine just went up last month.
darwin on September 20, 2010 at 9:36 AM
Clinton: Yeah, people are too impatient to wait for the wonderful benefits of ObamaCare. The right attacked it mercilessly and the stupid American people bought it.
darwin on September 20, 2010 at 9:38 AM
Pfff, a convicted perjurer.
“Because I Could.”
maverick muse on September 20, 2010 at 9:42 AM
Early this year I was shopping for a “child only” policy for my slightly higher risk daughter. Insurance companies dropped that kind of policy recently. It was going to save me $150/month.
Electrongod on September 20, 2010 at 9:42 AM
Obviously his mistake was caused by us…aren’t they all?
right2bright on September 20, 2010 at 9:42 AM
One health care plan offered by my employer is going to increase in cost by 209%. No, I didn’t forget a decimal point in there. Miraculously, the plan I’m on(which is the most basic one offered) will have the same premium. But I’m gonna have to downgrade my choice of hospitals to just Memorial Hermann. I live so far away from the Medical Center here in Houston that it’s no big deal. I have to believe that if I didn’t work for a school district, I’d be paying a lot more next year.
I’m really worried about my wife’s plan though. She still gets her insurance through her employer and we just added our newborn son to it. And unlike me, she doesn’t work in the public sector.
Doughboy on September 20, 2010 at 9:43 AM
Bill Clinton: “Oh yes Mr Obama, who beat my wife and made me look bad, Healthcare is a GREAT idea. Im telling you the American people will LOVE LOVE LOVE it!”
Admiral Akbar: “It’s a trap!”
Dash on September 20, 2010 at 9:43 AM
Bubba returns to his room, glances down at his copy of The Prince, and smiles.
Bat Chain Puller on September 20, 2010 at 9:43 AM
Ditto! He wasn’t thinking about Obama. He was thinking Hillary 2012.
parteagirl on September 20, 2010 at 9:43 AM
With Obama Care there is no cost curve, it is nearly a straight line up, with nary a curve in sight.
Johnnyreb on September 20, 2010 at 9:44 AM
Doesn’t matter, the law was passed and signed. Obama has the power. Doesn’t matter who runs congress, that was the plan all along. Any congress trying to repeal this will have people marching in the streets.
Skandia Recluse on September 20, 2010 at 9:44 AM
Yes, actually trusting a Clinton is not good for you as they can never nail down what the meanings of words are… not even ‘is’. Its almost like Bill Clinton knew what he was doing, inviting Obama to push hard into the buzzsaw.
He wasn’t pushed! Honest!
Tripped into it… maybe…
ajacksonian on September 20, 2010 at 9:47 AM
One small problem with that theory though. Hillary would have to run on a platform of repealing Obamacare. Think she can con enough conservatives and independents into buying that one? Yeah, me neither.
Doughboy on September 20, 2010 at 9:47 AM
And thirdly, people out there are now seeing how much of a gigantic nightmare boondoggle of a humongous clusterfark the whole thing really is!
pilamaye on September 20, 2010 at 9:48 AM
it looks like he’s trying to sabotage his wive’s presidential aspirations.
Tommy_G on September 20, 2010 at 9:48 AM
Big Dawg also told the Critters to pass it FAST and PIVOT FASTER to JOBS. He said it in like March, then they fxcked around with it for months and months and months.
morons.
ginaswo on September 20, 2010 at 9:49 AM
Repeal and replace with free market solutions.
petefrt on September 20, 2010 at 9:49 AM
and PS the preex waiver is NOT in effect right away, only for kids, he is correct on that.
ginaswo on September 20, 2010 at 9:50 AM
Obama & Co. neglected to consider Rule # 1 of the Democratic party establishment- NEVER EVER underestimate the payback from the Clinton’s – lololololololol!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
huskerdiva on September 20, 2010 at 9:51 AM
+1
fesofee on September 20, 2010 at 9:53 AM
The ObamaCare cost curve looks like a Saturn 5 rocket launch
faraway on September 20, 2010 at 9:54 AM
As in independent business man, I would love to have the coverage I am buying for you…
right2bright on September 20, 2010 at 9:54 AM
But, hey, he was right about those premiums coming down.
/
mankai on September 20, 2010 at 9:54 AM
We are noticing changes to our HSA. Annoying ridiculous changes.
I really think that of all the things the leftists can blindly sing the praises of, Obamacare is going to be the toughest one to continue to peddle. It is certainly the largest, most socialist, Anti American thing this government has done.
ORconservative on September 20, 2010 at 9:55 AM
Ed, OT, but how about a headline or main entry on Kooky Chris Coons dabbled in Black Liberation Theology guaranteed 400+ comments.
RepubChica on September 20, 2010 at 9:56 AM
Triangulation…
mankai on September 20, 2010 at 9:56 AM
Wrong blog. We only destroy Tea Party candidates around here.
Coons attended Yale. He is thus more fit for the august body that is the US Senate.
mankai on September 20, 2010 at 9:57 AM
Our costs went up so high (hubby knows how much, I can’t remember) we are now completely uninsured in the category of health care.
But, we will live without it (if necessary) rather than “go gov’t” !!
REPEAL AND REPLACE, and ASAP, please !!
pambi on September 20, 2010 at 9:59 AM
Over the weekend I saw a bumper sticker that said “PASS HEALTH CARE REFORM NOW!”. It took everything I had not to key the shit out of the car.
angryed on September 20, 2010 at 10:00 AM
I’m the friendly stranger in the black sedan, will you jump inside my car? I got pictures, candy, I’m a lovable man and I can take you to the nearest star..
The left enslaves by handing out treats to people.
Once the goodies start flowing, it is all good ’cause the bill never comes in the mail so the recipients do not care about all the costs.
Treats haven’t started flowing yet.
IlikedAUH2O on September 20, 2010 at 10:02 AM
This made my Monday.
rollthedice on September 20, 2010 at 10:03 AM
heh
RepubChica on September 20, 2010 at 10:03 AM
Sadly, he was never actually convicted, because the guy who succeeded Ken Starr was afraid to even go for an indictment.
He knew full well that a D.C. Jury would never convict the First Black President.
Del Dolemonte on September 20, 2010 at 10:05 AM
Wrong on all counts, Ed.
Top Ten Reasons People Don’t Like Obamacare:
1. They are Racists
2. They are Bigots
3. They are Homophobes
4. They are insane
5. They just don’t know whats good for them
6. The message isn’t quite right
7. The New Dem logo is too new, needs time to simmer…
8. Christine O’Donnell and Karen Angle are too kooky, but Charlie Crist is a man of principle
9. Just write it into a ballot and people will go for it, AKA the Murkowski Maneuver
10. It Sucks
catmman on September 20, 2010 at 10:08 AM
As a general rule, taking advice from a man you’ve crossed is a bad idea…
hobbit on September 20, 2010 at 10:12 AM
Someone’s had some plastic surgery ?
stenwin77 on September 20, 2010 at 10:12 AM
My wife and I are canceling all our insurance. She’s healthy. I’m healthy. Our baby girl is healthy. So, we’re going to tell the insurers, You can take your insurance and shove it. We’re just going to put the cash in savings, pray, and should something happen, we’ll say, hey, we can pay cash.
Now, I have no problems with health insurers, but they should know better and should have done more to stop this madness, so, they’ll face the consequences.
j_galt on September 20, 2010 at 10:14 AM
In 2013, if you sell your house, the feds will collect 3% sales tax. They’ve gotta pay for this monster somehow. The more we find out what’s in it, the less we like it, Bill. BTW, did you also advise Hill on the new hair do? That’s not working either.
Kissmygrits on September 20, 2010 at 10:15 AM
Hill’s new ‘do is as bad as Obamacare. Maybe Bill’s running someone besides Hillary in 2012.
ORconservative on September 20, 2010 at 10:18 AM
ObamaCare—O’Donnell’s Witchcraft-lite
Rovin on September 20, 2010 at 10:19 AM
“Oops, my bad…” – Bill Clinton (smirking).
“Four-hundred years ago, on the planet Earth, workers who felt their livelihood threatened by automation, flung their wooden shoes, called sabo, into the machines to stop them . . . hence the word: sabotage.” – Lt Valeris, Star Trek VI, The Undiscovered Country
Kevin71 on September 20, 2010 at 10:19 AM
Do you mean I am not going to save $2500 on my health care???
But he PROMISED.
moron
DuctTapeMyBrain on September 20, 2010 at 10:20 AM
Personally I think that is a bad move. for example if you have chest pains and are admitted for one night and tests that runs close to 5K.
Even with higher premiums better to have yourself covered.
Bradky on September 20, 2010 at 10:22 AM
You, sure as hell, were.
Who knew?.. Americans would be pissed about giving up their freedom, and to be controlled by gov’t.
Who knew?.. Americans would be pissed about being REQUIRED to buy health insurance, with the added insult, having to PAY MORE FOR IT… Not only with higher premiums, but higher taxes as well.
Who knew?.. Senior Citizens would be pissed about having their benefits cut.
Who knew?.. Americans would be pissed about being lied to.
Who knew?
Some of us have been trying to tell ‘em, all along.
franksalterego on September 20, 2010 at 10:23 AM
Impeached, but still bringing his personal signature of sleaze to the discussion.
Hening on September 20, 2010 at 10:26 AM
It must seem like a fairy tale to Bill.
faraway on September 20, 2010 at 10:33 AM
Personally I think that is a bad move. for example if you have chest pains and are admitted for one night and tests that runs close to 5K.
Even with higher premiums better to have yourself covered.
Bradky on September 20, 2010 at 10:22 AM
You can keep paying premiums, I’ll keep my money. I say, “Oh death, where is your sting?”
j_galt on September 20, 2010 at 10:36 AM
Please, let this be the beginning of the end of the 2 perennial parasites: Bill & Hill. 2012 Dream scenario: Obama and Clintons go down and end up in the trash bin of history. Blech!
mozalf on September 20, 2010 at 10:48 AM
What should be an alternative for folks that think of doing without insurance is catastrophic-only health insurance. That’s insurance with a very high annual deductible, like $10K or so.
Unfortunately that’s not available because of state mandates and now Obamacare mandates. It’s the only policy that I really consider meets the definition of ‘insurance’.
slickwillie2001 on September 20, 2010 at 10:49 AM
It’s also the fact that it’s (partially) funded by cutting Medicare benefits for the elderly, who are more likely to get sick than the young, healthy people who are being forced to buy health insurance. Clinton should remember how he demonized Republicans during the 1990′s when they only wanted to slow the GROWTH RATE of Medicare funding…
Steve Z on September 20, 2010 at 10:52 AM
Obamacare will be a continual source of pain for the democrats, through this November and the 2012 campaign, because each new revelation lands another 1-2 punch to their gut: The bill itself has always stunk, and the democrats lied about it. The public will be unforgiving about this.
GaltBlvnAtty on September 20, 2010 at 10:55 AM
The wooden shoes are called “sabots” in French, but the “T” is silent, and the word is pronounced “sabo”.
In November, our T party will NOT be silent!
Steve Z on September 20, 2010 at 10:58 AM
Sometimes, there’s a good reason why the reaction to a piece of legislation is an enormous and highly-effective attack. That reason is that the legislation is question is awful.
Tonus on September 20, 2010 at 10:59 AM
So the people don’t like the bill? Well, why did they hand virtually dictatorial power to Democrats who anyone with a brain knew BEFORE the 2008 election, more or less, what they’d pass?
What bothers me is only about 55% of the public even want to repeal ObamaCare. It should be an easy 65%. And after Obama gears up for 2012, that number will drop as Americans get weak again for their little messiah.
BillCarson on September 20, 2010 at 11:02 AM
It’s almost as if Bill Clinton wanted to be the only two term democrap President elected for the subsequent thirty years.
eaglewingz08 on September 20, 2010 at 11:04 AM
So when you go to the emergency room for routine care and the bill gets passed onto the people actually paying premiums I can classify you as someone feeding from the government trough. Got it.
Bradky on September 20, 2010 at 11:17 AM
Think about it: If no one was bright enough to figure out the glaringly obvious ‘premium increase just before the elections’ issue, think of what that means for the *really* complex matters in the health care bill.
The above is but a snowflake on the tip of the iceberg of epic stupid that is our new Presidential administration and Congressional leadership.
DrDeano on September 20, 2010 at 11:25 AM
If you saw the new pictures of Hillary (Drudge) you might think she has given up fantasies of being president. I’ve always thought that when she lets her carefully managed appearance go, it would be a signal that the end is in sight.
slickwillie2001 on September 20, 2010 at 11:27 AM
Everything the man says must be placed into appropriate context. He is setting the table for Hillary to run in 2012. If she steps down, there will be no mystery as to why. Watch for the Clintons to prod the White House into a Titanic-deck chair rearrangement in the aftermath of the iceberg in November. Heads will roll; Hillary will graciously exit and reemerge in Iowa.
Greek Fire on September 20, 2010 at 11:30 AM
Clinton – wrong before, wrong now.
GarandFan on September 20, 2010 at 11:36 AM
All Palin has to do to beat Hillary is run the picture of Hillary that is on Drudge now….. she met world leaders,officials looking like she just came out to run her kids to school.
journeyintothewhirlwind on September 20, 2010 at 11:40 AM
Psst…don’t tell anyone, but hospitals will actually let people pay their own bills.
xblade on September 20, 2010 at 11:42 AM
Bubba did it to undermine Obama and set Hillary up for the 2012 nomination. Slick.
JimP on September 20, 2010 at 11:46 AM
There is a point, Bradky, when the ‘appeal to morals’ fails. Because I’ve decided that if we can’t manage to fix the system, we might as well help break the system as fast as possible. If I stop buying insurance, I help break the system. If I get sick and sent to the ER, I help break the system. When I take my money out of the bank and cash in my 401K, taxes be damned, I help break the system. It’s a win-win-win.
j_galt on September 20, 2010 at 11:51 AM
I am a huge admirer of Clinton, but even I knew that this advice was dumb.
Either they should have gone for public option or backed off.
AnninCA on September 20, 2010 at 11:51 AM
I stood on the Front Lawn of the Capitol building the weekend before you passed this monstrosity and yelled as loudly as I could, but you did not listen to me.
I was with about a half-million of my friends, and they were all yelling, too. But you didn’t listen to any of them, either. We told you it was a bad idea. We told you it would cost you big in November. But you decided to obsess about made-up racial slurs and imaginary spittle…
Well, now our predictions are coming true. We tried to warn you. You’ll get no sympathy from me.
Haiku Guy on September 20, 2010 at 11:58 AM
I agree. I always thought Clinton was trying to be a Frenemy, setting Obama up for a bigger fall. Clinton knew his popularity fell because of overreach and not because he didn’t pass HillaryCare. Hillary will primary Obama and that was always the plan.
redeye on September 20, 2010 at 12:01 PM
Think about it: If no one was bright enough to figure out the glaringly obvious ‘premium increase just before the
I think the Democrats actually believed their own press releases. They had been lying for so long on such a grand scale, they started to believe their own lies.
They said that costs would not go up, so they believed that costs would not go up. No amount of external evidence could shake that belief, because it was not based on evidence in the first place.
Now, as costs and premiums are going up, they still don’t believe it. They ascribe it all to conspiracy and shenanigans by the insurance companies. They are beyond reason. Far beyond.
Haiku Guy on September 20, 2010 at 12:05 PM
Early this year I was shopping for a “child only” policy for my slightly higher risk daughter. Insurance companies dropped that kind of policy recently. It was going to save me $150/month.
Electrongod on September 20, 2010 at 9:42 AM
Yes, it’s the rest of us that will have to make up the difference on people like you….That’s why all of our healthcare premiums will go up…I’m glad you’re happy…
theaddora on September 20, 2010 at 12:05 PM
Well… In all fairness had it been wxactly what was promised it would be popular among everyone.
1 All Costs go down
2 Everyone gets coverage
3 No shortage in doctors
4 No rationing
5 Care gets better
6 All free for everyone except the filthy rich pay alittle more but not enough to even affect them or their investments.
Of course everyone with a brain knew that everything promised was a flat out lie.
jeffn21 on September 20, 2010 at 12:15 PM
I mean surely, at some point, people who overly rely on health care insurance to continually treat their disease must realize that eventually, healthy people will opt out, right?
j_galt on September 20, 2010 at 12:20 PM
Early this year I was shopping for a “child only” policy for my slightly higher risk daughter. Insurance companies dropped that kind of policy recently. It was going to save me $150/month.
Electrongod on September 20, 2010 at 9:42 AM
Yes, it’s the rest of us that will have to make up the difference on people like you….That’s why all of our healthcare premiums will go up…I’m glad you’re happy…
theaddora on September 20, 2010 at 12:05 PM
I’m sorry….I misunderstood….
theaddora on September 20, 2010 at 12:20 PM
-
But we still get to keep the unicorns…?
RalphyBoy on September 20, 2010 at 12:26 PM
There are still many senior citizens who actually believe that they are going to benefit from Bambicare.
DDT on September 20, 2010 at 12:29 PM
November 2nd….
……..D.C. feel the WAVE……..enjoy the swim.
PappyD61 on September 20, 2010 at 12:34 PM
My health insurance premium went from $425 to $600 a month in July so I dropped to a high deductible HSA plan and lowered the premium to $370. In August, a month after changing to the high deduct HSA plan, I received notice my premium would increase by $50 per month up to $420. So I’m back to where I began, paying the same monthly premium but now with a very high deductible that I probably won’t meet. I keep getting notices about all the changes to plans stemming from Obamacare that are being implemented early. This has to be pissing people off seeing these huge jumps in premiums.
Laddy on September 20, 2010 at 12:42 PM
major CYOA time…
moonbatkiller on September 20, 2010 at 12:46 PM
Sooo you support the death panels then?
Bradky on September 20, 2010 at 12:47 PM
Look, Bradky. Open your eyes man. Just try for a moment to put aside all the arguments and ask yourself, “Am I afraid of dying?” I’m not, and if you want to know why, I’ll tell you. But if you, Bradky, if you are afraid of dying, then you should be wary to put anyone control of your life.
Look, people die. People have always died. No amount of crying about it will change that. No amount of pseudo-health care will change that. I’m going to die. You are going to die. Everyone who writes on this blog is going to die.
The only real question is, ‘How do you want to live?’
j_galt on September 20, 2010 at 12:55 PM
Yeah, b/c the public option would have reduced cost, not rationed care, not effected who your doctor was, etc.
And it would have been popular as people realized how you can get wonderful health care for free when the gov’t provides it directly. Just like in Canada and England.
Monkeytoe on September 20, 2010 at 12:55 PM
Hey, we’ll provide you free health care! Just don’t get too sick.
j_galt on September 20, 2010 at 1:04 PM
I’ll take that as a yes for your support….
Bradky on September 20, 2010 at 1:06 PM
You can take it however you want to. You can think whatever you want to think. I’ll see ya on the other side.
j_galt on September 20, 2010 at 1:30 PM
I’m pissed off because the things we are allowed to use ouut HSA for is changing by the week.
Yeah, right AnninCa, if only the public option………..eyeroll.
The bottom line is that the government knows nothing about healthcare except how to raise costs.
ORconservative on September 20, 2010 at 1:45 PM
Totally agree. It was a setup. Clinton was fully aware how the people felt. He knew it was being rejected when he was president, and before this crap passed. He set em up from the beginning. So we’ll hurt, while he gets a good laugh off of this.
capejasmine on September 20, 2010 at 2:35 PM