Not the anniversary present that President Obama wanted, that’s for sure. Just one short year after joyful Democrats took to lecturing Republicans about everything they were supposedly doing wrong, we get the Massachusetts miracle. Now the question is what Dems will learn from Scott Brown’s election. So far, it remains to be seen.
Here’s a cross-section of Dem suggestions on how to proceed:
Damn the Torpedoes!
“Senator Bill Nelson, Democrat of Florida, said Wednesday that the Senate health care bill still looked good to him. And he said Mr. Obama should press the House to adopt it.” (NYT, 1/20/2010)
It’s the Messenger, Not the Message
“Ms. Coakley’s defeat, in a state that Mr. Obama won in 2008 with 62 percent of the vote, led to a round of finger-pointing among Democrats. Some criticized her tendency for gaffes…….while others criticized a lackluster, low-key campaign.” (NYT, 1/20/2010)
We Need to Pass This Stupid Bill
“I only have one thought, which is that the Democrats should pass the health care bill now. If that means having the House pass the Senate version, fine. Even the stupid parts. Even the part about how Nebraska doesn’t have to pay its share of the Medicaid bills, which is so ridiculous that even Nebraskans are embarrassed.” (Gail Collins, NYT, 1/19/2010)
Don’t Those Idiots Know We’re Trying to Help Them?
“If the Democrats act like the country hasn’t voiced a judgment, if they try to ram this through, there will be an explosion the likes of which we haven’t seen. It will be a supreme act of insularity. Sometimes you can get away with running directly against public opinion, but it is a very risky maneuver. Show humility, Democrats, there is some chance that American voters may not be complete idiots.” (David Brooks, NYT, 1/19/2010)
Voice of Reason
"We shouldn't show the arrogance of not getting the message here," said liberal Rep. Anthony Weiner, a Democrat, contending independents had turned against the bill and the Democratic base had lost its enthusiasm. "I don't think it would be the worst thing to take a step back" and turn the focus to jobs, in conjunction with scaled-back health care goals. (WSJ, 1/20/2010)
Well, it looks to RedStateVT like the Dem party hasn’t yet fully processed the message being sent by the American voter. Not to worry, we can try this again come November!
Here’s a cross-section of Dem suggestions on how to proceed:
Damn the Torpedoes!
“Senator Bill Nelson, Democrat of Florida, said Wednesday that the Senate health care bill still looked good to him. And he said Mr. Obama should press the House to adopt it.” (NYT, 1/20/2010)
It’s the Messenger, Not the Message
“Ms. Coakley’s defeat, in a state that Mr. Obama won in 2008 with 62 percent of the vote, led to a round of finger-pointing among Democrats. Some criticized her tendency for gaffes…….while others criticized a lackluster, low-key campaign.” (NYT, 1/20/2010)
We Need to Pass This Stupid Bill
“I only have one thought, which is that the Democrats should pass the health care bill now. If that means having the House pass the Senate version, fine. Even the stupid parts. Even the part about how Nebraska doesn’t have to pay its share of the Medicaid bills, which is so ridiculous that even Nebraskans are embarrassed.” (Gail Collins, NYT, 1/19/2010)
Don’t Those Idiots Know We’re Trying to Help Them?
“If the Democrats act like the country hasn’t voiced a judgment, if they try to ram this through, there will be an explosion the likes of which we haven’t seen. It will be a supreme act of insularity. Sometimes you can get away with running directly against public opinion, but it is a very risky maneuver. Show humility, Democrats, there is some chance that American voters may not be complete idiots.” (David Brooks, NYT, 1/19/2010)
Voice of Reason
"We shouldn't show the arrogance of not getting the message here," said liberal Rep. Anthony Weiner, a Democrat, contending independents had turned against the bill and the Democratic base had lost its enthusiasm. "I don't think it would be the worst thing to take a step back" and turn the focus to jobs, in conjunction with scaled-back health care goals. (WSJ, 1/20/2010)
Well, it looks to RedStateVT like the Dem party hasn’t yet fully processed the message being sent by the American voter. Not to worry, we can try this again come November!
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