'The White House just couldn't let this go'

[DonViejo]

The inside story of how Trump and the Republicans got Obamacare repeal through the House. (Hint: It wasn't pretty.)

By RACHAEL BADE and JOSH DAWSEY 05/05/17 05:07 AM EDT

Donald Trump had had it.

The Obamacare repeal bill that the president had just boasted was on the cusp of passage was suddenly in trouble again, and the president demanded to talk to the influential congressman who dropped a bombshell hours earlier with an announcement he’d be voting “no”: Michigan Rep. Fred Upton.

Sitting in the Oval Office Tuesday evening, Trump dialed Upton in his congressional office. The president raised his voice and swore at Upton several times during a 10-minute conversation, sources familiar with the call said. But Upton stood his ground. He explained that he, like Trump, wanted to ensure people with pre-existing conditions were protected, even quoting the president verbatim talking about the need to do so.

“I am not supporting this bill without a legislative fix,” Upton said, according to a source familiar with the conversation.

Trump did not want to talk about the merits of the legislation — he didn’t care much about those specifics, senior officials said. What mattered to him was how a failed vote would hobble his presidency and the ability to get other legislation through Congress.

more
http://www.politico.com/story/2017/05/05/donald-trump-obamacare-repeal-timeline-238016

[bdamomma]

1. that last sentence says it all

What mattered to him was how a failed vote would hobble his presidency and the ability to get other legislation through Congress.


It is always about him. This man is so effing evil. I hate him really.

[PatSeg]

16. He doesn't even care what the legislation is

He has no ideology or political preferences. Just like in real estate, he now wants to slap his name on as much successful legislation as he can. This a power play game for Trump, all about winning.

[underpants]

2. Interesting details - truth be told they HAD to get this passed

It would have been incredibly embarrassing if they didn't.

[TCJ70]

10. "Had" to...

...no they didn't. They could have said, this isn't good for the country, my state, my constituents, and last of all, me.

I know that's wishful thinking from the Republicans...but it was still an option.

[Hayduke Bomgarte]

15. "thinking from the Republicans"

What an odd concept, considering they act in instant unison, like Starlings, leaving their disgusting droppings everywhere.

[SharonAnn]

18. They HAD to get this TAX CUT passed before they go to the next round of tax cuts.

Make no mistake. This is a TAX CUT called a Health Care bill.

You can tell by the negotiations that it was all about cutting cost (taxes) and how much reduction in coverage they could get away with. It wasn't about what is needed for adequate health care.

[L. Coyote]

3. ONE TRILLION DOLLAR tax cut, the rest is just window dressing.

How much in tax cuts per year will Trump and all those who voted for this get. On average about $100,000? More?

[Cha]

8. What about the middle class and poor smucks who

voted for him?

[SharonAnn]

19. One source said the top 400 earners will get $7 million in tax cuts.

[bullwinkle428]

4. Wasn't he just bragging last week about what a "details guy" he was?

[Cha]

5. Yeah and he's FUBARED in History..

Link to tweet

[dalton99a]

7. +1

[NastyRiffraff]

6. I see they're leaking again

This is a CYA.

BTW, the pic at the head of that article makes me sick. All those smug white males (maybe three women in there, hiding) and Dump raising his little hands as if in benediction.

[DonViejo]

9. The image on Paul Ryan's face...

"I did it, Daddy! I did it! Aren't you proud of me?"

[2naSalit]

12. ...

[Hekate]

20. How many women in this photo? I see...one. nt

[bdamomma]

21. they all suck

don't let these jerks get away with this. They have NO RESPECT FOR THEIR CONSTITUENTS, OR THE COUNTRY.

Damn them all, this is class warfare.

[spanone]

11. what's revealing is that none of this haggling was done on behalf of 'the people'

these fucks don't care what's in the bill. not one of them.

[bdamomma]

22. most of them

didn't even read it!!! The American people are being played by CON ARTISTS.

[Leith]

13. Odd How It Never Occurs to rethugs

That a good bill would have gone through easily, with bipartisan support.

Well, a POS bill is probably easier to slap together out of whatever they can find on the crazy compost heap while threatening individual reps to vote for it.

[BumRushDaShow]

14. He obviously doesn't understand that

his party controls "Congress". So his whining about getting something through is his party's problem.

[mahannah]

17. As an anti-Upton constituent

from Kalamazoo, Michigan, I’m certain that Mr. Upton gave not damn one as to the concerns of the voter. “Legislative fix” indeed.