"the issue isn't Pete Stark, it's the cruelty of a Republican party "

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Sat Oct-20-07 05:26 PM
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"the issue isn't Pete Stark, it's the cruelty of a Republican party "

MEDIA ADVISORY, Thursday, October 18, 2007
CONTACT: Yoni Cohen, Stark (202) 225-3202

STARK CALLS ON BOEHNER, REPUBLICANS TO RETRACT OPPOSITION TO CHILDREN'S HEALTH CARE, APOLOGIZE TO AMERICAN TROOPS AND THEIR FAMILIES

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Pete Stark (D-CA), Chairman of the Ways and Means Health Subcommittee, issued the following statement in response to a request by Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH). Boehner and 153 of his Republican colleagues today voted to uphold President Bush’s veto of Congressional legislation that would have provided health care to 10 million children.

“I have nothing but respect for our brave men and women in uniform and wish them the very best,” said Stark. “But I respect neither the Commander-in-Chief who keeps them in harms way nor the chickenhawks in Congress who vote to deny children health care.”

“Our uninsured children in America are fighting cancer, cystic fibrosis and other diseases that take their lives,” continued Stark. “Leader Boehner’s vote against overriding the President’s veto dishonors not only these children and their parents, but also the thousands of courageous men and women who President Bush and Republicans in Congress have kept in harms way. These brave men and women are in Iraq to protect our children – as should Republicans in Congress. Leader Boehner and his Republican colleagues should apologize for their votes and join us to provide health care to 10 million children.”

Excerpt of Stark's original statement (Via Atrios):

“First of all, I’m just amazed they can’t figure out, the Republicans are worried we can’t pay for insuring an additional 10 million children. They sure don’t care about finding $200 billion to fight the illegal war in Iraq. Where ya gonna get that money? You going to tell us lies like you’re telling us today? Is that how you’re going to fund the war? You don’t have money to fund the war or children. But you’re going to spend it to blow up innocent people if we can get enough kids to grow old enough for you to send to Iraq to get their heads blown off for the President’s amusement. This bill would provide healthcare for 10 million children and unlike the President’s own kids, these children can’t see a doctor or receive necessary care. <…>

From a Daily Kos diary by McJoan:

We're in a disastrous war that the American people hate and they hate the president that took us there--he's as popular now as Nixon was in Watergate days. That hated president just vetoed one of the most successful and popular health programs we've ever had, and his Republican lackeys in Congress followed him down the sinkhole. We have the 4th amendment being poised over a shredder.

The Dems are in a position to grind the Republicans into the dirt. They have been handed a silver platter loaded with political gifts: Larry Craig, Iraq, SCHIP, FISA. The Republicans are as weak as they've ever been, on the cusp of a massive breakdown. If the Dems make it happen. If they are smart enough to see this opportunity and seize it.

But every damned week, the Republicans seize the debate and the Dems follow them right down that path, led by the nose into the massive distraction effort.

So here's a few hints for them: the issue isn't Pete Stark, it's the cruelty of a Republican party that will let children go without health insurance; the issue isn't MoveOn, it's the waste of lives in an escalation of the Iraq war that achieved nothing; the issue isn't being "weak on terror," it's saving the Constitution.

It really is that simple.

SCHIP: An Urgent Vote to Protect Wounded Veterans Fails