Flashback to Jan. 20 2010 "The Health Care Bill Is Dead" - Fred Barnes

[yellowcanine]

The Health Care Bill Is Dead
And other repercussions of Scott Brown's victory in Massachusetts.
BY Fred Barnes
January 20, 2010 1:30 AM

http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/health-care-bill-dead


(I know, pointing out the political wrongheadedness of Fred Barnes is like the New York Yankees taking on a Little League team, but still, I could not resist)

[Jennicut]

1. Well, even some people here thought it was dead. I am glad Pelosi

encouraged Obama to go for it.

[yellowcanine]

3. Barnes didn't just THINK it was dead - "Oh, yes. The health care bill, ObamaCare, is dead with not

the slightest prospect of resurrection."

When someone goes on record with a statement like that and the opposite result is realized, it is time for some serious crow eating. Of course I am sure that Fred will say something in his own defense to the effect that he had no idea that Obama, Pelosi and Reid were willing to trash the Constitution, etc. etc. to pass health care reform. The crow will remain uneaten no doubt.

[Berry Cool]

5. Wow. How many ways is that article wrong, huh?

It's so funny. He makes the huge mistake of assuming the votes of independents in Massachusetts reflect the opinions of independents across the country--and, of course, he imagines independents as hating government spending above all other sins. Silly rabbit. If independents hated government spending above all else, they wouldn't be independents, they'd be Republicans. But they're not. They're not Dems, but they're not Republicans, either, and their votes for one don't make them Republicans. He might do well to consider why that is. (Oh, and isn't the irony of Massachusetts that it was a Republican who cooked up their health care plan?)

Second, he assumes that the Brown victory is proof that the whole country is turning against Dems. Waaaay too much to assume from one election result in one state.

Third, he praises Mitch McChinless to the skies for keeping Republicans united as the Party of No, but assumes the Brown victory will frighten House Dems into dropping their votes for the bill. Poor Nancy Pelosi, she's just wrong--she doesn't have the votes! LOL! And fourth, he assumes the Senate's support of it is toast. Once again, he assumes waaaay too much based on one election result in one state.

If anything, the Brown victory was a wake-up call and a blessing in disguise for Dems. It made them realize that yeah, if they didn't really get their asses in gear and find a way to do what the people wanted them to do, no, the bill would NOT pass. So they better get their asses in gear and find a way to get 'er done. And they did.

The GOP thinks they can still make the threat that "the American people don't want this rammed down their throats" and "if you pass it, you will suffer landslide losses in November just like this one." And for once, instead of trembling and shaking and saying "You're right, we'll forget it, sorry we ever mentioned it," the Dems looked them back in the eye and said "Like hell."

So much for this "weakened president" who "can't deliver."

Oh, but he couldn't get the Olympics for Chicago, so he's weak. I forgot. LOL.

[ClarkUSA]

6. I'm glad the President never wavered; Pelosi reinforced his opinion, though, in the debate w/Rahm.

Rahm's job as chief of staff is to offer alternatives.

Also, Pres. Obama's bipartisan HCR summit -- a great idea that many Democrats, including Pelosi, were unsure about -- gave her the breathing space to rally the House votes necessary.

Obama likes listening to differing opinions a la Team of Rivals, then he picks whatever policy opinion he believes is best, which usually is the one he possessed all along. This approach goes for foreign policy, as well.

[Cha]

8. Hey, me too! When he wasn't working

in front..he was behind the scenes working ..like a lot of people. We all did this together..with our Fearless Leader.:)

:hi:

[RonSunn]

2. I have noticed old fred MIA

From these expert panels faux news keep spouting on its "talking points" shows?

[Ikonoklast]

14. He was admitted to a hospital last Tuesday with a serious case of

...crow poisoning.

[RaleighNCDUer]

4. The health care bill is dead.

Long live the health insurance support bill.

[tridim]

7. It's stunning that you still don't understand what this law is.

At this point it's nothing more than willful ignorance.

[Cha]

9. You got it..willful ignorance.

[RaleighNCDUer]

10. It's another great Democratic victory

created by Republicans.

Just like NAFTA.

And just like NAFTA it will be 10 years before we see what it has REALLY done in the long term.

[tridim]

11. Yes, that's exactly what the willfully ignorant tend to say about HCR.

Don't bother replying, you're on ignore now.

[RaleighNCDUer]

12. Truth hurts. nt

[WI_DEM]

13. Most pundits don't know their asses from a whole in the ground.