Former Sen. Hagel: GOP being 'irresponsible' on healthcare

[kpete]

Source: The Hill


Former Sen. Hagel: GOP being 'irresponsible' on healthcare
By Michael O'Brien - 10/23/09 11:39 AM ET

Republican senators trying to kill healthcare reform have acted irresponsibly, one of their former colleagues asserted.

Former Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) chided some of his former colleagues who have suggested that halting healthcare reform would be politically beneficial to the GOP.

"If your attitude is wrong, if your intention is to use healthcare to destroy the other party, or to destroy the presidency of Barack Obama, then it's very unlikely you're going to find much consensus from people who want to use healthcare," Hagel said earlier this month in a speech at the University of Michigan, video of which was only made available recently.

"As some Republican senators have said publicly -- that if we kill Obama on this, and we destroy this, and we defeat his, that will drive a stake through his political heart on this administration," the former senator, who retired at the end of his term in January, added. "I just find that about as irresponsible of a thing as I can think of."

Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/64511-...

[bluestateguy]

1. Gee that does so much good now

A washed up senator who can't actually vote on any bill says "Gosh, Republicans should reconsider".

I'm touched.

[Inuca]

3. Did you just come up with the snark

or maybe actually read the article or God forbid watched the speech?

[xchrom]

2. ya couldn't have said that sooner? nt

[quiet.american]

4. I didn't like Hagel because it looked like he'd pulled a Bush to get "elected," but....

.... I have to say that his actions -- from getting Obama's back during his Mid-East tour during the presidential campaign, to speaking out in this manner now, is making it harder for me to remain a "hater."

[Inuca]

5. I watched the speech

lots of other interesting stuff, about Afghanistan and so much more. Glad to see Hagel is still out there and I wish he still was in the Senate.

[Honeycombe8]

12. Me, too. So I'm guessin' the avg. Repub hates him. Like they hate McCain. nt

[niceypoo]

6. Limbaugh and Beck have too much power over republicans

The party itself has lost control. Limbaugh and Beck are all about making money for themselves, thus they wont stop the crazy nonsense because it makes them richer and more powerful. It is a lose, lose situation for the GOP. It is a sweet catch 22 for the Democrats.

Rock, meet hard place.

[Uncle Joe]

7. Hagel is correct but their negligence is systemic and long term to their party, because

they don't care about the people.

Corporate supremacy, personal power and blood money profits are all that matter to the Republican Party, any cultural issue they strongly support is merely for divide and conquers purposes.

Thanks for the thread, kpete.

[Beavker]

8. I'd rather have Hagel then Nelson I think

Wish he'd jump back in. Seems he's a good replacement (even if GOP) or at least a good balance to Nelson. Both seem to be largely in bed with the other party.

[SlingBlade]

9. Hey, It's one more voice of reason in this

sea of propaganda. I'm sure that President Obama appreciates any support he can get

As for the Freeptard Republican strategy of no.
Congressmen Greyson nailed it when he said that if President Obama had a BLT the night before
Republicans would be complaining about bacon the next day.

K & R

[DireStrike]

10. Butbutbut nobody could WANT healthcare! That's lazy and unamerican!

If Hagel thinks americans want healthcare, he is wrong. No true american enjoys receiving benefits.

[Gently Used Deal]

11. Hagels and Cream Cheese

It's always the retired ones that grow a conscience BUT

The Dems responsible for crafting this legislation didn't build it to provide the best healthcare to every American, they crafted it, and pre-compromised it, to cover their own asses. In that light, the GOP attempts to destroy it for a political victory are not so out of context.

This is a time for epic, bank bailouting, Afghanistan sticking bravery. This is the time for big thinking 20th century dems, not small thinking, ass covering 21st century models.

Who would trust anyone to provide healthcare who appeared so mealy mouthed and unsure? It's freaking INCREDIBLE that the support for the public option is so hi, given our total inability to commit to it.

Good think FDR didn't offer a social security option as part of his mostly new deal.

Legacies and majorities aren't built on ass covering.