At meeting with Obama, GOP leaders were ‘unprepared’ to make any ‘concessions’ on health care.

[jefferson_dem]

At meeting with Obama, GOP leaders were ‘unprepared’ to make any ‘concessions’ on health care.

On Sunday, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) wrote in Politico that “health reform should be developed through a bipartisan process,” echoing the demands of Republicans who have complained about President Obama’s bipartisan outreach. Yet at a meeting with Obama last month — after the President offered some concessions on health reform — Time’s Karen Tumulty reports that GOP lawmakers refused to compromise at all:

So, right there in the Cabinet Room, the President put a proposal on the table, according to two people who were present. Obama said he was willing to curb malpractice awards, a move long sought by the Republicans and certain to bring strong opposition from the trial lawyers who fund the Democratic Party.

What, he wanted to know, did the Republicans have to offer in return? Nothing, it turned out. Republicans were unprepared to make any concessions, if they had any to make.

As ThinkProgress noted yesterday, the GOP’s National Council — a recent effort to “rebrand” the party — offered no new ideas on health care at a retreat this weekend, instead attacking a “government takeover” of health care.

http://thinkprogress.org/2009/05/05/bipartisanship-health-care-gop/

[FSogol]

1. Looks like the GOP "branding" has worked!

They are the party of no. No ideas, no integrity, no shame, and no clue.

[Happyhippychick]

2. Party of No strikes again. Enjoy your 40 seats assholes, we don't need you!

[Triana]

3. Howard Dean said.....

(and I'm using my own words not his but this is essentially what he said and I agree with it)....Americans expect and deserve health care reform. Obama promised it before he eas elected. His administration will deliver it. If the Republicans want to help - then let them offer some help/alternatives/suggestions - something besides just narcissitic 6-year old obstinance and "NO!".

But if that is all they have to offer (obstinance/"NO!") then Obama and the Dems can and will carry on with the promises he made to the people and the change the people want. And Republicans, meanwhile, will get NO credit for having done a thing to reform health care except have angry childish hissy-fits about it.

Sounds good to me.

[jaxx]

4. I saw Dean on the Ed show yesterday and he was great!

Also said there will be a public option because we already have it with medicare.

edit>> he said public health ins option/single payer, here is the video:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/30567178#30567178

[Triana]

5. He was great on the MoveOn call last night too - said the same stuff

I just LOVE that he's helping us with this!

[jaxx]

6. Me too, he doesn't pull any punches.

[OHdem10]

7. The GOP does not see HealthCare as a function of the Government

Any social program is anathema to a believer in Small Government.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

12. But crawling into people's bedrooms, now THAT is a function of government!

[old mark]

17. They do see it as a function of government when it is THEIR PERSONAL

health care - they don't care about anyone but themselves.

mark

[Arugula Latte]

8. I am "unprepared" to ever vote for a Republican in my lifetime. nt

[DrToast]

9. That's okay. The Dems are willing to make enough concessions for both of them!

Cowards.

[harun]

10. Fine, bring H.R. 676 up for a vote and make them vote against it.

[Overseas]

11. I'm glad they brought nothing. I don't want GOP compromises in the plan.

I want single payer non-profit healthcare for all.

But sure, leave the option of private insurance in there for the GOP. Let them all keep their privatized health care. At least that will leave the insurance industry with 25% of the American public to purchase their fabulously expensive plans.

GOP Rebranding = Go-P = Go-Private ?

[SemiCharmedQuark]

13. Oh well, Obama tried. Tough shit for the GOP if they don't like the outcome.

[WI_DEM]

14. Ok, then fuck 'em.

[polmaven]

15. The only concession they asre EVER

prepared to make is that the president will do it their way....100%

[Peacetrain]

16. posted in wrong thread..

nevermind