Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN), who earlier this week said repeal of health care reform is “not going to happen,” has somewhat backed off the claim. Corker told the Weekly Standard today that he meant it won’t happen until at least 2012.
“I think a lot of people are talking about this election cycle generating results that will repeal it,” he said. “It’s an issue as simple math. I mean as long as Obama’s [president], it takes 67 votes in the Senate for that to occur.”
But he suggested that Republicans may try to thwart the law other ways in the meantime.
“Repeal is not happening in 2011,” Corker says, “So what is it we can do as a country to keep this [reform law] from wreaking havoc?”
As far as repeal, he wouldn’t go so far as to predict the bill will be repealed once President Obama is out of office, or commit to trying for repeal.
“I certainly hope we end up with a Republican president, I certainly hope we end up with majorities on both sides [of Congress]. … I guess we’re saying the same thing. I mean surely people aren’t going to be waiting on their hands for the prospect that something might occur in 2012, which we all hope happens, OK?” he said.
The Standard asked Corker whether, if he decides to run for re-election in 2012, he’ll run on repeal.
“I try not to get into mottoes,” he said. “To me, the challenge is what do we do now?”
