Obama: ‘The Insurance Companies Aren’t Starting Over’
In this weekend’s YouTube address, President Obama promoted his push for a final vote in Congress on health care reform, and rebutted Republican claims that he should start over.
“Now, despite all the progress and improvements we’ve made, Republicans in Congress insist that the only acceptable course on health care is to start over. But you know what? The insurance companies aren’t starting over,” said Obama. “I just met with some of them on Thursday and they couldn’t give me a straight answer as to why they keep arbitrarily and massively raising premiums – by as much as 60% in states like Illinois. If we do not act, they will continue to do this. They will continue to drop people’s coverage when they need it. They will continue to refuse coverage based on pre-existing conditions. These practices will continue.”
Griffith: ‘I realized That A Voice Of Dissent And A Vote Of Conscience Was Not Enough’
In this weekend’s Republican address, Rep. Parker Griffith (R-AL) — who switched from the Democrats to the Republicans in December — lambasted his former party’s agenda on health care, and spoke of his own switch to the opposition party.
“Even as public opposition continued to rise, Democrats refused to let up, stuffing these bills with sweetheart deals for lawmakers and giveaways to Washington special interests,” said Griffith
“Given all that’s at stake, I realized that being a voice of dissent and a vote of conscience was not enough. Shortly before Christmas, after much thought and prayer, I decided to align myself with House Republicans, who have stood on principle to fight this big-government agenda and offer better solutions to the challenges facing our country.”
CBO Estimates Show Grim Deficit Picture
New estimates from the Congressional Budget Office paint an even worse fiscal picture for the country than the Obama administration’s estimates. The CBO projects that deficits over the next ten years under the Obama budget plans will total $9.8 trillion, which is $1.2 trillion more than the administration’s predictions.
DNC Chair Kaine: Our Goal Is To Change Policy, Politics, Tone
Democratic National Committee Chairman Tim Kaine told the Associated Press that his job as DNC chairman, with the party in power, is different from Howard Dean’s job when the party was out of power. “Our goal is to help this president accomplish the change that he campaigned on, and it’s a change in policy but also in politics, tone, the way things are done, the way Washington works,” said Kaine.
Hillary Clinton: The Administration Strongly Opposes Armenian Genocide Resolution
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has declared the Obama administration’s opposition to a pending House resolution declaring the World War I-era killing of Armenians to have been a genocide, a resolution that has been strongly objected to by the Turkish government. “The Obama administration strongly opposes the resolution that was passed by only one vote in the House committee and will work very hard to make sure it does not go to the House floor,” said Clinton.
Chavez Insults Clinton As ‘Blond Condoleezza’
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has blasted Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, on her trip through Latin America. “To me, she’s like Condoleezza Rice … a blond Condoleezza,” said Chavez, also adding: “She comes to Brazil to provoke us, to try and divide us from our brothers.”
Scott Brown Sends Fundraising E-Mail: ‘I Will Be The #1 Target’
Roll Call reports that Sen. Scott Brown (R-MA) is already sending out fundraising e-mails urgently campaigning for his 2012 re-election campaign, although he in fact has $6 million left over in the bank from his special election. “I will need help in the coming 2012 re-election. Because I won office in a Special Election, I will face re-election in less than three short years. I don’t have the luxury of a six year term like most newly-elected Senators!” Brown writes. “That, coupled with the fact that I will be the #1 target of both the one-party political machine in Massachusetts and liberals all over this country, means we must lay the groundwork now for a winning re-election campaign.”
