Boehner To PhRMA's Tauzin: In Both War And Policy, Appeasement Doesn't Work
An angry John Boehner has sent a heat-seeking missive to a former caucus mate: former GOP Rep, and current PhRMA president Billy Tauzin.
In the letter, which Boehner forwarded to the executives of PhRMA's member companies, the House Minority Leader charges that PhRMA's alliance with the White House on health care reform amounts to appeasement. "Appeasement rarely works as a conflict resolution strategy," Boehner writes. "The simple truth is, two wrongs don't make a right. And the short-sighted health care deal PhRMA struck with the Obama Administration at your urging provides confirmation of this time-tested maxim on an epic and tragic scale."
You can read the entire letter here. It comes as the relationship between the White House and PhRMA has soured slightly.
"The Obama Administration tacitly acknowledged last week that the President will not be bound by the $80 billion limit PhRMA and its board of directors were led to believe had been secured in exchange for your organization's support of the Administration's health care takeover," Boehner writes, "and key Democrats...have said explicitly they will not honor the agreement."
Boehner may be trying to touch a vestigial party-faithful nerve in the erstwhile Republican--referring to him as "Billy" and asking him to choose between his adopted party and the Democrats, which he abandoned in the 1990s. (Tauzin was once a Blue Dog.)
But Boehner's also baiting him--casting Tauzin as the Neville Chamberlain of health care policy, and warning that his efforts to appease the Democrats will result in tragedy. Let's see if Tauzin fires back.
Josh
Matt
Eric
Brian
The only reason Boehner would write this is because he is nervous that health care would pass. Otherwise, why would he even bother.
August 18, 2009 10:03 AM | Reply | Permalink
Good to see the smell of desperation from the GOP for a change. Almost unheard of -- GOP being stiffed by industry. LOL. Whine away, Boner.
August 18, 2009 10:03 AM | Reply | Permalink
Excellent!
Hey, PhRMA: Obama's playing you for suckers - back out of that deal now, before it's too late.
Tell all your friends on Wall Street to stop trusting this administration, too; Geithner and Summers are really out to get them.
And don't forget Big Coal - tree-hugging Obama's been calling them names behind their backs.
Yep, cutting deals with this socialist administration is a losing strategy. Tell those Obamabots No Compromise!
August 18, 2009 10:20 AM | Reply | Permalink
It's sad when your paid for friends take the ball and go play on the other court with the new cool kids, even sadder once you come to the realiziation that they arent coming back either.
August 18, 2009 10:49 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yea we know the end of all appeasers and appeaser-lovers
August 18, 2009 10:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
Battlin Billy Tauzin don't need no lectures from Boner
Ain't it great!
August 18, 2009 10:55 AM | Reply | Permalink
He added: “Saving money during these difficult economic times is very important, as demonstrated by our $80 billion commitment to health care reform. But you simply can’t put a price tag on our commitment to saving lives.”
August 18, 2009 11:22 AM | Reply | Permalink
Looks like Boner gets an email from Billy's spokesmodel
August 18, 2009 11:23 AM | Reply | Permalink
Does anyone still think it was a bad idea for Obama to cut a deal with PhRMA? Anything that gets Republicans that upset must be good.
August 18, 2009 12:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, I do. Agreeing that one cannot negotiate price with a vendor is STILL insane.
August 18, 2009 1:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
I suspect a back-room deal between OrangeGuy and Billy the Shill; Boehner whines publicly as Tauzin works his covert plans to make the bill meaningless in terms of reducing drug costs effectively.
August 27, 2009 8:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
well, I hope Boner's constituents now realize who's side he is on.
"Let's see, PhRAM or the people of Ohio's (?) District. That's pretty easy, PhRMA!"
August 18, 2009 12:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
I understand the original version of the letter was addressed, "From One Toad to Another."
August 18, 2009 12:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Billy Tauzin was a corrupt, self centered Congressman. When the Repugs took control of Congress in 94 he switched parties from Democrat to Republican and got a committee or sub committee chair. Tauzin, Repug Cong. Jim Greenwood and Repug Tom Scully Medicare Administrator were negotiating with the health care industry for lucrative jobs as they were putting together the Medicare Prescription Drug Bill.
I say to Obama; If you dance with the devil, you change, he doesn't.
August 18, 2009 1:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Exactly.
August 18, 2009 1:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
That's right Boner, someone has to put an end to the possibility of lower drug prices for our seniors! Glad we can count on you to take a stand for the status quo.
August 18, 2009 1:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
Boehner is on an around the world "junket" with a group of other repukes and possibly their wives. They left right after the house recessed......how can someone who is on a golf course or half way around the world have time to write this? Some staffer wrote it.
Boehner is the guy that bitches about pork yet thinks nothing of taking off on an all expense paid trip to the far flung corners of the earth. I know Cantor is with him and several others. This was widely reported last week....especially by Politico with no criticism whatsoever.
August 18, 2009 2:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
Boehner is on an around the world "junket" with a group of other repukes and possibly their wives. They left right after the house recessed......how can someone who is on a golf course or half way around the world have time to write this? Some staffer wrote it.
Boehner is the guy that bitches about pork yet thinks nothing of taking off on an all expense paid trip to the far flung corners of the earth. I know Cantor is with him and several others. This was widely reported last week....especially by Politico with no criticism whatsoever.
August 18, 2009 2:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Tell all your friends on Wall Street to stop trusting this administration, too; Geithner and Summers are really out to get them.
And don't forget Big Coal - tree-hugging Obama's been calling them names behind their backs.
Yep, cutting deals with this socialist administration is a losing strategy. Tell those Obamabots No Compromise!
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June 6, 2010 7:36 AM | Reply | Permalink