Steele: Palin's Talk Of A "Death Panel" Is "Perfectly Appropriate"
RNC Chairman Michael Steele just appeared on the Neil Cavuto show, where he endorsed Sarah Palin's accusation that President Obama will set up "death panels" to decide who is worthy or not of medical care.
"Well I think it's proper," said Steele, when Cavuto asked him about Palin's remarks, "because it's in the context of what people are seeing in some of the legislation that's floating around out there. When you're talking about panels that are gonna be imposed, that will be making life-and-death decisions, that will be making decisions about whether or not you get health care or don't receive health care, I think that's perfectly appropriate."
Now how you characterize it is a matter of interpretation," he then added, "but it doesn't change the fact that buried within a lot of this legislation is stuff that's fairly onerous."
As an example of another onerous provision, he said that the government will have access to people's financial information. For more information on this other right-wing talking point, check out Zack Roth's debunking of it.


















Of course it is, if you're Captain coo coo bananas.
August 12, 2009 4:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
Not exactly like I would have put it but alas, very much correct. Palin's stupidity is showing through. And amazing how my party is so enthralled with her non-intelligent statements. This sort of drivel touches on very serious matters and listening to such a light weight intellectual can be hazardous to your health and to your comfort during that end of life period we all must face. My advice is to talk to your doctor and then if you need more information, get some reliable end of life counseling that includes this subject but also self care assessments, a medical evaluation, and a discussion of safety issues for end of life if you chose to stay at home. All of this is helpful to any patient who is at this stage in their life.
August 13, 2009 3:00 AM | Reply | Permalink
Grassley's jumping on the deather bandwagon as well.
Tell me again why Dems need his support for a bill?
August 12, 2009 4:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sigh. I remember a time when news media would actually try to expose blatant lies like this.
August 12, 2009 5:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
Um, this was on Fox. Their goal is promote blatant lies.
August 12, 2009 5:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
This nonsense has been repeated by Palin, Gingrich and others ad nauseum. Isn't anyone going to call them on it? ANYONE?
August 12, 2009 5:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
What do you mean "isn't anyone going to call them on it?"? I have seen and heard plenty of news sources with broad distributions (NY Times, WaPo, NPR, CNN) point out that the claim is bogus. The problem is (and peer-reviewed research has demonstrated this) that when you repeat a lie, even to point out that it is a lie, you end up reinforcing the lie. That is, when you say "this is bunk - there are no 'death panels' in this bill" on national t.v., there are many people who come away from that hearing nothing more than "death panels," and thus you end up reinforcing, not debunking, the error. In other words, the media are doing their jobs on this one - the problem is simply that in so doing they are making things even worse.
August 12, 2009 5:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Except when it's debunked, it's usually on page 12 below the fold. It's time news media stop abdicating their responsibility to inform and stop trying to be "balanced" by giving equal weight to truth and blatant falsehood.
"Some people say" there will be death panels.
"Some people say" Obama was born in Ethiopia.
"Some people say" the moon is made of green cheese.
Whatever happened to journalistic integrity? The right is playing them for fools.
August 12, 2009 6:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
You leave out "Some highly questionable claims that could prove damaging to Obama", or verbiage to that effect that appeared in yesterday's Times, in the very first paragraph, on the front page.
August 12, 2009 7:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yep, I saw that, and it made me want to spit.
I only hope that Grassley's backstabbing has convinced Obama that those people are not his friends, and that this bipartisanship quest is going to pull him backward, not forward. If Republicans ever decide that they really want to work in a bipartisan manner, let them bring an offer to the table. Until then, forget them.
August 13, 2009 12:59 AM | Reply | Permalink
Late to reply.
It's an interesting balance that he's trying to strike. If it weren't' for the fact that he actually got elected president, I'd say the chances were tiny that he'd actually succeed. But oddly enough, I'm more optimistic now than I was two weeks ago.
Grassley, Conrad and Baucus must be wondering what they can do to hang onto their insurance buddies.
August 15, 2009 1:47 AM | Reply | Permalink
If someone hears on the teevee that "there are no Death Panels, that's just totally ridiculous", and comes away thinking "Death Panels", the problem isn't the media, the problem is, they're stupid.
August 13, 2009 9:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
He was on Fox, what do you want? Fair & Balanced?
August 12, 2009 5:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Two faced liar! I bet you wouldn't say that shit in an interview with Essence magazine.
August 12, 2009 5:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Steele must have an eye on the veep spot on the 2012 Palin ticket.
August 12, 2009 5:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
Say it isn't so! That's Bachmann's spot.
August 12, 2009 5:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
Michael Steele is attempting to subvert the Democratic process in this country. I would put him on par with other terrorists groups who hold the same ideals.
August 12, 2009 5:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
I assume by "Terroist Groups" you mean the healthcare shout-down mobs/Birther/Teabaggers
August 12, 2009 5:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
With his party spending all their time getting the racists all worked up, I'm suprised that Steele is out there saying anything.
August 12, 2009 5:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Steele and his fellow traitors have learned that today's "liberal media" will never fact-check you or call you on an obvious fabrication... or, indeed, engage in any of what used to be called "investigative journalism".
But why would they? That stuff is so expensive, and it can ruin the kinds of friendships that guarantee your network "access", not to mention advertising...
Our society is broken. There is literally no mainstream outlet by which the average American can get any good information... and half the populace doesn't even know what "good information" means, so convinced are they that convictions derive from passion rather than fact.
August 12, 2009 5:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama is wasting time. I know you all agree, but as long as the GOP has the airwaves, we're all in trouble. He should have a town hall every day between now and August 24 (and he should cancel that trip to the Vineyard, too). But, my hunch is that he thinks guys like Baucus, Nelson and others will line up. He's wrong. He better have a lot more than three town halls - or we're all in trouble.
You can't give wingnuts unfettered access to the airwaves and then complain when the press covers their assertions and you're out holding teas for Sotomayor.
August 12, 2009 5:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh I love this:
"As an example of another onerous provision, he said that the government will have access to people's financial information. "
I guess that he hasn't heard of the IRS, which has access to everyone's financial information. LOL. Oh, I forgot, Republicans don't pay taxes...
August 12, 2009 5:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
You know, as an African American, I've been appalled by
Steele's performance as chairman of the RNC. Instead of leading by example, he's chosen to be a lawn jockey for the republican party. He makes me sick.
August 12, 2009 5:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Is it just me or do the Dems chances improve every time he opens his mouth?
August 12, 2009 5:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm really just not so sure. I would love to have that much confidence in the American voter but I'm just not convinced that folks are able to see through all this. My dad is a Republican and so obviously predisposed to believing their spin but he is also a very intelligent man and even he has fallen for some of this utter nonsense.
August 12, 2009 6:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
Not to mention the Patriot Act. These people are just plain stupid and Michael Steele leads the pack. He is trying to out Uncle Tom Clearence "Uncle" Thomas. They should both feel like idiots!
August 12, 2009 5:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
I know we've all gotten so cynical that we think this is funny. And it would be if it weren't so damn serious. There's only two parties in this country folks and the head of one of them just signed on to support a patently false conspiracy theory. How do we run a country with the opposition party engaging in completely dishonest debate? Are they completely incapable and unwilling to use their own ideas about why they think this is a bad idea that they need to resort to making shit up?!?! And these folks are given oodles of airtime to spout their nonsense is terrifying.
So take a step back and see what it says that the freakin' head of the Republican Party just got on national television and knowingly promoted a deceiptfully-fabricated, fear-mongering conspiracy theory. I thought I was realistic about things these days but clearly I have more to wake up to.
August 12, 2009 5:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
The worst part is, guess which of the following two headlines will appear in tomorrow's paper:
STEELE: OBAMA TO SET UP DEATH PANELS
STEELE LIES HIS ASS OFF
August 12, 2009 6:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
That whirring sound you just heard is the sound of Dwight Eisenhower spinning in his grave.
August 12, 2009 6:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hey, because some folks here are firmly entrenched into the worldview of a monolithic Republican voter, who listens to all the crap that's being said, let's get some reality checks.
First, the number of people who identify themselves as Republicans is way down. Which means polls of Republicans in which crazy opinions that have already been proven false are held as true are polling a smaller group than 4 years ago, and a much more die-hard one.
Second, as we know from Obama's election, the majority of people in the U.S. are actually rather moderate, wanting incremental change, and not believing crazy stuff because crazy stuff requires too much anger or credulity than most people can muster.
When I talk to various Republicans I know, all of whom voted for Obama, all of whom had never voted for a Democrat before in their lives (some of them over 50 to 60 years), they continue to express dismay that Palin is taken seriously; that private matters of religion are being encoded into law (even with their own staunch beliefs, sometimes); and the conspiracy nuttiness.
I don't have a scientific sample, but I'm regularly surprised by this gang of relatives, parents' friends, and a few peers.
The amount of pandering that's going on is chasing a subset of independents and Republicans, even if it's a good hunk of remaining Republicans.
August 12, 2009 6:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Onerous information"?, like every breath this guy breathes....this guy isn't even trying to look like he just got a reach around from Neil during the 5 minute commercial break earlier sponsored by their favorite insurance companies. I mean, i love watchin Sarah Palin servin up hotdogs in the background,..that's the sexiest thing Fox has had on all day but characterizing Health Consulting as Hitler's Death Panels, that's not news Neil,...that's Stupid.
August 12, 2009 6:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Isn't willfully deceiving your constituency considered fraud? I agree with the comment on the media. Personally I'm advising people to read politifact or factcheck instead of MSM.
August 12, 2009 6:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Why does the MSM have to defer and outsource calling something clearly false an actual lie??
August 12, 2009 7:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
True indeed. Especially when the "experts" they bring in are just the same talking heads. I noticed CNN referring to Politifact and I thought the same thing. They were also laughing and joking about the FALSE icons, yet made no intention to wrap up the issue either. That's what we get with tabloid journalism apparently. They're more interested in ad revenue and ratings then they are with a truly free press.
August 12, 2009 7:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
Could you imagine how Abe Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, Walter Cronkite and Edward R. Murrow looking down at this circus feel about the groups they used to represent.
August 13, 2009 9:15 AM | Reply | Permalink
So if the GOP succeeds in defeating health reform AGAIN, do they run in 2010 & 2012 as being the party that defeated your access to more affordable health care for more people??
August 12, 2009 7:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
First appointment to the Obama Death Panel.
See:
http://notionscapital.wordpress.com/2009/08/09/paula-abdul-named-to-obama-death-panel/
August 12, 2009 7:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Is Cavuto going to use the same bullshit excuse that El Fatso, the Rodeo Clown and Sean Haircut all use when they spread lies and hate to their woefully ill-informed and misguided followers?
"But I'm an entertainer..."
August 12, 2009 7:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
Steele means that this is perfectly appropriate if your not the other 85% of the country whom knows it's total BS. Also, if I remember correctly, doesn't Steele still have some shady money issues of his own concerning diverting campaign funds to his family? That would explain his other faux paranoia.
Not to worry though he'll be beating a different dead horse soon. (not a reference to Sarah)
August 12, 2009 10:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Palin left office so she could make batshit crazy comments and make a lot of money doing it without having to be held accountable to the public.
August 12, 2009 10:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
The GOP is very good at projection and Grassley's repeating this bullshit shows the importance of bipartisanship.
August 13, 2009 8:07 AM | Reply | Permalink
Par for the course. You folks are a good exposition of why you're losing the argument. Do any of you acknowledge that the Independent Medicare Advisory Council, (IMAC) review board determining what treatments are effective and which aren't, can be viewed as a "death panel"?
No. Apparently the best you can do is weep and wail about the inadequacies of your fellow citizens in terms as disgusting as you can muster. Which pretty much cements the idea that you folks are trying to railroad something bad on the unsuspecting.
And you are.
Keep up the good work.
August 13, 2009 8:22 AM | Reply | Permalink
Right. Because no private health insurance company has anyone deciding which treatments are effective and what they will pay for.
August 13, 2009 8:53 AM | Reply | Permalink
As long as its a "Market-Based" death panel its fine. Clearly if profit is the motivator then there is no problem...
August 13, 2009 9:39 AM | Reply | Permalink
Dear Sarah Palin; The Death Panel Already Exists, and People Have Already Been Judged, an open letter.
On May 30, 1996 Linda Peeno testified before congress that she was responsible for the death of a man by denying him life saving care. She testified that no one held her accountable, and instead, she was rewarded with a six figure raise.
How dare you Mrs. Palin, how dare you accuse a possible solution to this problem with the monstrously sick crime that is already taking place. Everyday your fellow Americans are being put before panels that will decide their fate. Only they never get to see the faces of the people that hold their fate, and they get no appeals. They are powerless, vulnerable, and they need our help. They are, our neighbors, our friends, our lovers, and our children, and we the people, that are stuck in this broken system demand to be given a way out. Obama promised us change to a broken health care system, and we yelled, cheered, and with the power of our vote put, not only him, but his entire party into majority power status. They know what we want, they know that we put them there, and they know we can replace them. They answer to us, we the people.
However you are lucky, or rather your son is. If tragedy should take you, and your husband away from this world, and from Trig, he would be taken care of. His food, shelter, cloths, and medical expenses would all become covered under social security, and medicare. He would most likely spend the rest of his life in a group home with people much like himself, and a 24 hour nursing staff who will not only take care of him, but will spend time with him, play with him, and laugh with him. Social security is the safety net for all people like Trig, and it is a government run, publicly funded, system that has lasted 74 years. Would a private, or public enterprise whose sole purpose is to make a profit take care of Trig? Or would they put him before a panel? I think we both know the answer to that question. So why are you advocating in favor of the panel for so many of your fellow Americans?
A fellow American;
Keith.J.Lemire
August 13, 2009 3:24 PM | Reply | Permalink