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Birther to Give GOP Response to Obama's Health Care Speech?
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The official response to President Obama's big health care speech tonight will come from Rep. Charles Boustany (R-LA). That makes sense on some levels--Boustany is a fairly senior member on the House Ways and Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over health care, and, in a previous life, he was a practicing cardiac surgeon. But on another level, it's a very questionable move. Several weeks ago, Boustany had a run-in with Mike Stark of Firedoglake. Fast forward about 27 seconds in.
Stark asks, "What do you personally believe though, I mean, do you think there's a question here [about Obama's birth certificate]?
Boustany's response? "I think there are questions. We'll have to see."
That's not the birtheriest statement we've seen out of an elected official, but it at least rises to the level of flirtation with birtherism. An interesting choice to be the new face of GOP opposition to health care reform. Boustany's making the rounds on cable this morning. Let's see if anybody asks him about this.
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CT Voter
September 9, 2009 11:30 AM
I don't expect anyone to question him about it. No matter the crazy coming from Republicans, the media will treat it as worthy of respect.
On a sort of unrelated note: did the RNC consider the optics here? Charismatic young African-American president followed by an older white southern male?
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Zulia
September 9, 2009 12:03 PM
Last night Rachel Maddow noted that Boustany was a co-sponsor of the legislation for Medicare reimbursement for end of life issues-- you know - the "death panel" trying to pull the plug on grandma. Wonder if he'll set the record straight tonight for all those frightened Republican voters?
In addition Mr. Boustany attempted to purchase a title in order to become "Lord Boustany" several years ago -- except the title for sale was bogus and part of a scam by some Brits. Really. He wanted to be "Lord Boustany".
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CT Voter
September 9, 2009 12:28 PM in reply to Zulia
That's hilarious. Lord Boustany. For $18,000. And he's a millionaire, as well. Nothing says "I feel your pain" more than an address from a millionaire Republican nicknames "Lord Boustany"!
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slb
September 9, 2009 1:09 PM in reply to Zulia
That was my favorite part of that segment on Rachel Maddow last night, too. His defense was that it was a scam. Scam or not, what makes him look pathetic is that he was trying to buy himself a title and pass himself off as a British aristocrat.
Why does Boustany hate America?
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traitorjoe
September 9, 2009 1:02 PM
Lord Boustany, meet Sir Allen Stanford.
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atticus1104
September 9, 2009 7:40 PM
Why do Republicans insist on lying about every aspect of health care reform? It seems like they are incapable of telling the truth. Here is Senator Barrasso, a medical doctor, blatantly lying about health care premiums.
progressnotcongress.org?/P=2839
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Matt Jones
September 9, 2009 8:10 PM
Could be worse - they could have called in Palin for the occasion. After all, she can see the hospital from her house!
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