Dems Slam Toomey For Seeking Repeal Of Health Care Bill

Democrats aren't relenting in their push to corner Republicans on the question of whether they think health care reform should be repealed, and Senate hopeful Pat Toomey is the latest on their list.

Recently, Toomey, beloved by the conservative base, said a move to reverse the coming reforms will be hard, but necessary. "We have to repeal very substantial parts of it and that's not going to be easy," he said. "I'm not sitting here predicting that a president who signs this into law in 2010 is likely to sign a repeal in 2011."

That's earned him a swift rebuke from Senate Democrats.

"Pat Toomey has stood in the way of meaningful health care reform for Pennsylvanians since day one," reads a statement from Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Communications Director Eric Schultz. "Pat Toomey ought to be honest with Pennsylvanians and tell them which portions of this bill he will pledge to repeal. Will he pledge to repeal coverage for 1.3 million Pennsylvanians, the ban on denial of coverage based on pre-existing conditions, or will he pledge to repeal the whole bill? He owes voters and explanation now."

Conservative groups and activists are demanding that congressional Republicans pledge to repeal health care reform legislation if voters return them to power in 2010 or 2012, forcing Republicans to choose between taking a politically risky stance, and rallying their base.

As I reported last week, Democrats aren't just using the issue as a rhetorical wedge. They're also successfully raising money for Senate Democratic hopefuls off of the threat of repeal.