TPMDC
Boehner: Obama's Health Care Proposal Is Too Short
President Obama speaks at a bipartisan White House gathering with Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) in the background.
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A spokesman for House Minority Leader John Boehner today ridiculed President Obama's health care proposal because it's too short.
"The White House's 'plan' consists of an 11-page outline, which has not been scored by the Congressional Budget Office or posted online as legislative text. So they want to reorganize one-sixth of the United States' economy with a document shorter than a comic book, and they're complaining that they can't find our plan on their own website? C'mon," said the spokesman, Michael Steel, in an email to reporters.
Boehner and other Republicans have attacked the Democrats' health care bills in both the House and the Senate for being too long.
"The best way to get a sense of what Speaker Pelosi's takeover of health care looks like is to actually look at it. Just shy of 2,000 pages, it runs more than 620 pages longer than the government-run plan Hillary Clinton proposed in 1993," Boehner said in the weekly Republican address in October. He also said the bill is "1,990 pages of bureaucracy."
Boehner and others have carried around copies of the bill to rallies and TV interviews to show how long it is.
After releasing Obama's proposal yesterday, the White House has attacked Republicans for not posting their proposals online. Republicans have hit back, saying their ideas have been online -- and are even linked from the White House web site.
On Thursday, the two sides will meet in a bipartisan health care summit at the White House.
Late update: Doug Thornell, an adviser to DCCC Chair Chris Van Hollen, hit back in a statement to TPMDC:
Last week, Washington Republicans were exposed as being hypocrites on the Recovery Act. Now with their latest and weakest criticism of health reform, it looks like they are also schizophrenics. First it was too long, now it's too short. Goldilocks is easier to please than these folks. It took them until a few days before the House vote to even produce a health care bill that was drafted behind closed doors and might as well have been a Xeroxed copy of insurance company talking points. It's amazing the lengths they are going to avoid talking about their health reform proposals in public.
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musgrove
February 23, 2010 9:30 AM
I get why the republicans fail to mention that the White House plan is 11 pages of changes to the already huge plan that was made in congress. They didn't mention it cause they love to lie non stop but if people don't call them on it then they get away with it. From the White House website "The President’s Proposal builds off of the legislation that passed the Senate and improves on it by bridging key differences between the House and the Senate as well as by incorporating Republican provisions that strengthen the proposal."
Sad to see that the article that TPM wrote failed to point that out.
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cris2per
September 1, 2010 8:28 AM in reply to musgrove
Can I just say, this blog is what got me through the day today. Every time I read it, I just get more and more excited about whats next. Very refreshing blog and very refreshing ideas. I'm glad that I came across this when I did. I love what you've got to say and the way you say it.
hcg
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holyhandgrenaid
February 23, 2010 9:34 AM
The Republican plan on the other hand is a entire page, featuring pixie dust a fairy wings instead of numbers
http://gopleader.gov/UploadedFiles/Summary_of_Republican_Alternative_Health_Care_plan_Updated_11-04-09.pdf
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ohyeathatsright
February 23, 2010 11:56 AM in reply to holyhandgrenaid
And that plan is juuuuust right.
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calbearinillinois
February 23, 2010 9:49 AM
And if it were any longer or in final text form, Boehner'd be bitching about how the precious American People (TM) couldn't possibly read or understand the proposal in time for the summit.
God, what a douche.
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jsfox
February 23, 2010 9:52 AM
Just when you thought he couldn't get any dumber. John get the hell out the tanning booth it is affecting you cognitive thinking skills.
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jeffgee
February 23, 2010 10:33 AM in reply to jsfox
He smokes a lot, so maybe it's hypoxia.
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CityGuy
February 23, 2010 12:05 PM in reply to jeffgee
Co-sign.
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RedMolly
February 23, 2010 10:00 AM
Can we start calling the Republicans Goldilocks? "This plan is too short, this plan is too long. No plan at all? Why, that's just right."
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sbv
February 23, 2010 11:17 AM in reply to RedMolly
too funny, thanks....personally, i'm thinking of the famous linda blair scene from the exorcist when her head spins around. it is really only the media who takes these guys seriously; and even they don't, but they love the access and are betting on a republican take-over in 2010.
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BLM
February 23, 2010 11:31 AM in reply to RedMolly
"Goldilocks" was the first thing that popped into my head too! (BTW, who is Michael Steel? :))
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raincntry
February 23, 2010 12:08 PM in reply to RedMolly
How about "Gridilocks"?
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Cal Gal
February 23, 2010 1:58 PM in reply to raincntry
I'm on with it.
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RedMolly
February 23, 2010 2:52 PM in reply to raincntry
Gridilocks is perfect.
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SocialJusticeForAll
February 23, 2010 10:03 AM
Ad hominem arguments lose.
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pmb50
February 23, 2010 10:14 AM
I remember Boehne’sr plan it was a two pages of nothing. I hope everyone sees that no matter what Obama does republicans are against it. If Obama caught OBL republicans would be against it
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Steve LaBonne
February 23, 2010 10:14 AM
But Boner, they had to keep it short so it wouldn't take too long for somebody to read it to you.
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jim43
February 23, 2010 10:16 AM
Oh yeah, let's all have high hopes for this Thursday meeting. They're all bound to agree on something, right? Right?
http://www.political-buzz.com/
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georgecs
February 23, 2010 10:16 AM
When are the useless fucking talking haircuts who "report" the news going to hold these lying assholes to account?
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The Commenter Formerly Known as NCSteve
February 23, 2010 10:23 AM in reply to georgecs
When the shades of Cronkite, Murrow and Bradlee return from the Great Beyond and haunt them night after night with reproachful wails.
And probably not even then, because each and every one of the Helmet Haired Asshats is too damn dumb to even understand what it is they're doing wrong. Gregory, Blitzer, Shaileigh Murry--they all think they're fantastic reporters.
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AhTrini1
February 23, 2010 10:58 AM in reply to georgecs
Never, never, my darling, never, never!
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pmb50
February 23, 2010 10:16 AM
Soemone should tell tan man that Obama's proposal comes from the senate bill which was already scored by the CBO. BTW where is your plan Boehner
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The Commenter Formerly Known as NCSteve
February 23, 2010 10:24 AM in reply to pmb50
Tax cuts for rich people. Problem solved. Next, please.
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Lok52
February 23, 2010 10:35 AM in reply to The Commenter Formerly Known as NCSteve
No, no, no, no, no! That is not the Republican plan! You forgot cutting Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare completely. It is important to be accurate when reporting these things.
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Rick Jones
February 23, 2010 11:04 AM in reply to Lok52
Can't report that. It would make the Republicans look bad - even if it is the truth - and we don't want to be accused of being "the liberal media." In fact, we'll just report that Republicans want tax cuts. No need to add that "for the rich" stuff. It might confuse people or leave the wrong impression.
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Cal Gal
February 23, 2010 2:02 PM in reply to Rick Jones
Or leave the right impression.
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whitenoise100
February 23, 2010 10:28 AM
If there's a more inane basis for criticism of the Congressional HC bills and the WH proposal then their respective lengths, I'm hard pressed to imagine what it could be. This is up there with criticizing the administration for underuse of the term "war on terror".
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cole_dranx
February 23, 2010 10:50 AM in reply to whitenoise100
Thank you. Why the document is the length it is, is as irrelative as what color the folder is, or the font in which it was written.
Boehner and the Republicans are like grad-schoolers who attempt the book report based entirely on the front and back covers of the text.
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mike from Arlington
February 23, 2010 10:42 AM
Can we finally come to the realization they have no intention of an honest debate at this moment?
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Rick Jones
February 23, 2010 11:06 AM in reply to mike from Arlington
Or at any moment.
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ru4862
February 23, 2010 10:50 AM
This clown, Boner, does he ever get tired of whining? Where did this fool come from? i tell ya' politicians are merely a reflection of their constituents. Boner is a jackass and so are the jackasses who voted him into congress.
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BeeClone
February 23, 2010 11:06 AM in reply to ru4862
"CLOWN" yes he is a clown.
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Official A
February 23, 2010 10:51 AM
Minority Leader Goldilocks said the first bowl of porridge was too hot, and this one's too cold. Maybe the next one will be "just right."
Or, we could tell the Big Bad Wolf that that's Red Riding Hood whining about the porridge. The skin tone works.
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Bullsmith
February 23, 2010 10:58 AM
One party lives in fear, the other party lives in an alternate reality.
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rwp
February 23, 2010 11:05 AM
What I find most amazing is how these douche bags keep getting re-elected. Wouldnt the people in their districts be embarrassed to have them as their leader. Steve King, Bachmann, the list is endless of sheer stupidity..
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Given Up
February 23, 2010 11:39 AM in reply to rwp
I suspect they have the same frustration that democrats have, we keep voting for people we don't truly agree with because the alternative is worse (Worse from their point of view to be sure.)
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Kuro
February 23, 2010 11:41 AM
I can't believe what I'm reading. Boehner is my alpha dog of the week. For having the big ehough brass ones to say that shit. The Republicans are looking so bad right now.
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jeffgee
February 23, 2010 11:48 AM
It's a trap, I tells ya.
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dustbunny44
February 23, 2010 11:53 AM
It's hard to believe that right-obstructionists aren't just playing another round of Lucy vs. Charlie Brown kicking the football, keeping everyone occupied and delaying this for another 3 - 6 months. Success would be great. What signs point to it vs. disappointment?
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dustbunny44
February 23, 2010 11:54 AM
It's hard to believe that right-obstructionists aren't just playing another round of Lucy vs. Charlie Brown kicking the football, keeping everyone occupied and delaying this for another 3 - 6 months. Success would be great. What signs point to it vs. disappointment?
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Early Out
February 23, 2010 11:54 AM
"Goldilocks?" Wrong fairy tale. I'm thinking "Pinocchio."
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ohyeathatsright
February 23, 2010 11:57 AM in reply to Early Out
This bill is too big,
This bill is too small,
This bill is juuuust right.
- Rep. Goldilocks (R)
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Early Out
February 23, 2010 12:00 PM in reply to ohyeathatsright
No, he's lying when he says he thinks the proposal is too long. He's lying when he says he thinks the proposal is too short. These are just excuses. What he really means is that the proposal is too Democratic. And too democratic, as well.
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ohyeathatsright
February 23, 2010 1:12 PM in reply to Early Out
You might be right, only instead of a growing nose, he turns even oranger.
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Cal Gal
February 23, 2010 2:04 PM in reply to ohyeathatsright
Goldiskin?
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JimmyBobby
February 23, 2010 11:56 AM
Boehner complaining? Is that a surprise? It's all he does; as the head of the Party of No it's his job to complain.
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kevbo
February 23, 2010 11:56 AM
This was the same Rep. Boehner who wasn't sure he would attend, as he "didn't know how big the room would be."
The Gentleman from Ohio seems to have an obsession with size.
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Leftflank
February 23, 2010 11:59 AM
Boner replaced Tom Delay, unbelievably enough, that is an improvement in conservative terms. Although, it's alot like proving a negative, you probably can't & you still get a negative.
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rbeats
February 23, 2010 12:01 PM
What are pumpkin heads proposal for reform?
Didn't Boner put a clause in the senate bill that gave a tax cut for using a tanning salon?
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calbearinillinois
February 23, 2010 6:03 PM in reply to rbeats
No, but I'm sure he's fighting to strip out the tax on tanning bed operators in the Senate bill (they moved it to these things from plastic surgeons when they found out at least some plastic surgery is reconstructive, not elective).
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ohyeathatsright
February 23, 2010 12:06 PM
Boehner should be Rep. Goldiface.
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MarciaJ720
February 23, 2010 12:11 PM
http://www.pollingreport.com/A-B.htm#boehner
Mr. 15% with a tan said what again?
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Leftflank
February 23, 2010 12:31 PM
Boner replaced Tom Delay, unbelievably enough, that is an improvement in conservative terms. Although, it's alot like proving a negative, you probably can't & you still get a negative.
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Icon
February 23, 2010 12:39 PM
One proposal is too long, another is too short.
How long is the one that's just right, Congressman Goldilocks?
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lapdogs
February 23, 2010 1:20 PM
And after Obama gets the length of his Health Care Proposal submitted that Boner likes, he will then complain about the Font Size or Type; or any words that were printed as BOLD, Italic or Underlined.
Face it. Nothing would suit Boner or McConnell.
When the citizens in these Republican Districts/States start hurting due to lack of being able to pay for their healthcare, maybe then these Republicans will get the message. Until then, its a losing battle with all of them.
Use Reconciliation - NOW!!
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ohyeathatsright
February 23, 2010 3:11 PM in reply to lapdogs
When they "start hurting"? They ARE hurting.
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JorgeOrwell
February 23, 2010 1:37 PM
Who cares? Without a Public Option, Dems are finished in November.
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Cal Gal
February 23, 2010 2:05 PM in reply to JorgeOrwell
A bit too early to give up on it, though.
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JorgeOrwell
February 24, 2010 12:36 AM in reply to Cal Gal
I hope you are correct and that this is just some major strategy of waiting to pass the public option by this summer. He'll have to have it activated and people enrolled by election time if this is his plan. If it has the 2014 start date, Americans will abandon his party and they will be finished for at least another generation.
This really is his Waterloo.
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rx7ward
February 23, 2010 4:25 PM
http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/10/30/politics/politicalhotsheet/entry5463699.shtml
"'All you need to know is there are 1,990 pages,' Boehner said. 'That should tell you everything.'"
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Nancy Irving
February 23, 2010 10:31 PM
"a document shorter than a comic book" -
Inadvisable for a Republican to dis comic books--they are the preferred reading-matter of most GOP voters.
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Tosh
June 6, 2010 6:59 AM
When the shades of Cronkite, Murrow and Bradlee return from the Great Beyond and haunt them night after night with reproachful wails.
And probably not even then, because each and every one of the Helmet Haired Asshats is too damn dumb to even understand what it is they're doing wrong. Gregory, Blitzer, Shaileigh Murry--they all think they're fantastic reporters.
m65 kamagra
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tom
August 25, 2010 2:20 PM
no matter the semantics and the quantity of the bill, what's important is the substance. they can debate all they want. but they have to stick to the real issue. not just talk about the length of the bill.
coupon website
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