What politicians say, and what they mean
What politicians say, and what they mean, are often two different things. This morning, let’s look at two great examples, and let’s begin with Sen. Olympia Snowe, moderate Republican from Maine. She has been talking with Democrats and President Obama about possible compromises on health-care reform, bringing her under immense pressure from within the GOP caucus.
In an interview with the New York Times, she’s asked what makes her a Republican:
“I’ve always been a Republican for the traditional principles that have been associated with the Republican Party since I became a Republican when I registered to vote. And that is limited government, individual opportunities, fiscal responsibility, and a strong national defense. So I think that those principles have always been a part of the Republican Party heritage, and I believe that I reflect those views. And I haven’t changed as a Republican, I think more that my party has changed.”
That last sentence is being interpreted, accurately so I believe, as a warning to her fellow Republicans to back off, lest they drive her into the Democratic Party. “I have options and am prepared to use them,” she seems to be saying.
Other parts of the discussion were also interesting:
Does she, like many of her Republican colleagues, see Obama as a big government Democrat, even as a socialist?
“No, you know, it’s interesting, I don’t. In fact, I almost sense the opposite. He has been very realistic in his views on health care, understanding the implications…. I’ve gotten an impression that he would probably do less than more.”
Do you see him as a moderate?
“More a moderate than liberal on this question.”
And then there’s John Oxendine, Georgia’s insurance commissioner and the frontrunner for the GOP gubernatorial nomination. In a seemingly curious move, he has challenged Mary Norwood, the frontrunner in Atlanta’s mayoral race, to debate Oxendine’s proposal to build a “parallel connector” through east Atlanta to ease the flow of north-south traffic.
Ordinarily, politicians in a campaign try to debate their opponents, not somebody in an unrelated race. But in this case, Oxendine is trying to pick a fight with Atlanta; he’s trying to turn the GOP primary race into a contest between himself and Atlanta, a guaranteed method of building support among GOP voters.
Oxendine isn’t the first to use that approach. But the mentality behind it has consequences that go far deeper than electoral politics. If you want to understand why metro Atlanta can’t get state help with its traffic problems, if you want to know why MARTA is the only major transit system in the country forced to operate with no financial help from state government, that is your answer.
For many at the Gold Dome, metro Atlanta is the whipping boy; metro Atlanta is ACORN. And until the metro region and its leaders stand in unison to defend itself, it’s going to stay that way.
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289 comments Add your comment
NR to thee Bee
September 18th, 2009
8:39 am
Yes Jay, that is the perfect headline for this little gem:
“President Obama said this week that his health care plan won’t cover illegal immigrants, but argued that’s all the more reason to legalize them and ensure they eventually do get coverage. ”
http://washingtontimes.com/news/2009/sep/18/obama-ties-immigration-to-health-care-battle/?feat=home_cube_position1
Let’s look at that last nice and up close:
“legalize them and ensure they eventually do get coverage”
Well that sure is slick. He wasn’t lying about the language of the bill, but he WAS lying about his intentions. How underhanded and typical of him.
Can Joe Wilson get HIS apology, now?
Brad Steel
September 18th, 2009
8:42 am
Metro Atlanta is the whipping boy; metro Atlanta is ACORN.
“whipping boy“!? “ACORN”!?
Yikes, that could be interpreted as thinly veiled code-language that may be promoting Oxy’s fight.
I Report/ Vast White Wing Conspirator (-: You Whine )-:
September 18th, 2009
8:44 am
And?
Jay
September 18th, 2009
8:45 am
Of course, NRB, the quotes attributed to Obama don’t actually say those things, now do they? And he wasn’t lying at all. He has said all along that he intended to address the immigration question.
By the way, how are things in Morrow this morning? How are you and the “nig nogs” doing, as you put it the other day? (I actually had to go look that one up — you guys have quite the arcane vocabulary).
I Report/ Vast White Wing Conspirator (-: You Whine )-:
September 18th, 2009
8:45 am
Snowe can join up with ACORN for all I care. We will be ridding ourselves of her soon enough anyway.
Bosch
September 18th, 2009
8:46 am
Ahhhhh……Olympia Snowe………….sigh…………….
GEORGE AMERICAN
September 18th, 2009
8:46 am
THE REST OF THE STATE IS TIRED OF PAYING FOR STUFF THAT ONLY BENEFITS THE LAZY GOVERNMENT SUBSIDIZED DEPENDENTS IN ATLANTA.
NOW THESE PARASITES WANT ME TO PAY FOR THEIR RIDE TO GO PICK UP THEIR WELFARE CHECK!!!
SUPPORT THE PARALLEL CONNECTOR!!!
Turd Ferguson
September 18th, 2009
8:47 am
“No, you know, it’s interesting, I don’t. In fact, I almost sense the opposite. He has been very realistic in his views on health care, understanding the implications…. I’ve gotten an impression that he would probably do less than more.”
Do you see him as a moderate?
“More a moderate than liberal on this question.”
Typical rubbish from a typical female enabler.
jt
September 18th, 2009
8:47 am
The first step to recovery is to admit that you have a problem.
We have been a socialist nation since FDR. Ronald Reagan fought the good fight and gave lovers of liberty a much needed gasp, but it’s been down hill to the dark side since then.
It is never too late , and the good fight will continue. Senator Snowe is no friend of liberty.
Paul/Wilson 2012. (if they lose the “R” after their names.)
Doggone/GA
September 18th, 2009
8:48 am
“Yikes, that could be interpreted as thinly veiled code-language that may be promoting Oxy’s fight.”
Not by the educated, of any race.
Bosch
September 18th, 2009
8:48 am
NRB,
Even if what you say is true, which it isn’t, but let’s just say it is, why do you have a problem with immigrants who want to become legal citizens having the chance to do so?
Bosch
September 18th, 2009
8:49 am
Turd,
“typical female enabler?” What the hell does that mean?
NR to thee Bee
September 18th, 2009
8:49 am
I don’t live in Morrow anymore, thanks.
As for Oblahma, seriously…give me a break.
Watch the video here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYSVWMIInVQ
“Undocumented workers who are here illegally – we want to create comprehensive immigration reform so they can get on a path to citizenship. Until they do, we can’t reward them with some of the benefits which quite frankly cost us a lot of money.”
Doggone/GA
September 18th, 2009
8:50 am
” why do you have a problem with immigrants ”
It’s all back to the “I got mine” mindset
Peadawg
September 18th, 2009
8:50 am
Jay, you and the other Dems can sugar coat it all you want. It is what it is…Obama said flat out that he wants to legalize the illegals and then give them health care. There’s always some kind of loop hole, isn’t there?
Doggone/GA
September 18th, 2009
8:51 am
““typical female enabler?” What the hell does that mean?”
He means he prefers his “wimmin” barefoot and pregnant, not up in front of the world speaking “out of turn”
Bosch
September 18th, 2009
8:52 am
Peadawg @ 8:50
And what’s the problem with that?
NR to thee Bee
September 18th, 2009
8:52 am
Even if what you say is true, which it isn’t, but let’s just say it is, why do you have a problem with immigrants who want to become legal citizens having the chance to do so?
———————————————————–
It’s not true? You have quotes and VIDEO of Obama spelling the whole thing out for you, and you can sit there and say it isn’t true?
And I said nothing about NOT giving people a chance to become citizens, thats your lame attempt to switch gears and turn the discussion around to make it about me (jay just tried the same tactic).
Obama lied, get over it.
Peadawg
September 18th, 2009
8:53 am
” why do you have a problem with immigrants who want to become legal citizens having the chance to do so?”
If they go through the process, learn a little English, and contribute to society(not live off the government), I have no problem. But pretty much giving amnesty to all illegals and make them legal all of a sudden…I do have a problem with.
Night Train
September 18th, 2009
8:53 am
If John Oxendine is the GOP gubernatorial nomination then I suspect we will have either a democrat or other party running the state of Georgia after Sonny. I know that this Republican will not vote for John Oxendine.
NR to thee Bee
September 18th, 2009
8:53 am
It’s all back to the “I got mine” mindset
————————————-
As if you’re “I’m going to take yours and make it mine via government gunpoint” mindset is so superior.
Bosch
September 18th, 2009
8:54 am
NRB,
No, he didn’t lie. He said he didn’t plan on giving illegal immigrants health care benefits.
So, you agree that illegal immigrants should have the opportunity to become citizens?
Turd Ferguson
September 18th, 2009
8:55 am
Doggone/GA
September 18th, 2009
8:50 am
Got mine thru hardwork, sweat, perseverance, study, some luck, prayers, taking risks (some paid off others didnt), determination etc. Notice lazyness and indifference are missing.
Peadawg
September 18th, 2009
8:55 am
“So, you agree that illegal immigrants should have the opportunity to become citizens?”
Sure if they go through the process, but don’t put in an express lane.
Bosch
September 18th, 2009
8:56 am
Peadawg,
Really. Do you think Obama could just “poof” wave his magic wand and make all illegals legal? Seriously? You don’t think that there will be some kind of – I don’t know – PROCESS for them to become legal? You know like, paperwork and stuff like that?
NR to thee Bee
September 18th, 2009
8:57 am
No, he didn’t lie. He said he didn’t plan on giving illegal immigrants health care benefits.
———————————————————————————————
Oh, I know. But he lied in the context of he’s going to just make them legal overnight and fork over their free healthcare to them on a silver platter. I know in you’re mind that it’s honest, but give me a break.
NR to thee Bee
September 18th, 2009
8:58 am
So, you agree that illegal immigrants should have the opportunity to become citizens?
————————————-
Sure. But first they have to go back to their country of origin and then try to make it through the process like my friends from Vietnam and Pakistan have done.
Bosch
September 18th, 2009
8:59 am
NRB,
“But he lied in the context of he’s going to just make them legal overnight and fork over their free healthcare to them on a silver platter.”
He’s going to make them legal overnight? When did he say that?
Taxpayer
September 18th, 2009
9:00 am
Change is coming, Jay. I can feel it. But, patience is still needed. Obama has that patience and he is taking ground, inch by inch, foot by foot… .The opposition was able to push their denial claims for many years and get away with it because the evidence to dispute their claims simply was not clear enough to the masses. The deniers are still fighting the ‘Koch-funded’ fight but times are different. The old arguments that the smog isn’t real or the health care is the best in the world or the climate is not changing as a result of our efforts, etc., are falling apart. Acts of desperation naturally follow. Lies, slinging the feces, etc. I’m enjoying the show. Change is good.
By the way, have I mentioned lately that the Republican message is perfect. Don’t change a thing. It’s really coming across loud and clear. It’s perfect. Honest. Trust me.
Jackie
September 18th, 2009
9:03 am
@NR to the Bee
As usual, EXTRAPOLATE, CONFLATE and OBFUSCATE.
Do you think your cutting and pasting incomplete and partial information (a lie), is going to be viewed as being anywhere near the truth in any discussion.
You and your supporters have been found out, therefore, you are no longer relevant in any serious discussion.
Could you give us a definition of “nig nog?” Or, should we have to find this information on our own? Sounds like you are making crap up!
NR to thee Bee
September 18th, 2009
9:04 am
He’s going to make them legal overnight? When did he say that?
————————————————-
Well it’s a certain bet that he’ll try to do it just in time for the 2012 election so that he has 20 million more voters backing him up.
But what matters is not the process, what matters is the end result.
20 million more people sucking on the government teat.
Something only a liberal could jump for joy about.
NR to thee Bee
September 18th, 2009
9:05 am
Do you think your cutting and pasting incomplete and partial information (a lie), is going to be viewed as being anywhere near the truth in any discussion.
———————————————————————–
It’s not my fault you can’t comprehend something as basic as this. I even posted video. You just have your blinders on, good luck with that.
Peadawg
September 18th, 2009
9:06 am
Jackie, “Do you think your cutting and pasting incomplete and partial information (a lie), is going to be viewed as being anywhere near the truth in any discussion.”
Go read the article for yourself.
Taxpayer
September 18th, 2009
9:06 am
Oh, I know. But he lied in the context of he’s going to just make them legal overnight and fork over their free healthcare to them on a silver platter. I know in you’re mind that it’s honest, but give me a break.
Suppose, for a non-twilight zone moment, that the immigration issue results in transforming the masses (all ten million of them) of illegal immigrants into legal citizens. What does that mean. Well, to start with, they’ll get social security numbers to go with their legal jobs and they’ll buy legal houses and be required to meet all the same laws as the rest of us. But, since there are so few of them, ten million to be exact, it won’t really matter. Hell, they could be taken care of just with the savings from cutting off ACORN funding.
Finn McCool
September 18th, 2009
9:08 am
NRBeee is trying to make something out of nothing.
“legalize them and ensure they eventually do get coverage” is not even a quote by Obama. This is a quote of a journalist.
<– Finn bangs head against wall repeatedly. Nothing helps.
NRBeee, keep up the good work, dude! The Republicans need more who think like you!
NR to thee Bee
September 18th, 2009
9:09 am
Taxpayer, so instead of stabbing us in the back with a butcher knife, he’s just using a steak knife. Gotcha.
Bosch
September 18th, 2009
9:12 am
NRB,
Again, with the fears of what he MIGHT do instead of actually what he does. Why don’t you wait and see what happens instead of assuming the worst based on your complete hatred of the man.
TnGelding
September 18th, 2009
9:12 am
Olympia is going to put Glenn Beck in the asylum. I’ve always respected her views. I’m sure she’d be welcome on the other side.
Oxendine is another story and he’s taking a risk. When you say Atlanta, many people consider the metro area, not just the city. Will he propose an outer-outer perimeter next? Sonny needs to pony up a few hundred million for MARTA out of memory of his days as a Democrat.
pat
September 18th, 2009
9:13 am
NRB, good bust. The density here is amazing sometimes. The illegal’s need to put in the proper documents for citizenship, in there home country. Wasn’t Bush crucified, and rightly so, for wanting to grant amnesty for people who come hear, break the law and send billions of dollars, much of it untaxed, out of the country? Yet, obama follows the same path as Bush but since obama does it, it’s ok? Just like the whole Patriot Act thing. I hated it from the beginning, but Bush did it and he was lambasted, obama extends it and nary a peep from the ultra-left wing media. So the Patriot Act is a-ok if obama does it. Same thing with education, obama signed in to law Bush’s plan, yet no complaints once again.
It seems people are so in to “Hooray for my guy” that they flat ignore what he actually does.
Making illegal’s legal and then covering them with insurance is the same thing as granting illegal’s insurance. In fact, it would be cheaper just to cover them rather than going through the process of citizenship first. Second, it’s total slap in the face to those of us, who went through the proper channels to become citizens.
Bosch
September 18th, 2009
9:14 am
NRB,
Oh, and this jewel,
“20 million more people sucking on the government teat.”
Really? How you figure that. You are assuming that all the illegal immigrants who become legal citizens will not work and pay taxes and require social services?
Normal
September 18th, 2009
9:14 am
On my way to the doctors office but I need to ask a question, There has been “banter” back and forth about the “Undocumented Workers”.
Has anybody considered that these programs President Obama is presenting, need to be paid for, somehow. For the Federal Government, getting those funds would be through income taxes. So my question is this…If there really are 20 million illegals out there, wouldn’t make sense to make them legal and bring 20 million more incomes into the Federal tax system? Help me out. I’ll check when I get back, provided the doctor hasn’t stuck me too many times…
pat
September 18th, 2009
9:14 am
Because, Bosch, once it’s done it can’t be undone. Wait and see, how obtuse.
Truth
September 18th, 2009
9:15 am
I try not to go Atlanta, but the last time I was there and had traffic problems, was when there were 5 Crown Vic’s with 26 inch rims weaving through each other and eventually stopped all traffic on 85. Literally, no one was moving. They had spead out across all lanes and stopped. Then one of then drove froward and did a 180 facing all the cars. He started going in reverse weaving back and forth. Turns out they were filming it. Just another example of why I stay away from Atlanta as much as possible.
Doggone/GA
September 18th, 2009
9:15 am
“But, since there are so few of them, ten million to be exact, it won’t really matter”
Oh but they DO! You’re not looking at it right (get it?) They are, OF COURSE, all going to automatically vote Democrat and just wipe the GOP off the elections. That’s the DANGER, don’t you know!
NR to thee Bee
September 18th, 2009
9:15 am
the fears of what he MIGHT do instead of actually what he does. Why don’t you wait and see what happens instead of assuming the worst based on your complete hatred of the man.
——————————————–
LMAO! I’m going by WHAT HE SAID HE WANTS TO DO. Why is that so hard to understand. But then again I’m talking to someone who voted for the idiot, so why do I bother wondering why your comprehension level is so low.
Bosch
September 18th, 2009
9:16 am
pat,
Do you always make it a habit of speaking for millions of people about what they think is right or wrong?
Finn McCool
September 18th, 2009
9:16 am
Goodness gracious. Can people not interpret a simple sentence?
“we want to create comprehensive immigration reform so they can get on a path to citizenship.”
Let’s break it down. part 1: “We want to create a comprehensive immigration reform” means we need to address where we stand now and make corrections.
Part 2: “so they can get on a path to citizenship.” This means there should be a process to gain citizenship should someone so desire.
Fact is, there has always been a process to obtain citizenship and guess what, your very own gran pappy’s and gran mappy’s went through that process.
This doesn’t say “Hey, let em all in, JimBob! Open them doors wide!”
Fact is, this Obama quote says nothing new. This is like saying “Hey the Steelers won Super Bowl 43.” Nothing new.
NR to thee Bee
September 18th, 2009
9:16 am
Really? How you figure that. You are assuming that all the illegal immigrants who become legal citizens will not work and pay taxes and require social services?
——————————————————-
No, I’m TELLING you that they’ll all be enrolled under Obama’s “FREE” healthcare! That’s the whole point!
TnGelding
September 18th, 2009
9:17 am
Taxpayer
September 18th, 2009
9:06 am
If they were legal wouldn’t they have to pay their own way like the rest of us?
Redneck Convert (R--and proud of it)
September 18th, 2009
9:17 am
Well, we need to let the insurance cos. go ahead and come out and run this country. If we done that, we wouldn’t have no debt and there would be big profits and the guvmint would be looking for ways to send us “shareholders” big checks. Instead of making us give the guvmint money.
And I’m against these illegals. It ain’t my fault they wasn’t lucky enough to be born in this country and be good upstanding rednecks and get trailers and pickups of their own.
Anyhow, all politicans lie. It’s just that this Obama tells lies I don’t like. I ain’t against a little fibbing if it helps Conservative causes. Like the ones that let us go after this Saddam. So put me down with Turd Lemonade and the Whiner and other godly Conservatives. I might not know what I like, but I know what I don’t like.
Have a good day everybody and don’t worry about having plenty of beer at traveling music time. I got you covered unless all the roads and bridges wash out today. Maybe somebody needs to tell old Sonny to quit praying for rain under the GA Water Plan. It’s for sure we got enough for now.