GOP’s ex-Senate leader Bill Frist says he backs health reform
Bill Frist, a physician and the Republicans’ Senate majority leader until 2007, says he supports the Obama health care plan and would vote for it if he were still in the Senate.
“I would end up voting for it,” he told Time magazine. “As leader, I would take heat for it. … That’s what leadership is all about.”
Reports Karen Tumulty:
“Frist also faults some in his own party for injecting alarmism into the debate. “Clearly, the death panels and public plan arguments have been overblown,” he says. Frist noted that Republicans themselves voted for a Medicare prescription drug bill that would have established a version of a public plan–with the government negotiating directly with drug companies–if private-sector competition had failed to materialize. That is similar to the approach that Republican Senator Olympia Snowe is taking with her amendment to establish a public option with a “trigger.”
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209 comments Add your comment
Rightwing Troll
October 4th, 2009
7:08 am
RINO RINO RINO…..
ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww
Rightwing Troll
October 4th, 2009
7:09 am
Woo Hoo!
First troll of the day!!!!
ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww
Steve
October 4th, 2009
7:17 am
Here we have an article claiming that the Rep are not supporting the bill for political reasons. This may make the people on the left “feel” good but it does not solve the problem of the Dems in moderate districts fearing for their careers if they vote for the bill.
The Dem have 60 votes in the Senate and left editorial hacks are blaming Rep. This deflection from the fact that the Dem can’t get all it’s member to support the same bill is politics. In essence Jay is the doing the samething as what he is claiming the Reps are doing. Unfortunately this may make those already on your side support you but it does not convince those in the middle you are correct.
Bud Wiser
October 4th, 2009
7:19 am
Oh yeah, this one really works for you guys.
Back when the vegetable known as Mary Schiavo was news, and Frist was against pulling her plug, to you left wing morons he had ZERO, NONE, ZILCH in credibility.
Now that he allegedly backs this plan, you like him, and he is worthwhile, and his opinions mean something?
Other than the complete and total hypocrisy that you consistently display on virtually every topic, lending convenient credibility now to a guy you once thought was a total idiot says more about the state of the DOA health plan, and your own complete lack of morals.
Impeach Obama.
Redneck
October 4th, 2009
7:31 am
HR 3200 is over 1000 pages which changes all other laws/regulations affecting health care. Not even the staffers know every thing about the bill. They only know what is in the sections they worked on.
My question is, why do you have to change the entire health care system? Why can’t you stop the fraud, waste and abuse that is eating up 10-20% of the health care funds, enact real tort reform, and go after those who use medical facilities and claim they are unable to pay.
One other point. If the senate bill is so good why won’t they put the bill out there where everyone can see it before debating it!!!
jokerman
October 4th, 2009
7:37 am
Steve … Years ago Will Rogers said “Democrats never agree on anything, that’s why they’re Democrats. If they agreed with each other, they would be Republicans.”
Holds true to this very day!
Cherokee
October 4th, 2009
7:44 am
Redneck, because there isn’t a Senate bill yet – they’re still working on it.
Of course Bill Frist wouldn’t have voted for the bill. All Republicans, except for a couple sane ones like Lindsay Graham, are scared to death of their leaders Limbaugh and Hannity and Beck.
Of course, as Steve notes, the Dems are not exactly paragons of bravery either.
Mrs. Godzilla
October 4th, 2009
7:50 am
For Mimi
1925 – 2009
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=unforgettable+nat+king+cole+natalie+cole&search_type=&aq=2&oq=unforgettable
mike
October 4th, 2009
7:54 am
Cherokee –
If you want to see how a real journalist makes a health care reform argument, check out Nic Kristof:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/04/opinion/04kristof.html
He makes a powerful argument for health care reform and doesn’t attack anyone, Gosh, somehow he managed to explain his policy position without even saying the word “Republican” or “conservative”! How about that!
Now making a logical argument without partisan politics as its focal point might not give folks like Cherokee the launching point to attack Republicans, but it actually might sway some people who are sitting on the fence. Jay’s dreck only appears to folks who want to tear each other down by party affiliation.
That AJC should dump Jay and Tucker and syndicate a more thoughtful and meaningful liberal pundit like Kristof. Such a move would save the AJC a lot of money and raise its journalistic standards immediately. The AJC could then focus its resources on local news instead of wasting money of Jay’s undifferentiated partisan twaddle.
Chuck
October 4th, 2009
8:00 am
If you would like to take a stand for real health care reform please join our voting bloc at:
http://www.votingbloc.org/Health_Bloc.phpre
JimNATL
October 4th, 2009
8:19 am
So is Frist back to enjoying his family fortune made off the backs of the insured? Of course he is for a way for all those uninsured, that HCA cast out on the street over the years, to pay and stay. They wouldn’t send away uninsured women who were delivering babies, as has been reported at HCA hospitals, if they had a public option to pay. As far as his credibility in the Shiavo case, you’re damned right he was not qualified to diagnose from a couple of video shots. No one was. But, in this case, he is qualified. He has plenty of knowledge about how this system doesn’t work.
The South Rules
October 4th, 2009
8:19 am
Meanwhile, 8 more soldiers die as Barry and Mrs. Obozo go on a date night
Mmm, mmm, mmm…..Barack HUSSEIN Obama…..He likes to dine while soldiers die…..mmm, mmm, mmm…..Barack HUSSEIN Obama
candide
October 4th, 2009
8:21 am
Frist’s comment shows that only when you are out of politics can Republicans have the courage to buck the fascists who control their party.
Bob
October 4th, 2009
8:33 am
so, according to candide, the party that does not want to takeover the industry are the facists.
I Report/ Vast White Wing Conspirator (-: You Whine )-:
October 4th, 2009
8:42 am
Well, good for frist, after all those years of democrats sneering at his every word, he’s finally hit the big time.
I Report/ Vast White Wing Conspirator (-: You Whine )-:
October 4th, 2009
8:45 am
Facing a 26-year-high unemployment rate of 9.8% here at home, the White House ought to have done some homework before sending the president off on one knee, putting not only his personal reputation on the line, but the prestige of his nation. NY Post
Mmmm, mmmm, mmmm, Barak Hussein Obama!
Frist who?
dmac
October 4th, 2009
8:47 am
The Republicans (plus Max Baucus and some other Dems) are doing what the interested corporations want. That’s what keeps the money going in a circular motion.
jt
October 4th, 2009
8:53 am
Whatever kind of pale, white sausage is vomited forth from this congress concerning health care “reform”, it is assured that the Internal Revenue Service will play a prominent role.
The IRS will force us to eat it, and it will sicken us.
Then the government can “rescue” us again in a few years.
The South Rules
October 4th, 2009
9:00 am
Mmm, mmm, mmm…..Barack Hussein Obama….he really is a Muslim, but he’s very afraid to tell’em….mmm, mmm, mmm….Barack Hussein Obama
jt
October 4th, 2009
9:02 am
has also lobbied for Goldman, among many other corporate clients in opposition to the populist policies he once championed.
Barack Obama promised a change from this revolving-door, behind-closed-doors collaboration between special interests and government. He vowed to “do our business in the light of day” — with health care negotiations broadcast on C-Span — and to “restore the vital trust between people and their government.” He said, “I intend to tell the corporate lobbyists that their days of setting the agenda in Washington are over.” That those lobbyists would so extravagantly flaunt their undiminished role shows just how little they believe that a new sheriff has arrived in Dodge.
In his scathing Wall Street Journal column on The Post articles last week, Thomas Frank crystallized the gap between Obama’s pledge and this reality. “There is something uniquely depressing about the fact that the National Portrait Gallery’s version of the Barack Obama ‘Hope’ poster previously belonged to a pair of lobbyists.” That’s no joke: It was donated by Tony and Heather Podesta.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/04/opinion/04rich.html?_r=1&ref=opinion
How could anybody keep voting these parties in?
stands for decibels
October 4th, 2009
9:02 am
I don’t believe that if still in the Senate, he would buck his party and vote for it.
Nor do I.
Still, when the history is written and the section entitled “Mitigating Factors” is included, this one will be there; it goes a wee bit of the way way toward making me want to forgive him, just a little, for his infamous remote diagnosis offered some 4½ years ago.
stands for decibels
October 4th, 2009
9:03 am
Arg. My 9.02 has Teh Slanties.
Oh well, y’all will figure it out.
stands for decibels
October 4th, 2009
9:04 am
scathing Wall Street Journal column
snort. You might as well have written “yelpings heard from the asylum walls.”
Road Scholar
October 4th, 2009
9:06 am
The South Rules: So what did you do last night to address Iran/Iraq/Afganastan? Healthcare? Watch UGA football? Give me a break!
Mrs G: Sorry for your loss.
Taxpayer
October 4th, 2009
9:07 am
Well, it is another beautiful fall morning, Jay. So, who is this Frist guy. Is he related to Gingrich or another from that failure of a movement — the contract on America. Maybe they should get together over beers and talk about the good old days on Air Force One.
So, I hope some of you managed to get out yesterday and enjoy the weather and the festivals. It is that time of year.
Redneck Convert (R--and proud of it)
October 4th, 2009
9:10 am
Well, I might of knowed. This Bill Frist that I thought was decent and wanting to keep this Mary Schiavo alive, because she smiled and all, done turned into a librul. The same guy that said he would use the atomic option if the two Conservative judges wasn’t approved. It just goes to show how Sinful this world is that somebody that was good and decent when he was in the Senate could turn into a librul when he left it. Frist needs to hit his knees and beg for forgiveness–first from Rush and Sean and then from God. I’m going down to the Church of Holiness in a few minutes and pray for his soul. This man needs lots of help.
Anyhow, it just goes to show the Sinful World is too much for mortal man.
Have a good Sabbath everybody.
RW-(the original)
October 4th, 2009
9:10 am
Enter your comments here–
Mrs G,
My condolences and prayers.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I thought I overused the word “but” until I read that last sentence. Even I don’t think I could pack three of them in a fifteen word sentence.
But But some, given the chance, would support it but are being cowed into submission.
stands for decibels
October 4th, 2009
9:12 am
failure of a movement
such epic irregularity would explain a lot.
stands for decibels
October 4th, 2009
9:14 am
Dear me, I just saw. Mrs. G’s post @ 7.50.
My sincere condolences.
I will be thinking of her in service today.
stands for decibels
October 4th, 2009
9:14 am
(and thanks, RW, for your post @ 9.10, without which I might have gone on in my hideously, cluelessly snarktacular way.)
Road Scholar
October 4th, 2009
9:15 am
Just heard Saxby say that we should impose sanctions on Iran now and then sit down and talk. Interesting scenario. Why don’t we cancel Congressional healthcare until they come up with a bill that correects the problems and passes? Then we can do the same for the transportation bill, world climate change, …etc. Hit them in their wallets like they do us!
Taxpayer
October 4th, 2009
9:16 am
such epic irregularity would explain a lot
What can I say. In the right hands, it could have been so constitutional.
stands for decibels
October 4th, 2009
9:18 am
Hit them in their wallets like they do us!
While such sentiments are very popular and get lots of whoops and cheers, as legislated, such actions (I think) just incentivize our already-corrupt reps and senators to seek the help of those who can lend them a hand.
Put another way, I’d much rather be paying them out of my own pocket than paying them via some lobbiest.
But I’m weird that way–I tend to think their salaries ought to be a good deal higher, given the sort of responsibilities they have.
Brad Steel
October 4th, 2009
9:18 am
mike,
it’s good to see that you are up early in the morning sharing your genius ideas with the world. everyone was waiting with bated breath to read more of your fart-in-your-hand-then smell-it suggestions and ideas.
it’s a real revelation today. cut-n-paste a nytimes op-ed a put him in the ajc. that’s pure hand-fart’n genius.
josef nix
October 4th, 2009
9:20 am
My and my family’s condolences on your loss. You and yours are in our thoughts and prayers.
Cherokee
October 4th, 2009
9:23 am
For what it’s worth, Mike, I didn’t attack Republicans. I attacked you, and your obnoxious and ongoing attacks on the host of this blog; the person and organization who provides you with the venue for making your comments.
Perhaps mores are different in New Jersey, but in Iowa, my mom would have had a fit if I had been so rude as to attack a person who provided me a place to do anything. (And since I have a few friends from Jersey, I doubt that things are much different there.)
The South Rules
October 4th, 2009
9:24 am
Mmm, mmm, mmm……Barack Hussein Obama……he says to kiss his hand ’cause his wiser, but all he ever was was a community organizer…..mmm, mmm, mmm…..Barack Hussein Obama
josef nix
October 4th, 2009
9:25 am
“It does, however, suggest just how much politics is being played here. A lot of Republicans, maybe most Republicans, honestly do oppose the bill. But But some, given the chance, would support it but are being cowed into submission.”
It’s not just Republicans. The Democrats are playing politics, too. They’re politicians. That’s what they do. Jay’s got a firm grasp of at least half of the obvious. Looks to me like he’s been taking Engrish lessons from us, though.
Angry Black Man
October 4th, 2009
9:26 am
Mrs. G
My condolences to you and your family. I’ll keep you in my prayers.
Normal
October 4th, 2009
9:29 am
Mrs. G. My condolences too, May the Creator give you and your family peace and strength…
Kathy W
October 4th, 2009
9:29 am
From Steve at 7:17…This may make the people on the left “feel” good but it does not solve the problem of the Dems in moderate districts fearing for their careers if they vote for the bill.
“..fearing for their careers…” That’s the problem, “career politicians.”
Normal
October 4th, 2009
9:30 am
MR. PRESIDENT, BRING OUR TROOPS HOME NOW!
josef nix
October 4th, 2009
9:31 am
BTW–I’ve wound up on Saxby Chambliss’ e-mail list. I wrote him telling him what a jive-turkey I thought he is and to inform him I wouldn’t vote for him for dog-catcher. Now I’m his friend. Do they are their staff even bother to read what constituents say? And, no, this is not a GOP bash. I’ve got a nice little collection from John Lewis, too.
Taxpayer
October 4th, 2009
9:33 am
Mrs. G,
May she rest in peace.
josef nix
October 4th, 2009
9:37 am
Cherokee @ 9:23
“… your obnoxious and ongoing attacks on the host of this blog…”
Da-se-ti, da-se-ti!
AmVet
October 4th, 2009
9:37 am
Mrs. G, my sympathies to you and yours.
Life is sweet. Enjoy it every moment…
In lieu of a Friday night contribution, and for Mr. Frist and all those remote “diagnosers:…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJxeppC6NR4
Normal
October 4th, 2009
9:39 am
Josef, same here. I wrote him one time decrying a vote about something, and now I keep getting letters from him. The last one telling me how badly he wants me to file for flood relief. Even though I don’t need it. Another time I wrote him to help ensure our troops got the equipment they need to survive, and the reply I got back stated, “Thank you, for your concern over Stotomayors nomination”…
ah well…
The South Rules
October 4th, 2009
9:40 am
Mmm, mmm, mmm…..Barack Hussein Obama…..He thinks he’s the Dali Llama, but he really belongs in striped pajama…..what’chya gonna do for my mama?….mmm, mmm, mmm…..Barack Hussein Obama
jt
October 4th, 2009
9:41 am
jive-turkey????
That is funny Josef.
I will write too, and will reference jive-turkey. Maybe it will pierce his chicken-hawk, big-spending coorperate wh@re hide.
Jack
October 4th, 2009
9:44 am
This may be a little off topic, but I read in the AJC about a man killed in the parking lot of an adult club. I also read that he had six children. Was wondering if the Democrats’ health care reform would take care of the children