Panicked Senate Democrats to Obama: Get Your Act Together
Nov 9, 2013 00:00:21 #
Panic is growing among Senate Democrats facing re-election next year that the disastrous rollout of Obamacare could prove to be the final nail in the coffin of their Washington careers.
Sixteen senators met with President Barack Obama this week with a simple message: Get your act together or your healthcare reform could lose our support.
And they made it clear they are not prepared to be the sacrificial lambs on the altar of Obama's troubled healthcare agenda.
The group agreed not to go full-out in demanding delays to the Affordable Care Act's timetable, however, they were told they can criticize the act and its introduction, Politico reports.
Already, Sens. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire and Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, both of whom are up for re-election in 2014, have separately proposed legislation they believe will curb the public's anger at the healthcare reforms.
But Obama wants to give his tech crew breathing room to improve the HealthCare.gov website that has been the focus of much of the public criticism.
For now, Democrats are listening, but it's unclear how long they will heed the warning.
"I am very frustrated with the rollout of the exchanges," said Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon, who also faces a 2014 re-election, in a statement. "The dysfunction and delays are unacceptable.
"After meeting with the president, I remain deeply convinced that this is a 'show-me' moment."
A total of 20 Democrat-held Senate seats are up for grabs next year. Republicans would need to win six of those and hold on to all 13 of their seats to regain control of the Upper Chamber.
The warnings are already there. The Democrats "are going to get slaughtered" unless the Affordable Care Act makes a "miraculous recovery," syndicated columnist Charles Krauthammer said on Fox News, pointing to Terry McAuliffe's narrow victory in the election for Virginia governor, which, he said, went from "almost landslide to cliffhanger," as Obamacare dominated the news in the final few days.
Despite their re-election concerns, Obama asked the senators in the closed-door meeting to hold off on any legislation that could delay major aspects of his reforms.
He reassured them that the site will get fixed, but one unidentified aide told Politico that if that doesn't happen by the end of the year, the pressure will be on Majority Leader Harry Reid to bring up legislation to delay certain aspects of Obamacare.
"If we can't pivot off this by the new year, then we're in trouble," the senior aide told Politico.
Right now, Reid says he has no plans to bring any legislation to the floor that could delay any piece of Obamacare, but several senators are working on legislation to do just that if the Obama administration can't repair the site as promised.
Shaheen's bill would extend the enrollment period beyond March 31 next year. Landrieu has offered up a bill to allow consumers to keep the coverage they currently have.
Landrieu is one of the most vulnerable Democrats seeking re-election next year. Others, including Mark Begich of Alaska, Mark Pryor of Arkansas, and Kay Hagan of North Carolina have pushed for a delay in the enrollment deadline.
After the meeting, Hagan said the rollout "obviously is not going the way it should."
"I'm disappointed and I'm frustrated and it's totally unacceptable because the American people deserve better, and the way I look at it, North Carolinians deserve better," she added, according to McClatchy.
Shaheen, too, is far from a shoo-in for re-election in the Granite State. She faces a potential challenge from former Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown, whose high name recognition is being seen as a major plus.
While the disquiet spreads, the White House tries to play down the political problems Obamacare is bringing for Democrats. Press secretary Jay Carney says the president doesn't believe Obamacare will become a problem.
"He's not concerned about the politics of it," Carney said. "The president believes that delivering of access to affordable and quality care is policy that makes good politics."
Related Stories:
Democrats 'Angry' Over Obamacare Fiasco: 'There's a Lot of Frustration'
Democrat Shaheen: Extend Obamacare Enrollment Period
© 2013 Newsmax. All rights reserved.
Read Latest Breaking News from Newsmax.com http://www.newsmax.com/Newsfront/senate-democrats-obama-healthcare/2013/11/08/id/535613?ns_mail_uid=57194577&ns_mail_job=1545428_11082013&promo_code=158C5-1#ixzz2k7ZymQP4
Urgent: Should Obamacare Be Repealed? Vote Here Now!
Sixteen senators met with President Barack Obama this week with a simple message: Get your act together or your healthcare reform could lose our support.
And they made it clear they are not prepared to be the sacrificial lambs on the altar of Obama's troubled healthcare agenda.
The group agreed not to go full-out in demanding delays to the Affordable Care Act's timetable, however, they were told they can criticize the act and its introduction, Politico reports.
Already, Sens. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire and Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, both of whom are up for re-election in 2014, have separately proposed legislation they believe will curb the public's anger at the healthcare reforms.
But Obama wants to give his tech crew breathing room to improve the HealthCare.gov website that has been the focus of much of the public criticism.
For now, Democrats are listening, but it's unclear how long they will heed the warning.
"I am very frustrated with the rollout of the exchanges," said Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon, who also faces a 2014 re-election, in a statement. "The dysfunction and delays are unacceptable.
"After meeting with the president, I remain deeply convinced that this is a 'show-me' moment."
A total of 20 Democrat-held Senate seats are up for grabs next year. Republicans would need to win six of those and hold on to all 13 of their seats to regain control of the Upper Chamber.
The warnings are already there. The Democrats "are going to get slaughtered" unless the Affordable Care Act makes a "miraculous recovery," syndicated columnist Charles Krauthammer said on Fox News, pointing to Terry McAuliffe's narrow victory in the election for Virginia governor, which, he said, went from "almost landslide to cliffhanger," as Obamacare dominated the news in the final few days.
Despite their re-election concerns, Obama asked the senators in the closed-door meeting to hold off on any legislation that could delay major aspects of his reforms.
He reassured them that the site will get fixed, but one unidentified aide told Politico that if that doesn't happen by the end of the year, the pressure will be on Majority Leader Harry Reid to bring up legislation to delay certain aspects of Obamacare.
"If we can't pivot off this by the new year, then we're in trouble," the senior aide told Politico.
Right now, Reid says he has no plans to bring any legislation to the floor that could delay any piece of Obamacare, but several senators are working on legislation to do just that if the Obama administration can't repair the site as promised.
Shaheen's bill would extend the enrollment period beyond March 31 next year. Landrieu has offered up a bill to allow consumers to keep the coverage they currently have.
Landrieu is one of the most vulnerable Democrats seeking re-election next year. Others, including Mark Begich of Alaska, Mark Pryor of Arkansas, and Kay Hagan of North Carolina have pushed for a delay in the enrollment deadline.
After the meeting, Hagan said the rollout "obviously is not going the way it should."
"I'm disappointed and I'm frustrated and it's totally unacceptable because the American people deserve better, and the way I look at it, North Carolinians deserve better," she added, according to McClatchy.
Shaheen, too, is far from a shoo-in for re-election in the Granite State. She faces a potential challenge from former Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown, whose high name recognition is being seen as a major plus.
While the disquiet spreads, the White House tries to play down the political problems Obamacare is bringing for Democrats. Press secretary Jay Carney says the president doesn't believe Obamacare will become a problem.
"He's not concerned about the politics of it," Carney said. "The president believes that delivering of access to affordable and quality care is policy that makes good politics."
Related Stories:
Democrats 'Angry' Over Obamacare Fiasco: 'There's a Lot of Frustration'
Democrat Shaheen: Extend Obamacare Enrollment Period
© 2013 Newsmax. All rights reserved.
Read Latest Breaking News from Newsmax.com http://www.newsmax.com/Newsfront/senate-democrats-obama-healthcare/2013/11/08/id/535613?ns_mail_uid=57194577&ns_mail_job=1545428_11082013&promo_code=158C5-1#ixzz2k7ZymQP4
Urgent: Should Obamacare Be Repealed? Vote Here Now!
Nov 9, 2013 02:05:31 #
You'll notice, in all of the talk surrounding the present "big train wreck" that obummercare is causing, you don't hear ANY DemonCRAPS mentioning the ADDITIONAL 20,000 IRS agents that are going to be "needed" to "keep the people" in line ! If the GOP is smart, (and it seldom is these days), they will keep this issue foremost in the public eye, from now until 11-2014.
It hasn't been two years now, when there was a lot of talk about "doing away with the IRS all together"; (sounds like a grand idea to me! ) But now, Ohomobama wants yet ANOTHER 20,000 IRS "agents"! (wonder how many they have right now, a million or so ? )
It hasn't been two years now, when there was a lot of talk about "doing away with the IRS all together"; (sounds like a grand idea to me! ) But now, Ohomobama wants yet ANOTHER 20,000 IRS "agents"! (wonder how many they have right now, a million or so ? )
Nov 9, 2013 03:37:29 #
Gitzo UH wrote:
You'll notice, in all of the talk surrounding the ... (show quote)
I had not heard about that?
Nov 9, 2013 10:03:14 #
Factcheck published this in response to numerous requests from so many people claiming that they have heard 16,500 agents will be needed to police Obamacare:
http://www.factcheck.org/2010/03/irs-expansion/
I'm almost certain that additional agents will be needed, but the IRS is incapable of handling the barrage of accusations about their snooping and attacking conservative organizations. Me thinks that Obamacare will be repealed as a new legislature will be voted in by a landside in 2014. Folks are beginning to see the bait&switch - especially when they see what it's going to do to their wallets and their healthcare.
http://www.factcheck.org/2010/03/irs-expansion/
I'm almost certain that additional agents will be needed, but the IRS is incapable of handling the barrage of accusations about their snooping and attacking conservative organizations. Me thinks that Obamacare will be repealed as a new legislature will be voted in by a landside in 2014. Folks are beginning to see the bait&switch - especially when they see what it's going to do to their wallets and their healthcare.
Nov 9, 2013 10:12:58 #
Nov 10, 2013 09:54:02 #
rayford2
Loc: New Bethlehem, PA
HEART wrote:
Factcheck published this in response to numerous r... (show quote)
That many agents needed to support Obamacare will probably require another separate and costly bureaucratic department; perhaps "Department of Healthcare Administration, revenue division".
Nov 10, 2013 10:15:09 #
Michael Hartley wrote:
Said it before, say it again......
:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:
Nov 10, 2013 10:21:37 #
Nov 10, 2013 18:06:30 #
jjwright71
Loc: Lubbock,Tx
Gitzo UH wrote:
yes and also thre purchase of close to 4 million of hollow point half jackets pistol rounds??You'll notice, in all of the talk surrounding the ... (show quote)
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