QUESTION: Is the reason the GOP Cocktail Party establishment won't push Obamacare as an election issue because they want to protect Mittens Romney's 2012 candidacy?
Have you noticed something incredibly bizarre?
Polls show Obamacare is so unpopular, especially with Independents, that when people hear a member of Congress supported what Democrats have done to healthcare those voters literally run screaming from the thought of re-electing that person.
Republicans should be hammering Obamacare left and right, but they’re not. Why? “What are those star destroyers waiting for?”, as Billy Dee Williams would say.
We think this is all about Mittens Romney, and the push the Cocktail Party establishment is making to secure the 2012 nomination for him, “because it’s his turn, and he’s wanted to be president since the 1970s”.
If Romney is the GOP nominee, Romneycare in Massachusetts becomes a major issue, because it was the disaster that presaged Obamacare.
If Republicans run against Obamacare in 2010, then they can’t push Romney as a nominee in 2012, because voters will not accept Romney as a viable candidate once they see he was behind a similar program in Massachusetts.
Though, truthfully, as we’ve been telling you since November 2008, voters are not going to accept Romney as a viable alternative to Obama period. He is not going to be elected president…but we all must work hard to make sure the GOP Cocktail Party establishment doesn’t somehow succeed in making Romney the nominee.
The Cocktail Party cannot be underestimated, folks.
They want Romney to be the nominee because these guys have already bet everything on him. They need him to be the candidate because they are counting on jobs with his campaign…and they need those jobs to advance their careers, and make a lot of money as post-campaign consultants and lobbyists. These guys are HUNGRY. In this job market, they are not about to let secure, guaranteed, high-paying jobs with Romney 2012 slip out of their grasps…no matter how obvious it is that Romney would lose the general election (which he will).
That means looking ahead to 2012 and killing a push against Obamacare, since that would hurt Romney.
It also means that in 2011, after Republicans take back the House, and maybe the Senate, these Cocktail Party establishment Romney guys will do everything they can to prevent a repeal of Obamacare…since they do not want this to be an issue debated in the news and revving Americans up…since that hurts Romney’s nomination chances.
Are we the only ones seeing this?
We don’t know how to stop the Romney Guys yet, but we see the threat they pose, and what they are up to.
What think you on all this?
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Interesting observation, and probably true. Dogs that don’t bark are the best indicators!
But I’m pretty sure Misteromney wouldn’t have a chance with voters anyway. He’s waaaaaaaaaaay too close to Wall Street.
Yes….it’s as simple as that. Romneycare is a disaster and so is Obamacare. They want to sweep it under the rug. Argh!!!!
Another possibility is that the Repubs see Obamacare as a new “third rail”, in that as long as Obamacare is present, they can use it to campaign. In other words, if they stop it, it stops being a carrot they are able to dangle at us to get our votes. I thought this awhile back when they first began dropping the “repeal” word, and substituting the word “reform”. We have to watch them carefully. The decisions they make do not affect them, only us.
Interesting…Now that you mentioned this, it’s got me thinking that you are probably right! Hope everyone sees our post and run with it!
I think you have it why our worthless GOP doesn’t seem to being doing much with this. As I mentioned yesterday, I told my local GOP candidate, who is the sacrificial lamb against Jim Moran, that I no longer consider myself a Republican, but an independent conservative. He told me that he has heard that A LOT from Republicans.
BTW–Would love to take you up on your offer of hospitality, haven’t been to Chicago in years. Still have some relatives there.
Here’s another life-long Republican who no longer calls herself one, even though I am still registered. Let’s hope that the GOP gets some sense. Why do they think Sara P, Michelle B, Paul Ryan et al are enjoy such big popularity.
There are a number of reasons:
(1) Romney refused to do the only thing that could possibly have saved him: admit that Romneycare was a mistake, declare that states are experiments for federal policy, and he has learned his lesson and will not do anything like that again.
It would have required some plums, but it would have earned respect and taken a BIG Dem weapon off the table. Rememeber when Teh Won declared that he couldn’t see why the GOP didn’t like his healthcare plans – sure wasn’t it just like Romneycare?
(2) The “give them rope” strategy – closely related to Mitten’s refusal to admit to his mistake. They want to let the Dems kill themselves, without bringing the awkward questions of what their party did in the past or plans to do in the future. Yes, it’s cowardly, but notice that it’s only now that people are seriously asking them what they plan to *do* with their power.
Even if he didn’t declare it a mistake, stepping up and saying that it was a state issue would help him immensely with the Tea Party because he would be making a 10th amendment statement.
Instead, he is running away from it. Too bad, I kind of liked Romney.
not a fan of Mittens so it wouldn’t have swayed me, but Lisette, I thought the same thing (your point #1). Any politician who could admit a mistake and honestly learn from it would gain points with voters.
Your second point is well taken too.
Lisette:
A few months back, Romney told a conservative blogger he would not repeal the individual mandate. He had to walk it back.
I think Romney likes Romneycare and Obamacare. I don’t think he has it in him to denounce any part of Obamacare, b/c that’s where his heart is.
My take is that its more simple than points 1 &2. He really likes gov’t control of medicine.
See, there’s the point you NEVER hear. The state has every right to pass whatever law they want. It’s just when you’re talking about the federal govt – they DO NOT have the same rights.
So while it was entirely appropriate for MA to do what they wanted (and if they’re happy with it, kudos to them), but feds had NO RIGHT to impose the same things on EVERYONE.
I think Romney will be great at Treasury, replacing Tax Cheat Tiny Timmy and Giuliani will fix Justice after the malfeasance of the Holder reign, in a Palin administration.
Your mileage may vary.
Man, i love giuliani. If the repubs actually had the good sense to nominate him, he could actually WIN.
I also like Chris Christie for AG.
I want Chris Christie and Bobby Jindal to stay right where they are, for a while, anyway. They are pumping out Dem septic tanks, and they are needed where they are. It will take a few years for the improvements they are doing to soak through thick Dem skulls. When they are done, they should hit the big time.
Christie would be AWESOME as AG!
I would love to see him go after CAIR, the Muslim Brotherhood, etc., for RICO!
You know, I maintained all along that the reason Rove was so angry about O’Donnell winning is that it messed up his reputation as a political consultant. And it messed up other people too, like Mike Murphy.
These consultants are really unhelpful. They are the ones who advised McCain to pull out of Michigan. They are also the ones who started the post-election Palin-bashing.
They are hired guns who control much more of the political landscape than is good. And I think your observation on Romney is pretty much spot on.
MM:
If you look at Mike Murphy’s record, and many of these “consultants”, you will notice that many of them have losing records.
Losing elections in Republican circles is actually a resume enhancement.
As Hillbuzz said, it doesn’t matter if their candidate cannot win, it only matters if they get paid. Romney has tons of cash to throw around. So, these DC operatives can stroke his ego and say what a “serious” candidate he is, and how “unserious and spunky” Palin is.
Also, as you touched upon, they are the FIRST to throw their candidate under the bus. In 1996, Scott Reed (Dole’s “campaign manager”) kept telling the press how Dole was going to loose 2 weeks before the election.
I think you’ve hit the nail on the head.
Everytime Obamacare is back in the news for whatever disastrous reason (higher premiums, insurers dropping child-only plans, etc), this sets Romney back even more.
After the Prop C passed overwhelming in MO, and a swing state no less, I could not for the life of me understand why the Republicans/cocktail set wouldn’t run with the issue.
Hillbuzz makes a valid point, and after witnessing the antics of the Senate GOP; I would not be surprised if the cocktail crowd is protecting its own, Romney, look how they went all in for Murky.
Excellent observation! So we’ve already determined that we need to publicly demand every democrat state where they stand on the Victory Mosque, now we add a question for republicans – “where do you stand on repealing obamacare?”
Simple. Elegant. Useful.
Interesting observation and you might be right.
Another reason that the cocktail party doesn’t want to repeal Obamacare is because they don’t like to rock the status quo. Don’t want to be too radical, you know.
Regarding Mitters, I think that Romney has his best chance at the nomination in 2008. He had a ton of money and he ran against a weak field and still lost. Its going to be a lot tougher for Mittens in 2012. Romney is overrated, IMO.
If anyone doubted that Romney is the “establishment” candidate, take a look at Mitt Romney’s words and actions on February 5-7, 2008 and again on February 14, 2008.
I feel like I’ve posted some of that here before, but I’m not finding it when I search for it. I’ll come back with more in a bit…
Start with this.
I also posted several comments related to Romney & McCain starting here and continuing below.
This is exactly what is going on. Battle space preparation for mittens, bring back earmarks, and most importantly advance the conservative progressive agenda.
Progressives come in both a liberal and conservative flavor. For an example of a conservative progressive look back to Theodore Roosevelt. He is a good example.
There are going to be a lot of very upset citizens after the next election as they are being lied to right now and when they figure it out there will be h–l to pay.
I prefer to believe that there are going to be a lot of disappointed establishment politicos after the next election!
Maybe they are not running on Obamacare because it is a campaign promise they know they can’t keep with O in office. Maybe they are being smart and not promising something they can’t do and thus can’t be hurt with in 2012.
They most certainly can say that they will pass a law to repeal Obamacare, and I think they can pass it in the House, and maybe the Senate, too. They will get credit from the public for bringing it up for a vote. And if it passes, let Obama veto it. That will be a lesson to the public as well. And if it doesn’t pass, they can campaign that they will present the bill every year until it does pass. They must get the votes for repeal on the record, no matter the outcome.
Quite right. That O-Care is being sacrificed as an issue this year and in 2012, or reallly, as the most important question in our domestic policy, largely with a view to the political prospects of the Mittwit as well as to the positions of the boys behind him, is simply appalling. This Cocktail Party only ever stirs itself; whereas we need Palin or someone like her to shake everything up.
No one should be surprised if, by some chance, MR is the nominee and he wins, Obaminablecare is never repealed. It’s up to us to do what we can to avoid ever being confronted with that awful eventuality.
Here’s a post on the GOP’s downplaying of the O-Care issue that entirely omits the Romney-Cocktail angle:
http://www.redstate.com/dryun/2010/09/26/making-obamacare-an-issue-this-fall/
They are Romney guys at Redstate. Big time. Always putting down Governor Palin.
Don’t I know it — and as troublesome as the posts there can be in this connection, the comments are often far worse. Generally I skip over them.
Not judging from that post and the comments.
How can they be big time Romney guys and still insist on making repeal of Obamacare the number one issue? Surely they realize Romney will be at a huge disadvantage campaigning if there’s a big ongoing fight to repeal Obamacare, which could be going on for the next two-three years.
Your analysis is probably right, but I wish it were wrong. So depressing!
The only possible silver lining I see is that this adds even more depth to the chasm that separates the Cocktail Party and the Tea Party, making it easier for citizens to see the difference. People are riled up as I’ve never seen them before–and we are NOT going to fall for the ruses anymore. Once burned, etc.
I think you hit the major nail on the head. I also think that the GOP is afraid that the people will see the first few aspects of Øbamacare that just went into effect as positive and don’t want to run against that.
Insuring dependent children to 26. Pre-existing conditions are out.
Almost everything else right now is just a “what if” and not a reality yet, even though we know what the outcome will be.
until they see more of what happened yesterday, which is that ins co’s said they will no longer offer ‘child only’ policies (until forced, I suppose).
Or until people see the article in the WSJ about how policies for students in college are not as good as they used to be.
Or just wait til everyone starts their open enrollment, a few weeks after the elections.
Yeah, all that, and don’t forget the rising premiums.
When I was in Iowa, the independents I spoke to who had driven to Des Moines specifically to hear SP speak always brought up Romneycare — and not in a good way. The “little people” are clearly aware of what a disaster Romneycare is and how Obama kept stating it was no different from Obamacare.
I spoke to two GOP people who had worked for Romney in the 2008 campaign, and who confirmed that the Romney team is being marshalled, but that they declined to join this time on the ground in IA. Romneycare was the #1 issue, although they stated Romney is a “brilliant businessman” and would make an excellent cabinet minister.
On background, with the establishment media, when I brought up Romney, he is clearly the MSM favorite. When I mentioned Romneycare and how unpopular he is in IA, I was told that he won’t win IA anyways, and has written it off because 40% of the GOP in IA are evangelicals and they considered Mormonism to be a cult. The MSM has already decided that religious bigotry is the issue with Romney in IA, not his policies or the fact that he is not a true conservative, and people have figured that out. A female reporter from IL was particularly fond of that viewpoint and quite insistent.
And that was then followed up with a big heaping tablespoon of Palin-bashing.
I seem to remember that Romney did talk in the 2008 primaries about the fact that states were supposed to act as pilot programs, but he never got very clear on that message and never was very critical of Romneycare. He could’ve told the truth–the Dem legislature turned it into something other than what he created–but he didn’t. He talked about meeting the goal of coverage and then needing to deal with doctor shortages and cost. That was pretty much how Scott Brown ran, too, because he supported Romneycare as a state Senator. He ran as #41 not because Romneycare foreshadowed the failures of Obamacare, but because Obamacare wasn’t good for MA who didn’t need it and shouldn’t be picking up the costs of all the special deals Pelosi cut with other states.
I’m quite sure Romney sees this as the most significant obstacle for him in taking on Obama. Our local Congressional race her in Ted Kennedy land is interesting–an open seat, statistical dead heat. The Republican is VERY conservative, has “Young Gun” status and NRCC backing. He was one of only two state Congressmen to break with Romney and vote against Romneycare. He supports repeal & replace of Obamacare.
He is endorsed by Scott Brown and Romney, but said he does not want Sarah to come campaign for him, because her celebrity status would bring too much national focus and move it away from local issues. He was sharply criticized for dissing Sarah and had to explain himself. My fear is a bitter and nasty primary between Romney/the Establishment and Sarah/the Tea Party, like what happened between Hillary and Obama. I’m afraid that would work to Obama’s advantage.
(I think I was too long for the filter–hope this doesn’t double-post. If so, sorry!)
I seem to remember that Romney did talk in the 2008 primaries about the fact that states were supposed to act as pilot programs, but he never got very clear on that message and never was very critical of Romneycare. He could’ve told the truth–the Dem legislature turned it into something other than what he created–but he didn’t. He talked about meeting the goal of coverage and then needing to deal with doctor shortages and cost.
That was pretty much how Scott Brown ran, too, because he supported Romneycare as a state Senator. He ran as #41 not because Romneycare foreshadowed the failures of Obamacare, but because Obamacare wasn’t good for MA who didn’t need it and shouldn’t be picking up the costs of all the special deals Pelosi cut with other states.
I’ve wondered why I’m not hearing them use this most effective blast against their D opponents. I hadn’t thought of it being because of Romney and 2012; but now that you mention it- probably. Are most- or all- of the R candidates getting their “talking points” from the R leadership? I guess I was thinking they were each running their own campaigns, basing it on who their opponents were. Or… maybe it’s best said “I wasn’t thinking”, LOL.
This does give me an additional concern, though. All this while that we have NOT been hearing this used to hammer against the D’s has left me also concerned that maybe the R’s aren’t going to be as determined to get rid of it as we’d like them to be? I hope not… and most of America hopes not… but it has me concerned.
Who says it’s Mitt Romney’s turn in 2012? Not me! I am an active Republican and I want Obamacare repealed. I am active in the Republican Party because I want conservative people like myself represented. I have had the opportunity to vote at state conventions, and I vote for the most conservative candidates.
I have seen the behavior of the Cocktail Party and many formerly active Republicans have been discouraged from participating in the party because of them. I am excited to see the rise of the tea party candidates, and I wish them success.
I donate to individuals, not to the party, because I have seen quality candidates left hanging with very little to no financial backing from the state or national parties. I am tired of party big wigs going against the will of the people.
We The People need to let both parties know that they do not have their positions to serve only themselves and their own interests. It is time for them to serve us. We must keep them accountable.
GO HERMAN CAIN!
You guyzz are RIGHT ON!
White male elites “conservatives” like O’Really, Rove and Krauthammer do not hammer Obamacare. Team Palin should start from NOW hammering Romney on his Massachussetts mess and Huckabee on his criminal pardoning mess.
We know Sarah will not use all her star power to hammer Romney and Huckabee and bring this idiots down. It is the job of her supporters to take Romney and Huckabee down. Like the mistake Hillary folks made with Obama and Edwards. They thought Hillary’s nomination was in the bag.
Maybe I’m dreaming, but it seems to me that if there actually starts to be Cocktail Party noise that Mittens is the man, the same bunch that is punching noses and taking names now is going to rise up, YELLING, and saying, “OH NO YOU DON’T~~!”
The Cocktail Party has lost communication credibility with American conservatives and independents and I don’t see how just keeping their powder dry (if that’s what they’re doing) is going to help them, because when they’re exposed, it’s just going to demonstrate again that they’re not listening.
Darn I am a Rubio supporter but, he does not need to team up with Romney!
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
Friday, October 1, 2010
Marco Rubio for U.S. Senate Fundraiser
Palma Ceia Golf & Country Club
1601 South MacDill Avenue
Tampa, Florida 33629
Luncheon with Photo Opportunity with Governor Romney: $1,000 per person/$2,000 per couple Luncheon Reception: $250 per person/$500 per couple
…and if they won’t let it be used against Mittens now, that would seem to indicate that Mittens wouldn’t plan to use it against obama in 2012. Idiotic.
Perhaps my memory is failing me. But I thought Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) was all about repealing and replacing Obamacare. I thought Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA) was too. So I am surprised to hear otherwise.
Whatever the case, we need to pressure the GOP to push for repeal and replace. Replace is important because you cannot leave a vacuum. Paul Ryan talks about market-driven reforms. I would like to learn more about these.
Whatever replaces Obamacare, it must be designed to be better; its passage needs to occur in the light of day; it must show how horrible and obstrusive Obama’s policies are.
Seriously, the GOP REALLY REALLY needs to do something about this whole healthcare thing. We are all well aware that things weren’t working before the health care ‘reform.’ The GOP did NOTHING, and so the dems were correct when they said: you’re just saying no? We actually have a plan…so we’re doing something. You guys did *nothing*.
The problem is that the dems are correct…cause the GOP doesn’t have a plan, except for the ‘we hate obamacare’ line. Which sucks. Cause as much as I hate it all – and I *don’t* think it’s better than what we had – the dems DO have a point…
Well, the GOP on Capitol Hill has long emphasized a number of specific reforms to deal with high costs (and not only of insurance) and availability, but it’s the Dems that ahve rejected them time and again — especially tort reform, as the trial lawyers are one of the largest donors to them.
I read three GOP plans online last year. One from Boehner, one from Shazd???? of Arizona, and I forgot who sponsored the other one. They were available on the Congress.gov website, and actually had been given numbers and introduced into committees. So every time you heard a Dem say that the Repubs had no plan last year, you were listening to a lie. They knew perfectly well that those plans existed, but they would not let them out of committee. It suited their purposes to have the public believe otherwise.
I would at least respect Mitt Romney if he came out and said, hey, I made a mistake in MA signing that PO$ legislation, and I oppose RationCare and will repeal it.
its this wishy washy crap I hate. Pick a position with the american people and stick with it! who the hell is he afraid of offending? katie couric?!?!?!
Good insight, Boyz!
You are exactly right all counts. My son lives and Utah and he has been talking about Romney for months now. Also, I gave up on him when the healthcare thing was brought up during the last primary when he ran – that axed him for me. And, I have told my son and family don’t even think about Romney. Not only did he do the healthcare thing but he is LDS and the left will start in on that all over again – as they did during the 2008 primary. He doesn’t have a chance.
People may vote Republican this time when there is no other alternative to the loonies, but next time the RINO’s will go as well. When people realize that a strong Consititutional candidate can be elected – and they will on 11/2/10 – all hell will break loose for both “establishment” parties. They will have to conform or go the way of the Whigs!
You are right on the money, and I will give you one real life example dating back to last Thursday.
Governor Palin had a scathing Facebook post titled Lies and More Lies about the ObamaCare healthcare bill last Thursday on its 6 month anniversary.
In that post she detailed Lie after Lie(x6 or 7 or 8, then she stopped.
It was a well typed piece and worthy of attention, yet NONE of the main-stream consersative blogs mentioned it. Yes I am talking about you HotAir and Drudge and others.
They used her foolow-up post about taking back the 20, but not the Lie piece.
Romney was the ORIGINAL arcitecht of the failure that is Obamacare.
I feel that the “establishment wing” of conservatives is trying to protect him.
This was the hand of MITTENS reaching out, denying her.
Eff Allahpundit and others that are trying to steer the conservative movement to Mittens.
I feel that this was HotAir and its bosses trying to slight Palin and diminish her.
Again, EFF HotAir and AllahPundit for this despicable act.
Tom