Virtually unnoticed by the mainstream media, thousands of protestors descended on Capitol Hill Thursday to express their outrage over PelosiCare. And this time, the Republican Party was onboard. In fact, it was a Republican, Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn) who invited them!It is telling when thousands of people show up in DC. It is more telling when they show up on a Thursday. It’s even more telling when they show up only one week after being asked to come. It’s true. This entire rally happened because Republican Rep. Michele Bachmann extended an invitation on October 30, while speaking on Fox News. She said:
“I’d love to have every one of your viewers join me so that we can go up and down through the halls. Find members of Congress, look at the whites of their eyes and say, 'Don't take away my health care.'”And more interestingly, this time the Republicans got it. Not only did they attend the rally, but they spoke. . . and they spoke well! Let’s grade them:
• House Minority Leader John Boehner told the crowd: “This bill is the greatest threat to freedom that I have seen in the 19 years I've been here in Washington, taking away your freedom to choose your doctors, the freedom to find health insurance on your own. It’s an illegal government takeover of our health care system.”But the real star of this show. . . no, not Jon Voight or John Radcliffe (Cliff from Cheers), both of whom attended as well. . . the real star was Michele Bachmann, who made the initial invite.
Excellent. This is no “we are not amused” speech of the kind we’re used to hearing from Republicans. This is red meat. Note the repeated references to “freedom”, note the very-un-Republican claim that this is “illegal”, and note that he described it as “our” health care system -- this is not just an intellectual exercise. Thumbs up. Grade: A
• Eric Cantor (R-Va), the House Minority Whip, promised that: “I will guarantee you that we are committed to making sure that not one Republican will vote for this bill.” The sentiment is right, even if the words are uninspired and tepid. Keep learning Eric. Grade: C
• Mike Pence (R-Ind) blasted Pelosi’s plan as “a freight train of runaway spending, bloated bureaucracy, mandates and higher taxes.” Bravo! Succinct, clear imagery. Well said (9 out of 10 trainsmackers agree)! Grade: A+
• Steve King (R-Iowa) promised: “We’re not going to leave this Hill until we kill this bill.” That’s not a realistic promise, and thus loses points, but King gets points for enthusiasm! Grade: B
As the crowd cheered “Kill the Bill,” Bachmann issue another call to arms (figuratively): “Speaker Pelosi is poised with her healthcare bill to take over 18 percent of the American economy. The Republicans don't have the votes to kill this bill, but what we knew was unlimited was the voice of persuasion of the American people.”
And people did take her up on this. Many carried signs saying: “Free health care isn’t free”... “Ken-ya Trust Obama”... and “Bury Obamacare with Kennedy.” Others used the opportunity to visit their representatives. For example, one family of ten from North Carolina, the Kaufmans, visited their representatives. Said Paul Kaufman, “I feel like I’m defending my freedom. I’m defending my rights. I love my country, but I’m afraid of my government.”
As usual, the White House showed nothing but disdain for the public. It spent the day trumpeting endorsements by the AMA and AARP, as if anyone in the country didn't know that neither group ever failed to endorse a far left Democratic plan. When asked about the rally, Robert Gibbs, Press Secretary Extraordinaire, dismissed the public: “There’s a rally going on without a solution on their side.” He did not add “let them eat cake,” but he probably should have.
Meanwhile. . . in a dark tower in a hidden valley, shrouded by dark, sulfuric clouds, Nancy Pelosi continues to show that she has lost touch with reality. Speaking from her bunker, Pelosi incredibly declared “we won. . . my pretties,” when asked about the smackdown voters delivered the Democrats on Tuesday. She then insisted that the House would go forward with the vote on PelosiCare Saturday despite the terror that has gripped her delegation. She assured us that she had the votes to force the bill through.But as she spoke, another winged monkey bolted the monketorium: Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D-SD) has announced that she will not support this bill.
And they still haven’t solved the abortion (winged)monkey wrench that Rep. Stupak tossed into Pelosi’s finely tuned machine of evil.
Even Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Pelosi's Basement) has acknowledged that the Democrats lack the votes to pass the bill and has signaled that they may need to push the vote off. Interestingly, Hoyer tried to blame the Republicans for the delay. But Minority Leader Boehner met this laughable attempt to deflect blame with derision: “Nice try Rep. Hoyer, but you can't blame Republicans when the fact is you just don't have the votes.”
Might I suggest, Comrade Hoyer, that perhaps you've been betrayed? Not that you should start a purge or anything. . . I'm just saying is all.
i was brought to tears yesterday knowing that so many showed up on such short notice. we are doing this thing, step by determined step, and i couldn't be more proud of us.
ReplyDeleteAndrew: I see this as proof of the adage that no army (or Congress) is so powerful as an idea whose time has come. The only thing that was missing in DC was leadership. And as you've pointed out, we may finally be getting some.
ReplyDeletePatti, I couldn't be more proud either. I have never seen the American people rise to a challenge like they have this time. It's truly inspiring!
ReplyDeleteLawhawk, You're right. This is an idea that is simply too powerful to resist.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to see the Republican leadership attempt to take up the mantle. They've got more work to do, but the first dozen babysteps are being taken now.
Let's see if they start pushing for real reforming conservatives instead of RINO opportunists.
Andrew,
ReplyDeleteI think there is a second rally going on tomorrow. Steve King from Iowa called for one on Saturday.
It is amazing and awe-inspiring.
Joel, I wish him luck. Even if the numbers aren't as big as the 9/12 protest, the fact that people remain active must be scaring the heck out of Washington right now.
ReplyDeleteMark Levin also gave a very inspiring speech. It was equally inspiring to see how many people dropped everything and descended on the Capitol on such short notice. And, you're right Andrew: Michelle Bachmann has proven that she walks the talk. Very cool to see her in action.
ReplyDeleteIn contrast, I keep waiting to see Nancy Pelosi lying on the ground, stamping her hands and feet. It's coming. I can feel it.
Writer X,
ReplyDeleteI figured it was time to start highlighting what the Republicans are doing so that we know who is who and what they stand for.
And Bachmann is high on a lot of people's lists.
I'm sure Pelosi's already done that a couple time. . . just not on camera, yet. In any event, I will keep my fingers crossed!
I wonder if she can get up on her own, or if she's got the turtle problem?
Andrew, by turtle problem, I assume you're referring to Reid?
ReplyDeleteWriter X, LOL! I hadn't thought of that, but it works! :-)
ReplyDeletei've never heard of "turtle problem" in any context other than "turtle-head" (sorry about that), but thinking about reid being pelosi's turtle-head made me laugh.
ReplyDeletewriter x: i can feel it too. gonna be great,
Patti, When you put a turtle on it's back, it becomes a Democrat. It refuses help itself turn over and it seeks a handout. . . at least that's what I heard.
ReplyDeleteThough it’s good to let pols become involved, and I know they will be the vehicle that delivers the conservative message. But, I caution that many of these same politicians were around when the Republicans where in power, and slowly morphed into to big government Washington politicians. If we allow them to attend our Tea Party, they need to be read the riot act, go left and be gone, and mean it. Though Rep. Bachmann made the plea for the house call, it was free Americans on their own dime that made their way to Sodom (Washington.) Without us they’re nothing politically, and they need to know this in no uncertain terms. I’ve been to three Tea Parties (invigorating), in only one was a politician even allowed to speak. As you say it’s good to finally hear the right things being said, now lets watch.
ReplyDeleteStan, I'm encouraged. But like you, I remain cautious. They have show some great strides of improvement. The question now becomes, it is real? And as long as it is, I think we should encourage them. But if the slip back, then they need to be replaced.
ReplyDelete