Axelrod, Grassley Spar Over Bipartisan Health Care

One of Barack Obama's chief advisers and one of the key Republicans in the Senate jousted on Sunday over what constitutes bipartisanship when it comes to health care legislation.

Appearing on ABC's "This Week," David Axelrod, the president's chief strategist, sought to allay criticism that the health care reform being pushed by the White House and Democrats on the Hill was being constructed without GOP support.

"The bill will be bipartisan by definition," said Axelrod. "The Senate health committee accepted 82 Republican amendments. Republican ideas will be included with this process, we hope it will come with Republican votes as well."

Host George Stephanopoulos followed the remark by noting: "That seems to be the new White House definition of bipartisanship." He appeared to be referencing the administration's approach to the stimulus package, which passed with no Republican support in the House but contained various GOP policy proposals.

"I don't think we should get consumed by process at a time when health care costs are -- you know they've doubled in this decade?" Axelrod responded. "Ultimately we'll bring the federal budget down. We have to act. We can't afford to get consumed in these types of Washington discussions."

That position was attacked in a latter segment on the same show when Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), the ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, scoffed at Axelrod's definition of bipartisanship.

"He said they put in 83 amendments," responded the Iowa Republican, missing the number Axelrod used by one. "Let me assure you, those were not changes in policy. Those were strictly technical. And Republicans are not going to hoodwinked into calling that a bipartisan bill."

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Comments

[Peacein09]

We don't need taxes on our benefits either. We are getting sick from the food we eat, from the lead in our toys and dishes supplied by China, from the side effects from medicines drug companies know don't work, from the mercury and pharmaceuticals in the fish we eat, from the ultraviolet rays that reach us because the energy industry destroyed so much of the ozone layer, from superfund sites known and unknown created by the DoD and DoE, and from new viruses bred in the filth of pig and chicken factories.
So, Axelrod, why not restore corporate taxes to what they were during the Eisenhower years? Even better, make it mandatory that corporations pay a certain percentage of their profits no matter where they are made into an expanded Medicare program.

[Coltrane1234]

Glad to hear that, hopefully you don't even try, they will do nothing but obstruct and try to bring it down.

[frappe]

We all know where the Republicans stand on this issue (and most others, for the most part, too) -- they stand firmly with the STATUS QUO. To attempt to formulate some sort of legislation given their proclivities is tantamount to agreeing to write a worthless bill that won't accomplish a damned thing.

No, the Dems have to go it alone on health care if there is to be any progress at all. I just wish that they'd listen to the American people instead of the special interests. By an overwhelming majority (76%), the American people want a strong public option. And those who have been closely following the debate on health care for years know that Single Payer, if we are to be truly honest, would be the best solution for what ails our health care system.

Our legislators had better listen to what the American people have to say and stop listening to the special interests or else there will be hel! to pay at the polls in 2010 and beyond.

[Bumpkins]

YES, yes, and yes, go it alone. A Detroit News article informed us that the clunker bill is useless-will have little effect in stimulating American car production, and put Americans back to work. That is what "bi-partisanship" get you with the NO'S. The bill was to help American industry-until the NO'S gutted it. Instead of promoting one million cars it is down two two hundred fifty thousand. In Senator Dodd's committee meetings, I saw how the health care bill will also be gutted. The Republicans, with a few Dems. decided that for our safety, free choice of where we buy our medicine. We will not be allowed to but from any foreign country as individuals-safety concerns you know, and quality-why that is direct Govt. interference with our free choice.... Do not we get a lot of medicine from China - well the same country that killed thousands of pets with tainted dog food, tainted medicine and inferior products, and let us not forget the lead paint in toys and tainted baby formula. Our safety - ha- we are a nation are having major brain farts to believe that we will get true reform for health care.

[sueinmn]

India has banned all toys from China. Even they are smarter than we! Amazing how we allow dictators, sweat shop labor and no regard for life to infiltrate this country. We once stood for much more. Now its all about the money.

[murphy80]

he is what he is

a lot of talk

but BO does not deliver..............

pull up a chair and sit for the next fourt years

[gmgl]

Whoever the republican is masking as a Canadian kindly desist.

American health care costs approximately twice as much as Canadian and other single payer country health care. You Americans stream across our border every day desperate for lower priced prescriptions. Your infant mortality rate is so low you don't even belong in the list of developed countries on that score. 60% of your bankruptcies are due to health care costs. When we get sick, we don't worry that we have some merciless insurance company doing it's absolute best to throw us off our health coverage so they can make even more profit.

You've got to be joking to think real Canadians don't count their blessings every day that we are don't have to wake up and face your awful health care system run by and for insurance companies.

[frappe]

gmgl, we know. In fact, most of us here in the States envy your health care system. But, unfortunately, many of our politicians are owned by special interests who are dead set against any public option. And frankly, it's disgusting...We're all disgusted (except a good percentage of the Republicans, of course. But I did read somewhere that 50% of registered Republicans are actually in favor of a public option. I thought that was remarkable and shows progress. But we're up against it here in the States. Even the mainstream media dances to the tune of big business here. It's an uphill battle and it's very, very frustrating. I hope that people demonstrate in the streets in HUGE NUMBERS. Many of us are sick and tired and we can't take it anymore!

[frappe]

We know, gmgl. In fact, most of us here in the States are in envy your health care system. But, unfortunately, many of our politicians are owned by special interests who are dead set against any public option. And frankly, it's disgusting..We are in serious need of campaign finance reform. Actually, it is the K St. lobbyists who are running our government. So many politicians are just mere puppets and bend to their will. We're all so very disgusted with it all. (Surprising statistic: I did read somewhere that 50% of registered Republicans are actually in favor of a public option. I thought that was remarkable and shows progress.)

But we're up against it here in the States. Even the mainstream media dances to the tune of big business here. It's an uphill battle and it's very, very frustrating. I hope that people demonstrate in the streets in HUGE NUMBERS. Many of us are sick and tired and we can't take it anymore!

[frappe]

Sorry for the dual post. Not intentional...

[Marcospinelli]

I think that people mistakenly believe that Obama&Democrats want public health care.

If the Bush administration taught us nothing else, it's that anyone can sell anything to the American people, if you're stolid and relentless in your sales pitch and tactics.

Obama didn't get to be the first black president, vanquish the Clinton machine and the oldest and most experienced politicians in our nation's history by not having mastered these skills. Nor do Democratic politicians (more incumbents than ever, in office longer) not know how to do it. How do you think Democrats managed to keep impeaching Bush and Cheney off the table and have us still reelecting them, not marching on Washington with torches and pitchforks?

Obama and Democrats know how to do it -- They don't want to do it. The trick for them has been to keep us believing that they really do want a populist public health care program, but that they're merely inept. And to get us to keep voting for them in spite of their failure to deliver on any of our alleged shared objectives.

Our mistake is in believing that Democrats want to pass public health care, single payer or not. If Democrats could get away with forcing universal health care (forcing all Americans into for-profit insurance policies), they'd do that.

The DLC, which is in control of the Democratic Party, is not a populist group of people. They're in bed with Big Business, just like Republicans.

[moongal6]

Please don't give up on single payer just yet. I empathize with your cynicism. I have been campaigning for single payer, www.pnhp.org for a long time.
Call your rep, senator, and the WH directly, what ever it takes.
I know it's frustrating, but we need to take to the streets.
Other countries do it all the time. I am working to try and organize a state wide protest for single payer that will get National attention.
I wear a button on my shirt every where I go that says; Ask me about single payer, and people do, I tell them and they want it and they get on board and call their rep.
Keep your chin up and keep informing people.
Thanks for your post.

[propitiousmoment]

What state are you in and where/when is your protest?

[rockyb26]

as a public health physician who also works on healthcare reform issues i can tell you that single payer is not going to happen anytime soon. medicare and medicaid are in dire need of reform themselves and the legislators would never be able to add 50 million people to those rolls without fixing the waste and inefficiency that are currently crippling the system. single payer should be our ultimate goal for the near future, but it's not the right time now. the public option is the 1st step on the road to single payer though, so don't not support it just because you prefer single payer. we will get there...

[tbone0726]

What a misguided little mind you have.

[Ohsherri]

Can you please be more specific about what you think is "misguided" about
that?
You're the one with the little 'blurp' of a comment.

[dems08]

"If Democrats could get away with forcing universal health care (forcing all Americans into for-profit insurance policies)"

universal health care DOES NOT EQUAL forcing all Americans into for profit insurance policies

[joeyjack]

Canada's healthcare system sucks.

I wrote about it today. I wanted to post it here but my post needs more characters.

moderatelylib.livejournal.com

I always get to the point.

[moongal6]

Do you live in Canada?
Or can you see it from your backyard?

[totalliberal]

Is that why Canadians are trying to get rid of it? Maha!

[moongal6]

http://www.pnhp.org/news/2008/february/10_myths_about_canad.php

[Ohsherri]

It does?
Hmmm....that's news to me.
And my family.
And my friends.
And people I've met over years here in Canada.
And it's also news to HealthCanada.
It's news to the majority of Canadians that would ruin any hopes of ANY politician
that so much as 'peeps' they are going to reverse it. (Which they never would)

In fact...if it s0cks as you say...how come no countries with Universal Healthcare are
demanding to 'reverse it'?
Are you f0 rking kidding me?
Healthcare is a RIGHT!
And I'll just bet that YOU don't believe the same....and that's what really s0cks.

[rockyb26]

you're clearly not a canadian. you're regurgitating fox talking points and its lazy

[JuliaRain]

Oh hai new guy! Welcome to HP!

[totalliberal]

The Republicans lost. End of argument.

[Marcospinelli]

Unless we get single payer universal health care, the American people will have lost.

[totalliberal]

Absolutely agree. Everything else is BS.

[ReealOne]

Sooo.... seeing as how no matter which way we look at it, the Republicans WILL NOT BE calling ANYTHING the Obama Administration does "bipartisan".... UNLESS they are allowed to take things over... then it just cuts through all the chase of trying to work with the GO-NOPERs.... PERIOD.

Since the Obama Administration knows this... all the DEMS have to do is make a "courtesy" offer of bipartisanship, and then move on and handle their business.... otherwise, if they allow the Republicans to whittle down their bills, all the administration will have is JUNK.

The Obama Administration MUST remember that this is about making this country BETTER to benefit the American people..... NOT to simply do everything to accomodate the GO-NOPERs.

[FessorFrink]

I'll definitely take Axelrod's opinion over Grassley's. I think Axelrod cares about making strong changes, but has been overridden by others in the Administration in some areas, specifically banking and economic issues.

[Bubba Gump]

I'm with you in that opinion! Axelrod all the way!

President Obama's task on health care is not to kiss the assets of the Republican "Party of No" in some DC exercise of political bipartisan showmanship; POTUS and the Democratic majority in Congress must deliver real, helpful, and affordable health care to the public! This is a THIRD RAIL issue and there is no margin for error or niceties because we know the Republican dirty trick machine will be on maximum. To borrow an expression for the Democratic plan of action: "Git 'er done!"

[KLordsha]

Obama's Tom Hagan... Love you Ax!

[LemonMeringue]

The GOP's entire opposition to public health care is based on untruths.

[swift goat pet for truth]

Your statement needs editing. Let me help.

"The GOP's... is based on untruths."

[citizensrus]

Less than 1 in 4 identify themselves as Republican, so this party is the definitely the minority. Will somebody tell them this? It sees some Democrats are finally beginning to get it.

[Marcospinelli]

Those who identified as Republicans have switched to the Democratic Party or Independents.

And it's not because they've become more liberal.

[digeridoo2]

I bent my axelrod.

[KLordsha]

lol I don't get it but it was still funny as hell..

[master09]

I was a federal employee so let me give you a few facts about the government sponsored health insurance; every two weeks I contributed 133.00 and the government 425.00. Every year we had a choice of picking which company's plan suited our needs. All of the major insurance companys were allow to get a bit of this apple. Some of these company's profits are in the billions of dollars so this is a classic example tranferring the wealth of the nation to investing class; collecting premuims and protecting profits is all they need to do; its really a shame how these people steal from the public all in the name of profits and our health be damed; so a public option will cut into thier profit and I hope our president stick to his guns and any democrate who votes against the health care bill for what ever reason should identified and voted out of office as a enemy of the people.

[Lorianne]

What is the 'public plan'?
Can you give details?

[Mij13]

We do our own research around here. That's how you learn.

[swift goat pet for truth]

Ezra Klein is quite good.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/ezra-klein/2009/06/health_care_reform_for_beginne_3.html

[moongal6]

www.pnhp.org

[Marcospinelli]

Obama's public option, or any public plan other than single payer universal health care, is a great big GIMME to Big Insurance.

It's unconscionable that insurance companies dealt themselves into the arrangement between doctors and patients. Big Insurance is like Don Fanucci in GodFather II -- Dipping his nib into everyone's business, a "protection" racket. Health care, like firefighters and police, shouldn't be for profit.

Now is the time for CHANGE.

Single payer universal health care.

[moongal6]

www.pnhp.org

[Effymens]

I agree with you completely.