Grayson: "Olympia Snowe Was Not Elected President Last Year" (VIDEO)

Rep. Alan Grayson (D-Fla.) continued his streak of rousing floor speeches Thursday night, this time berating Democrats for their obsession with Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine).

"We as a party have spent the last six months, the greatest minds in our party, dwelling on the question, the unbelievably consuming question of how to get Olympia Snowe to vote on health care reform," he said. "I want to remind us all that Olympia Snowe was not elected President last year. Olympia Snowe has no veto power in the Senate. Olympia Snowe represents a state with one half of one percent of America's population."

"What America wants is health care reform," he continued. "America doesn't care if it gets 51 votes in the Senate or 60 votes in the Senate or 83 votes in the Senate. In fact, America doesn't even care about that, it doesn't care about that at all."

Grayson also had harsh words for Republicans who want him to apologize for saying their party wants sick people to die quickly. "I will not apologize for a simple reason: America doesn't care about your feelings," he said. "But America does care about health care. If you're against it, then get out of the way. Just get out of the way."

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Comments

[SA-Liberal]

I think I have a crush on this guy :)

[carolinealicia]

me too!!

It's great to hear someone in politics just speak frankly. Not wordy overly polite rhetoric (sorry Mr President) not hate speech (Fox news, the "You lie" fellow). Rep. Grayson is not there to make friends, he's there to get some work done. If people feel like he is stepping on their toes, then so be it. He's not about to brown nose though.

[edwarvir]

Sen Allan Grayson tells the truth with humor.
I love it.

[jasper48]

This guy is such a breath of fresh air. I saw him interviewed, where he said he did not get the memo about Freshman Legislators being seen and not heard. Good on him!! It would be nice if we didn't have to take the path that Congressman Grayson is taking. Continued bickering and name calling, however, will never serve as an equitable path to resolution of problems. Laying down while being kicked again and again is no answer either, so the tact Grayson is taking, is not only acceptable, but welcome.

[Johnniedog]

Grayson is the Democrat that all of us were waiting for! He does not go outside of the rules, but, he goes right for the bottom line. To the point.....­.with the truth. I have to vote for Democrats because they stand for the people but I can't stand the lack of spirit and backbone in their demeanor. We don't want them to act like Republicans. We simply want them to act like they can stand up to fight for what is right. Sure! Once in a while you will get punched in the nose. But standing there taking punch-after-punch, only gets you an ass whoopin'. Stand up to the bullies and show the American people you really believe what you say.

[wildedge]

FINALLY, a Democrat who knows how to shape the discusion. If all Dems were on this track, it would be the reform express!

[edwarvir]

Bravo , The Democrats need to grow a pair.
They are giving her far to much power when it
comes to this bill.

[VivaZapata]

Finally, someone is right on the money. Let Snow and Collins answer to their Maine constituents. Democrats are perceived as weak-kneed for a reason. Too many of them are. Good for Grayson that he's not.

[wassilij]

EXCELLENT!!!WOW!!!

[Kirook]

Wow, love it - so refreshing ... no point in trying to reason and deal with the irrational and unreasonable ... why are the democrats working so hard to get republicans on board when they don't need them????

[RoseCity]

Ahhh...his PASSION!!!

That passion, that calls 'em like he sees 'em truthfulness has for soooo... long been missing on the Dem side (always being so conciliatory), we need someone to "shake it up"!

Humble, non-assuming but man, he speaks truth to power...AN­YONE can understand what this man says. Straight to the point!!

[IDIOTA]

Call me dumb and impractical, but I really admire Dennis Kucinich, and I daydream about what he'd be doing now if he were President. I think that he would be willing to fall on a sword to get true health care reform if he were President.

[SouthPrairie]

So true--and he would be getting menaced and harassed just like Obama is, and Clinton was.

In power they fleece--out of power they manace. I love Kucinich too.

[IDIOTA]

In spite of his showboating, I like Grayson because much of what he is saying is what I am thinking. His devil may care approach is refreshing. He's not eloquent, but he makes strong points. His "die quickly" characterization of GOP health care reform efforts is surprisingly memorable.

[SouthPrairie]

I hope that this type of candor is contagious!!

THE AUDACITY OF TRUTH!!

[hapiday]

"This country needs leadership. I was hoping President Obama would provide that leadership, but am beginning to have serious doubts - wars, health care, and his decisions on the economy."

There's no need to tear down one man to build up another man. Grayson is needed and he will motivate the rest of his Democratic friends. President Obama is providing leadership, he's helping to make it possible for Grayson to speak without retribution from party leadership. President Obama will also be supportive to Grayson when he's up for reelection. People need to stop with the defeatist attitude every time President Obama doesn't make all your American Dreams come true in their time frame.

[hapiday]

I like Grayson. I said the same exact thing last week but the hufp0 wouldn't post it. A couple of weeks ago Snowe voted on nearly every amendment with the Republicans, no matter how ridiculous it was. Someone wrote an article on here calling her President Snowe which again was ridiculous. The Dems need to stop pandering to this woman, if they don't we will lose everything.

[IDIOTA]

It is if as we are witnessing a performance whose storyline is inevitable because it has already been written.

This story of health care reform has not been written. There is only a rough draft, and it can still be discarded.