Kansas Republicans Should Heed Bob Dole's Advice

Kansas Republicans just received a surprising criticism from one of their own. As picked up right here on Huffington Post, former Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole (R-KS) told a group of local Kansas journalists today that the GOP needed to get on board and stop fighting health insurance reform. His most stunning observation was reported by the KC Star:

"Sometimes people fight you just to fight you," he said. "They don't want Reagan to get it, they don't want Obama to get it, so we've got to kill it...Health care is one of those things...Now we've got to do something."

Tomorrow, Bob Dole will be releasing a statement with former Sens. Tom Daschle, Howard Baker, and George Mitchell along the same lines calling on Congress to enact health insurance reform.

These comments are brutal on their own, but what's most significant about these words isn't what was said, but who said them. Think about it for a second -- Bob Dole? I bet he could teach us all a thing about obstructionist politics. Just ask him about his role in crushing health reform in the 1990s -- I guarantee he'll have some incredible stories.

But that's where we're at these days. The level of Republican obstructionism and failed leadership has reached the point where even one of the Senate's greatest obstructionists is calling on his party to do better -- or, at least, to do something.

Now, Kansas Republicans like Reps. Lynn Jenkins, Todd Tiahrt, and Senator Sam Brownback are faced with an uncomfortable choice. Follow the advice of a party elder and start working towards real reform, or continue down their path of no results, no leadership, and nothing but no.

I wish I could say we could expect better from our elected representatives, but as Lynn Jenkins said yesterday: "I'm a proud member of the Party of No!"

 

 

Follow Mike Nellis on Twitter: www.twitter.com/MikeNellis

Comments

[den1953]

I'd rather they stick with the likes of Rush Limbaugh & Glen Beck there the true Republican Party!

[hip dibler]

republicans always feel free to speak the truth once out of office.

thanks for playing bob.

[robbor]

as we get closer to passing healthcare reform containing the public option, republicans will turn to their masters, the insurance companies, and say " we did our best, see you later" and they'll vote for reform en masse [ to save what skin they have left for 2010 ]

[Aaror]

Why can even Bob Dole see that we need this?
Right now our companies have to provide thousands of dollars in health insurance, it is crippling us in foreign trade.
Even the Repubs can see that we need to reform the system or the nation falls.
Now if only the folks in office would break ranks for the sake of the nation...

[sugarpops]

When Bob Dole lost to Reagan to be the Republican candidate for president in 1980 I was appalled and disappointed, he would have been a far better president.
It was my pleasure to be served by Senator Dole for the nine years I lived in Kansas. He was a great represtentative for Kansas, he never forgot his duties as an elected official.
So when he states that we need health care reform now, he speaks for the heart of Kansas and the US. He is a die hard Republican and a much respected elder statesman. Republicans take heed and follow his advice.

[NickGranite]

If Bob Dole will throw in his gold-plated healthcare in with the peasants, I'd agree with you. Somehow I don't see that happening.

[topkatnc]

I voted for Bill Clinton the first time that he ran for president....The second time that he ran....I voted for
Bob Dole.....Now I no for sure , that I did the right thing....

[vlm1948]

One of only a few times I've had any respect for Bob Dole, maybe change in Kansas is possible.

[NorquistNemesis]

Uh-oh. The Graybeards have stepped in.

[Ganapati]

Oh please... Wasn't Dole someone we didn't hold in much appreciation until today?
Watch for hypocrisy within ourselves.

[DougNTexas]

Easy to tell the truth when You and the wifey no longer need money from Corporate Lobbyist such as Insurance Companies when running for Senate seats..

[thinkagain2]

go, Mike, go!!! I see a strong tint of iolet in our sea of red!

Please consider a demfest in the Lawrence area. I couldn't get to Wichita last weekend, but really want to be involved!!!!

[TXfemmom]

I never thought that Bob Dole would have the right view on anything. Are the glaziers refreezing?