Republicans Killed Bipartisanship

Rep. Boehner Ridiculously Claimed Democrats Were To Blame For Lack Of Bipartisanship

Rep. Boehner:

The announcement that Democrats will abandon bipartisanship in order to pass their costly government takeover of health care is nothing new.  From day one, the White House has taken a go-it-alone approach on health care. [Boehner Release, 8/19/09]

The GOP Isn't Fooling Anyone

Americans Blame Republicans In Congress For Lack Of Bipartisanship.  According to a poll by the Pew Research Center, 29% of Americans blame Republican leaders for the lack of bipartisan cooperation while only 17% blame President Obama. [Pew Research Center, 8/19/09]

Republicans Have Tried To Kill Reform Every Step Of The Way

Rather Than Proposing Solutions, Rep. Blunt Sought To Focus On Attacking Democrats' "Really Bad Piece Of Work."  As reported by The Hill, Rep. Roy Blunt said: "Our bill is never going to get to the floor, so why confuse the focus? We clearly have principles; we could have language, but why start diverting attention from this really bad piece of work they've got to whatever we're offering right now?" [The Hill, 7/22/09]

Sen. DeMint Vowed To Defeat Reform To "Break" Obama.  Sen. Jim DeMint said, "If we're able to stop Obama on [health care reform], it will be his Waterloo. It will break him and we will show that we can, along with the American people, begin to push those freedom solutions that work in every area of our society." [ABC News, 7/20/09] *AUDIO*

Sen. Grassley: "I Take Pride With Being An Obstructionist." As reported by Politico, "Grassley had words for both parties. 'I take pride with being an obstructionist,' he said, if that means scuttling a public option that could lead to a single-payer system." [Politico, 7/6/09]

• Grassley Vowed To Oppose His Own Bipartisan Legislation Unless It Was Backed By Republicans. When asked by NBC's Chuck Todd if he would be "willing to be one of just three or four Senate Republicans that support an eventual deal if you get what you want out of the Senate Finance Committee," Sen. Grassley replied, "Certainly not. And I told the president that a week ago Thursday and I told Max Baucus that over a period of three or four months, so I'm not telling you anything new. In fact, let me build on what you said and why I say that I wouldn't be. I'm negotiating for Republicans and if I can't negotiate something that gets more than four Republicans, I'm not a very good representative of my party." [ThinkProgress, 8/17/09]

Sen. Kyl: "I Think His Concern About Having Almost All Republicans Opposing That Kind Of Approach Is A Valid One." As reported by Politico, "Grassley has been under pressure from top Republicans to not give the Democrats bipartisan support if most GOP senators can't support a bill. 'I think his concern about having almost all Republicans opposing that kind of approach is a valid one,' Kyl said." [Politico, 8/18/09]

Rep. Cole: "I'd Like To See The Democrats Go Home And Get Pounded On." As reported by The Hill, "'I'd rather go debate at home and see our members carry the message there, and frankly I'd like to see the Democrats go home and get pounded on,' said Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.), the former head of the House GOP campaign arm." [The Hill, 7/22/09]

Rather Than Propose Bipartisan Solutions, Republicans Stoke Fear Among Americans

Rep. Foxx Implied The Democratic Plan Would "Put Seniors In A Position Of Being Put To Death By Their Government." While speaking on the floor of the House, Rep. Virginia Foxx said the Republican plan would "make sure we bring down the cost of health care for all Americans and that ensures affordable access for all Americans and is pro-life because it will not put seniors in a position of being put to death by their government." [Foxx Floor Statement, 7/28/09]

Rep. Broun Said The Public Option "Is Gonna Kill People." While speaking on the floor of the House, Rep. Paul Broun said, "that's exactly what's going on in Canada and Great Britain today.  They don't have the appreciation of life, as we do in our society, evidently.  And, um.  Dr. Roe, a lot of people are gonna die, this program of 'government option' is being touted as being this panacea, the savior of allowing people to have quality health care at an affordable price-  is gonna kill people." [Broun Floor Statement, 7/10/09]

Rep. Steve King: "There It Looks To Me Like They Are Preparing To Fund Illegal Aliens." During an interview with RightWingNews.com, Rep. Steve King said, "Well nothing is certain, of course, but with the language that's there it looks to me like they are preparing to fund illegal aliens -- even though they have some language that says that they won't be funding them. It's got to be more specific than general language in there." [Right Wing News; 8/3/09; emphasis added]

Rep. Trent Franks: "His Health Care Plan Will Be The Largest Expansion Of Abortion In The United States." During an appearance on Fox News, Rep. Trent Franks said, "one of the side issues that nobody pays any attention to, this health care plan will be the largest expansion of abortion in the United States since Roe vs. Wade only this time it'll be paid for by taxpayer dollars and people don't... see that as health care." [Fox News, 8/9/09]

The Republican Party's Letter Simply Rephrased Luntz's Anti-Reform Talking Points

 Rep. Boehner:

Months ago, Republicans sent the President a letter noting areas of potential common ground on health care reform and requesting a meeting with him to discuss a bipartisan way forward. [Boehner Release, 8/19/09]

Despite claiming to represent the GOP's willingness to work with President Obama, the letter mentioned by Rep. Boehner was filled with anti-reform talking points written by insurance company-funded pollster Frank Luntz.

Common Sense

GOP Letter: "We believe it is possible, and necessary, to achieve these objectives through common sense reforms..."

Luntz: "Here is the perfect sentence for addressing cost and the limited role for government that wins you friends rather than enemies: The time has come for a balanced, common sense approach..." [The Language of Healthcare 2009, by Frank Luntz, accessed 5/21/09, emphasis added]

Rationing

GOP Letter: "...without rationing care..."

Luntz: "The word 'rationing' does induce the negative response you want, but what you really want audiences to focus on is the 'consequences of rationing.' As you can see, 'rationing' tests very well against other healthcare buzzwords that frighten Americans." [The Language of Healthcare 2009, by Frank Luntz, accessed 5/21/09, emphasis added]

Bureaucrats

GOP Letter: "...or empowering government bureaucrats at the expense of patients and doctors."

Luntz: "The arguments against the Democrats' health care plan must center around 'politicians,' 'bureaucrats,' and 'Washington.'" [The Language of Healthcare 2009, by Frank Luntz, accessed 5/21/09, emphasis added]