Dayhoff Soundtrack: People Boehner John US Congress

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Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Party of No: Dems Ignore Concerns of Small Business Owners Pleading to Stop the Job-Killing Tax Hikes

Party of No: Dems Ignore Concerns of Small Business Owners Pleading to Stop the Job-Killing Tax Hikes
GOP Is Listening to the American People and Pressing to Stop All the Tax Hikes & Help Small Businesses Create Jobs

http://gopleader.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=217269

Washington (Dec 10)

“The House Democratic Caucus threw a bit of a tantrum behind closed doors” yesterday, according to today’s POLITICO Huddle, breaking out into chants of “no we can’t” during a debate on stopping the tax hikes scheduled to take effect on January 1st. The unruly caucus meeting capped off a week of discord and discontent amongst House Democrats intent on blocking a proposed framework to stop the job-killing tax hikes on American families and small businesses. While Democrats vow to keep up the fight to ensure that their job-killing tax hikes take effect, small businesses are left in the lurch – unable to grow or hire new workers amid all the economic uncertainty caused by Democrats’ revolt against stopping all the tax hikes. Here’s what America’s most important job creators are saying about the Democrats’ job-killing agenda:

“If the tax cuts went away, [W. Shane] Reeves [co-owner of Reeves Sain drugstores] would have had to pay more in personal income taxes on his company’s profits. That would’ve affected plans to invest in information technology, add more space and expand the company’s delivery fleet. ‘Overall, the environment we’re all in right now has got everybody nervous,’ Reeves said. ‘But with (expiration of) the tax cuts looming, it just felt like it was going to get worse.’” (The Tennessean, 12/9/10)

“For small business owners, the uncertainty and stakes are even greater. … It takes capital to run a business, said Tom Mercier, owner of BOPI, a 60-employee printing and marketing logistics company in Bloomington. … With printing industry margins only in the 2 to 3 percent range, higher taxes complicate decisions on whether to give pay raises, and how to cover rising health care costs, he said. … The tax cuts are a hot topic for business and individual clients at Henning, Strouse, Jordan and Stephens, a tax and accounting firm in Bloomington, said managing member Mark Nicholas. He said months of uncertainty -- a bipartisan agreement was roughed out Monday -- have delayed important decisions by businesses: Can we expand? Can we buy new equipment? Can we hire? ‘People are definitely holding off on the answers to those questions,’ Nicholas said…‘The uncertainty -- that’s the real problem.’” (The Pantagraph, 12/8/10)

“In Fort Myers, Rustin ‘Rusty’ Jenkins lost his first plumbing business during the region’s new-construction bust, and started over by launching Dynamiq Plumbing, a smaller firm specializing in repairs and remodeling. He’s been clawing his way back to profitability since mid-2008. ‘I’m no expert on taxes ... I’m working 14 hours a day,’ Jenkins said, adding that ‘if I have to pay more taxes, it will be harder to pay my help. It’s a snowball effect.’” (The News-Press, 12/8/10)

“Jim Murphy, president of EST Analytical, which makes environmental testing equipment, was previously uncertain about his hiring plans. ‘I was feeling like between health care costs rising and our tax burden rising to 39.6%, it was pretty dicey, especially when you have so much uncertainty remaining in the economy,’ he says. Now, he says, ‘I know the government is not going to take anymore of our money out, so I’m fairly optimistic going into next year.’” (USA Today, 12/8/10)

“‘It’s a huge stress for us,’ [Small-business owner Brian ] Nichols said. ‘When we really don’t really know what is going to happen with our money, with our taxes, we get to the point where we’re afraid to spend.’ … ‘I don’t feel rich at all,’ Nichols said. ‘Do I categorize myself as higher income? Absolutely not. Do I believe the government should get their act together and spend our money more wisely? Absolutely. That’s what we’ve had to do as small businesses, and that’s what we expect.’” (The Deseret News, 12/7/10)

“Like many small business-owners, [Jim] Bushman’s household income is more than $200,000. But because of the way his business is incorporated, his personal and business taxes are intertwined. So if his personal income taxes increases, that money is pulled out of his business, he said. ‘I’m hoping they extend it – we’ve got a lot of equipment needs we’d like to invest in, and the last thing I want is to have to pay more taxes,’ said Bushman, whose company employs more than 200 workers. Bushman expects a negative impact on sales, too, should Congress fail to act. He helps supply heavy equipment to other small businesses; a higher tax bill for those businesses could mean they’ll have less money to buy Bushman’s equipment.” (Cincinnati Enquirer, 12/6/10)

A PLEDGE TO AMERICA. Republicans are listening to the American people, especially small business owners, who want Washington to stop the job-killing tax hikes and give them the freedom and incentives they need to create jobs. With the most recent Department of Labor jobs report showing that unemployment has ticked up to 9.8 percent and is still on the rise, it is clear that our economy simply cannot afford one more job-killing policy from this Democratic Congress. Republicans have made a pledge to America to bring legislation to the House floor that will stop all the tax hikes and cut spending to get our economy going again. On January 5th, with Democrats gone from power in the House, the new majority will begin moving immediately to deliver on this pledge.

http://gopleader.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=217269

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Wednesday, November 03, 2010

Boehner Remarks at Media Avail with Republican Whip Eric Cantor

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	CONTACT: Michael Steel, Kevin Smith
November 3, 2010	(202) 225-4000
PERMALINK

Boehner Remarks at Media Avail with Republican Whip Eric Cantor

WASHINGTON, DC -- House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) made the following remarks during a media spray held prior to a meeting with Republican Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA):

“We’re humbled by the trust that the American people have placed in us. As I said last night, our job is to listen to the American people and follow the will of the American people. It’s pretty clear the American people want us to do something about cutting spending here in Washington and helping to create an environment where we get jobs back in our country. We’ve got a big job ahead of us. That’s why you will see us roll up our sleeves and go to work today.”

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Monday, July 05, 2010

Boehner Video Hits Obama on Jobs, Oil Spin

Boehner Video Hits Obama on Jobs, Oil Spin
GOP House Minority Leader John Boehner is striking back at President Barack Obama with a video that questions the president's leadership on key national issues. The YouTube video, titled “What About the Country, Mr. President?” is in response to Obama's speech in which he ripped into Boehner for telling a newspaper that a major banking overhaul bill is like "killing an ant with a nuclear weapon."
Read the Full Story -- See the Video

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Tuesday, June 15, 2010

President Obama Should Not Use Oil Spill Crisis To Push For Job-Killing Nat’l Energy Tax

Obama Administration Seeks Political Advantage On Backs Of Gulf Coasters When Both Parties Should Be Working Together To Address This Crisis

http://republicanleader.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=190549

President Obama Should Not Use Oil Spill Crisis To Push For Job-Killing Nat’l Energy Tax

Washington, Jun 15 -

In his address to the nation tonight, President Obama will reportedly use the Gulf oil spill crisis as a rationale to impose a job-killing national energy tax. To be sure, a feeding frenzy of liberal special interests is chomping at the bit, hoping the president will seize on his chief of staff’s philosophy that you “never let a good crisis go to waste.”

House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) offered the following comment in advance of tonight’s Oval Office address:

“President Obama should not use this crisis as an excuse to impose a job-killing national energy tax on struggling families and small businesses. Americans want the President focused on stopping the leak and finding out what went wrong, not on twisting lawmakers' arms on Capitol Hill to pass more costly, job-killing legislation.”

President Obama has laid the groundwork for a renewed national energy tax push, even polling the issue in search of a political advantage:

“Obama calls on Congress to heed oil spill’s ‘wake-up call’ for emissions bill. … President Obama implored a reluctant Congress today to pass a comprehensive energy and climate bill this year in response to the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.” (E&E News, 5/27/10)

“Obama seeks to whip up support for energy legislation on back of spill.” (The Hill, 6/14/10)

“…Obama’s pollster last week gave briefings to key leadership and committee staffers, as well as Democratic chiefs of staff, on the potential wonders a climate change bill could do for the party’s electoral prospects this fall.” (Roll Call, 6/15/10)

“Obama Says He’ll Push For Clean Energy Bill. … Seeking to harness the deepening anger over the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico to the advantage of his legislative agenda, Mr. Obama promised to find the lagging votes in the Senate to get the climate change and energy bill passed this year.” (New York Times, 6/3/10)

“President Obama to seize on Gulf oil crisis to push for climate change legislation.” (The Examiner, 6/14/10)

“Joel Benenson, a pollster for the Democratic National Committee and Obama’s presidential campaign, argues in a new briefing for top Capitol Hill officials that a comprehensive energy bill ‘could give Democrats a potent weapon to wield against Republicans in the fall.’” (Politico, 6/14/10)

In the year since House Democrats forced through their much-maligned national energy tax bill, the nation’s economic situation has only grown more precarious. Americans need real solutions to create jobs, lower energy prices, and clean up the environment, but President Obama’s national energy tax is a recipe for increasing the burden on families and small businesses and shipping more American jobs overseas. The national energy tax was “left for dead” on the merits, and it should stay that way

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Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Boehner Joins House Republicans in Unveiling America Speaks Out

Boehner Joins House Republicans in Unveiling

America Speaks Out

GOP Leader: “House Republicans are giving Americans a megaphone to speak out, using the best technology available.”

WASHINGTON, DC – At The Newseum today, House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) joined House Republicans in unveiling America Speaking Out (ASO), an unprecedented initiative to engage the American people and give them a voice in crafting a new governing agenda for the 111th Congress. At AmericaSpeakingOut.com, all Americans can submit ideas on a wide range of critical issues and have each of them debated and discussed on the merits in an open and transparent forum.

“All across America, the people are speaking out, but unfortunately, Washington hasn’t been listening,” Boehner said. “When you look at all the taxes, all the spending, and all the debt, it’s clear that Washington has been doing what’s best for Washington, not what’s best for America. House Republicans are giving Americans a megaphone to speak out, using the best technology available. AmericaSpeakingOut.com provides a platform for Americans to submit their ideas and have each of them debated and discussed on the merits in an open forum.”

Before introducing ASO’s chairman, Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), and vice chairman, Rep. Peter Roskam (R-IL), Boehner noted that this agenda will be rooted in principles of smaller, more accountable government.

“As Republicans, we know our principles, and we’re going to use them to build a new governing agenda rooted in our principles of smaller, more accountable government,” Boehner added. “We want the American people to be engaged in this process right from the start, and that’s what America Speaking Out is all about.”

In the coming weeks, Republican lawmakers will hold live ASO town hall meetings, where constituents will be invited to add their ideas to this national dialogue.

NOTE: While encouraging a national dialogue, the ASO website also makes clear that House Republicans know their conservative principles and will stand by them. The front page of the site includes this statement: “Here, Americans are provided a new platform to share their priorities and ideas for a national policy agenda. As Republicans, we are committed to our principles of limited, more accountable government; economic freedom; lower taxes; fiscal responsibility; protecting life, American values, and the Constitution; and providing for a strong national security. This is an open forum, however, where all Americans are welcome to respectfully offer their opinions, regardless of party affiliation and whether we endorse them or not.”

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More Information: GOPLeader.gov

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Monday, April 05, 2010

Boehner: No Shame: Expanded Taxpayer Funding of Abortion Industry Tucked Away Inside Dems' New Health Care Law

House Republican Leader John Boehner: No Shame: Expanded Taxpayer Funding of Abortion Industry Tucked Away Inside Dems' New Health Care Law

GOP Leader: "Washington Democrats' Government Takeover of Health Care Dramatically Expands Taxpayer Funding of the Abortion Industry."

http://republicanleader.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=179542

Washington, Apr 5 - Remember when House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) said last month “we have to pass the bill so that you can find out what is in it?” Tucked away inside President Obama’s new health care law is a controversial provision dramatically expanding taxpayer funding of contraceptives and the abortion industry. Washington Democrats actually tried to insert this legislative language in the original trillion-dollar ‘stimulus,’ but were forced to remove it under pressure from Republicans and the American people. No matter: Democrats just hid it in their government takeover of health care instead. After all, no liberal special interest giveaway could be spared in order to force this job-killing monstrosity through Congress over the objection of the American people.

Specifically, all states are now free to offer Medicaid “family planning” services – even for those who are not poor enough to qualify for Medicaid – without receiving approval from the federal government. This will pave the way for more taxpayer dollars to go to clinics that undercut parents and promote abortions. Inside Health Policy has the details:

"Tucked into the health reform legislation is a controversial provision allowing states to expand coverage for family planning services under Medicaid without a waiver from the federal government. Democrats had tried to insert the language into the Recovery Act in January 2009, but pulled back after it became a lightning rod for GOP attacks ... Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) championed the provision in the Senate, adding it to the Senate Finance Committee version of the legislation during mark-up, sources said, and Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) pushed for it in the House. ... ‘How can you spend hundreds of millions of dollars on contraceptives? How does that stimulate the economy?’ House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) said of the provision, according to Reuters.”

With a new national survey showing that even more Americans oppose the new health care law after its passage than before it, House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) says this revelation will only make President Obama’s PR campaign even harder:

“President Obama’s new health care law is already hurting our economy by squeezing employers with job-killing tax hikes and health care cost hikes. Now we learn that Washington Democrats’ government takeover of health care dramatically expands taxpayer funding of contraceptives and the abortion industry. First Democrats removed this controversial provision from the ‘stimulus’ and then they hid it in their government takeover of health care, hoping the American people wouldn’t notice. That’s why Republicans are fighting to repeal this health care law and replace it with common-sense reforms that respect taxpayer dollars and protect life.”

The new health care law marks yet another failure on the part of President Obama and Democrats in Washington to deliver the open and honest government they promised. The final health care bill was signed into law roughly 36 hours after it was passed despite President Obama’s campaign promise that the public would have five days to review every bill that came to his desk “so that you know what your government’s doing.” What other giveaways to liberal special interest groups ended up hidden in this law? How much are these sweetheart deals costing American taxpayers, who are already on the hook for more than $12.7 trillion in debt?

The American people have a right to know how their hard-earned money is being spent. House Republicans have proposed a common-sense transparency initiative to make Congress more open and accountable to the people it serves.

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Friday, March 26, 2010

False Start: Employers Mulling Layoffs, Communist Leader's Endorsement Among Early ObamaCare Highlights

False Start: Employers Mulling Layoffs, Communist Leader's Endorsement Among Early ObamaCare Highlights

GOP Leader Memo: "Where Are The Jobs? Not In President Obama's Health Care Law"

http://republicanleader.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=178751

Washington, Mar 26 - While Americans continue to ask ‘where are the jobs?,’ Democrats in Washington have forced through a job-killing government takeover of health care propped up by backroom deals and phony accounting gimmicks. Last week, more than 130 economists sent a letter to President Obama and Congress warning that “the health care bill … will eliminate jobs, reduce hours and wages, and limit future job creation.” Washington Democrats, however, refused to listen to the American people or these experts, and now the damage ObamaCare will do to our economy is already being measured in the “billions.” Of course, there’s always the Fidel Castro’s endorsement of ObamaCare to buck up skittish Democrats. As House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) outlined in a memo yesterday, the only way to undo this mess is to repeal ObamaCare and replace it with reforms focused first on lowering costs and protecting American jobs.

The Associated Press notes that “the health care overhaul will cost U.S. companies billions and make them more likely to drop prescription drug coverage for retirees because of a change in how the government subsidizes those benefits”:

“Companies Say Health Care Costs Hard to Swallow. … In the first two days after the law was signed, three major companies — Deere & Co., Caterpillar Inc. and Valero Energy — said they expect to take a total hit of $265 million to account for smaller tax deductions in the future. … As many as 1.5 million to 2 million retirees could lose the drug benefits provided by their former employer because of the tax changes, according to a study by the Moran Company, a health care consulting firm. … Consumers Energy, a Michigan gas and electric company with 2.9 million customers, said it will not take a big first-quarter charge because, like most utility companies, it can try to recover the added costs from its customers through rate hikes.”

Small businesses are being hit hard too: a piece that aired on CNN’s The Situation Room yesterday highlights the challenges ObamaCare poses for the nation’s entrepreneurs. Earlier this week, White House senior adviser David Axelrod said that ObamaCare “will sell itself.” Well, here’s how it’s playing around the country today:

Another Midwest manufacturer takes a multi-million dollar hit from Obamacare. “West Chester-based AK Steel Corp. said Tuesday it will take a first-quarter non-cash charge of about $31 million, stemming from the health care reform act passed by Congress March 21…” (Business Courier of Cincinnati, 3/24/10)

Major restaurant chains “have not budgeted for this,” will be “dramatically impacted.” “Dallas-based Brinker International, which operates restaurant chains such as Chili’s and On the Border, offers a mini-medical plan to its wait staff of 80,000, said Travis L. Sartain, an employee benefits broker at McQueary Henry Bowles Troy LLP in Dallas. ‘In no way, shape, or form is it the robust coverage included in this health care reform,’ said Sartain, who found the plan for Brinker. Companies like Brinker ‘have not budgeted for this. In our opinion, they will be dramatically impacted due to this legislation.’” (Dallas Morning News, 3/25/10)

Michigan businesses braces for “thousands of dollars in extra costs” and “tough hiring and firing decisions.” “Two groups representing Michigan businesses fear the most sweeping health care legislation passed in decades could burden them with thousands of dollars in extra costs and paperwork and prevent them from expanding their firms and hiring new workers. … The legislation will force business owners to make tough hiring and firing decisions, industry groups said. … Jim Hiller, owner of Hiller's Market, with seven locations in Metro Detroit, said his 800-employee business is most likely to suffer because it won't be eligible for the same subsidies small businesses may accrue. ‘Certainly (the legislation) will significantly increase our costs.” (The Detroit News, 3/26/10)

Grassroots revolt in the states continues – Georgia governor appoints special AG to protect Peach State citizens from ObamaCare mandates. “Republican Gov. Sonny Perdue said Thursday that he will bypass Democratic Attorney General Thurbert Baker and create a ‘special attorney general’ to sue the federal government over the health care overhaul, an order Baker refused. ‘Constitutionally, I believe he is obligated to represent the people of Georgia in these issues,’ Perdue said at a morning news conference. ‘He’s refused to do that. I can’t force him to do that.’ Perdue, however, said the state constitution permits him to work around Baker and appoint a special attorney general to file a lawsuit against the health care legislation President Barack Obama signed into law earlier this week.” (Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 3/26/10)

Experts say ObamaCare doesn’t address physician shortage crisis. “There may not be enough doctors to see all of the people who are now covered. ‘I don’t think it’s going to encourage enough primary-care physicians,’ Dr. Robert Centor, the academic general internist at the University of Alabama School of Medicine and author of the DB’s Medical Rants blog, said of the health-care legislation.” (CNBC, 3/25/10)

Investor’s Business Daily editorial sheds some light on a past repeal effort led by one of Speaker Pelosi’s top lieutenants. “Once before there were ‘angry mobs’ reacting to government expansion of and into health care. They once greeted former House Ways and Means Chairman Dan Rostenkowski over the Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act of 1988, which expanded Medicare benefits and funded it with a supplemental tax. The Chicago Tribune of August 18, 1989, reported on how House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dan Rostenkowski "was booed and chased down a Chicago street Thursday morning by a group of senior citizens after he refused to talk with them about federal health insurance." .. Legislation to repeal was introduced in the House on Nov. 7, 1989, and passed by a voice vote. … An interesting historical footnote is that leading the protest against Rostenkowski was Jan Schakowsky — then director of the Illinois State Council of Senior Citizens and currently a Democratic representative from the 9th Congressional District of Illinois and chief deputy whip to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.” (Investor’s Business Daily, 3/25/10)

And finally, the slice surtax: “The price of a slice of pizza is gonna go up dramatically.” “At Paesan's Pizza in Latham, owner Frank Scavio says his company was planning to expand to two new locations, but those plans may be put on hold. He says, 'If we open up and go above the 50 person employee then yea, it will affect us and that's when we say OK when do we stop or do we continue to grow?" If they do opt to expand, Scavio says the customer may be the one to pay. ‘The price of a slice of pizza is gonna go up drastically.’” (CBS 6 Albany, 3/25/10)

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Monday, March 22, 2010

The Hangover: Fallout From Health Care Vote Already Plaguing House Dems

republicanleader.house.gov: The Hangover: Fallout From Health Care Vote Already Plaguing House Dems - Widespread Public Discontent, Comparisons to Trillion-Dollar 'Stimulus' Trip Up Dems' Hoped-For Victory Lap

http://republicanleader.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=177650

Washington, Mar 22 -

House Democrats are already beginning to bear the fallout from President Obama and Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-CA) reckless crusade to force a massive government takeover of health care through Congress without the support of the American people. As House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) stated yesterday on NBC’s Meet the Press, “Never in the history of our country have we made such a big, momentous decision on a purely party line vote.” Now we know why. Instead of taking a victory lap, Democrats are already going into “damage control” mode for all their arm-twisting, sweetheart deals, and go-it-alone governing, and it’s already being compared to the trillion-dollar ‘stimulus.’ House Democrats who supported this job-killing bill must now ask themselves whether it was worth it to side with party leaders and liberal special interest groups at the expense of their taxpaying constituents. This is not what the American people wanted out of health care reform, and they will continue to say so loudly and clearly. That’s why Republicans will fight to repeal this massive government takeover of health care and start over with solutions that focus first on lowering costs.

COMPARISONS TO TRILLION-DOLLAR ‘STIMULUS’ INSTEAD OF SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE

“No major entitlement program has become law in such partisan fashion. In 1935, more than half of the minority Republicans in Congress joined Democrats to create Social Security. And in 1965, nearly half of minority Republicans joined Democrats to launch Medicare. Both parties had skin in each game.” (Chicago Tribune editorial, 3/22/10)

Dem Pollster: “They’ve Totally Divided The Country.” “By moving the package with Democratic votes alone, ‘they’ve totally divided the country,’ and it will be difficult for Obama to calm voters before November, said Doug Schoen, a Democratic pollster who worked for former President Clinton.” (The Boston Globe, 3/22/10)

“… But it's hard to benefit politically just because things don't turn out as bad voters feared. Consider last year's economic stimulus package… Obama and Democrats have received little credit for their rescue effort…” (Los Angeles Times, 3/22/10)

“Obama’s Powers of Persuasion … Have Been Ineffective.” “Health care legislation as the public understands it is unpopular. Voters do not view Obama's handling of the health care issue favorably. His overall disapproval rating is higher than his approval rating for the first time in his presidency. It will be difficult to change this dynamic before November, especially since Obama's powers of persuasion over the last year have been ineffective in changing public opinion on several issues.” (Slate, 3/21/10)

“VOTERS ARE FURIOUS,” REGISTER RECORD DISAPPROVAL WITH CONGRESS

“Voters Are Furious … A Year of Bitter Haggling and Legislative Maneuvering.” “The initial blush of President Barack Obama's health care triumph immediately gives way to a sober political reality… Voters are furious. They hate Washington. They also detest incumbents. They're concerned most about the economy. And unemployment that's hovering near 10 percent. They're also split over whether Obama's health plan is good for a nation with enormous budget deficits and climbing debt.…Democrats face a public fed up with Washington and disappointed by a president elected to change it. A year of bitter haggling and legislative maneuvering may feed into the argument — successfully stoked by Republicans — that Democrats have failed to fix Washington. That's the reason some Democrats now worry about losing control of Congress.” (Associated Press, 3/22/10)

Record Disapproval of Congress, More Americans Think Reform Will Hurt Than Help. “The confusion over reform - and the long-running health care debate - has not endeared Congress to the American public. The legislature’s overall approval rating was near an all-time low. Just 14% of Americans said they approve of the way Congress is handling its job, while 76 percent - the highest figure ever - said they disapprove. Approval of Congress has dropped 16 points during the past year. As has been the case throughout the health care debate, more Americans think the reform bill will hurt them (35 percent) than say it will help them personally (20 percent).” (CBS News, 3/22/10)

Case Closed: Majority of Americans Oppose The Bill, Say It’s Too Much Government, And Will Increase Costs and Deficits. “A majority of Americans have a dim view of the sweeping health care bill passed by the House, saying it gives Washington too much clout and won't do much to reduce their own health care costs or federal deficits, according to a new poll released Monday. A CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll found that 59 percent of those surveyed opposed the bill, and 39 percent favored it. … In addition, 56 percent said the bill gives the government too much involvement in health care; 28 percent said it gives the government the proper role and 16 percent said it leaves Washington with an inadequate role. On the question of costs, 62 percent said the bill increases the amount of money they personally spend on health care; 21 percent said their costs would remain the same and 16 percent said they would decrease. The poll's results about the bill's fiscal impact were particularly stark: 70 percent of respondents said they believed deficits would go up because of the bill; 17 percent felt they would stay the same and 12 percent said they would go down.” (CNN, 3/22/10)

DEMS GO INTO “DAMAGE CONTROL,” BUT IS IT TOO LATE?

“The Cruel Reality.” “The cruel reality: What's good for a president isn't necessarily what's good for his party. And things not turning out as badly as people feared has rarely worked as a comprehensive political strategy.” (ABC’s The Note, 3/22/10)

“Lengthy and Rancorous Debate Has Inflicted Considerable Damage” on Democrats. “The lengthy and rancorous debate has inflicted considerable damage on the president and his party. It helped spark the grass-roots ‘tea party’ movement and generated angry town hall meetings last summer that led to some opponents painting Obama as a socialist and a communist for advocating a greater government role in the health-care industry. … But there is a major difference between this health-care battle and the debates that preceded passage of Social Security and Medicare. Although there was opposition to those measures -- conservative opponents called Medicare socialized medicine -- in the end they passed with overwhelming, bipartisan majorities.” (The Washington Post, 3/21/10)

“Damage Control.” “After healthcare vote, Democrats turn to damage control. … The party now must live or die with its landmark legislation in hundreds of congressional districts across the country… ‘Given that Democrats have basically lost the healthcare messaging fight for the last year, I'm not sure why we should think they will begin to win over the next seven months,’ said Charlie Cook, one of Washington's leading election handicappers.” (Los Angeles Times, 3/22/10)

HOUSE DEMS ALREADY COPING WITH MISGUIDED VOTE FOR UNAFFORDABLE, JOB-KILLING BILL

House Democrat: “I Feel Like I Am Walking The Plank.” “Obama May Pay Price By Pushing ‘Political Chips’ on Health Care. Still, Obama’s victory leaves him depleted. ‘There has been a large ‘opportunity cost’ that the president and the Democratic Party have paid for going down this road,’ said William Galston, a onetime domestic policy adviser to President Bill Clinton. Obama is unlikely to find either Democratic or Republican willingness to work on issues of mutual concern. … Said Representative Baron Hill, an Indiana Democrat, ‘I feel like I am walking the plank.’” (Bloomberg, 3/22/10)

“Casting Votes … For Their Own Political Extinction.” “But House Democrats, who have endured months of draining debate and attacks from tea party activists … more relieved than overjoyed — and many may have been casting votes, on a warm spring night, for their own political extinction. … But even Sunday’s stunning comeback victory couldn’t paper over the reality that congressional Democrats, who face a potentially devastating backlash in the midterms, won’t enjoy the benefits…” (Politico, 3/21/10)

RENEWED SCRUTINY OF UNCONSTITUTIONAL MANDATES, SWEETHEART DEALS, AND BROKEN PROMISES

“Pelosi Will Have To Answer For … Legislative Shortcuts.” “Yet going forward, Pelosi will have to answer herself for some of the legislative shortcuts taken in her fierce ‘damn the torpedoes’ march toward final passage.” (Politico, 3/22/10)

Where Are The Lower Premiums? “Legal and Political Fights Loom for Democrats. … Attorneys general in three states — Virginia, Florida and South Carolina — have indicated they will file legal challenges to the measure, on the grounds that it violates the Constitution by requiring individuals to purchase insurance. … Republicans also expect to take advantage of the fact that while the health bill may ultimately help contain rising premiums, it is unlikely to actually bring the cost of health insurance down, and certainly not in the short term.” (The New York Times, 3/22/10)

“A Protracted And Messy Fight in the Courts.” “Attorneys general in 12 states poised to challenge healthcare bill. Attorneys general from at least 12 states say they will challenge the constitutionality of the healthcare reform bill passed by the House of Representatives Sunday night. … The threatened action suggests the controversial measure is about to move from the legislative realm into what could become a protracted and messy fight in the courts. The attorneys general say they will sue once President Obama signs the bill into law.” (The Christian Science Monitor, 3/22/10)

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