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Republican Strategery
Author: BobR    Date: 2013-11-14 12:02:03

It's hard to tell what the Republicans are trying to accomplish. After losing ground in the 2012 elections, they talked a good game about being more inclusive, reaching beyond their largely white male demographic to pull in more voters.

Then they shut down the government.

Then they complained loudly that people couldn't get access to the healthcare insurance exchanges that they've been trying to kill for years.

And now they're punting on immigration reform... again.

The Senate did the heavy lifting and passed a bipartisan bill to address the biggest problems in our immigration system. The main problem is young adults who were brought into this country as babies, have lived here their entire lives, know little of their parents homeland, and now are in legal limbo when it comes to getting jobs or higher education. John Boehner (R-OH) has stated that the bill will not be touched this session. Naturally, Harry Reid (D-UT) is a bit agitated:
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) chided Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) for his refusal to negotiate with the Senate on immigration reform.

“I'm stunned,” Reid said in an interview Wednesday with Fusion, a joint venture by ABC News and Univision. “How could anybody in good conscience tell one group he's trying to do immigration reform, and a few minutes later, say 'I'm not going to do anything about a conference?' "

Earlier in the day, Boehner reiterated what he’s said before on immigration reform: “I'll make clear we have no intention ever of going to conference on the Senate bill."

His comments confirmed the House will not take up the issue this year, which President Obama and Democrats have pressed for. Last week, House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) also ruled it out for 2013, arguing there are too few legislative days remaining in this session.

That should go over well with the Latinos that the Republican party is trying to woo.

Even the Catholic Church - not known to be a bastion of liberal values - is asking the Speaker to reconsider. Boehner - a Catholic - is going to go against his church on this one. I imagine that's going to make for an awkward confessional - assuming he ever goes.

The recent wins by Democrats in VA and elsewhere show that the uber-right-wing faction of the Republican party which seems to drive the narrative during the primaries can't win in the generals. Yes, Chris Christie is a Republican, but he's not a tea-bagger. That the tea-partiers lost in VA and AL, and a moderate Republican won in NJ should be all the evidence the Republican party needs to put the foaming-at-the-mouth crazies back in their cages. TX Gov Rick Perry is calling for compromise within his party (in his own special double-speak kind of way, bless his heart). Business - the end-all and be-all for the Republican party - is asking the Tea-baggers to sit down and shut up.

It's possible that the Republican establishment can regain control of their party. They've got less than a year to figure this out. They are counting on the bungled Obamacare website roll-out to sweep them back into the good graces of the electorate, but that site will be humming along nicely before primary season, and the complainers will be old news by summer. Everyone will be enjoying their shiny new healthcare plans wondering what the hell the Republicans were trying to do in getting rid of it. There's still another budget battle in February. Any guesses on how THAT will turn out? All they'll have come November 2014 is their own poor record in Congress.

And they'll have only themselves to blame.
 

82 comments (Latest Comment: 11/15/2013 03:01:12 by TriSec)
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Comment by Raine on 11/14/2013 13:46:01
Good morning!

Comment by Raine on 11/14/2013 13:53:24
There are roughly 320 million people in this country.

About 85% of us get health insurance through an employer, Medicare, Medicaid, or the VA.

That means about 270 million of us are not affected at all by healthcare.gov web site issues or by junk individual policies that are being cancelled.

Among the 50 million who are affected, 40 million had no insurance at all, so it isn't like the ACA or the website problems made their situations worse. They are either better off or the same.

That leaves 10 million. Roughly half of those are able to keep the plan they already have because it complies with the ACA and their insurance company still offers it.

That leaves 5 million people that are losing their coverage and forced to buy a new plan.

Among those, roughly half will have access to a cheaper and better plan than they had before. The website issues affect these people and will be fixed and they'll be alright.

That leaves about 2.5 million people that are in a bind. Their insurance costs will be higher than before, even if the coverage is better.

1/120th of the population. 1 out of every 120 people in this country have every right to be pissed about the ACA, at least in the short term.

But 40 million people... 1 out of 8.... have access to insurance now who didn't have it before.

The math doesn't work for the opponents of the ACA once that 1/8 gets insurance. That is why they are desperate to kill it in the crib.

What the GOP and their friends in the media have been trying to do is to convince everyone that THEY are one of the 1/120 of the population that is being adversely affected.

The only way they kill it is if they convince enough of the voting public that it harms THEM.

As a utilitarian ... I accept policies that help (or don't harm) 119/120 of the population while inconveniencing, in the short run, 1/120 of the population.


Comment by Mondobubba on 11/14/2013 13:58:47
Chris Christie is not a "moderate! He's conservative, but pragmatic. Stop falling for the media's relabeling of anyone who's not a raging tea party nut job as "moderate."

Comment by Raine on 11/14/2013 14:03:46
Quote by Mondobubba:
Chris Christie is not a "moderate! He's conservative, but pragmatic. Stop falling for the media's relabeling of anyone who's not a raging tea party nut job as "moderate."

Well, good morning sunshine.

Comment by Mondobubba on 11/14/2013 14:05:05
Quote by Raine:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Chris Christie is not a "moderate! He's conservative, but pragmatic. Stop falling for the media's relabeling of anyone who's not a raging tea party nut job as "moderate."

Well, good morning sunshine.



Sorry. This media meme has been burr under the saddle with me for some time now. I had to get it out. :skates to penalty box:

Comment by wickedpam on 11/14/2013 14:11:30
Morning



Comment by BobR on 11/14/2013 14:23:01
Quote by Mondobubba:
Chris Christie is not a "moderate! He's conservative, but pragmatic. Stop falling for the media's relabeling of anyone who's not a raging tea party nut job as "moderate."

I didn't say he was a "moderate", I said he was a "moderate Republican" - there's a big difference between the two.

President Obama and Bill Clinton are "moderates".

Comment by trojanrabbit on 11/14/2013 14:24:37
I really don't give a damn whether cowardly Harry is agitated or not. He should have been kicked to the curb and out of the leadership position when they had the chance.

Unless you subscribe to the idea that Harry likes things this way because it gives him a little bit of cover with "moderate" Nevadans.

my brain hurts.....

Comment by Mondobubba on 11/14/2013 14:26:08
Quote by BobR:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Chris Christie is not a "moderate! He's conservative, but pragmatic. Stop falling for the media's relabeling of anyone who's not a raging tea party nut job as "moderate."

I didn't say he was a "moderate", I said he was a "moderate Republican" - there's a big difference between the two.

President Obama and Bill Clinton are "moderates".


No, he is not a moderate Republican. He is a conservative Republican. I fear you have fallen for the shifting of the goal posts on what constitutes a conservative. Yeah there are people who would consider him a RINO, but he is a Reagan conservative.


Comment by Raine on 11/14/2013 14:37:42
I may need some RWLM assistance on my BoF page today!


Comment by BobR on 11/14/2013 14:39:13
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by BobR:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Chris Christie is not a "moderate! He's conservative, but pragmatic. Stop falling for the media's relabeling of anyone who's not a raging tea party nut job as "moderate."

I didn't say he was a "moderate", I said he was a "moderate Republican" - there's a big difference between the two.

President Obama and Bill Clinton are "moderates".


No, he is not a moderate Republican. He is a conservative Republican. I fear you have fallen for the shifting of the goal posts on what constitutes a conservative. Yeah there are people who would consider him a RINO, but he is a Reagan conservative.

The goal posts HAVE shifted - for that party. He is what constitutes the middle of the Republican party now, which shows just how bad they are.

Were it 30 years ago, then I would say yes, he is a conservative for that party.

Not today he's not.

Comment by Raine on 11/14/2013 14:41:48
NEW on 4F



Comment by Raine on 11/14/2013 14:44:31


Comment by wickedpam on 11/14/2013 14:52:14
Quote by Raine:



look at all the new toys

Comment by Raine on 11/14/2013 15:10:18
Quote by Raine:
I may need some RWLM assistance on my BoF page today!
So far, so good.

This was a rather irritating thing to wake up to this morning.


Comment by Raine on 11/14/2013 15:13:53
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Raine:



look at all the new toys
It's like the VMA's!


Comment by Mondobubba on 11/14/2013 15:29:41
Quote by Raine:



Sirens! Panic! Twerking rabbits! Yoda! Ohhhh myyyyy! :Takai voice:

Comment by Mondobubba on 11/14/2013 15:32:17
I think I am done being cranky. I am jacked up on combination of espresso & chili powder brownie and testosterone.

Comment by Raine on 11/14/2013 15:39:20
Wait, this caller said she's 62 years old?? Her husband is 65?? Her insurance company is the one that is choosing to not comply. This is all such a bullshit game.

Comment by Raine on 11/14/2013 15:39:55
Quote by Raine:
There are roughly 320 million people in this country.

About 85% of us get health insurance through an employer, Medicare, Medicaid, or the VA.

That means about 270 million of us are not affected at all by healthcare.gov web site issues or by junk individual policies that are being cancelled.

Among the 50 million who are affected, 40 million had no insurance at all, so it isn't like the ACA or the website problems made their situations worse. They are either better off or the same.

That leaves 10 million. Roughly half of those are able to keep the plan they already have because it complies with the ACA and their insurance company still offers it.

That leaves 5 million people that are losing their coverage and forced to buy a new plan.

Among those, roughly half will have access to a cheaper and better plan than they had before. The website issues affect these people and will be fixed and they'll be alright.

That leaves about 2.5 million people that are in a bind. Their insurance costs will be higher than before, even if the coverage is better.

1/120th of the population. 1 out of every 120 people in this country have every right to be pissed about the ACA, at least in the short term.

But 40 million people... 1 out of 8.... have access to insurance now who didn't have it before.

The math doesn't work for the opponents of the ACA once that 1/8 gets insurance. That is why they are desperate to kill it in the crib.

What the GOP and their friends in the media have been trying to do is to convince everyone that THEY are one of the 1/120 of the population that is being adversely affected.

The only way they kill it is if they convince enough of the voting public that it harms THEM.

As a utilitarian ... I accept policies that help (or don't harm) 119/120 of the population while inconveniencing, in the short run, 1/120 of the population.





Comment by Scoopster on 11/14/2013 15:40:05
Mornin' all..
Quote by Raine:
Quote by Raine:
I may need some RWLM assistance on my BoF page today!
So far, so good.

This was a rather irritating thing to wake up to this morning.

Yeah. I read that and wasn't very kind in my reply. Apologies in advance.

Comment by Raine on 11/14/2013 15:41:08
Scoop -- gonna play good cop bad cop with ya.

Comment by Scoopster on 11/14/2013 15:42:56
Quote by Raine:
Scoop -- gonna play good cop bad cop with ya.

Okies I can get into that role!

Comment by Raine on 11/14/2013 15:45:14
Quote by Raine:
Scoop -- gonna play good cop bad cop with ya.
In other words -- you can be my Raine anger translator.

Like this:
http://www.youthumbs.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Key-Peel-Barak-Obama-Anger-Translator.jpg




Comment by Raine on 11/14/2013 15:49:02
Whitey gets life plus 5 years... Live blog crack for you Mondo.

Comment by Mondobubba on 11/14/2013 15:51:18
Comment by Raine on 11/14/2013 15:53:50
Quote by Raine:
Wait, this caller said she's 62 years old?? Her husband is 65?? Her insurance company is the one that is choosing to not comply. This is all such a bullshit game.
ACA doesn't cover Dental either -- the caller indicated that it did.


Comment by Mondobubba on 11/14/2013 16:00:15
Quote by Raine:
Whitey gets life plus 5 years... Live blog crack for you Mondo.



So he's 84, does this mean they are going to leave the moldering, bloated corpse in the cell for an additional five years when he kicks in the next few years?

Comment by Raine on 11/14/2013 16:01:23
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by Raine:
Whitey gets life plus 5 years... Live blog crack for you Mondo.



So he's 84, does this mean they are going to leave the moldering, bloated corpse in the cell for an additional five years when he kicks in the next few years?
In formaldehyde on display.


Comment by Mondobubba on 11/14/2013 16:02:25
This was twitter hash tag yesterday: #askjpm. You could as JP Morgan anything you wanted. It didn't go well.

Comment by wickedpam on 11/14/2013 16:09:53
back from Copier meeting - what did I miss?

Comment by wickedpam on 11/14/2013 16:12:55


you know I saw a show on how they build that hotel every year - its amazing


Comment by wickedpam on 11/14/2013 16:17:13
Quote by Scoopster:
Quote by Raine:
Scoop -- gonna play good cop bad cop with ya.

Okies I can get into that role!



The Scoop and Raine show!

Comment by Raine on 11/14/2013 16:19:31
The Cancelled insurance SCANDAL BENGHAZI ERMERGERD issue is now moot.


It kinda pisses me off to be really honest.

Comment by Raine on 11/14/2013 16:26:01
Quote by Raine:
The Cancelled insurance SCANDAL BENGHAZI ERMERGERD issue is now moot.


It kinda pisses me off to be really honest.
I hate that I agree with this politically.
The best way to be sure that Boehner fails is to do what President Obama will do today. The president is going to announce an administrative fix for the people who are losing their junk insurance. The president will announce that people will be allowed to keep their policies, but insurance companies will have to tell them about other options. Republicans are going to counter what the president announces with howls that it is inadequate, but Democrats will get back on board as soon as the president announces something.





Comment by BobR on 11/14/2013 16:38:11
Quote by wickedpam:
back from Copier meeting - what did I miss?

"Copier meeting"... that sounds like a real

Comment by wickedpam on 11/14/2013 16:42:48
Quote by BobR:
Quote by wickedpam:
back from Copier meeting - what did I miss?

"Copier meeting"... that sounds like a real



it is, but if I want a good copier for the sales department then I've got to be there too or they stick the crappy machines by us.

Comment by Mondobubba on 11/14/2013 16:54:58
Comment by livingonli on 11/14/2013 17:02:28
So much crazy, so little time.

Comment by Mondobubba on 11/14/2013 17:03:05
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by BobR:
Quote by wickedpam:
back from Copier meeting - what did I miss?

"Copier meeting"... that sounds like a real



it is, but if I want a good copier for the sales department then I've got to be there too or they stick the crappy machines by us.



People still use copiers? You don't have an "all in one document reproduction system?" AKA a networked copier.

Comment by wickedpam on 11/14/2013 17:11:54
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by BobR:
Quote by wickedpam:
back from Copier meeting - what did I miss?

"Copier meeting"... that sounds like a real



it is, but if I want a good copier for the sales department then I've got to be there too or they stick the crappy machines by us.



People still use copiers? You don't have an "all in one document reproduction system?" AKA a networked copier.



ya, we're a little slow with the tech here - hoping the new ones will be networked to some extent.


Comment by Raine on 11/14/2013 17:14:04
Getting ready to head out, Before I go, O said the same thing that I posted.
40 million had no insurance at all, so it isn't like the ACA or the website problems made their situations worse. They are either better off or the same.


Comment by Will in Chicago on 11/14/2013 17:16:29
Good morning, bloggers!! I hope that everyone is well. (I have been busy and was slightly ill yesterday.)

From looking at the Atlantic article, I have to wonder if the insurance agencies will do anything differently. I hope that the President has disarmed the GOP, even if I personally favor single payer. (A lot of eyes will be looking at how Vermont implements single payer.)

Today, in addition to job hunting, I have to take a friend to the doctor. I think that the doctor will tell him it is time to turn in the car keys.

Comment by Mondobubba on 11/14/2013 17:19:32
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by BobR:
Quote by wickedpam:
back from Copier meeting - what did I miss?

"Copier meeting"... that sounds like a real



it is, but if I want a good copier for the sales department then I've got to be there too or they stick the crappy machines by us.



People still use copiers? You don't have an "all in one document reproduction system?" AKA a networked copier.



ya, we're a little slow with the tech here - hoping the new ones will be networked to some extent.



It will not make that much difference.

Did we discuss TWD??


Comment by trojanrabbit on 11/14/2013 17:22:47
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by BobR:
Quote by wickedpam:
back from Copier meeting - what did I miss?

"Copier meeting"... that sounds like a real



it is, but if I want a good copier for the sales department then I've got to be there too or they stick the crappy machines by us.



People still use copiers? You don't have an "all in one document reproduction system?" AKA a networked copier.

Ah, yes. I can print something at my desk and if I wanted, go to Eindhoven to pick it up. And if network access to the outside goes down (which it does more often than I care to count), I can't go to the printer 30 feet from me to get it.

Comment by Will in Chicago on 11/14/2013 17:23:59
Quote by Raine:
Getting ready to head out, Before I go, O said the same thing that I posted.
40 million had no insurance at all, so it isn't like the ACA or the website problems made their situations worse. They are either better off or the same.



Heck, if anything made it worse, it was REPUBLICAN governors and legislatures deciding NOT to take Medicaid expansion. Some people will not be covered, but it may ultimately hurt the GOP.



Comment by wickedpam on 11/14/2013 17:27:36
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by BobR:
Quote by wickedpam:
back from Copier meeting - what did I miss?

"Copier meeting"... that sounds like a real



it is, but if I want a good copier for the sales department then I've got to be there too or they stick the crappy machines by us.



People still use copiers? You don't have an "all in one document reproduction system?" AKA a networked copier.



ya, we're a little slow with the tech here - hoping the new ones will be networked to some extent.



It will not make that much difference.

Did we discuss TWD??


still haven't watched - caught up on SHEILD though - Melinda May, Fitz, Simmons and Coulson need their own show - especially Ming-Na she's 10000000000% awesomeness


Comment by wickedpam on 11/14/2013 17:29:21
Quote by trojanrabbit:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by BobR:
Quote by wickedpam:
back from Copier meeting - what did I miss?

"Copier meeting"... that sounds like a real



it is, but if I want a good copier for the sales department then I've got to be there too or they stick the crappy machines by us.



People still use copiers? You don't have an "all in one document reproduction system?" AKA a networked copier.

Ah, yes. I can print something at my desk and if I wanted, go to Eindhoven to pick it up. And if network access to the outside goes down (which it does more often than I care to count), I can't go to the printer 30 feet from me to get it.



that's the downside of networking - but I'm kinda special needs for printing - have an inkjet (nicer one) and a low end color copier in my office