House Republicans are underlining their support for Rep. Paul Ryan’s Medicare reforms a week after the bitter loss of a New York congressional seat.
Even as newly emboldened Democrats hopeful of retaking the House intensify their criticism, there seems to be little appetite or inclination among Republicans for modifying their approach — even if that approach ends up carrying electoral costs.
“To back away from this or to get skittish for fear of losing a few seats or even the majority would be pretty darn irresponsible,” Rep. Phil Gingrey (R-Ga.) told The Hill.
Though that kind of view might be expected from a member of the House’s Tea Party Caucus like Gingrey, it is broadly shared, even by more centrist figures like strategist Mark McKinnon.
“Republicans should not run from the Ryan plan,” McKinnon said. “That is a lose-lose proposition. We’re tagged with it anyway, so running doesn’t help. But it’s also a bold and courageous plan that I believe, over the long run, voters will recognize and reward.”
GOP leaders on the Sunday talk shows rallied around the Ryan plan even as they acknowledged the role it played in last week’s loss of a GOP-leaning district. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) said he voted for the Ryan plan, while House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) said he “absolutely” stood behind it.
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The GOP apparently does not believe that there are enough votes out here to phase them or to impress them with the potential and possibility of irrelevance and being the out party for an extended period of time. This was erroneously demonstrated to the GOP in 2010. Those electoral gains emboldened the GOP and they appear to honestly believe that they can do it again. So called "independents" and "moderates" went to that side in the midterms in significant numbers and progressives and Dems slept through the midterms for their respective reasons. I hope that people do not make those same mistakes again. Otherwise, you can kiss this nation goodbye.
ReplyDeleteglad you're not "backing away". this is what is needed. take a firm stand and stick with it.....
ReplyDeleteI think every Republican member of the House needs a spanking. But, 2,000 dollars bet saying they would enjoy it and would pay me as much. Stop foreign aid, stop the wars, make the rich pay their fair share, end corporate tax breaks, farm breaks, I'm sick of making Medicare the fall guy. Screw you GOP.
ReplyDelete