Thread: Graham: House Bill D.O.A. in the Senate

(CBS) Senator Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said the health care bill passed last night by the House of Representatives is "dead on arrival to the Senate."

Graham argued that the House bill was "written for liberals, by liberals.

"Just look at how it passed; it passed 220 to 215. It passed by two votes. You had [39] Democrats vote against the bill," Graham told "Face the Nation" host Bob Schieffer Sunday.

He also admitted that if it were to come down to it, he would join his independent colleague Senator Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., in filibustering a bill including the so-called public option should it come to the Senate floor.

"The House bill is a non-starter in the Senate," he added. "I just think the construct out of the House and what exists in the Senate is not going to pass, and I hope and pray it doesn't because it would be a disaster for the economy and health care," Graham concluded.

Graham believed a public option would "destroy" private health care, saying that insurance companies could not compete against the lower premiums of a government-backed plan. "It will be a death blow to private choice," he said.

Schieffer asked Senator Jack Reed, D-R.I., whether he believed that Senate Democrats had the votes to pass the House bill considering it includes the so-called public option.

"I believe we are going to pass health care reform," Reed responded. "I believe we must do this because it's essential to not just the quality of life here but our economic success in the future.

"Senator Reid, Harry Reid has introduced the public option and there is strong support there. but we are far from the end of the debate in the Senate. It will take time. It will be careful, thorough and deliberate.

"I hope that a public option is in the final bill," he added.

Reed admitted that there is an "active debate" taking place among senators and various provisions to a public insurance plan, such as the trigger option or allowing states to opt-out.

"Overwhelmingly, sixty percent of the American public want a public option and I think we should be listening to them as much as listening to ourselves," Reed said.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/11/ ... 6519.shtml

DON'T BELIEVE THIS! I think this guy is a RINO. It could be a ploy so that we become complacent. It's time to go into Pitbull mode and not let go!!

This guy has no credibility with true Conservatives and absolutely none with ALIPAC. More smoke and mirrors from Senator Lindsey Graham.

Let's hope for the best but prepare for the worst.

Graham going conservative? Just a thought: Perhaps we should support him in this, but tell him "immigration reform" would be equally disastrous, too. Sort of like catching more flies with honey than vinegar.

Graham argued that the House bill was "written for liberals, by liberals.

It takes one to know one. Graham is one of the most liberal senators of all.

Originally Posted by butterbean

Graham argued that the House bill was "written for liberals, by liberals.

It takes one to know one. Graham is one of the most liberal senators of all.

good one!

For some reason, I picture Graham shortly after this interview being met by several Democrats who walked him out the bad stage door for a good ol fashioned arm twisting. You know he said, "uncle" faster than a blink of the eye.

Dixie

Don't... trust... Graham... My vision is that he has already made his deals and they will be met. But he has to huff and puff for his constituants...

But this guy has a great idea.

http://www.redstate.com/moe_lane/2009/1 ... s-consent/

(H/T: Big Government) Senator Tom Coburn is living up to his nickname:

Sen. Tom Coburn, the Oklahoma Republican who developed a close friendship with President Obama when they served together in the Senate, is threatening to have the entire health care bill read on the Senate floor.

Senior Senate Democratic aides had heard Coburn was considering having potentially thousands of pages read aloud in effort to stall passage. “If he did this it would be even outrageous for a guy who’s become known as Dr. No around here,â€