Updated July 21, 2009
GOP Senator Steps Up War of Words With Obama Over Health Care Reform
FOXNews.com
Sen. Jim DeMint continued his war of words with President Obama that began when the South Carolina Republican said if Republicans defeat Obama's health reform efforts, it will "break" the president.
Sen. Jim DeMint on Tuesday renewed his attack on President Obama's plans for health care reform, questioning the president's commitment to a finding a solution.
The South Carolina Republican said on the Senate floor he has "no confidence the president actually wants to make health care affordable and available to all Americans," noting that Obama voted against a number of Republican measures last year -- including pooling of insurance by small businesses and health savings accounts -- that DeMint said would have lowered health care costs.
The latest attack came as a key House committee on Tuesday indefinitely delayed voting on its version of the Democrats' health care reform legislation after Democratic leaders were unable to line up enough votes from moderate members of their own party.
In recent days, DeMint has declared that if Republicans defeat Obama's health reform efforts, it will be Obama's "Waterloo" -- and that it will "break" the president.
Obama seized on the comments Monday to suggest that politics are trumping the interests of the American people.
"This isn't about me. This isn't about politics," Obama said. "This is about a health care system that is breaking America's families, breaking America's businesses and breaking America's economy. And we can't afford the politics of delay and defeat when it comes to health care -- not this time, not now."
On Tuesday, DeMint stepped up his war of words with the president.
"Folks, as I look at this whole health care debate, I'm glad to see the president out attacking me for saying we need to stop him," he said. "It's time to slow down and take stock of where we are.
"Let's stop this rampage toward bigger and bigger government," he said. "Let's stop and get it right. Our health depends on it."
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., jumped into the fray Tuesday, mockingly calling statements like DeMint's "brilliant."
"Republicans aren't interested in working with Democrats to fix this problem," he said. "That's pretty clear. They simply want to maintain the status quo and keep the insurance industry in charge of health care delivery."
Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., took exception with reports that Republicans are merely trying to defeat health care reform efforts.
"I hear it said repeatedly by some on the other side that Republicans are not in favor of health care reform," he told reporters. "I can't find a single Republican senator who said that, nor whose speeches have not illustrated and underscored that we need to have health care reform.
"We do start with the notion, however, that we have the best health care in the world," he said. "Surveys indicate that ... the American people, when it comes to quality, believe that they have the best health care in the world. We know we have a cost problem, and we know we have an access problem."
FOX News' Trish Turner contributed to this report.
Latest Politics Videos
-
-
War Council Meeting
-
Nov 23, 2009
Obama to decide on troops to Afghanistan
-
-
-
'September 11 Revisited'
-
Nov 23, 2009
Beamer's dad outraged at trial decision
-
-
-
Louisiana Purchase
-
Nov 23, 2009
Senate concessions spark accusations
-
-
-
Dr. Congress
-
Nov 22, 2009
Bill would mandate H1N1 sick days
-
-
-
Chris Chocola on 'FNS'
-
Nov 22, 2009
One of the generals in GOP's civil war
-
-
-
Panel Plus: 11/22
-
Nov 22, 2009
'FNS' panel on health care, rationing
-
Real Clear Politics Poll
| Job Approval | Approve | Disapprove | Spread |
| Obama | 50.4% | 43.6% | +6.8% |
| Congress | 27.0% | 64.3% | -37.3% |
| Direction of Country | Right Direction | Wrong Track | Spread |
| RCP Average | 38.0% | 57.2% | -19.2% |
Most Active In Politics
Most Read
Most Commented
-
House Passes Health Care Bill
November 08, 2009 1,132 comments
-
Health Care Bill Moves Toward Senate Debate
November 22, 2009 977 comments
-
Comment Box: Send Us Your Findings on Health Care Reform
November 19, 2009 935 comments
-
AP Turns Heads for Devoting 11 Reporters to Palin Book 'Fact Check'
November 18, 2009 857 comments
-
Obama: 'Dont' Jump to Conclusions' on Fort Hood Shooting
November 06, 2009 615 comments
-
Lieberman Digs In on Public Option
November 24, 2009
-
Senate Bill's New Flashpoint: Abortion
November 24, 2009
-
Lawmakers Probe Climate Emails
November 24, 2009
-
White House Weighs Jobs, Deficit
November 23, 2009
-
Climate Emails Stoke Debate
November 23, 2009
-
Would a soldier serving on the Chilcot committee be ruthless enough?
November 23, 2009
-
I do not accept that £64,000 a year for politicians is peanuts
November 23, 2009
-
It’s OK, you’re allowed to laugh at Cast Offs
November 23, 2009
-
Dave’n’George: there may be trouble ahead
November 23, 2009
-
Strip away the figleaf and reveal naysayers
November 23, 2009



recommend

Subscribe to Comments






